Wagner Returning For Year 3

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,900
76,316
113
I agree with you. I supported the coach until late. I didn’t quite understand at the time why Cal was getting froze out on things like practice facility. I’m admittedly a basketball-first fan and was upset that there was even a debate about it.

I guess things worked out for the best though. The thing I didn’t like about Cal was the game planning and not trying to retain more guys and Pope does those things very well. I’m happy with how it turned out.
I think we all are, a separation was best for both parties, it seemed to re invigorate Cal as well. Now I hear we have a new practice facility and rooms for Basketball planned and almost funded.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,900
76,316
113
Watching Wagner, Acuff and Thomas coexist should be hilarious.
Yeah it could be deadly if it works but each on is a ball dominate guard. Cal’s best trait is getting talents like that to buy into team first amd share the ball, he will have his work cut out for him this year.
 

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
11,049
17,378
113
Sure. Just not here. We did save on wear and tear on the rims when he was here, though.
 

pauled#1

All-American
Feb 11, 2003
5,863
5,539
96
I bet the Wagner’s never saw this coming! Wasn’t he the #1 player in his class? I’m sure they thought he would be a one and out guy!
 

zgcrawfo94

All-Conference
May 26, 2021
1,883
4,279
0
Wagner has alot of value. He cant necessarily shoot but a veteran ball handler like that still has a ton of value. Also the NIL difference between Kentucky and Arkansas is not that vast. Maybe around 2-3 million.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,900
76,316
113
I was hard on him after he left. I would like to say i was wrong about him being a bad player. He improved much at Arky this season. Onward and upward to your NBA dreams young man!
DJ always seemed like a good kid. I just wish he valued playing for Kentucky instead of just Cal U. I know most players are like that anymore but it suck’s.
 

jeffky

All-American
Sep 22, 2017
3,531
6,806
0
Richmond coming back too.
Damn I must be on the wrong board again thought this was a Kentucky forum must have made a wrong turn again

Confused Always Sunny GIF by It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
 

jeffky

All-American
Sep 22, 2017
3,531
6,806
0
So you’re opposed to discussing relevant SEC basketball news in a slow time of the year? Move along if it bothers you.
No I want move along I just wish you cal lovers would do the same back at you
 

phunterd

All-Conference
Aug 1, 2006
2,189
4,872
62
No I want move along I just wish you cal lovers would do the same back at you

Sounds good.

Anyway, I’m with everyone else - it will be interesting to see how Wagner coexists with the other guards. Arkansas clearly improved once Cal was forced to play him at point rather than making him and Fland play together. They’ll likely be the second highest ranked SEC team, behind us. Probably won’t live up to that expectation though.
 

Wunky

Heisman
Jan 16, 2021
4,240
17,563
78
When DJ was here, my impressions were that he was a very polite young man (yes sir no sir) who respected what it meant to be a Wildcat and always tried his hardest. He has limitations as a player, but the main one is shooting and that can be fixed if he really wants to put in the long hours that it takes. He’s a good kid. I hope Arkansas loses every game (has nothing to do with Cal… I’ve felt that way since Nolan was there) but I wish success for DJ personally. It had to be hard watching Reed and Rob go high lotto, and now Fland as well.
 

BlueBlood96Cat

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2022
2,679
4,721
113
Sounds good.

Anyway, I’m with everyone else - it will be interesting to see how Wagner coexists with the other guards. Arkansas clearly improved once Cal was forced to play him at point rather than making him and Fland play together. They’ll likely be the second highest ranked SEC team, behind us. Probably won’t live up to that expectation though.
I don’t have a problem with Wagner. But as far as richmond and Knox Oweh owes them one. If they don’t go pro. Got dunked on and called a b**** a** n**** by Richmond. They are punks. Screw cal and arky
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2003
2,901
3,714
82
He can’t shoot and probably wouldn’t get drafted. Not to say he can’t improve but he’ll probably be back for his senior year. He didn’t live up to the hype.
And THAT is why he’s returning. No other reason. He’s returning because he’s not good enough to get paid at the next level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cat in ga

Eagles_Ball_69

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2003
2,901
3,714
82
They will have players and be good no doubt. I just mean he is not getting 5 or 6 high school top 30 players at Ark. He might get 2 or 3 but now he is asking guys to stay instead of pushing them out like he did here. Many guys would have been great for us if they would have stayed another year. Instead they signed the 3 or 4 year deal, spent a few weeks in NBA and was knocked down to the Gleague. Would have rather had them back.
He hasn’t “convinced” anyone to stay at Arky that would get drafted. Not one player.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2003
2,901
3,714
82
Not disagreeing with you at all. My point is how many guys did we have during Cal’s time that were in the same boat as Wagner and left after Year 1.
This is an honest question, because I truly can’t remember. Did Cal have freshmen that declared and didn’t get drafted? A lot of you are saying the same thing, “Cal always pushed guys like this out”. I just don’t think that is true. DJ is on the same mock draft boards as Oweh. Not a damned one. He could declare all he wanted and would get drafted in the same round as me.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,900
76,316
113
When DJ was here, my impressions were that he was a very polite young man (yes sir no sir) who respected what it meant to be a Wildcat and always tried his hardest. He has limitations as a player, but the main one is shooting and that can be fixed if he really wants to put in the long hours that it takes. He’s a good kid. I hope Arkansas loses every game (has nothing to do with Cal… I’ve felt that way since Nolan was there) but I wish success for DJ personally. It had to be hard watching Reed and Rob go high lotto, and now Fland as well.
I never had a problem with DJ, I wish he would have stayed here honestly. The thing that irks people is Cal would have told him to leave for sure if he was here still. I understand why he went with Cal though he’s basically a part of his family.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NociHTTP

tls

Heisman
Nov 7, 2007
7,804
14,422
81
He can be very effective especially when playing with, or protecting a lead
 

sk73

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2013
3,092
3,122
113
I like DJ Wagner. He is not an NBA level player right now but a very good college player. I really can't understand the level of dislike he seems to get from many on this board. For me, being a UK fan does not mean I have to dislike every player that didn't play up to our expectations or, that moved on. I wish him well. He seems like a good young man.
 

Shaudylo

Heisman
Apr 2, 2011
11,156
24,894
112
I like DJ Wagner. He is not an NBA level player right now but a very good college player. I really can't understand the level of dislike he seems to get from many on this board. For me, being a UK fan does not mean I have to dislike every player that didn't play up to our expectations or, that moved on. I wish him well. He seems like a good young man.
It’s because he started over Reed and Rob. So basically it’s cal fault he is hated on this board .

Had he came off of the bench I think the hate would be less .
 

Soupbean

All-American
Jan 19, 2007
5,945
8,109
0
He can’t shoot and probably wouldn’t get drafted. Not to say he can’t improve but he’ll probably be back for his senior year. He didn’t live up to the hype.
All true and not sure how much he can improve his pro outlook without fixing his shot, but he’s steadily turned himself into a really solid college guard. He played hard last year and was a real dog attacking the rim. He’ll make them better coming back.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cat in ga

sk73

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2013
3,092
3,122
113
It’s because he started over Reed and Rob. So basically it’s cal fault he is hated on this board .

Had he came off of the bench I think the hate would be less .
Well, now Reed is disliked due to his support for Arkansas. The dislike is coming from the ones that also do not like Wagner. I like them both and appreciate their time here. On the flip side, I don't give a **** about the haters on this board.
 
  • Like
Reactions: danielscott52

Eagles_Ball_69

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2003
2,901
3,714
82
I never had a problem with DJ, I wish he would have stayed here honestly. The thing that irks people is Cal would have told him to leave for sure if he was here still. I understand why he went with Cal though he’s basically a part of his family.
I keep seeing you guys saying this. But DJ has been on zero draft boards the last two years. Did Cal encourage guys like that? I honestly don’t remember that. I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but I can’t remember them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NociHTTP

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,900
76,316
113
I keep seeing you guys saying this. But DJ has been on zero draft boards the last two years. Did Cal encourage guys like that? I honestly don’t remember that. I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but I can’t remember them.
I think he would have promoted him to try and go and used a favor to get him selected late 2nd like a Chris Livingston type deal. If not drafted u could see Cal calling up Leon Rose and have him sign him for a 2 year summer league type deal at worst. I can’t remember any five star guard here outside Askew that wasn’t pushed out after a year, whether to go pro or another team. You could say Briscoe but he moved to a SF type role.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NociHTTP