I kind of figured it was also to avoid giving Louisville an opportunity to deploy a “hack-a-Amari” strategy late in the game. Sometimes Amari appears capable at the FT line, and other times he appears shockingly horrendous. Garrison seems more reliable. Given that Louisville kept hanging around within one or two possessions, they only needed to steal a couple of opportunities to possibly sneak away with a win today.
Why'd Pope go 100% away from Williams?
- Thread starter jwild
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5th year player, never going pro, but he’s essentially to UK’s success. Coach Pope will keep him engaged 
Our bigs are an issue at this point. BG wants to shoot anytime he gets the ball on offense when he should be the fifth option no matter what. At the same time Williams seems lazy as all get out on D, which is weird considering he was supposed to be one of the best defensive bigs out there.
Have a ? About that. Looked like it hit him out of bounds before hitting the floor
I don't think it did. It was close. But think it hit Hepburn and then next hit the floor.
Amari did not come out to hedge on a screen for Chucky who then drove down into Williams for the bucket and 1.
He was subbed out at that point and I don’t think he came back in.
He was subbed out at that point and I don’t think he came back in.
Amari was on triple-double watch at halftime. Think what he could do with a consistent motor.
Yeah I think he had a really good first half. That's why I was so surprised with the minutes in the second half while the game was live. But, I understand a little better now.
I’m not happy with a lot of things Amari does, especially his lack of hustle.
Look at that stat line though. In 16 mins. Imagine if we got 30 productive mins a game from him?
He’s key for this team to go far.
Look at that stat line though. In 16 mins. Imagine if we got 30 productive mins a game from him?
He’s key for this team to go far.
I said after the Gonzaga game, he needs to watch some film of Jamaal Maguire on how to physically protect the rim. I like the rest of his game, but needs to be nasty when a guard tries to drive to the basket, currently too soft in this area.
Plus he should have had several dunks, but he put up soft layups instead
I saw that same shot. He just watched the guy shoot. Didn’t even get his hands up
Too much finessing when he’s wide open under the basket, instead of jamming it. I’d say Garrison earned it tonight
Guarantee Williams knows why. I think Coach Pope says a lot without saying anything.
He can definitely do it and we need him too. I do like our 2 headed monster though. Each one picks the other up when they are down.
This.
Dunk the ball you 7 foot 250 lb monster.
The bigs should try to dunk instead of shoot anything else. Awful offensive touch. Also the lack of rim protection this year is painful to watch. Several times Williams just watched guards lay the ball up without attempting to contest them. I do like their passing though.
I was yelling at tv on one play where a smaller guy did a little jump hook over Williams and Amari’s hands never went over his head to contest it.
But Williams is an elite rebounder, whereas Garrison is not a good rebounder, so we need that fixed.
Williams watched at least three guys shoot bunnies over him w/out even raising his hands to contest. No idea what he was doing last night.
I agree I was terribly frustrated with the passive defense we played
We basically allowed UL to get off 39 threes by them setting a high ball screen we switch a big on there guard …our big gives ample room not wanting to get blown by and they shoot a wide open three. We never fought through a screen we never hedged we basically went pack line and dared Louisville to shoot wide open 3’s. Yes they only hit 27% on the year but other teams guard them they have no post play so not sure why Pope thought that was best way to defend them. Only thing I can think is that he wanted to stay out of foul trouble and knew he could out score them but damn we had same game pressure
Garrison is a ball stopper. Just hold it. Is better than Williams on D.
I dunno. Churchill. Where would we be without his Downs.
I can’t read this word without thinking about the clip of Zion Williamson trying to say it:
Might not be as good of a guy as we were taught in school. Some really good info from this modern day historian.
And he is the defensive player of the year in his conference last yr- I don't see it so far
Yeah noticed that also- Garrison was looking down at the ball instead of initially going after it hard
I still say the best version of the Cats is with Carr at the 5. They are WAY better offensively. The issue is rebounding and getting enough stops. Pope got burned with that small lineup at Clemson and now I think he’s a little gun shy. I think less of Williams and BG is a good thing, at least until one of them figures out they’re out there to defend the rim and rebound. Too many “my turn” shots from them when they get touches on offense.
His game would take a tremendous leap if he'd power through contact for the score, instead of trying to headfake his way to a wide open look
Not occasionally, every time !
Yes it would, I think he is a better rebounder and I love his passing, but he needs to just go straight to the basket and power thru as you said.
Very lazy on D. Didn't even attempt to challenge numerous shots. Just stood there and watched the ball go over his head.
It’s 100% about his lack of effort in challenging shots at the rim. He’s fantastic moving laterally and is mostly in great defensive position but unlike at Drexel players at this level aren’t intimidated by him just standing there. If he starts contesting those shots our defense will improve greatly.
Just a hunch… I don’t think Pope believes he is getting as much out of Williams as he believes he can. He made a point to explain that Garrison was in there for energy…I rewatched the entire game today and I’m not sure Garrison played much better than Amari. Pope might be willing to make Williams earn those minutes because he did look lethargic out there after the first quarter of gameplay.
This is pure speculation on my part so take it for what it’s worth, which isn’t much. But I don’t think he likes running this offense and I don’t think he expected Brandon Garrison to be here when he committed.