Early Entry Thread

[lilproUK98]

Keldon staying in too.

[Joneslab]

Herro doesn't surprise me particularly with the way he played in the second half and the way the NBA is going in the Steph Curry era.

Johnson surprises me a tad bit but not too much. There was a point Johnson was probably thought to be in the top ten, and while he slipped during the season he didn't slip too awfully much.

When I looked at this team in the Bahamas I assumed they were all gone except Quickley, so in that way just getting Hagans and Montgomery back is sort of a plus.

On the downside he has to build a new team again, and as we've seen that's a hit and miss proposition, particularly when you aren't getting Anthony Davis types. But if he's able to grab Blackshear and maybe this other mystery grad transfer, and if Maxey and Whitney are as good as advertised, and if EJ can have a really good off-season to get himself ready to contribute at a high level, Kentucky should be okay.

The only thing you don't have in that group is a returner who's been in the system like PJ last year. But they would be just as dynamic at guard and they'd have just as much talent on the front line as last season.

Without somebody like Blackshear though and assuming Hurt and these other big men don't sign, then Kentucky would be probably too inexperienced to make a whole lot of noise next year (assuming there are no other surprises to come).

[lilproUK98]

Herro doesn't surprise me particularly with the way he played in the second half and the way the NBA is going in the Steph Curry era.

Johnson surprises me a tad bit but not too much. There was a point Johnson was probably thought to be in the top ten, and while he slipped during the season he didn't slip too awfully much.

When I looked at this team in the Bahamas I assumed they were all gone except Quickley, so in that way just getting Hagans and Montgomery back is sort of a plus.

On the downside he has to build a new team again, and as we've seen that's a hit and miss proposition, particularly when you aren't getting Anthony Davis types. But if he's able to grab Blackshear and maybe this other mystery grad transfer, and if Maxey and Whitney are as good as advertised, and if EJ can have a really good off-season to get himself ready to contribute at a high level, Kentucky should be okay.

The only thing you don't have in that group is a returner who's been in the system like PJ last year. But they would be just as dynamic at guard and they'd have just as much talent on the front line as last season.

Without somebody like Blackshear though and assuming Hurt and these other big men don't sign, then Kentucky would be probably too inexperienced to make a whole lot of noise next year (assuming there are no other surprises to come).

You have as much or more experience as ever with Hagans, Quickley, Sestina, Richards, Montgomery, and Baker returning. If Maxey is what he potentially can be (DeAaron Fox-like), Richards and Montgomery improve, and you get Blackshear, this team will be as good as anybody and right there at the end.

[Joneslab]

Well, there's experience and then there's experience.

I wouldn't call Quickley and Montgomery that experienced. Certainly not experienced in the way we've seen players come back on Cal's best teams. Quickley and Montgomery were bit parts. They both need to radically improve, obviously.

Not sure about Nick Richards. Also not sure about Sestina because some of his numbers concern me at the level he was playing at. But as I said in the other thread, when you've got a guy who's 23 you never know.

But more than any of that you need somebody who can play in the post. Not a body but a player. Blackshear fills that void but as discussed, it'll be Kentucky vs. The World with him.

[lilproUK98]

Well, there's experience and then there's experience.

I wouldn't call Quickley and Montgomery that experienced. Certainly not experienced in the way we've seen players come back on Cal's best teams. Quickley and Montgomery were bit parts. They both need to radically improve, obviously.

Not sure about Nick Richards. Also not sure about Sestina because some of his numbers concern me at the level he was playing at. But as I said in the other thread, when you've got a guy who's 23 you never know.

But more than any of that you need somebody who can play in the post. Not a body but a player. Blackshear fills that void but as discussed, it'll be Kentucky vs. The World with him.

I like Kentucky's chances.

[justford]

If Blackshear doesn't stay in the draft and we get him, I believe it will be because of how Reid improved at UK.

[Jload]

Johnson will join Hero in D league next year

[J.Jennings]

Porsche, Audi, and Masserati says it all, these agents sure know how to leach and get it while the getting is good. I am starting to learn to accept and appreciate this grad transfer stuff now more than ever unless of course it's J. Mayes, good kid but worst grad transfer ever....

[Joneslab]

Julius Mays hit more three-pointers the season he was here and had a better three-point percentage than Tyler Herro.

Not a bad player at all. Shouldn't start for a program like Kentucky but everybody could use an old, smart guard who can come in for you and knock down a shot or two. With our backcourt next year a player like that might be what they're looking for to go alongside a big body.

[J.Jennings]

Julius Mays hit more three-pointers the season he was here and had a better three-point percentage than Tyler Herro.

Not a bad player at all. Shouldn't start for a program like Kentucky but everybody could use an old, smart guard who can come in for you and knock down a shot or two. With our backcourt next year a player like that might be what they're looking for to go alongside a big body.

Speechless, hard to argue that

I hope Herro doesnt end up like Sam Dekker, we shall see. NBA is weird, you never know. Virginia's Joe Harris was a good college player who went pro sat on the bench a few years and now contributes with his 3 point abilities, NBA is about the right team right fit. NBA teams like Orlando, Brooklyn, Pacers and a few others do not have major stars but they play team ball , role players do there job.

[TrueblueCATfan]

EJ will test the waters with the NBA but not get an agent.......he is not a first rounder IMO

[Dwight Schrute]

Nothing wrong with testing the waters but if EJ stays in...I dunno.

[lilproUK98]

He can have an agent during the process. He's not gonna be a first rounder.

[GOCAT15]

I do like his honesty though, and that should be what these guys measure entering the draft by. If you are 100% sure you are going to be a first rounder, then I have no issues with you pursuing your dream.

[40bill]

No....can't disagree with a developmental kid making millions. The NBA has made that model.