Cal actually answered a couple of tough questions tonight which I found hopeful. He admitted the game is changing with more emphasis on shooting and admitted this squad is woefully short in this area. He admitted that he is being forced to do some soul searching to his approach and admitted he must recruit more pure shooters in the future. He also admitted he might have to adjust his philosophy of emphasizing defense at the possible expense of putting more pure shooters on the floor. He talked about COVID interfering with his summer program and said that the bonding and instilling program expectations to the young players was retarded this season to the teams dertiment. I don’t really think he was trying to make excuses and that he raised what is probably a valid point. The one issue he didn’t address is the almost total turnover of the roster each season but I can only hope he realizes he MUST find a way to put the breaks on this issue if he wants to move forward, time will tell, but at least he acknowledged some of the issues that many fans have raised this year.
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Good report.
You would think Cal, being a student of the NBA, would’ve seen a few years where the game was going when it comes to shooters. -
This is the comparison to Nick Saban I was referring to. Saban realized the offensive game in college was becoming more essential than it traditionally has, and he adapted and built one of the most impressive teams in college football history this year.
The college basketball game has made a similar shift over the last few years also to emphasize shooting - the question is whether Cal can adapt similarly. His first 5 years here he had pretty similar success to Saban (though, notably, he couldn't grasp the ring as many times as Saban). The last 5 the game has changed a bunch and Kentucky's gonna get passed by if he doesn't shift. He has earned the right to make this shift.
Like Will, I'm surprised Cal had to be dragged kicking and screaming. He spent most of the last 2 decades of his career being ahead of the curve on so many things, especially regarding the NBA game.
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We might see a situation where Cal sets forth a new challenge for himself and it reignites the fire he had early on at UK.
His ego and reputation can't handle another season like this one.Comment
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Was listening on KSR a few days ago and Ryan Lemond brought up the point that Cal thrives when he has an enemy, and he hasn't really had one in a while. All the people he hated have left or retired and there's nobody there to use as motivation. Could also explain why he's had such a bone to pick with the fans this year.
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Yes, we need some pure shooters, but the mix of players is the key. Just like if Jackson was on a team with Ulis who could throw beautiful lobs, and Booker to spread the floor, and a few other scorers, Jackson may be even breaking some records for his defensive ability(if he could stay out of foul trouble). He just never needs to be given the ball and be expected to make an offensive move. We just don't have the discipline on the floor to run those types of plays, but if you can throw it anywhere near the rim he'd go get it. His stat line on a nightly basis should be 8 pts, 12 rebounds, and 8 blocks.Comment
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I for one am glad to hear those things from Cal, and again, he isn't the only one blue blood program struggling with this.Comment
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Cal has had some elite shooters. Doron Lamb was one of the best this program has ever seen. Even last year had Quickley, a guy who really became an elite shooter in just two years.
This team is kind of off the grid in terms of badness. But the problem overall is that Cal is always looking for length, agility, quickness--NBA markers. He has to scout better so that he stops bringing in absolute clankers. If you think about a guy like Whitney last year and a few of these current players, goodness gracious somebody dropped the ball when they were scouting some of these guys.Comment
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Old article here, but this shows Cal is already looking out of the top 50 for talent....
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Cal said on his call in show tonight that Clark is out for the season with his injuryComment
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^ I'm curious as to whether other players will opt out as well.Comment
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Cal continues to insult our intelligence.
We’re in the middle of a pandemic, bud. Guys can literally opt-out for that reason, alone, and no one will mind. There’s no need to lie.Comment
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