2024 Roster (Enter Antonio Reeves & Tre Mitchell)

[KCKUKFan]

Harrow and Dillingham may've had similar handles but Harrow (at least the player we saw here; can't vouch for him in hs) was more of a true point guard. Dillingham is using the handles to set up the shot.

The main reason I like Dillingham (or at least the idea of him) is that we have had so few guards who were able to break down the defense recently. Cason Wallace could do it, definitely. But guys who can either break down a defender into a jumper, drive the basketball, or simply just shake defenders...that hasn't been Kentucky's MO these last four or five years.

It could turn out Dillingham is a reserve behind Antonio Reeves and if he'd accept that role that would be okay. In those Elite Eight and Final Four games I noticed that all those teams had guys coming in off the bench who were playing at levels that really weren't that different from the starters. Another staple of recent Kentucky basketball is a significant decline when you move down into the bench. That wasn't happening nearly as much in the early Cal years.

Who's running point?

Dillingham starts at point guard. He's not coming here to be a sixth man.

[Catsrock]

Sounds like Cal may have a chance to do what he’s best at—manage egos. Can’t imagine a guy who jumped at the chance to play Kanye ball then went to OTE will be content sitting behind a mid-major transfer. If it plays out that way he probably looks up Quade Greene by Christmas.

[Joneslab]

Who's running point?

Dillingham starts at point guard. He's not coming here to be a sixth man.

I assume Wagner will have the ball a lot?

[Joneslab]

And as far as him coming off the bench, who knows. Reeves is comfortable there but Dillingham’s size worries me. Not sure he’ll be a starter from the jump…but maybe.

MKG came off the bench in the beginning.

[Joneslab]

Sounds like Cal may have a chance to do what he’s best at—manage egos. Can’t imagine a guy who jumped at the chance to play Kanye ball then went to OTE will be content sitting behind a mid-major transfer. If it plays out that way he probably looks up Quade Greene by Christmas.

Probably depends on how good the team is.

If the team is really good then you can spin it by saying "so-and-so got the sixth most shots!" the way Cal did it in 2012.

I don't expect this team to be 2012 even if Dickinson signs and they all show up...but talent-wise it *should* be a situation where you can play two competent guys at virtually every position the way UCONN was just doing.

[KCKUKFan]

I assume Wagner will have the ball a lot?

If DJ Wagner is playing point for a majority of minutes, we won't be a good basketball team.

[Joneslab]

If DJ Wagner is playing point for a majority of minutes, we won't be a good basketball team.

I thought the same about Cason Wallace and he did fine.

I assumed Wagner was a downhill attacker. Cal usually gives those guys the ball.

I'm not sure it matters a ton necessarily because if those players are elite (or close to) then we'll be fine. TyTy played solid minutes at the point, Cason Wallace did...neither was a "true" point guard. Brandon Knight had a lot of shooting guard attributes. Doron Lamb was a steady point guard. The list goes on.

I just assumed Dillingham would be an off-the-ball guy most of the time simply because he seems to want to get his points off his jumpshot (which makes sense given his size/build).

[Catsrock]

Sounds pretty discouraging. Maybe a bit depressing. I’m reading Dickinson can’t play defense. Wagner can’t play point. Dillingham wants 40 shots/game and can’t shoot. Bradshaw is wiry and will be bullied. Any chance of making the NIT?

[lilproUK98]

I thought the same about Cason Wallace and he did fine.

I assumed Wagner was a downhill attacker. Cal usually gives those guys the ball.

I'm not sure it matters a ton necessarily because if those players are elite (or close to) then we'll be fine. TyTy played solid minutes at the point, Cason Wallace did...neither was a "true" point guard. Brandon Knight had a lot of shooting guard attributes. Doron Lamb was a steady point guard. The list goes on.

I just assumed Dillingham would be an off-the-ball guy most of the time simply because he seems to want to get his points off his jumpshot (which makes sense given his size/build).

Right. I mean, I've assumed Wagner was gonna be the starting PG in '23-24 since he was like 12 yrs old lol

[Joneslab]

Sounds pretty discouraging. Maybe a bit depressing. I’m reading Dickinson can’t play defense. Wagner can’t play point. Dillingham wants 40 shots/game and can’t shoot. Bradshaw is wiry and will be bullied. Any chance of making the NIT?

I think this cuts back to the state of the program.

UK football has gone through this over the years. The more blah things are on the field the more the fanbase begins to expect it. It's like we're starting to become psychologically conditioned to expect the worst.

Re: the freshmen, I'm one who actually think they're going to be really good. And I think Hunter Dickinson would be really good for us. So I'm optimistic (if they all actually get here)...to a point. You've still got that big question about whether Calipari is really washed up, and also the bigger question about whether he has the energy and motivation to build a team from essentially scratch and make them a contender. He's done it before...but it's been awhile. The teams that *usually* shine in this game have a lot of returning pieces.

[Ratt]

If DJ Wagner is playing point for a majority of minutes, we won't be a good basketball team.

Can’t be any worse than what we had to deal with Wheeler

[Ratt]

Sounds pretty discouraging. Maybe a bit depressing. I’m reading Dickinson can’t play defense. Wagner can’t play point. Dillingham wants 40 shots/game and can’t shoot. Bradshaw is wiry and will be bullied. Any chance of making the NIT?

I’m not a big fan of Dickerson he’s an absolute D bag but maybe that’s what this team needs

[KCKUKFan]

Can’t be any worse than what we had to deal with Wheeler

We weren't a good basketball team then, either.

[Joneslab]

I’m not a big fan of Dickerson he’s an absolute D bag but maybe that’s what this team needs

Ratt, buddy, who do you like? Seems like most of your posts on this board are complaints/critiques about particular players.

Is that a thing you sort of do in the real world or just here?

[KCKUKFan]

He probably liked Richie Farmer.