Scale of 1-10, your Derek Willis confidence level

[Wonderstruck]

...that he's going to contribute next season.

I'm at a 4. And that's my high end. I just don't see it happening and wonder if he's even willing to put in the work.

There were quiet rumors swirling that he knew he wasn't working hard to get better and yet he still didn't push himself. He had a few chances to step up and earn some minutes and he didn't. I don't see what's going to happen between now and next season that's going to change a whole lot.

4 for me. You?

(Sorry, Derek. =()

[DA#23]

5 if Diallo goes elsewhere, 2.5 if Diallo comes here.

[Joneslab]

Think Cal will recruit over him and I don't think he'll play much, so I'd put my confidence at about a 0 or a 1.

If he does have to play I'm not sure if I could rank him because I haven't seen enough. The Bahamas Willis could help, but I'm not sure how meaningful that was. Alex Poythress was off the charts there but when the season started last year he looked about the same as he had.

I'd put my Dominique Hawkins confidence at about a 6. I think he can help because he has that one thing he can do really well.

[KevinHall]

I'll be optimistic and say a 5. That means tome he has a 50-50 chance of being a good contributor. Like Will said if they recruiit over him, and they are trying to as we speak, then he won't play much at all next season.

[Wonderstruck]

Think Cal will recruit over him and I don't think he'll play much, so I'd put my confidence at about a 0 or a 1.

If he does have to play I'm not sure if I could rank him because I haven't seen enough. The Bahamas Willis could help, but I'm not sure how meaningful that was. Alex Poythress was off the charts there but when the season started last year he looked about the same as he had.

I'd put my Dominique Hawkins confidence at about a 6. I think he can help because he has that one thing he can do really well.

Seeing the zero made me laugh a little. But I mean, you're right. Giving him a 4 on my end is probably giving him too much credit that he hasn't earned. Sad that even a low number is a hopeful number.

[Joneslab]

One thing that will hurt him is that Cal is going to play a very tight rotation next year. I think he hated the "platoon" thing and will want to keep things very tight unless there's an injury or something.

But this is all assuming we get Diallo or Brown or Murray. If none of those guys come there'll be no choice and Willis will have to play.

Willis might be able to win some time over some of these other guys, but it'd be highly unusual. Cal is always looking for pro skills and it'd be strange to see a guy make that drastic of a jump.

I fully expect UK to lose some games next year and the "Why isn't Derek Willis playing more?" questions to be loud and furious.

[J.Jennings]

Hmmmmmmmmm?????

I think he should play period. Kid can score and he's more athletic than we think plus he can handle the ball comfortably. Not sure why Cal has no confidence in the kid but I have my theories, same for Hawkins.

As for confidence, I thought last year he came in over the summer very confident and you could see his levels dwindle as he sat on the bench and watched all of last season. When he did get in the game, I sensed he was trying so hard to show he belonged that he pressed and probably took some bad shots out of rhythm. I think the kid can actually play and his game has came along way from the times I watched him locally as a junior and senior in high school to where he's at now.

I am convinced that both D. Willis and Hawkins have wasted 2 years at Kentucky and as bad as I hate to say it, they both need to transfer and get out NOW!!!!!!! Who cares if we have a team with 5 McDonald's All Americans and 7 walkons with head bands????

[BBNalldayeveryday]

About a 2. I think it's possibly gotten to the point where he's just not a Cal guy. I was hoping he would end up developing into another Wiltjer for us.

[J.Jennings]

You know, it's probably best someone hit facebook and twitter and really start trending and lobbying for Willis and Hawkins to transfer and get out now. It's stupid for Cal to even bring these kids here and make them watch for 4 years knowing that they can compete with the Wiltjer's and Ron Baker's of the basketball world.

Cal really ****** me ******* off with this to be honest. Stupid,arrogant, and wonder why we choke in the big games?????

It would be one thing to give guys like this a chance to play and have them fail but the way Cal does it, you never know because they really don't get the opportunity in my opinion. Would Kentucky have made it to the Final Four two years ago without the play of Hawkins defense during that tournament?? Would Josh Harrellson have ever been put in a position to shut down J. Sullinger had Kanter been cleared to play?? Could Jon Hood at least matched or possibly out performed Julius Mays especially with his height advantage over Mays???????

[J.Jennings]

One thing that will hurt him is that Cal is going to play a very tight rotation next year. I think he hated the "platoon" thing and will want to keep things very tight unless there's an injury or something.

But this is all assuming we get Diallo or Brown or Murray. If none of those guys come there'll be no choice and Willis will have to play.

Willis might be able to win some time over some of these other guys, but it'd be highly unusual. Cal is always looking for pro skills and it'd be strange to see a guy make that drastic of a jump.

I fully expect UK to lose some games next year and the "Why isn't Derek Willis playing more?" questions to be loud and furious.

May as well start it now, I can only imagine how people felt when Rick recruited Brassow, Sheppard, Padgett ,Epps, Pelphrey, and so on????????????? Have we became so arrogant and spoiled as a fan base???????

When I think back to heroes of Kentucky basketball, not all the time is it the McDonald's All American one and done. Some of the best players weren't the highly recruited ones but showed up big when the team needed it the most. Most of these kids are here to get to the NBA and can talk about wearing the UK jersey with pride but at the end of the day, do you really believe it????

[J.Jennings]

About a 2. I think it's possibly gotten to the point where he's just not a Cal guy. I was hoping he would end up developing into another Wiltjer for us.

He has developed into another Wiltjer. Expect him to leave and have us shaking our heads in 2 years wondering why he never did that at Kentucky.

[Wonderstruck]

Hmmmmmmmmm?????

I think he should play period. Kid can score and he's more athletic than we think plus he can handle the ball comfortably. Not sure why Cal has no confidence in the kid but I have my theories, same for Hawkins.

As for confidence, I thought last year he came in over the summer very confident and you could see his levels dwindle as he sat on the bench and watched all of last season. When he did get in the game, I sensed he was trying so hard to show he belonged that he pressed and probably took some bad shots out of rhythm. I think the kid can actually play and his game has came along way from the times I watched him locally as a junior and senior in high school to where he's at now.

I am convinced that both D. Willis and Hawkins have wasted 2 years at Kentucky and as bad as I hate to say it, they both need to transfer and get out NOW!!!!!!! Who cares if we have a team with 5 McDonald's All Americans and 7 walkons with head bands????

I feel obligated to ask you what your theories are for Cal towards Derek and Dom?

[Joneslab]

He has developed into another Wiltjer. Expect him to leave and have us shaking our heads in 2 years wondering why he never did that at Kentucky.

Wiltjer contributed on a national championship team, started for half a season, and averaged double figures.

No comparison between the two players at all unless you really use your imagination.

[Joneslab]

About a 2. I think it's possibly gotten to the point where he's just not a Cal guy.

I think it's too early to say that. I just think Cal is hunting for players who are projected on draft boards, as he almost always is. As he should be as the coach at Kentucky. That's why we brought him here. If I wanted to see Kentucky boys on the court I'd follow Centre.

The only people who don't want that to happen and would rather have Willis play are Willis's family and JWORLD.

[George]

I'll give him a 3. I'm not convinced that he cares enough to be a factor.