Skal

[Joneslab]

He almost got one of the all-time dunks of the UK/UofL series to go down late in the first half.

That would've been some kind of confidence booster.

[KevinHall]

He almost got one of the all-time dunks of the UK/UofL series to go down late in the first half.

That would've been some kind of confidence booster.

I agree. That would have been awsome if he had got that down. It could take just one play like that to turn him around. I think he lacks confidence as much as anything. Yes there are issues with strength and some of the fundamentals but if he just went at it hard some of that would be masked. Many times not playing hard is just a lack of confidence. Hopefully he can find that in some way.

[Joneslab]

Strength is the main issue but you can see him thinking.

My son does a lot of that when he plays. He's a decent player but he doesn't react; he thinks. You can see his mind moving. He's worried about making a mistake, he wants to please everybody (coaches, us, his teammates), and he kind of just goes through the motions in an attempt not to screw up.

The best players are reactive. They don't care about messing up. They just get out there and ball. Basketball's a sport where if you overthink it, you're going to have a tough time. The game moves so fast.

When Skal starts to move with the flow of the game he'll be okay. Problem is that might not happen until he gets stronger, which will likely be next year. Looks to be more on a WCS timeline.

[GOCAT15]

That's the difference between Skal and Murray....

Murray can air ball a three, turn the ball over in the lane, throw up a circus shot and brick it, and guess what....he still wants the ball the next time down the court and will not hesitate to make a play. He completely forgets about what he just did and I think you have to have a lot of that in you to be a good player at anything. If you are worried about messing up, like Skal clearly is, you play tight and weak.

What's aggravating is that there are blips of aggression with him, like when he tried that put back slam that would've been a highlight of the year. I have no problem with him going hard at the goal and fouling, rather see that then him just going through the motions trying not to make a mistake.

[J.Jennings]

I say get over Skal and move on, i already have. When it counts, if Lee,Poythrees,Ulis, Briscoe, and Murray can perform at the end in a close game, i am good and we can still win.

[Blue Heaven]

The worst big man of the Cal era. Yes, even Orton was better than him. At least Orton played solid D. Skal hasn't shown that he can get better. In fact, he has gotten worse.

[J.Jennings]

We can't hinge this teams success on the shoulders of Skal this year, we just can't. In fact, Cal should really consider playing Humphries more because even though he's slower, he fights and does offer us a big body to relieve minutes plus he can shoot if left open. If Skal contributes ANY moving foward fine, if not, it is what it is. Team needs to find a way to win without him in my opinion..........

[J.Jennings]

He almost got one of the all-time dunks of the UK/UofL series to go down late in the first half.

That would've been some kind of confidence booster.

Your right about that, could have changed everything....

[Joneslab]

The worst big man of the Cal era. Yes, even Orton was better than him. At least Orton played solid D. Skal hasn't shown that he can get better. In fact, he has gotten worse.

Orton was physically ready to perform at this level. Huge body.

Skal not only has strength issues, he also seems to be really tied up mentally. Not a good combo.

If you're 250 then you can be confused out there and still contribute. Much harder at 220 with such a thin frame. The college game is too rough for soft players. Orton was loopy but he wasn't soft.

[Dwight Schrute]

I originally thought Tai Wynyard would redshirt this year - now I am not so sure. If Skal remains a void down low, I think Wynyard may very well see some time by the end of the year. I at one time thought Skal had to be the player we thought we were getting for us to do anything this year - but I also thought that when Enes was here in 2011 and we only had Jorts. But if Skal doesn't step up, there's going to be a chance there for Willis/Humphries/Wynard to get in and play a vital role for this team.

[Lighthouse]

At this point, I expect Mr Wynyard is going through the fast course of Kentucky Basketball 101.

[Joneslab]

Cal talked quite a bit about Wynyard in the call-in show tonight. Seems pretty high on him, but he likes Humphries too and Humphries doesn't play.

I can't fathom the idea that a guy could come from New Zealand right out of high school and start doing much of anything in January. But size is size.

Team badly needs another physical presence down there when league play starts.

[Westtncat]

Cal talked quite a bit about Wynyard in the call-in show tonight. Seems pretty high on him, but he likes Humphries too and Humphries doesn't play.

I can't fathom the idea that a guy could come from New Zealand right out of high school and start doing much of anything in January. But size is size.

Team badly needs another physical presence down there when league play starts.

If you listen to Cal talk about players that don't play, you will think they are going to start the next game. Most of the time nothing changes in the line up. If Skal had any kind of numbers he would play. Cal was forced to pull him because he was doing absolutely nothing.

[KevinHall]

Cal talked quite a bit about Wynyard in the call-in show tonight. Seems pretty high on him, but he likes Humphries too and Humphries doesn't play.

I can't fathom the idea that a guy could come from New Zealand right out of high school and start doing much of anything in January. But size is size.

Team badly needs another physical presence down there when league play starts.

I highly doubt we will see Wynyard play this year unless there are injuries. Too much of a culture shock and adjustment to make that quick and expect to contribute.

[Joneslab]

If Skal had any kind of numbers he would play. Cal was forced to pull him because he was doing absolutely nothing.

?????

Obviously.

The inverse is also true: if one of these guys who doesn't play did put up numbers he would play.

That's how you coach the game. If you can perform you're out there. If not you sit. That's true at Kentucky all the way down to the Catholic league here in Louisville where my son plays (and sometimes sits).