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The Annual Staying vs Leaving Thread

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  • KevinHall
    Senior Member
    • Oct 2014
    • 6857

    #31
    I'll just say I despise having to go through this every year. It leaves a very hollow feeling for me. There's a lot to be said for watching and following teams that build and see them become what they should be when they are upper classman. That's why some of my favorite UK teams will always be teams like that,1975,78,83,84,92 and even the the three years of 96 though 98. Also the 2003 to 2005 teams. Every year Cal has been here at the end of it I feel very empty because I know that nearly the entire team is going to turnover. The only possible exception was for the 2014-15 season. I like the winning his recruiting style has brought but in the end it leaves me with a very shallow and hollow feeling at the end of every season. That also went for 2012 too. I enjoyed that but something was just missing because you knew the next season no one was going be back. I know its never going to be same again with how the NBA goes after these players. I guess that's part of the reason why I have been pulling away from sports over the last 3 or 4 years. Its just not the same and never will be because of all the money that is involved now.
    If Ulis leaves and he probably will, next season,win/loss wise, will be about the same. Probably 8 or 9 losses in the regular season while Cal tries bring along his next phenom point guard. In the end we will be hoping for another miracle NCAA run like in 2011 and 2014.
    Kentucky fan since 1971.

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    • Joneslab
      Senior Member
      • Oct 2014
      • 39604

      #32
      Lee had a really good first 8 or 10 games. I'm hoping he can kind of become that player.

      The frontcourt PT splits are going to be fascinating. How does Wynyard fit in? How much can Humphries improve? I think it's pretty safe to say that Bam is going to be the man at the 4 from the start, and if Bolden comes you have to think he's the 5. How the minutes shake out behind them will be interesting to watch.

      I'm of the mind that Skal should come back because he's going to get embarrassed in the NBA to the point where he might get branded for the rest of his career, but we live in a strange world.

      Comment

      • Matt Dillon
        Administrator
        • Oct 2014
        • 49624

        #33
        Great post, Kevin. I agree with everything you said.
        Philippians 4:11-4:13

        Comment

        • Joneslab
          Senior Member
          • Oct 2014
          • 39604

          #34
          Originally posted by Matt Dillon
          I'm working from memory, which is a dangerous thing for me. If I recall correctly, Cal usually only plays six or seven players much, if any at all, when he has the horses to do so. If the incoming class is as advertised, I don't see why anyone other than Briscoe and Willis would return if they have any other options.
          Humphries showed some things this year as a 17/18-year-old. Need to see what Wynyard has as well.

          These guys aren't pros. They can't just shop themselves around like free agents. There's a stigma attached to players who leave schools like UK. You're much better off to try and put in the work and find a way into the rotation.

          Comment

          • BobS
            Senior Member
            • Nov 2014
            • 1291

            #35
            Let's assume Briscoe returns, which he should, and we lose Ulis, Murray, Skal and Poythress. Our roster:

            That's 13 without adding Bolden. Logjam galore. And you either platoon or some players are going to be way behind the curve in development because Cal will do the same in 2017.

            Willis
            Lee
            Hawkins
            Humphries
            Wynyard
            Mulder
            Matthews
            Briscoe
            Bam
            Fox
            Monk
            Killeya-Jones
            Gabriel

            Comment

            • Joneslab
              Senior Member
              • Oct 2014
              • 39604

              #36
              I think the players coming in next year are so good that I'm not sure a platoon will be in order.

              Briscoe and Willis and maybe Hawkins will definitely be in the rotation IMO. Behind that it's going to be a fight. I think it'll be a kind of 2009-10 sort of thing where a couple of guys play a Ramon Harris/Perry Stevenson role, but the players coming in are going to be so far above the rest that they take those minutes.

              Different than last year where the freshmen were very close to the returners. Next season it will be the freshmen and then three, maybe four others I think unless you see some radical improvement from some.

              Lee, Humphries, Wynyard will be in a battle with each other. Hawkins, Matthews, Mulder will be in a battle. Only two, MAYBE three of those six will make it. If it's clear by the summer who those players are then you could see a couple of transfers.

              Comment

              • KCKUKFan
                Senior Member
                • Nov 2014
                • 14228

                #37
                Originally posted by teamchemistry15
                This is the one time of the year I miss crazzed. He always offered early insight on who was staying and leaving. Who do you guys and gals think returns?

                I think we lose Ulis, Murray, and Skal. I think we see the advantage of the date being pushed back this year as I think Briscoe tests the waters but returns to be a first round pick. Our class coming in with Briscoe, Hawkins, Willis, Matthews, Humphries, Lee, and Tai make a very talented, deep, and experienced roster.

                What say you?
                If you miss him that much, head over to Rupp's Rafters. You can still get your daily dose of curmudgeon from him over on that site.

                Comment

                • KCKUKFan
                  Senior Member
                  • Nov 2014
                  • 14228

                  #38
                  To answer the OP's question, I expect to lose everybody but Briscoe and Willis (from our main core of contributors).

                  And that's fine. The new crop coming in is REALLY good.

                  Comment

                  • BobS
                    Senior Member
                    • Nov 2014
                    • 1291

                    #39
                    I will be interested to see what improvement Humphries makes over the summer. He has really good rebound instincts but needs to work on his offense for sure. And the mystery of Wynyard bugs me. And if neither get time, then why did Cal recruit them?

                    Comment

                    • Joneslab
                      Senior Member
                      • Oct 2014
                      • 39604

                      #40
                      I think Wynyard was simply a matter of timing and not wanting to burn a full year of eligibility.

                      I also think this past team, like the Brandon Knight team, was badly in need or practice bodies in the post. Sort of like Twany Beckham, it was clear in the summer that we were going to need help filling out a rotation in practice. If you looked at things back in July, it was possible that we might only have literally a couple of big bodies. Think he went out looking for some size and strength.

                      But you would hope that you could convince a couple of these guys to look past this coming season. Because even though there might not be time for you in this rotation, there might be in the 2017-2018 season. Derek Willis is a good example of why staying the course can pay off, even at a place like Kentucky. The roster will be depleted once again going in to that season.

                      Comment

                      • Lighthouse
                        Gone But Never Forgotten
                        • Oct 2014
                        • 35962

                        #41
                        Originally posted by Matt Dillon

                        Are you serious teamchemistry15? If you were in Ulis' shoes would you really turn down a NBA contract for college glory and fame?
                        I would, just to wear KENTUCKY on my chest another year. But I Love Kentucky basketball much more than most of this new breed of players. Ulis is different than most though. One thing we forget about. When you make a name for yourself as a player for UK, money will always be there for you. It may not be a multi million dollar NBA contract, but a great paying job would be there for you, and many Kentucky business's always need another vice-president.

                        I can actually picture Ulis as a head coach somewhere.
                        John 3:3

                        Comment

                        • GOCAT15
                          Senior Member
                          • Oct 2014
                          • 2019

                          #42
                          Originally posted by Westtncat
                          Is there anything that will make Ulis stay?

                          I just dream that he would, I have never heard what his families financial status is though. The other part that is going to be hard for him to pass up is if he can get a guarantee that he will be a first rounder. No matter how well he plays I don't see him ever being anymore than a fringe first rounder. Would sure love to see him break some more records and be able to have the feeling of winning a championship.

                          Comment

                          • GOCAT15
                            Senior Member
                            • Oct 2014
                            • 2019

                            #43
                            If Briscoe can get his shot consistent next season I think he can be a first round pick, he started showing signs the last few games, hit a few jumpers and made some free throws. His defense on Bulldog mentality is great, but he will need to add a shot for him to go anywhere. I can't see where he could leave even if he wanted to, not many people out there think he has a chance to get drafted.

                            And I really think Skal can be a great complimentary player to Bam, Brute and Finesse. I really hope Skal lets Cal help him get better for another year and become that lottery pick lock I think he can be. He has such great touch, and skill, just needs to learn how to play against big bodies.

                            Comment

                            • BobS
                              Senior Member
                              • Nov 2014
                              • 1291

                              #44
                              There is no way Skal will return. His handler is not letting that happen and his family situation seems to be dire. He will get a check from the stupid in the NBA somewhere. But certainly not where people thought he would be can certainly not where it could be.

                              Would he be better off returning and working all summer with great incoming players and trainers in college for the next draft? Absolutely. But not happening. His departure will be as stupid as Dakari Johnson's.

                              Comment

                              • George
                                Senior Member
                                • Oct 2014
                                • 10355

                                #45
                                Originally posted by BobS
                                There is no way Skal will return. His handler is not letting that happen and his family situation seems to be dire. He will get a check from the stupid in the NBA somewhere. But certainly not where people thought he would be can certainly not where it could be.

                                Would he be better off returning and working all summer with great incoming players and trainers in college for the next draft? Absolutely. But not happening. His departure will be as stupid as Dakari Johnson's.
                                This. .....

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                                The Annual Staying vs Leaving Thread

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