Blue/White Game Thread

[Wonderstruck]

Got to take my family. Sat two rows from the floor, center court. Best seats I've ever had at Rupp.

It was tough to follow specifics of the action because I was more mesmerized at how different the game plays out when you're so close. It was awesome. So awesome.

[KevinHall]

You can see the talent on this team. That's for sure. Defense is going to take some time to come around but it always does under Cal. I thought Mulder and Hawkins looked good. Mulder could give them that outside niche player they need. Hawkins looked like a leader out there and his shooting looked good too. Briscoe does appear to have improved his shooting. He has to hit at least 65% from the foul line or he's not going to help this team in close games. Cal is going to have to sort out the point guard play. Fox and Briscoe need the ball to be effective the way it looks. That's going to be interesting to see how he plays them in real games. Fox has that John Wall speed. He's just going to blow by people and I think his shot is better than Wall's was at UK. That is going to help too. Bam and Gabriel are going to be beasts inside. They are just going to have to learn to play defense without fouling. But all young big guys are like that. Clarion is next in an exhibition game. It's Sunday night at 7 pm.

[Joneslab]

A lot of discussions on other boards about what the rotation is going to be.

As we all know Cal tries to pare down the rotation, particularly in the second half of the season. And the top four guys are going to be really hard to take out of the game.

Because of that I tend to think that we'll see a 7-, maybe 8-man rotation. A couple of guys who played well in the Blue/White won't play on this team.

The most interesting battle is between Humphries and Killeya-Jones. It could be that Killeya-Jones plays the 4 and gets some time there. He definitely has the offensive skill to play that spot.

But if he plays over Humphries at the 5 then Humphries didn't improve the way we've been told he did.

Gabriel/Willis is another interesting battle. Gabriel jumps off the screen to me every time I watch this team...but he's really raw.

[Lighthouse]

Cal has several options, and it will be interesting to see who makes the 7-8 man rotation. For sure, Bam, Briscoe, Fox and Monk are 4, and Willis, Humphries, Killeya-Jones and Gabriel make it 8. Hawkins has to get some PT if for defense only. IMO, that should round it out.

[Joneslab]

Someone on the Rivals board has a photograph of practice from this weekend showing Wenyen Gabriel out on the court with the four obvious starters.

I wouldn't be surprised if Gabriel starts. How hard that guy plays is not normal.

There's going to be a learning curve there though with his skill. And whether he starts or not, Willis will be key to this team's title chances (obviously).

[CATHYnKY]

Wish I was going......just can't with just getting back from vacation

It was very different. I missed having the player fashion but loved touring the locker room and seeing the new video board

[DA#23]

^ they probably were too embarrassed by the uniforms to have a fashion show this year, Cathy

[85 Fly]

I too am worried about Bam and Gabriel playing just enough on that edge without getting into foul trouble.
I agree there will be bumps in the road but I think come Madness time we will have our lessons learned under our belt.