Boom: Zimmerman to UNLV

[ColonelCatFan]

http://espn.go.com/recruiting/basketball/story/_/id/12706572/stephen-zimmerman-commits-unlv-runnin-rebels

[Matt Dillon]

No surprise. The only thing that's changed, is it's official now.

[BobS]

I really wanted that kid. Love his versatility. Thought we would get him.

I still find it amazing that we lost out on all big man options (beyond Skal who is a 4) when we have so many minutes available. Swannigan, Bryant, Rabb, Zimmerman, Maker (likely), Bragg. Pretty amazing really when you think about it. We have a lot of minutes available for an of those studs but got none of them.

And for those touting this 5th year transfer....he has not committed as yet. I personally see him as a nice backup only.

We need to add someone like Newman and put our offense at the guard position. Briscoe, Newman, Ullis, Mathews and maybe Mulder, would be a formidable crew with great scoring capability, IMO. If we don't get him, we could be one injury away from an interesting season. And we have had 3 major injuries the last 3 seasons.

[Joneslab]

Hopefully we can get Newman and Poythress can now go back to his natural position at the 4.

If there's a silver lining in Zimmerman going to UNLV then it's that. Poythress never had any business playing that much out on a wing.

(This is assuming that he's at UK next year and healthy.)

A lot has to go right--Skal needs to be legit and eligible; we need to probably get the Thorne guy--but still think if we can land one of the remaining players then we'll be okay. A lot depends on these last four or five guys, though.

[JFCats22]

Cal screwed up with Bryant. I am sure even he would admit it now. Most thought UK would get at least one of Zimmerman, Diallo, and Maker and he let Bryant (who I am told would have chosen UK) go to IU.

[Joneslab]

I still find it amazing that we lost out on all big man options (beyond Skal who is a 4) when we have so many minutes available.

Skal will play an Anthony Davis role at the 5, IMO.

Probably not really an important distinction because on offense he's going to be roaming around--like Davis--and playing away from the basket as much as in. But this guy appears to be a rim-protecting and rim-running 5.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Kentucky is not for everyone...some kids just don't want to leave home....good luck to him

[BobS]

Skal will play an Anthony Davis role at the 5, IMO.

Probably not really an important distinction because on offense he's going to be roaming around--like Davis--and playing away from the basket as much as in. But this guy appears to be a rim-protecting and rim-running 5.

Possibly. But he has to rest some time. People expecting Marcus Lee to turn into a scoring threat overnight will likely be disappointed. Will help a lot on defnse and energy, but UP TO NOW, has no post up game and is horrid from the line. Doesn't mean he cannot develop something.

We needed a another 5 star big guy, IMO. And I don't think that transfer, if we even get him, is the answer.

Cal is getting an in home today from Ingram. That would be a huge steal for us if he leaves NC. Then grab a Newman and go smaller (at least by UK standards) and we have lots of options.

I think next year could be very different and VERY successful or it could be a bridge year. Soon will see.

[Matt Dillon]

Call it a gut feeling, if you will, but I don't feel real good about our chances of landing Newman.

[Joneslab]

Cal screwed up with Bryant. I am sure even he would admit it now. Most thought UK would get at least one of Zimmerman, Diallo, and Maker and he let Bryant (who I am told would have chosen UK) go to IU.

Will have to see how Bryant turns out. Reports on him are mixed. Cal might have seen something he didn't care for. You never know what went down there.

It could be that Skal is making it hard to bring anyone else alongside him in. The way this guy has played this summer hasn't been great for Kentucky as it tries to patch seven holes. Unless they're fearless bulldogs like Bledsoe, guys tend not to jump willingly into situations where they're going to be outshined by a guy who some are saying may be the #1 overall.

[teamchemistry15]

Skal will play an Anthony Davis role at the 5, IMO.

Probably not really an important distinction because on offense he's going to be roaming around--like Davis--and playing away from the basket as much as in. But this guy appears to be a rim-protecting and rim-running 5.

Agreed. If we land Newman this years team could be similar to the 2012 team. I know we obviously dont have a guy who will be Davis or MKG, and I am not saying with Newman we go 38-2 and win the title. But, we have a Davis type athlete with Skal, the experience with Lee and Poythress (hopefully) that we had in Jones and Lamb, and a shorter bench in the backcourt. We would play small with Skal coming out and having Lee and Poythress at 4 and 5. If we get another recruit like Newman or Brown, I really like this team with Ulis at the point.

[Spiritof96]

Hopefully we can get Newman and Poythress can now go back to his natural position at the 4.

If there's a silver lining in Zimmerman going to UNLV then it's that. Poythress never had any business playing that much out on a wing.

(This is assuming that he's at UK next year and healthy.)

A lot has to go right--Skal needs to be legit and eligible; we need to probably get the Thorne guy--but still think if we can land one of the remaining players then we'll be okay. A lot depends on these last four or five guys, though.

I would assume that Lee starts and would start at the 4. Not sure Alex spends that much more time at 4. He doesn't have much of a low post game anyway...

[Joneslab]

I would assume that Lee starts and would start at the 4. Not sure Alex spends that much more time at 4. He doesn't have much of a low post game anyway...

No but the 4 isn't generally asked to have a low post game. Maybe twenty years ago. Now those guys are out on a wing as much as they're inside.

That's really where Trey Lyles should've been. When he was in there, he was very good. Cal gives these guys freedom to move around a lot, but the issue with Poythress has always been that he can't dribble.

If Kentucky brings in Neman or Brown/Ingram or even Jamal Murray, then you would assume the 1-2-3 will be Ulis/Briscoe/That Other Guy. Poythress will be at the 4. Doesn't mean he has to play inside all the time, but he definitely doesn't need to be handling the ball unless it's in transition and he's screaming toward the goal for a dunk.