2016 Recruit Watch

[Pobilly]

I agree, but I thought we were talking about the possibility of Hawkins being a regular contributor.

Yes, I am talking about Hawkins being a regular contributor. If you will remember before he was hurt early in the season Cal kept saying he was in line for 6th or 7th player. I would expect him to be the main guard off the bench (unless briscoe does not earn a starting roll, which i see no way of that happening).

KSR saying special announcement tomorrow afternoon for UK. Wonder what that will be.

[George]

So a Senior / Guard on a forward heavy team / that plays D / cannot get 2 to 4 more minutes a game than he did this year?

Not sure. I think he does the things that this team will need. Play hard D, not make many mistakes.

I love these kinds of debates. Last year we were doing the same thing with Willis this year. Most thought he would not play at all. I kept saying he could be a player for this team.

"Senior" doesn't mean as much as it used to. I agree that a veteran presence is needed, but a senior who's been a starter and a senior who's been a bit player his entire career are two very different things. "Senior" doesn't automatically mean he'll elevate his game.

And if we're stuck playing a guy simply because he doesn't make mistakes, then we have much bigger problems than identifying a deep threat.

[George]

He won't be a regular contributor unless something is broken with the team. Spot minutes to me = a guy who just comes in when you need him and fills in from time to time.

Hawkins can do that if he's healthy.

I agree, but I thought we were talking about the possibility of Hawkins being a regular contributor.

[Pobilly]

I'll hand over the keys to my car if he averages 10-15 minutes a game.

So a Senior / Guard on a forward heavy team / that plays D / cannot get 2 to 4 more minutes a game than he did this year?

Not sure. I think he does the things that this team will need. Play hard D, not make many mistakes.

I love these kinds of debates. Last year we were doing the same thing with Willis this year. Most thought he would not play at all. I kept saying he could be a player for this team.

[Joneslab]

I guess I'm looking at "he can play on next year's team" and "spot time" as two different things. I hear "he can play" and believe that to mean he'll be a regular contributor; I think of "spot time" as, "he filled in while another player caught his breath, and we didn't suffer."

He won't be a regular contributor unless something is broken with the team. Spot minutes to me = a guy who just comes in when you need him and fills in from time to time.

Hawkins can do that if he's healthy.

[George]

Spot time? In fact it has always happened with him.

Averaged about 8 minutes per for his career--that's about what you would expect on next year's team. Maybe 10 to 12 if he can figure out how to consistently hit an open jumper.

He'll never be more than a role player but I like him. Plays hard, gives you everything he's got, will be a senior--those guys can be valuable, particularly on teams who are driven by freshmen.

I guess I'm looking at "he can play on next year's team" and "spot time" as two different things. I hear "he can play" and believe that to mean he'll be a regular contributor; I think of "spot time" as, "he filled in while another player caught his breath, and we didn't suffer."

[Joneslab]

I've heard people say that about Hawkins every single year. It rarely happens.

Spot time? In fact it has always happened with him.

Averaged about 8 minutes per for his career--that's about what you would expect on next year's team. Maybe 10 to 12 if he can figure out how to consistently hit an open jumper.

He'll never be more than a role player but I like him. Plays hard, gives you everything he's got, will be a senior--those guys can be valuable, particularly on teams who are driven by freshmen.

[George]

I think you will see Hawkins as a backup to Fox. I think Briscoe will be playing the wing/point mostly but Hawkins will be in the game like Willis this year. Just a gut feeling. Probably 10 to 15 minutes a game next year. I think the person we are forgetting is WG coming in. I hear he is a threat from deep ala the skinny kid from Duke this year. Not sure but he might have that ability.

I'll hand over the keys to my car if he averages 10-15 minutes a game.

[George]

Was huge against Louisville.

I actually think Hawkins can play on next year's team, at least spot time. If he got some time on the '15 team he can play on next year's team.

I think the Hawk can at least push for some PT, and that's what a player like that is supposed to do. Push in practice. Fight with guys. Make the team better. Fans vastly, outrageously downplay the need for good practice players and how crucial they are on a good team.

I've heard people say that about Hawkins every single year. It rarely happens. I'm not counting on the kid for much.

[Pobilly]

I'll look it up to make sure, but I'm having an awfully hard time thinking of any big shots made by Hawkins. And even if he did perform against Florida, that's still just one game. Hard to call a guy a shooter because he hit a couple of shots in a single game.

Then there's the simple issue of the rotation. Who are you going to sit in favor of Hawkins? No offense to the kid, but we bring in better players at his position each and every year. If Briscoe stays, that'll mean there are at least three, maybe four (depending on how we use Gabriel) other players ahead of Hawkins.

His defense is usually sound, but I don't think he brings enough to the table to crack the regular lineup or experiment with him as a shooter.

I think you will see Hawkins as a backup to Fox. I think Briscoe will be playing the wing/point mostly but Hawkins will be in the game like Willis this year. Just a gut feeling. Probably 10 to 15 minutes a game next year. I think the person we are forgetting is WG coming in. I hear he is a threat from deep ala the skinny kid from Duke this year. Not sure but he might have that ability.

[Joneslab]

Was huge against Louisville.

I actually think Hawkins can play on next year's team, at least spot time. If he got some time on the '15 team he can play on next year's team.

Don't think Gabriel plays much at the 3. Would be really rare to see a "big" guy that young with skills advanced enough to play a lot of minutes on the wing. He might get a little run out there, but IMO he's going to play the 4 most of the time. If Bolden comes then the battles between Bam, Gabriel, Killeya-Jones, and Willis are going to be fascinating to watch.

I think the Hawk can at least push for some PT, and that's what a player like that is supposed to do. Push in practice. Fight with guys. Make the team better. Fans vastly, outrageously downplay the need for good practice players and how crucial they are on a good team.

[George]

He hit several big shots towards the end of the year. I think it was Florida at Florida when the game got around 8 pts in the 2nd half he hit 2 threes if I remember correctly. Not saying he will be a go to guy but a guys that can hit in the mid 30 % range.

I'll look it up to make sure, but I'm having an awfully hard time thinking of any big shots made by Hawkins. And even if he did perform against Florida, that's still just one game. Hard to call a guy a shooter because he hit a couple of shots in a single game.

Then there's the simple issue of the rotation. Who are you going to sit in favor of Hawkins? No offense to the kid, but we bring in better players at his position each and every year. If Briscoe stays, that'll mean there are at least three, maybe four (depending on how we use Gabriel) other players ahead of Hawkins.

His defense is usually sound, but I don't think he brings enough to the table to crack the regular lineup or experiment with him as a shooter.

[Joneslab]

Hawkins had a couple of games where he couldn't hit those shots when they left him open. Also had a couple where he showed he could knock it down (Louisville, etc.) Calipari raved about his shooting in practice pretty much all year, but he was never 100% healthy. Hard to say if he can be any more than just a minor threat from out there.

[Pobilly]

Hawkins has never had a three-point shot. Him becoming a go-to shooter would be a shocking revelation.

He hit several big shots towards the end of the year. I think it was Florida at Florida when the game got around 8 pts in the 2nd half he hit 2 threes if I remember correctly. Not saying he will be a go to guy but a guys that can hit in the mid 30 % range. Willis and Monk will be the go to shooters. Briscoe will be looked upon to lead down the stretch. He has that willingness not to lose.

[Joneslab]

Last night was an All Star game.

Yep. Not much can be gleaned other than some of these guys can really play.

Karl Towns had 6 points and 5 rebounds in his McDonald's game. Not much you can really take from these games.

I kind of agree that Kentucky is going to be an inconsistent shooting team next year. Have to hope Monk, Hawkins, and Willis can stretch the defenses just enough to allow in some of these athletic freaks we're going to have.

On the flipside, I think we're going to see a much better team defensively than the one we just saw. Monk, Fox with his length, Bam with his motor, Briscoe hopefully--all have the potential to be outstanding defenders.