Kentucky will have DJ Wagner and other highly rated recruits on the roster next year but still may need to change its defensive approach. (Twitter Photo)
Sean Vinsel of HoopsInsight thinks Kentucky basketball fans might want to slow down just a bit on expectations for next year because of a recruiting class that includes Justin Edwards, Aaron Bradshaw, Rob Dillingham, DJ Wagner and Reed Sheppard. It’s ranked as the nation’s top 2023 recruiting class.
“I don’t think you are going to see as big a fix as the fan base is hoping,” Vinsel said. “If I put on my super optimistic hat, Bradshaw could be more effective guarding on the perimeter than the Kentucky bigs this year and also a good shot blocker.
“At least maybe teams won’t put him in the pick and roll and feast. Or if he plays power forward he might space the floor more than they can this year.”
However, Vinsel has concerns.
“You are asking two guards (Wagner and Dillingham) who are creating shots to play in an offense that tends to clog up the paint and not give them driving lanes. You are probably going to see Wagner and Dillingham pull up for a lot of shots,” Vinsel said.
Then there is this issue.
“People might be overestimating how good these players are,” Vinsel said. “Wagner on the FIBA under 18 team was the fourth best guard on the U.S. team. Dillingham is playing in Overtime Elite but when he goes against future NBA guards he’s not having a lot of success.
“Bradshaw looks great as a 7-foot physical marvel but he’s more potential than anything else. He is not Anthony Davis or Karl Anthony-Towns. He might be closer to E.J. Montgomery.
“It is not a guarantee that UK will be great next year if there is another year of unwillingness to adapt to how basketball has evolved or not being willing to admit that things need to change.”
Vinsel (@HoopsInsight on Twitter) said UK’s roster construction has not evolved to where the Cats have bigs who can guard in space consistently.
“Jacob (Toppin) can do it but Lance Ware, Oscar Tshiebwe and Daimion Collins are not good enough moving their feet when they get out of the paint,” Vinsel said before UK played Georgia Wednesday night. “I have watched all of Kentucky’s defensive possessions and that is a common theme.
“I am not saying this is Calipari’s worst defensive team. He had some teams that had issues a few years ago. But these new coaches are doing things differently and playing more five out to take advantage of bigs who can’t guard in space.
“They are going to run into more matchups this season where the opposing team has a big post guy who stays in the low post and that’s a great matchup for Kentucky. But Kansas does not even play a traditional center and a team playing that much five out is a nightmare for Kentucky and will be until they change their philosophy going forward.”
4 Responses
It would if Calipari would stop having pets that he wants to see as lottery picks. A kid will know if he is the "pet" and will play that way which often hurts the team effort. Calipari’s pet this year was Wheeler. In the 9 – 16 season it was Boston. With the 39 – 2 team, it was Andrew Harrison. Andrew cost us a national title. Boston single handedly destroyed the entire season. Wheeler piloted the first round NCAA loss last year and has been the square gear that produced most of our losses this year. A team will never play as a team as long as a pet has a green light to do otherwise.
The guy is right, it’s all how the ball bounce in your way and how the officials calling the game. I’ve always have stated this.
I never heard of the guy. Just someone else wanting to put down the Cats. Nothing in life is guaranteed. The lack of Wheeler in the line up is not the reason for recent success. The last two games Ky has hustled more than all the others combined. Wheeler always hustles. They played much better defense and rebounded with purpose. Oscar finally looked like himself for the first time. Wheeler had 3 assists in 11min. He would have had more but Reeves missed two wide open 3s and Fredrick missed one. Toppin was the leader with 4. No one else had more than two. Fredrick played 36 min , shot 1-8 with 3 points and 1 assist. Wheeler would have topped that in 36 min. Everyone claims he can’t shoot ( not true look at stats) but if the Cats will rebound it won’t matter if he misses, just like when everyone else misses.
Well said sir.