Zvonimir Ivisic
Long-time ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg, a former head college basketball coach, really liked what he saw from Kentucky during its four-game sweep in Toronto last month.
“They have pieces that fit even though they are a little undersized,” said Greenberg.
Kentucky obviously added some size Tuesday when 7-2 Croatian Zvonimir Ivisic announced he would play at UK this season. He still has to meet eligibility requirements but that seems to be a foregone conclusion with his commitment to play for John Calipari.
But remember what Greenberg liked so much about what he saw from the Cats in Canada.
“John has a good passing, ridiculously skilled, versatile and unselfish team that is only going to get better because they have a team of gym rats that push each other,” Greenberg said.
“They are going enjoy that journey this year and just seem to have guys and pieces that fit together very, very well.”
Now UK has added another “big” piece and it will be interesting to see how he fits once the season starts in November.
9 Responses
Ivisic, Onyenso, and Bradshaw are wildcards at present. The team did look good in Canada. Height is usually a plus and COULD BE a valuable addition to the team, especially if they focus on defense and rebounding. Cal is going to have 10 players who could get starter’s minutes on other teams. If the bigs will commit to team first and make contributions that aren’t forced, this could be a tough out by tourney time. Can Cal keep everyone happy with 16 to 24 minutes of playing time? There will not be a 20 ppg scoring average on this team either. The most valuable player on this team could be a steals/assist leader or a rebounding/shot block leader unless the rules change and they go to 40 minute halves and play with 5 balls on the court at the same time.
It’s time to drop the pessimism. Kentucky has the team to do great things. There are some people that want to try and find a reason it won’t happen. They want to see the worst instead of the best. That kind of thinking began in Nov. 2016.
Jimmy haven’t you heard, "the sky is falling". There are some who are waiting and hoping for failure so that there narrative will rings true. To me(just my opinion) the negative slants are just click bate for that group. Positive spins on UK basketball gets less comments. Just a simple fact! Even if we win number 9 some will say it’s inspite of not because of.
I’m with you. Time to embrace the team and the staff. They have pulled us from the implosion(that some hope will happen) that I never believed in and they deserve the credit for that! 🙂
Jimmy, some people just know more about how this game is played and its history at Kentucky. What you call pessimism, many call insight into how the season could play out. Excuse me if I have rained on your rah rah party, but this talented team will only be as good as it performs on the floor. Even a novice like you should understand that bringing in 3 big men who have yet to play with this team, could present chemistry problems with the team that we saw excel in Canada. This is even magnified when you take into account that there will be 10 players who would get starter’s minutes on other teams. This team has a very high upside, but also has a very scary downside should the bigs not blend well with the team. To think otherwise just shows a level of arrogance that is all to often found within BBN or have you failed to notice that we haven’t been the world beaters that you think we are.
Barry I think it is funny you call me a novice fan. It’s clear you’re a fair weather fan. I watched the last game Rupp coached, a loss to Florida St. In the NCAA Tournament. You talk about the history of Ky and you don’t know the present. Ugo has practiced with these guys this summer and was playing in Canada with them when he got hurt. He wasn’t just brought in. Bradshaw has played with some of these guys in high school. He’s not a stranger. So the Croatian is the ONLY player the players don’t know. The lack of overall high school talent has been a problem. This year it’s not. Next year the overall talent will be down again. I’m not a rah, rah guy. I’m not the type to whine either. If the Cats are really good, how are you going to change your attitude without being a hypocrite?
The team looked very good in Canada. It will be a different team when the bigs are added to the mix. Nobody will know how that will impact the team, but rah rahs like you are sure it will be a positive effect. I hope you are right, but then again, you are going to be right even when you are wrong.
One thing for sure, this is far more exciting now to know you have the talent and size to compete with any one in the country. I would be a liar if I said I haven’t gotton down on Cal, but he keeps proving my ass wrong, like he does many of you. But one thing for sure is my BLUE BLOOD runs through my freekin vains and just like fishing, it picks my old ass up, when we catch the big ones😁
Calipari hasn’t proven anything with one national title in 13 years. Tubby did that in 10. Anyone can buy talent with the NIL and transfer portal being what it is. He was hired to win national titles, not pimp entitled wannabes to the NBA. Yes, I am down on Calipari and have been since he betrayed the 39-1 team just to let Andrew Harrison make his case for the NBA. This team will crash and burn at tourney time just like all of the rest have regardless of how many rah rahs think this time it will be different.
Barry is a troll or idiot or both! I hate when we lose, even more before final game, championship! But NCAA Basketball been around over 100 years,we have 8 titles,so it’s happened & many more times! If this team is in elite 8,with a chance to get to final four,loses on buzzer beater,Cal is on hot seat,if they win he has done what he is paid for! Go back to his 1st madness speech,’i was brought here to get the best to play here and hang banners’ we hang em for final fours!