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One player did not get Kentucky beat by 17 points at South Carolina. However, freshman Justin Edwards continued his unproductive play and it is hard to understand how coach John Calipari can continue to play him as many minutes as he has.
Edwards played 23 minutes against South Carolina and had just two rebounds and two points on two late free throws. He had no steals and no assists.
Edwards was the highest ranked recruit in UK’s No. 1 rated recruiting class and even was projected as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA draft in one early mock draft. But he’s not played that way.
In 18 games — and he has started every game — he’s averaging 8.1 p points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent overall from the field and 28.9 percent (13 of 45) from 3. He’s been to the foul line only 24 times but has made 17. Yet Edwards is averaging 22.6 minutes per game — the same as Rob Dillingham, more than Aaron Bradshaw and almost as many minutes per game as Reed Sheppard.
Dillingham had 16 points against South Carolina but played just 26 minutes. Sheppard, who did not have one of his better games, only played 14 minutes. Bradshaw had eight rebounds, four points and one block and played 21 minutes.
It was no surprise that Calipari was asked about Edwards and what he could do to be a bigger contributor.
“Just got to keep getting in, gotta break through. He’s got to know that this is a team that, we’ve got a lot of players. And if someone’s playing better than you, you won’t believe this, they’re going to play in front of you,” Calipari said.
Maybe they will but Edwards is still getting a lot of playing time for his lack of consistent productivity.
“Or you’re going to get your opportunity to go do it. The easiest thing to do is defense, rebound, go block a shot, dive on the floor, take a charge. And then when you have plays, make them,” Calipari said.
Sounds simple but Edwards has not been doing that.
“But forcing it, with this team, you really don’t have to because we can create for each other. We did not do it today. Just didn’t,” Calipari said after the South Carolina loss. “We would have had to make a bunch of 3’s because of how they played: They pack it in, and it’s pack-line defense. You’re going to have to make some 3s. And we didn’t make many.”
So even if Zvonimir Ivisic becomes a player who commands more minutes, it sure doesn’t sound like a drastic reduction in Edwards’ minutes is on the Calipari agenda yet.
15 Responses
Does Klutch give Cal kickbacks or something?
He plays their guys Edwards and Livingston even if they give us nothing.
Or he doesn’t play their guys Sharpe, if they tell him not to.
Klutch either pays Cal or has some dirt on him because it’s evident they control him when it comes to their players.
When Thiero comes back, Edwards should not start and play a relief role only. If Calipari wants Shepperd to shoot more, he needs to start him. That will also keep the ball moving because Waggner and Dillingham are all one on one point guards. it’s too bad we can’t substitute for our coach. Calipari got schooled. It wasn’t the first time and won’t be the last. It’s funny how the Calipari lovers haven’t had ANYTHING to say.
Let’s hope that the mystery man Thiero does play on Saturday. It still begs the question of why does UK and the BBN have to deal with at least 1 key player per year has to miss PT with mystery or questionable illness for significant amount of team when other teams hardly have to deal with this issue?
Mike, it does seems odd we deal with it every year here.
Exactly
It’s no mystery. He found out that he’ll be a first round draft pick. He quit playing. He made a mistake though. It’s too early.
He should have waited another month.
Edwards and Wagner should be warming the pine rather than starting.
Here is yet another example of someone willing to point out that Edwards really needs a "break out" game.
Meanwhile, the best player on this team, not just the best freshman on this team, and one of the best freshmen in all the land, does not start.
Calipari is a DISGRACEFUL FRAUD.
I agree that Edwards need set on the pine, as far Wagner he’s our get to go guy and gotten better as the season goes. Sheppard play his worst game as a cat the other night.
As I have said on here before, I don’t care who starts, but from what I have seen so far this season, Mitchell, Reeves, and Thiero should be the core of the team. They don’t panic or get caught up in the moment. They look for each other, and they don’t seem to back down. The rest of the spots and relief time goes to whoever is bringing their A game each time on the floor. I might would even consider a platoon system the first 10 minutes of the game. The top 8 either finish the game or play until they put it out of reach. You earn more minutes by playing well enough that I can’t take you out of the game.
Not always the case though! I can think of many times over the years that Coach has taken a guy out right after he turns hot – happen against South Carolina it’s a pattern!
You can blame Cal all you want!! Got to give S. Carolina credit they play defense like no other team has so far this season. Just got punch in the mouth, could be the best medicine that we’ve taken.
Keeping Edwards in the starting lineup not only hurts him (because he knows he doesn’t deserve it) it hurts his teammates (the snub of replacing an inferior player) and future players (knowing Cal starts based on future potential instead of game production). I personally believe this one issue is what is holding back this team. Edwards brings down the whole team when he’s on the court while Reed elevates the whole team when he’s on it. It’s a no brainer that Reed or Adou should be starting, not Edwards. Let the bench settle and motivate him.
I see this guy transferring next year
I honestly like Wagner, he hits that left handed layup once out of every 20 shots, but continues to do it. Good for him, he seems like a good kid. But stop!! You miss that shot all the time. And Edwards, I feel bad for him. He is not good. Maybe in High School, but he could not start at Vandy.
And, this is Harrison twins again, if we played the better players, we have a another National Championship. Wagner is no good, Edwards is no good, but we have to play them I guess because Cal is stubborn. I mean, who would not play Booker. I guess he didn’t have the promise.