What Have We Learned So Far!

Lwcat
Wildcats Thunder Executive Moderator

It's still too early to draw hard fast conclusions about this year's UK team, but we have gotten a glimpse of some potential positives and negatives regarding the Cats in the two exhibition games.

The positives:

As expected BCG has brought a tremendous amount of energy and optimism to this UK team. Under, BCG the Cats have shown great intensity in their man to man defense. We are seeing that the previous old ball line defense under Tubby is replaced by a hard nose in your face man to man defense. It also appears that a zone defense will seldom be used. Offensively, the Cats are more uptempo and crisp in their offensive sets.....no standing around allowed. Now, obviously the Cats are still in the learning phase regarding the offensive and defensive schemes.....so mistakes, as expected, are being made.....but, I look for these to be significantly reduced in the coming games.

So far, the players, although learning new roles in some cases, are bonding with their coaches and appear to be totally buying in to the new coaching strategies. There appears to be genuine enthusiasm and affection among the players and coaches.

It is great to see the tremendous teaching and coaching that takes place during the game as the players come off the floor. As expected, Gillispie is a very intense hands on coach.

Importantly, there is no question that this UK team will be in great physical shape.....probably, the best shape in many years or ever.

While exhibition games don't always predict the future regarding players or the team, there is some early optimism regarding Mark Coury and how he may very well provide some much needed quality time on the frontline. Meeks is looking like the stud we all expected and Crawford is playing well coming off the bench as he works toward getting into game shape because of his recent knee surgery. Bradley has given evidence of having a solid year, but must curtail the turnovers. Patterson, thank goodness, has given every indication that he will be the terrific frontline player that UK so desperately needs this year.

The Negatives:

It is looking more and more like our worst fears regarding UK's frontline will come true. The Cats have struggled on the boards in the two exhibition games and Carter has seen only one minute on the floor while Williams hasn't been in a game yet. It's becoming obvious that Carter and Williams are unlikely to help the Cats at least for some time, if ever, this year on the frontline. That leaves an extremely inexperienced frontline that will have to do battle with some very talented experienced frontlines this year. BCG must play the hand dealt him and it is a hand missing terribly on the frontline. We can hope that Stevenson improves, Coury continues to play well and Stewart starts to learn where he is supposed to be on the court.

Injuries, are starting to be a major factor. Harris with an undetermined foot injury that will surely set him back after he has shown some positive signs of helping the Cats this year, especially defensively. Also, it is looking more and more likely that Jasper will be redshirted....if this happens....it will be a major loss to the Cats. Jasper, with his athletic ability and height, would be a huge help to the Cats this year. Carter's shoulder may or may not hold up this year, but he is way behind in getting on the floor.

As I said, these are only glimpses as to the positives and negatives and hopefully there will be some nice positive surprises as the season progresses. For one, I look for Legion to come on strong a bit later this season.

In the meantime, BCG will surely earn every nickel of his handsome paycheck as he tries to overcome the obvious deficits on the frontline. Perhaps a four guard lineup at times....BCG will need to be creative as he attempts to matchup up against some big talented frontlines this year.

Lastly, while this UK team possesses some excellent backcourt talent along with Patterson on the frontline, UK fans, hopefully will be realistic about this years Cats. Yes, the Cats are a good team, but not a great team. The Cats should have a pretty good year, but there will be losses and it will mostly be due to teams that have far superior frontlines. Importantly, UK has the right coach, a great coach IMO.....and talented frontline help will be coming to the Cats in the coming years, but this year the Cats will have to play the cards dealt them. GO CATS!