Who Will Start?.......by Matt Jones

[WildcatRick]

The season begins in earnest tomorrow night as Kentucky plays its first exhibition game of the Billy Clyde era against the Flying Jody Thompsons of Pikeville College. This will be the first chance for the vast majority of Kentucky fans to see how Billy Clyde's system will be in place, what the team looks like going into the year and how the players on the roster stand at this point. In that respect, tomorrow night is a big night for most Kentucky folks and one that many are looking on with great anticipation. For me, there are a number of things that I want to see. First, I am interested in seeing how Billy Clyde plans on using his "multiple teams" theory that he has talked about during the off-season. On our show, he mentioned that he likes to give players certain roles so that they can get more people on the court and more feeling like they are part of the action. I am interested to see how that works in practice.

But most importantly, I am interested in seeing who will be playing the big minutes for these Cats. We have heard a number of stories this year about who has been playing during the summer and the fall on the starting teams and the legends of guys like Razor Ramon and the Coury Flurry have continued to grow. But when push comes to shove, who will play. I have been told by someone close to the team that Joe Crawford has played almost no minutes with the starting group in practice this fall. Will this continue at the beginning of the season? What about Alex Legion, will he get big minutes early? Will Mark Coury start on the low post over Perry Stevenson? What about Razor Ramon….is he the small forward that UK needs athletically.

So along those lines, the question becomes….who starts against Pikeville? My guess is that it will be Bradley, Crawford, Meeks, Patterson and Stevenson. But seeing Coury, Harris or Legion in the starting lineup would not shock me in the least. What say you? Who do you think makes the starting rotation? Never has a year passed when there were so many spots that were unclear at this point (I think you can only lock Bradley and Meeks in….and Patterson is close). Tomorrow should be very interesting…..

http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3954

[Josh]

I want to go with:

1 - Ramel
2 - Joe/Jodie
3 - Jodie/Ramon
4 - Patrick
5 - Perry

[crazzedcats22]

I'll agree with Matt, I just don't see who you would put in place on any of those guys. Maybe Carter for Stevenson eventually, but he's not healthy enough yet. I sure hope Perry has added some strength this year, especially if he's playing at the 4/5 spot.

[leroybyrd]

I want to go with:

1 - Ramel
2 - Joe/Jodie
3 - Jodie/Ramon
4 - Patrick
5 - Perry


That is seven players. Only 5 can start and play at one time in the sport of basketball. Hope that helps. :big_grin:

[SlyClyde]

If Perry Stevenson starts, I hope he has vastly improved his court awareness from last year. At times, he looked very confused and lost. Who will play the 5 spot is definitely a question that probably won't be answered until a few games have been played. And by the way, if Coury starts or has any significant minutes, we are in for a VERY long season.

[Josh]

That is seven players. Only 5 can start and play at one time in the sport of basketball. Hope that helps. :big_grin:

You are kidding, right?

The / means it could be either of those players.

Hope that helps. :icon_smile:

But if you want to get nitpicky, it's actually six players since I named Jodie twice. ;)

[leroybyrd]

You are kidding, right?

The / means it could be either of those players.

Hope that helps. :icon_smile:

But if you want to get nitpicky, it's actually six players since I named Jodie twice. ;)

Of course, just havin some fun. And you are right, that is only six. Got me!

[Josh]

Of course, just havin some fun. And you are right, that is only six. Got me!

:thumbup::thumbup: :icon_lol::icon_lol:

[leroybyrd]

If Perry Stevenson starts, I hope he has vastly improved his court awareness from last year. At times, he looked very confused and lost. Who will play the 5 spot is definitely a question that probably won't be answered until a few games have been played. And by the way, if Coury starts or has any significant minutes, we are in for a VERY long season.

No doubt. The five spot is somewhat up for grabs, but I agree, if Coury has a significant role on this team, we are in trouble, IMO.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I do not care who starts as long as we win and we win BIG

[charms]

I think we are all going to be shocked at how well Coury has improved. If he does good and can contribute, I am all for giving him pt. I think BCG knows more about it than me, I'll go with whoever he chooses to start.:icon_mrgreen:

[Wildcatcrazy11]

I don't expect Coury to get a ton of minutes this year although we are very limited down low. But could he be the spark off the bench? The kind of spark Sheray and/or Woo provided last season? I feel if he could fill those shoes, or take that role in Gillispie's system than it would definately be a big plus.
A player I felt looked really good at BBM was Morakinyo. He showed that he has the touch to contribute down low and obviously the size. The only thing to be concerned about is the fact that he moves rather slow and might not fit in with Gillispie's prefered style. Who knows at this point.
I agree though. So many people are vying for playing time that it wouldn't surprise me to see anyone out there. With so much young talent this year will be fun to watch them all establish their roles on the team. With that said I like:

1) Bradley
2) Crawford
3) Meeks
4) Patterson
5) Williams

[kybuc]

No doubt. The five spot is somewhat up for grabs, but I agree, if Coury has a significant role on this team, we are in trouble, IMO.

I was just talking to my father on the phone and he said he just watched an interview with the coach. Coach said that if the game was today that Perry and Mark would be starting in the 4 or 5 slot.

[Bombastic Blue]

I was listening to 630, it was that bearded guys show from 6:00 to 8:00, and Tom Leach said that in response to reporters repeated questions of who would start Coach G said, as of tonight the starters would be;

Bradley
Meeks
Harris
Coury
Stevenson

Heard it with my own ears and still not sure I believe it!

[kybuc]

I was listening to 630, it was that bearded guys show from 6:00 to 8:00, and Tom Leach said that in response to reporters repeated questions of who would start Coach G said, as of tonight the starters would be;

Bradley
Meeks
Harris
Coury
Stevenson

Heard it with my own ears and still not sure I believe it!

Thats exactly what my Father told me also. LOL! I'm gonna love this season. The coach is gonna keep us fans guessing! :icon_biggrin:

[Bombastic Blue]

Thats exactly what my Father told me also. LOL! I'm gonna love this season. The coach is gonna keep us fans guessing! :icon_biggrin:

Early last year I thought Harris and Stevenson were the real deal. Then we got into the meat of the pre-conference schedule and they were no where to be seen. Apparently,...They're baaa aaaack!

I'm with ya' kybuc! Second guessing THIS coach is going to be a chore! :D

[SlyClyde]

I was listening to 630, it was that bearded guys show from 6:00 to 8:00, and Tom Leach said that in response to reporters repeated questions of who would start Coach G said, as of tonight the starters would be;

Bradley
Meeks
Harris
Coury
Stevenson

Heard it with my own ears and still not sure I believe it!

Wow.....no P Pat? He must have a bad practice today, because if he's not in the lineup, then something's not right.

While I agree with rewarding hard workers with some playing time (e.g. Coury), I'm not buying into the hype of this kid. Now, I might end up eating crow on this one, but are we talking about the same Mark Coury from last year? Until I see the product on the floor that I keep hearing about, I'm sticking to my guns on this one.

[leroybyrd]

I was just talking to my father on the phone and he said he just watched an interview with the coach. Coach said that if the game was today that Perry and Mark would be starting in the 4 or 5 slot.

Looks like we are in much worse shape than I thought.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

we already did this thread:
http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30373

I said DJ, Ramel,Joe, Pat and PS and I'm sticking with that.


*edited to say I just heard DJ would not play so I put Jodie in his place. The more I think about it though this being an exhibition game I'm not sure BG wouldn't just come out with some crazy, unpredictable lineup just to see what works. In the Cvs.C tourn. is where I'll be really interested in seeing who starts.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

I was listening to 630, it was that bearded guys show from 6:00 to 8:00, and Tom Leach said that in response to reporters repeated questions of who would start Coach G said, as of tonight the starters would be;

Bradley
Meeks
Harris
Coury
Stevenson

Heard it with my own ears and still not sure I believe it!

possible BG was trying to light a fire under Patrick ?

[Catdaddy24]

This line up shocks me as well. But you cant argue with the man too much since he sees these kids every day. Maybe there is something to this Coury kid that we dont know or havent seen yet. Hey, if he can contribute I am all for it. But i dont see him as a starter. This is probably a one and done situation to motivate these younger guys. We will soon see.

[chworld22]

I have always wondered when I saw kids like this come out of nowhere for other programs (like Moody for Kansas) why UK couldn't find some of these diamonds in the rough. I guess we finally got lucky. Any kid with his size and relative foot speed that is willing to work hard on every play has a chance to be good. I have seen it before and I am sure this wont be the last time. He reminds me of that Nick Fazicas guy that played for Nevada or whatever last year. Similar skill set I think.

This line up really doesn't shock me all that much though with all the reports over the summer and Pat Pat getting sick last week. You had to expect Coury to get some minutes with Jarad still not back. Why not in a game where he wont be asked to guard someone really tall or quick. Harris surprises me a little more but not that much more. He is another guy that has the body for serious D1 talent. Guys his size just need to play hustle and play under control and the rest will work itself out most of the time.

[bleedbluelady]

Wow.....no P Pat? He must have a bad practice today, because if he's not in the lineup, then something's not right.

While I agree with rewarding hard workers with some playing time (e.g. Coury), I'm not buying into the hype of this kid. Now, I might end up eating crow on this one, but are we talking about the same Mark Coury from last year? Until I see the product on the floor that I keep hearing about, I'm sticking to my guns on this one.

The reason PP is not starting is he missed practice because he is still recovering from a pretty severe respiratory infection.

[jtclarkUK]

When I first saw the line up. I was pretty shocked. But then with Patterson not having practiced much with his condition, I'm not too worried about it. And with Joe. I think this may light a fire under him. And when I really think about it, it's an exhibition game. So I'm not worried. I think I'll get more worried if this is the starting line up half way through the season. And also I know that Coach knows more about basketball than us , so that makes me not too worried either. He knows what he is doing. Everything will be all good! I hope:)

[poodoo]

I trust Coach G to make the right decisions. I really do. :icon_biggrin: Also, I love that a walk-on is starting. KUDOS to Mark Coury! :icon_biggrin:

[Tom Blevins]

I would be very surprised if Patterson were not a starter before we play too many games this season. Crawford could start, too, as soon as he's in better shape.