So ... Has Scottie become our best player?

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by MJGator8104

Most improved player from last season has to be Rosario who seems to have finally bought into defense and is listening to our coaches. Wilby is just doing for extended minutes what he did in backup duty last year (which is still impressive).

Wilbekin's offense has improved more than Rosario's defense IMO. Rosario is still not a good defender but at least he's playing with better effort. Wilbekin is now able to get his own shot and create situations that the defense has to compensate for.

[jeffphillips21]

Scottie is MVP right now. The thing with Scottie is that he's on the ball, offensively or defensively, for the first 10-15 seconds of almost every play. He's either bringing the ball up or defending the man bringing it up on D. With each play he's able to set the tone for our entire team on both ends of the floor. His energy and focus pushes other players to lift their intensity too. He makes everyone else better with the tone he sets, something all good PG's should do. The difference, is Scottie full-court presses on virtually every play and clamps down on their PG's better than anyone, which disrupts the other team's offense.

Scottie's overall impact on the game makes him the most valuable, but Murphy and Young aren't too far behind. Without those 2 we'd be in trouble.

[ThePlayer]

To answer the OP.....YES!!!

[themistocles]

Personally, I have always felt that 3 kids from that 2010 class have been "the best guys to have on the floor at any given time" since their Freshman year.

Those 3 are Wilbekin, Yeguete and Prather. Not one of which has gotten adequate minutes, from my perspective, except for Wilbekin this year.

Thinking that a single player may be "Best" is simplistic thinking, although it may be relatively true in a few cases, like Kadji for Miami and perhaps Noel for Ky.

All three of those guys are TEAM ORIENTED first and outstanding defenders second. These are the characteristics that lead to winning versus losing. It does help to score some points also, but that is vastly overrated relative to the qualities I noted.

[UFreak]

Originally Posted by themistocles

Thinking that a single player may be "Best" is simplistic thinking.

What?

[bogator]

I am starting to wonder how the minutes work next year with Hill coming in. Talk about an embarrassment of riches at point.

[UFreak]

Originally Posted by bogator

I am starting to wonder how the minutes work next year with Hill coming in. Talk about an embarrassment of riches at point.

Was thinking the same thing. Scottie IS the starter if he continues to play like this. And should get the bulk of the minutes.

[rserina]

Wibekin is also pretty good off the ball. He and Hill could coexist just fine with Wilbekin at the two and Hill at the one, then Wilbekin shifting to the one and Frazier, Graham, or Ogbueze coming in next to him at the two.

[UFG8rGuy3283]

Originally Posted by rserina

Wibekin is also pretty good off the ball. He and Hill could coexist just fine with Wilbekin at the two and Hill at the one, then Wilbekin shifting to the one and Frazier, Graham, or Ogbueze coming in next to him at the two.

Was just thinking about this last night. Scottie can guard pretty much any wing out there and has improved enough offensively to where he could certainly off the ball a good deal. I could still see a situation where the starters are SW, Frazier, DFS, WY and Harris, with Parther, Hill (getting starter minutes at the PG spot, especially as the season progresses) and Walker being the first guys off the bench and Graham getting decent minutes as well.

I'm certainly not sleeping on this year's team, but we looking pretty damn good for next year too.

[madgator]

Originally Posted by rserina

Wibekin is also pretty good off the ball. He and Hill could coexist just fine with Wilbekin at the two and Hill at the one, then Wilbekin shifting to the one and Frazier, Graham, or Ogbueze coming in next to him at the two.

the rotations that we are going to be able to throw at people next year is going to be ridiculous

that's with or without Patric Young in the mix


going to be exciting!

[manigordo]

The thing that should be most clear to anyone who reads this thread is what a GREAT COACHING JOB BD has done. We have gotten "better than hoped for" gains from Murphy, Rosario and Wilby. Boynton has shown better shot selection, Yeguette has improved his offense and, I would argue, Prather, when healthy, has made the jump. Plus team chemistry has made this a most joyful season.

[madgator]

Originally Posted by manigordo

The thing that should be most clear to anyone who reads this thread is what a GREAT COACHING JOB BD has done. We have gotten "better than hoped for" gains from Murphy, Rosario and Wilby. Boynton has shown better shot selection, Yeguette has improved his offense and, I would argue, Prather, when healthy, has made the jump. Plus team chemistry has made this a most joyful season.

Billy has always been top notch in terms of both player development and building team concept.

[patsyruth2008]

Originally Posted by madgator

I wish I could remember who it was that posted last year that Scottie would never become a viable starting point guard for us.


36 minutes played today and only 1 turnover


the discipline, unselfishness, and overall just intelligent play of this team is what I love watching the most. This is aesthetically pleasing basketball being played on both ends of the floor. Reminiscent of the '04's in terms of overall team work, hustle and attention to details. Of course the talent level is not the same. But that is kind of what makes this team even more special. The sum of their parts is greater than what the individual talents would indicate.

I'm loving it! An absolute joy to watch.

I also remember a decent amount of posters saying that Braxton Ogbueze would become our starting point guard eventually................... How times have changed.

[jeffphillips21]

Hill and Walker coming off the bench? Would have to be an embarrassment of riches. What if Young returns and we land Randle?

[UFG8rGuy3283]

Originally Posted by jeffphillips21

Hill and Walker coming off the bench? Would have to be an embarrassment of riches. What if Young returns and we land Randle?

Agree with you whole heartedly and think we will be that TALENTED and that DEEP. The deepest, most talented team from top to bottom since 2000.

I am assuming Walker comes off the bench unless he has improved a whole lot defensively. He is super athletic and, imo, would be a huge weapon coming off the bench. WY has improved so much, I don't know if Walker starts or not.

I've said this a few times and truly believe it, but I really don't think it is going to matter who starts as there will be a lot of guys getting a lot of minutes.

Pre-season #1 or #2 (my guess is #2 because with UK's class coming in, they will be ridiculously talented and the press seems to love freshmen classes like this more than established teams).

If Young comes back and/or we get Randle....good Lord...I can't even imagine. Even without them, we're ridiculous next year.

[madgator]

Originally Posted by patsyruth2008

I also remember a decent amount of posters saying that Braxton Ogbueze would become our starting point guard eventually................... How times have changed.

Ogbueze has the potential to be a Boynton-type of player. He is not a starting PG. But who knows, he could very well end up there his junior year.

Scottie will be gone, Hill could be a one and doner and berry is going to UNC

so time will tell

[ThePlayer]

Originally Posted by jeffphillips21

Hill and Walker coming off the bench? Would have to be an embarrassment of riches. What if Young returns and we land Randle?

Then we'll finally know what it feels like to be Kentucky.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by jeffphillips21

Hill and Walker coming off the bench? Would have to be an embarrassment of riches. What if Young returns and we land Randle?

Similar to Nelson and Harvey, though I think Hill is too good not to start. Just a step below Beal in my opinion.

I personally wouldn't be so quick to laud next year's team. I can guarantee you they will give Donovan ulcers. You go from a team with seven returning upperclassmen to a team with three (if Young leaves). Granted, Harris being a junior helps, but he will have lost most of the year to injury. That is basically four new guys to the rotation who are all brand new to the team. There will be a ton of growing pains, just like 99-00, just like last season. It will take awhile for those guys to establish some chemistry together and figure out where they fit in the system.

That's one of the reasons I am enjoying this season so much. It such an unexpected surprise, but one that speaks to the benefits of continuity, experience, and chemistry.

[TampaGatorFan]

Originally Posted by ThePlayer

Then we'll finally know what it feels like to be Kentucky.

Does that include another national title?

[GatorPlanet]

Scottie is one of the all-time great Gator recruiting steals. He was just a local kid not showing up on anyone's radar. He was a more than solid defender as a 17-year-old, and now he's on his way to becoming a great all-around point guard.

To the original question...there are some really good players on this team, but I think Boynton is probably the best. Remember, he's the prime scouting focus for almost every team we play. As others emerge, it's getting harder for the opposition to scheme Boynton out of productivity.