Which starting lineup will it be?

[cardrock]

It's really not that complicated. A player plays and coaches either like his game or not. It doesn't matter if he's a foreign player or not. If he's talented and has a good hoops IQ, he will most likely be successful.

Expectations for Fru are no different than a HS freshman or a transfer. There's pros and cons for both. There's always variables. I think Fru is more likely to be successful because of his experience playing professionally and his age.

We all expect freshman Brown to be a one and done all conference player because of his rating and the game footage that's out there, but he could be just another DJ Wagner who's still playing college hoops.

I'm pretty confident after watching film of Fru that he will be a major contributer for the Cards. Much more than Ibeh was last season, a 4 year transfer who hardly played anywhere in his career. Fru may not be a beast but he's going to be very valuable.

lol! Since it’s not really that complicated for you, and you’ve got it all figured out. You should start a recruiting/ consulting service for all these coaches that do this for a living, make the big bucks but can’t seem to figure it out themselves.
So you’re projecting fru will be very valuable and Brown will be a bust! Based on your theory “A player plays and coaches either like his game or not. Thank you for your contribution 😂😂

 

[nycardfan]

I liked Scott and thought he had potential to grow his game, but Fru appears to do everything Scott does, but better, and also has a more complete game. But I still think there were significant minutes left for Scott if he chose to stay.

 

[real2it]

Is Fru on campus? Maybe Scott saw the handwriting on the wall? That would be a good reason but on the other hand if Scott believed all the hype you see from videos like a lot of our fans, then that tells me more about Scott than Fru....

No it was reported that he likely won't arrive until the summer due to his team's playoff run.

 

[TheRealVille]

Well, Scott didn't have to go very far than talking to his coaches. It doesn't take video or fan hype to convince him about his probable playing time next season.

If Kelsey is stoked about Fru and the coaches are confident in his ability, they're not going to keep that from Scott or any of the players. It shouldn't be difficult for Scott to see the writing on the wall. He knows his own limitations offensively and he had to decide either to work his ass off this summer to compete or move on.

Well, it looks like he chose to move on.

 

[TheRealVille]

lol! Since it’s not really that complicated for you, and you’ve got it all figured out. You should start a recruiting/ consulting service for all these coaches that do this for a living, make the big bucks but can’t seem to figure it out themselves.
So you’re projecting fru will be very valuable and Brown will be a bust! Based on your theory “A player plays and coaches either like his game or not. Thank you for your contribution 😂😂

I have nothing figured out when it comes to college hoops that's for sure. Fru could indeed be a disappointment and it wouldn't shock me. Same with any player.

Remember Samardo Samuels? Overall #1 prospect and sure fire NBA pro. He had a nice career at UofL, but he never showed the greatness most everyone thought he was. You just never know with these players, unless your name is Cooper Flagg.

 

[cardrock]

I have nothing figured out when it comes to college hoops that's for sure. Fru could indeed be a disappointment and it wouldn't shock me. Same with any player.

Remember Samardo Samuels? Overall #1 prospect and sure fire NBA pro. He had a nice career at UofL, but he never showed the greatness most everyone thought he was. You just never know with these players, unless your name is Cooper Flagg.

That’s all I’m sayin… and there are so many more unknowns with Fru. But I trust Coach PK so…

 

[2330859]

I know this is an open forum for opinions, and I try to respect each an every one. However, I cannot help but question how anyone can compare players, or predict how they will perform in the absence of having never seen some ever put on a UL uniform.

Highlight film? In truth, I can think back to a time when virtually every player who ever played at UL had a moment or two where they exhibited some spectacular moment like Henderson against Wichita State. I think Cardrock has it right ………. better leave it to Kelsey in determining who is best equipped to play at UL.

 

[TheRealVille]

I know this is an open forum for opinions, and I try to respect each an every one. However, I cannot help but question how anyone can compare players, or predict how they will perform in the absence of having never seen some ever put on a UL uniform.

Highlight film? In truth, I can think back to a time when virtually every player who ever played at UL had a moment or two where they exhibited some spectacular moment like Henderson against Wichita State. I think Cardrock has it right ………. better leave it to Kelsey in determining who is best equipped to play at UL.

Better leave it? Or what?

All of this is just for fun. To keep college hoops alive during the off season. Fans getting excited or worried about new players is part of being a fan. Why do we all mostly think Brown is going to be a great point guard? After all, it's just been hype and video clips.

We do trust Coach Kelsey because of how well his first group performed here, but we're also as fans going to anticipate before the ball bounces for real, who's going to be the players to get UofL hoops to a final 4. It's all we can do in April or May or June.....

I enjoy the discussion here on the message boards. I've watched video clips of Fru and Khalifa and both appear more talented offensively than James Scott, but as we all know, that isn't a guarantee that they actually will be better.

None of us at this time last year believed Hepburn would be an ACC first teamer or that Ibeh would play walk on minutes. Just imagine the pushback by everyone here if I was predicting 27 wins for Louisville last season.

There would be comments like "You can't be serious?" and "That's unreasonable", and "It's irresponsible to say that."

I would be attacked for doing exactly what a message board is for.

For me it's interesting what my fellow Cards fans think about the new players and how they will perform. I see no reason not to say who will be better equipped, for it's why we're here on this board in the first place.

And it doesn't matter if we're wrong or right. Only Coach Kelsey has to get that right.

 

[Hugh Tripley-Bohner]

I can’t project a lineup because I think rotations will be determined situationally and by opposing players. If some big man is eating good inside, CPK may use two bigs to defend him. If a team is feasting outside, he might run tall quick defenders. I could see players get 30 minutes against one team the 4 against the next team just because of matchups. Power of the Unit.

 

[2330859]

My point Realville is not about these post exchanges, or certainly it is not intended to silence the opinions at all. I for example, would understand the comparison between Pryor and Scott, as we have seen both play, but trying to compare Scott or Pryor against someone like Fru just doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

So to answer your question, NO, I am not suggesting “to leave it”, and as to the “what then”? Simple, I will express my thoughts just like you express yours.

 

[TheRealVille]

My point Realville is not about these post exchanges, or certainly it is not intended to silence the opinions at all. I for example, would understand the comparison between Pryor and Scott, as we have seen both play, but trying to compare Scott or Pryor against someone like Fru just doesn’t seem to make sense to me.

So to answer your question, NO, I am not suggesting “to leave it”, and as to the “what then”? Simple, I will express my thoughts just like you express yours.

And I enjoy and respect your thoughts here. Always have.

 

[2330859]

I enjoy your posts as well Realville; and I particularly appreciate that we have a lot in common …… we both love our Cards!

 

[nccardfan]

Well, Scott didn't have to go very far than talking to his coaches. It doesn't take video or fan hype to convince him about his probable playing time next season.

If Kelsey is stoked about Fru and the coaches are confident in his ability, they're not going to keep that from Scott or any of the players. It shouldn't be difficult for Scott to see the writing on the wall. He knows his own limitations offensively and he had to decide either to work his ass off this summer to compete or move on.

Well, it looks like he chose to move on.

I think that is one of the most ridiculous statements I have read on this board. As a coach, I made a point of never discussing another player's ability or opportunities. If you want to talk about what you need to do as a player, getting better, whatever, I am all ears, but we are not talking about how another player's what ifs affect you. Its bad enough that you need to worry about yourself without factoring how another player fits in and what effect that has on you.

 

[TheRealVille]

I think that is one of the most ridiculous statements I have read on this board. As a coach, I made a point of never discussing another player's ability or opportunities. If you want to talk about what you need to do as a player, getting better, whatever, I am all ears, but we are not talking about how another player's what ifs affect you. Its bad enough that you need to worry about yourself without factoring how another player fits in and what effect that has on you.

Oh really? As a parent of a former player, a coach being honest to a player even if that concerns other players, was certainly not ridiculous then or is it now. There wasn't a portal back then, but my son transferred and it was the right choice.

Today's college players need all the information they can get. The portal has placed virtually every player as a free agent. There's no 3 or 4 year agreements anymore.

What I was saying about James Scott is he would have every right to discuss with Coach Kelsey his plans for him next season. I don't believe the coaching staff instigated anything with Scott, but they would be honest if asked by Scott what they needed from him next season. The incoming front court players are relevant to all of this.

Common sense is not ridiculous. James Scott doesn't want to just play 15 to 20 minutes as the 3rd option. He would expect honesty from his head coach if that scenario is possible or likely.

I believe Coach Kelsey wants him to stay but ultimately the decision is Scott's which he has apparently made. What other reason is there for Scott to enter the portal on the last day if not playing time?

Maybe I'm wrong about the reason, but if it's the most ridiculous statement you've ever seen here, well that is by far the most ridiculous comment I've ever seen here.

 

[Bardman]

Oh really? As a parent of a former player, a coach being honest to a player even if that concerns other players, was certainly not ridiculous then or is it now. There wasn't a portal back then, but my son transferred and it was the right choice.

Today's college players need all the information they can get. The portal has placed virtually every player as a free agent. There's no 3 or 4 year agreements anymore.

What I was saying about James Scott is he would have every right to discuss with Coach Kelsey his plans for him next season. I don't believe the coaching staff instigated anything with Scott, but they would be honest if asked by Scott what they needed from him next season. The incoming front court players are relevant to all of this.

Common sense is not ridiculous. James Scott doesn't want to just play 15 to 20 minutes as the 3rd option. He would expect honesty from his head coach if that scenario is possible or likely.

I believe Coach Kelsey wants him to stay but ultimately the decision is Scott's which he has apparently made. What other reason is there for Scott to enter the portal on the last day if not playing time?

Maybe I'm wrong about the reason, but if it's the most ridiculous statement you've ever seen here, well that is by far the most ridiculous comment I've ever seen here.

Well, playing time and…money 😳

 

[nccardfan]

Oh really? As a parent of a former player, a coach being honest to a player even if that concerns other players, was certainly not ridiculous then or is it now. There wasn't a portal back then, but my son transferred and it was the right choice.

Today's college players need all the information they can get. The portal has placed virtually every player as a free agent. There's no 3 or 4 year agreements anymore.

What I was saying about James Scott is he would have every right to discuss with Coach Kelsey his plans for him next season. I don't believe the coaching staff instigated anything with Scott, but they would be honest if asked by Scott what they needed from him next season. The incoming front court players are relevant to all of this.

Common sense is not ridiculous. James Scott doesn't want to just play 15 to 20 minutes as the 3rd option. He would expect honesty from his head coach if that scenario is possible or likely.

I believe Coach Kelsey wants him to stay but ultimately the decision is Scott's which he has apparently made. What other reason is there for Scott to enter the portal on the last day if not playing time?

Maybe I'm wrong about the reason, but if it's the most ridiculous statement you've ever seen here, well that is by far the most ridiculous comment I've ever seen here.

So you're saying Kelsey had a crystal ball and he knew how many players were going to be injured so he knew exactly how many minutes each player will get in a season? Nothing is earned yet, not by anybody. You do that in practice.

A good example was Reyne. How many posters thought he was going to be a backup coming off the bench...

 

[TheRealVille]

So you're saying Kelsey had a crystal ball and he knew how many players were going to be injured so he knew exactly how many minutes each player will get in a season? Nothing is earned yet, not by anybody. You do that in practice.

A good example was Reyne. How many posters thought he was going to be a backup coming off the bench...

No, I'm not saying that at all. Scott this past season had virtually no competition in the post for playing time and he knows that won't be the case next season.

A simple conversation could be Scott being told where he has to improve and what the two newcomers bring to the front court. I'm sure Kelsey assured him he would get every opportunity to compete for minutes along with Fru and Khalifa.

That's all I'm saying. Scott can see for himself how good these two big men are and decide if he believes he can be the best of the three. Maybe he wasn't very confident that could happen so he entered the portal?

Of course it could only be about NIL money, but I want to believe that's not the case with James Scott. It's just peculiar he waited until the last day to enter the portal, like he was waiting as long as he could to decide.

It was definitely a surprise announcement for sure.

 

[2330859]

Obviously we are witnessing a “reset” in all of College sports. I have no idea where this goes from here, but I am not sure we can expect the NCAA to step in given their past performance.