The Wildcats will likely need either Jacob Toppin, Lance Ware, or Daimion Collins to step up and become a frontcourt partner for Oscar Tshiebwe. What should fans expect from each?
Cal seems to have thought about the dilemmas presented in your article and went after Leonard Miller (I assume because he had height, length, rim protection and a workable 3 pt shot?), but never pursued anyone after Miller stayed in the draft. Why, do you think, he didnt go after a stretch 4 type (who could also possibly provide better quality backup at the 5 too)?
Livingston doesn't want the 4 spot, so is the plan as simple as Toppin (and Collins, I assume as backup 4) will both have to shoot a lot more from the 4 spot from mid range and 3 pt range? Seems like a risky move (or hope?) To assume they can suddenly start making defense respect them with at least one made 3 per game, or not?
If they bring in another 4, there’s less playing time for the guys they currently have. I’m guessing Cal didn’t want to have pissed off frontcourt players all season long.
I do get that and assumed that is the most plausible reason, but.... the old Cal would've brought in a better talent at any position (if he could) and say "battle it out- fight for your position and minutes - play well and I will get you to the NBA even if it is off of the bench!"
I thought (hoped), maybe this is a new unconventional but intentional philosophy that he has schemed up to win with a relatively short frontcourt of athletic 6'9 players (if we exaggerate a couple of player's listed height!) shooting mid range jumpers and long 2's.
Is it reasonable or fair to hope Toppin or Collins can become 3 pt threats in a short period of time to open up the lane? Can we have elite defense and rim protection with this lineup?
This frontcourt is primarily defined by Tshiebwe, and the other pieces just need to contribute. I think there’s a very remote chance Toppin develops into a meaningful shooter, given this is his 4th year in college and he’s gotten worse as a shooter so far. No idea on Collins…he definitely has the most room for growth, and he at least was a good FT shooter in a tiny sample. I think the hope is that Collins becomes a weapon shooting from midrange or 3…but I’ll believe it when I see it.
I appreciate your taking time to talk to nobody's. I love ur work. Your data driven analysis and opinions consistently pass the eye test, and I don't sense an inherent bias, agenda, or selective "facts"
Collins' sample size seems a bit small to me to draw many conclusions about what to expect from him, especially given the degree to which his struggles seemed to be the product of his very skinny build.
I remember last year, you said that it's rare for a player to have a leap in production in more than one area during an off-season, so considering that, if you were Toppin, what areas of your game do you consider focusing on this summer?
Toppin 100% needs to improve as a shooter. Needs to be capable from midrange (40%+) and willing from 3 (3+ attempts per 40min). That will keep defenders closer to him and open up spacing. Brooks wasn’t a great shooter but was active and competent, so defenses respected him enough.
Kyle Tucker said in his recent mailbag article in the Athletic that Toppin was receiving feedback that he could come back to UK and become a first-round pick. How plausible does that seem to you? How likely would you say him bumping up his stats like you mentioned (40+% midrange, 3+ 3-pt attempts) seems to be?
I don’t think it’s very likely that he develops shooting after 3 years of seeing his shooting stats slide the wrong way. I believe his NBA path is becoming a defensive terror who can rebound and finish, but because he’s an older prospect that’s a hard sell to NBA teams I think. I have a hard time imagining how Jacob Toppin is one of the 30 best NBA prospects next year.
Cal seems to have thought about the dilemmas presented in your article and went after Leonard Miller (I assume because he had height, length, rim protection and a workable 3 pt shot?), but never pursued anyone after Miller stayed in the draft. Why, do you think, he didnt go after a stretch 4 type (who could also possibly provide better quality backup at the 5 too)?
Livingston doesn't want the 4 spot, so is the plan as simple as Toppin (and Collins, I assume as backup 4) will both have to shoot a lot more from the 4 spot from mid range and 3 pt range? Seems like a risky move (or hope?) To assume they can suddenly start making defense respect them with at least one made 3 per game, or not?
If they bring in another 4, there’s less playing time for the guys they currently have. I’m guessing Cal didn’t want to have pissed off frontcourt players all season long.
I do get that and assumed that is the most plausible reason, but.... the old Cal would've brought in a better talent at any position (if he could) and say "battle it out- fight for your position and minutes - play well and I will get you to the NBA even if it is off of the bench!"
I thought (hoped), maybe this is a new unconventional but intentional philosophy that he has schemed up to win with a relatively short frontcourt of athletic 6'9 players (if we exaggerate a couple of player's listed height!) shooting mid range jumpers and long 2's.
Is it reasonable or fair to hope Toppin or Collins can become 3 pt threats in a short period of time to open up the lane? Can we have elite defense and rim protection with this lineup?
This frontcourt is primarily defined by Tshiebwe, and the other pieces just need to contribute. I think there’s a very remote chance Toppin develops into a meaningful shooter, given this is his 4th year in college and he’s gotten worse as a shooter so far. No idea on Collins…he definitely has the most room for growth, and he at least was a good FT shooter in a tiny sample. I think the hope is that Collins becomes a weapon shooting from midrange or 3…but I’ll believe it when I see it.
I appreciate your taking time to talk to nobody's. I love ur work. Your data driven analysis and opinions consistently pass the eye test, and I don't sense an inherent bias, agenda, or selective "facts"
Always glad to hear what people think, and I’m a nobody myself!
Collins' sample size seems a bit small to me to draw many conclusions about what to expect from him, especially given the degree to which his struggles seemed to be the product of his very skinny build.
I remember last year, you said that it's rare for a player to have a leap in production in more than one area during an off-season, so considering that, if you were Toppin, what areas of your game do you consider focusing on this summer?
Toppin 100% needs to improve as a shooter. Needs to be capable from midrange (40%+) and willing from 3 (3+ attempts per 40min). That will keep defenders closer to him and open up spacing. Brooks wasn’t a great shooter but was active and competent, so defenses respected him enough.
Kyle Tucker said in his recent mailbag article in the Athletic that Toppin was receiving feedback that he could come back to UK and become a first-round pick. How plausible does that seem to you? How likely would you say him bumping up his stats like you mentioned (40+% midrange, 3+ 3-pt attempts) seems to be?
I don’t think it’s very likely that he develops shooting after 3 years of seeing his shooting stats slide the wrong way. I believe his NBA path is becoming a defensive terror who can rebound and finish, but because he’s an older prospect that’s a hard sell to NBA teams I think. I have a hard time imagining how Jacob Toppin is one of the 30 best NBA prospects next year.
Great article too, btw!