UK Torv

Your advanced metrics go-to for Kentucky Basketball. Defense appreciator. Malachi Moreno Truther

[UK Torv @uktorv]

an interesting comp for Alex Wilkins (and what would be a great outcome) is Scotty Pippen Jr.

Rough adv metrics as a Fresh, but clearly talented passers and scorers that didnt have great efficiency or defensive #'s

Then, Scotty blossoms offensively as a Soph + levels out on D

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@TristanUda The people getting bothered by this // taking this seriously are morons lmao

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@morehorsepower4 I can definitely look into that. It for sure paints a better picture

Its just more work lmao

But, might do that for my post when I present my analysis of the entirety of the roster

[UK Torv @uktorv]

Def. BPM isnt a perfect stat, but it does provide interesting insights

Of every player with a negative DBPM in the 24-25 season, only 4 players contributed to sweet16 teams this past year

UK has added 3 negative DBPM players this offseason. Will be curious to see the impact

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@morehorsepower4 Great thought, and I do want to make clear that DBPM is a *somewhat* relative stat

Elliott Cadeau: 2.5 DBPM on best defensive team, worst among teammates
Billy Richmond: 2.3 DBPM on mid defensive team, 2nd among teammates

I'd argue Billy is definitely better on D lol

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@weedyjdub It is the consensus that Wilkins will start, and some think McBride will too

But I do agree with you that I think our best lineup will not include any of them

[UK Torv @uktorv]

It's also fascinating how every guy on here (except Matas) has a high 3pt volume

Did Kentucky add too many guys who can shoot without providing defensive impact?

Can Morton make the rotation as a backup without solid defense?

Will McBride fit alongside Milan/Malachi?

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@KentuckyNet Gonna throw somethin on the grill for this one…..

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@ex_pandy I agree that he can and it may work on offense, but the rebounding #’s alone give me concern unless we commit to all 5 hitting the boards when thats the lineup

[UK Torv @uktorv]

As soon as the portal opened, I was pretty concerned about what UK would end up with at the PF position.

I hope Ndiaye and McBride prove me wrong, but it really feels like this was the missed opportunity of the offseason

Got to have production on both ends from one of them

[UK Torv @uktorv]

What I'm going to be watching for the most when the portal opens is the PF position

I think the market for good stretch 4's will be REALLY light

I don't want to run it back with another non-shooter non-passer alongside Malachi

Here are my 2 tiers of PF for Kentucky

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@BigBluePurr I'll DM you links to some of my tweets but the weakness/stiffness/hands are all things he should work on

Even with those issues, he produced at a level VERY few freshman big man have - combined with the fact that he didn't have a PG to get him free PTS

https://t.co/pUNpzR0MOi

[UK Torv @uktorv]

The Malachi Moreno slander surprises me more every day

Here is every Freshman that matched Malachi's rebounding + block metrics. AND he has the best Assist % out of ALL of them

A great group. Every single one was a top 35 pick except Freeman

But he's mid and soft tho

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@AllstareGrunwld Lets hope so!

My current guess is he will be pretty hot/cold all year as he adjusts, and in year 2 at UK he will have it figured out. But I could be wrong

[UK Torv @uktorv]

If anyone wants to check previous year data for this team, here is a quick look at the guys (minus Ndiaye/Hawthorne)

I plan to make a longer thread about the team makeup, but

- Scoring/Shooting is v good
- Turnover Differential TERRIFIES me
- Kam/Justin/Ousmane gotta rebound

[UK Torv @uktorv]

Feels like this model is underrating the offense and overrating the defense

Regardless, a team to be excited about after how this offseason went

[Evan Miyakawa @EvanMiya]

Kentucky Roster Outlook

Milan Momcilovic completes Mark Pope's roster, an absolutely massive add. Kentucky should now be around a top-10 roster in the preseason according to https://t.co/NEBQZul4un.

Don't sleep on Malachi Moreno, he's could have a massive sophomore year for UK.

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@jerryCTE Yeah i def plan to share more thoughts after the Milan situation finalizes but I think with him on the team its probably a top 15ish team

Off will be awesome, defense is worrisome

The lineup stuff will be hard early on i bet. As Wilkins adjusts and we learn what Ndiaye can be

[UK Torv @uktorv]

a HUGE positive when it comes to Milan Momcilovic's (potential) addition is his 3pt rate does not drop vs top competition.

Could be an Otzelberger thing, but teams knew all season to try and stop him from shooting and he got them off no matter who they played. A great sign.

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@THEGOAT82117652 All i said was it is a positive sign that he doesn’t struggle to get his shot off vs better teams

I never said that means he is just as good of a player in them

He adds value by shooting. He doesnt shoot less in more important games. That is good

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@Cincitucky1 I feel like they gotta be talking about pick 41, not pick 13

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@ReturnOfTheCats I dont think this means what it sounds like on the surface. Thats just how you speak at the combine

“In a good spot” could be interpreted many ways, and my guess is they got what they needed out of the combine and are fine just wrapping the process with pro days / interviews

[UK Torv @uktorv]

@DraftExpress

[UK Torv @uktorv]

Weirdly has decent shooting touch (69% FT, 47% outside paint) but again has low TS% because his shot diet wasnt great and he doesnt get to the FT line as much as he probably should

Doesnt pass, but off the bench just keep Wilkins on as his PG and I think he will be utilized well

[UK Torv @uktorv]

Franck Kepnang insights:

- AWESOME backup big. Only 8 guys in the country that rebounded and blocked shots like Kepnang last year
- Not super comforting that he is 24, 6'11", and has 54% TS, but thats why he's a backup.

UK will appreciate a bench guy with his high floor a lot