'10 VA C Kelvin Gaines (LOI)

[TheLongHaul]

Wow, talk about going overboard. No one ripped Cronin. If they did, please point it out. No one even ripped Gaines. Some questioned how ready he will be to contribute right away . Just because we don't overhype every single player that UC signs doesn't mean we don't support them. Get a grip.

ps - the all caps doesn't make your point any more valid, it just makes it harder to read.

 

[JasonS]

Wow, talk about going overboard. No one ripped Cronin. If they did, please point it out. No one even ripped Gaines. Some questioned how ready he will be to contribute right away . Just because we don't overhype every single player that UC signs doesn't mean we don't support them. Get a grip.

ps - the all caps doesn't make your point any more valid, it just makes it harder to read.

In regards to my post, I was making a general statement. I know there are a lot of new members and I want to make sure everyone understands the kind of discussions we have here and what we want to continue. I think all of us are here because we want to discuss the team and not have to go through the same discussions as some other boards have had in which in every discussion turns into the same anti coach and player arguments. That was my only reason for posting the side note. Just to kind of nip it in the butt before it gets crazy. It wasn't directed at any one person.

 

[TheLongHaul]

There wasn't anything to nip in the bud. We were discussing the team and the players and weren't ripping on anyone. BCN sucks with the way users post over there but that doesn't mean every post over here has to be a rah rah post. We were all discussing Gaines and the impact he'll have....but whatever. Back to Gaines......

 

[swg]

LongHaul gets 3 minutes in the penalty box. LOL

 

[JasonS]

Alright, so let's look at our rotation at the 4 and 5 spots next year.

Starting: Gates and Thomas
Bench: Jackson, Gaines, Biggie, maybe Wilks at the 4.

Unless Gates gets his propencity to foul under control, there could be games where we need Jackson and/or Gaines to give us 10+ minutes. I have a hard time counting on Biggie with his foot issue. Depending on the team, Wilks won't be able to hold down the fort at the 4. It is going to be imperative that Jackson and Gaines are at least capable of giving us good defensive minutes this year or we will be in trouble down low.

Am I forgetting anyone in the rotation?

If I had to guess on average minutes played (assuming everything goes well), I would have to go like this.

Gates: 30 mpg
Thomas: 30 mpg
Jackson: 13 mpg
Gaines: 5 mpg
Biggie: 2 mpg (only because I don't think his foot will hold up)

If foul problems persist:

Gates: 25 mpg
Thomas: 25 mpg
Jackson: 20 mpg
Gaines: 7 mpg
Biggie: 3 mpg

Wilks could fall in there too but I think Mick may try to play him at the 3 more this year. Until we know more about Bishop's standing (I would have to assume he will be back), I am guessing Wilks at the 3.

 

[cincinnati insanity]

You couldnt of put it any better!! lets give this kid a chance with the athletic ability hes got hes atleast got a leg up on alot of big kids is all im saying. We need to be positive about these young men so that they feel like they have someone who believes in them. I guess i want so badly to return back to the winning ways i might inflate a kid but thats alot better than putting him down. I think we are all a little down on not signing anyone but this is Uc and we need to find a way to win with the talent that we got. On a side note i thought the caps were working out fine LOL!!!!!!!!

 

[HattoriHanzo]

Alright, so let's look at our rotation at the 4 and 5 spots next year.

Starting: Gates and Thomas
Bench: Jackson, Gaines, Biggie, maybe Wilks at the 4.

Unless Gates gets his propencity to foul under control, there could be games where we need Jackson and/or Gaines to give us 10+ minutes. I have a hard time counting on Biggie with his foot issue. Depending on the team, Wilks won't be able to hold down the fort at the 4. It is going to be imperative that Jackson and Gaines are at least capable of giving us good defensive minutes this year or we will be in trouble down low.

Am I forgetting anyone in the rotation?

If I had to guess on average minutes played (assuming everything goes well), I would have to go like this.

Gates: 30 mpg
Thomas: 30 mpg
Jackson: 13 mpg
Gaines: 5 mpg
Biggie: 2 mpg (only because I don't think his foot will hold up)

If foul problems persist:

Gates: 25 mpg
Thomas: 25 mpg
Jackson: 20 mpg
Gaines: 7 mpg
Biggie: 3 mpg

Wilks could fall in there too but I think Mick may try to play him at the 3 more this year. Until we know more about Bishop's standing (I would have to assume he will be back), I am guessing Wilks at the 3.

I couldn't agree more about Wilks, Jason. He has to play the 3. I argued this last year on another board and got a lot of "he can't dribble" comments. Which I find hard to believe...maybe he's not good at using the dribble at this stage, but he has to find a way to get better, and be more consistent at everything. If he can maintain his energy and effort, improve his skills just a bit, he could be a real star for this team.

Then again, you could say the same about Gates and Dixon. Much of this is entirely up to the individuals to work on their games and find some fire in their bellies. We obviously aren't signing anyone else this period so it's pretty much go with the guys you have and pray they improve. Guys that have a very high ceiling in my opinion: Cash, Wilks, Dixon, Gates, Thomas. If these 5 guys can improve their games even incrimentally, UC has the chance to compete.

 

[HattoriHanzo]

If either Justin Jackson or Kelvin Gaines have any kind of motor and desire for the game, then I'm all for them being on the team...if for nothing else to push Yancy "soft serve" Gates every day in practice. Effort on the court would make me feel exponentially better about next year's team.

I hear JJ has a high motor, and Gaines the same. Bring 'em on and let's at least compete.

 

[Lobot]

If either Justin Jackson or Kelvin Gaines have any kind of motor and desire for the game, then I'm all for them being on the team...if for nothing else to push Yancy "soft serve" Gates every day in practice. Effort on the court would make me feel exponentially better about next year's team.

I hear JJ has a high motor, and Gaines the same. Bring 'em on and let's at least compete.

You're suggesting that if Gaines or Jackson have better energy then Gates sits?

 

[swg]

I think Wilks could play some 4, depending upon who's on the court. But that's for short periods, as he is primarily a three. I don't see how a redshirt occurs next year, especially with a schollie unused, and Bishop in question. Although the question has been answered with a lack of interest from the 2010 class.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

All Im saying is that this kid has potential sorry im not going to downgrade the program and down the talent of a kid that we have not even seen play, all you supposible fans need to just find another team I REPEAT FIND ANOTHER TEAM!!!!!!!!! ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE SHOULD NEVER BE HAPPY IM A BEARCAT FAN AND WANT THESE KIDS TO PROGRESS AND HELP UC BACK TO NATIONAL POWER AGAIN!!! WE ARE NOT KANSAS OR KENTUCKY GET OVER IT WE DONT BRING IN ELITE LEVEL RECRUITS BUT EVERY RECRUIT THAT WE DO BRING IN IM HAPPY THAT WE GOT THE KID!!!!!!!!!!!! LET ME AND THE OTHER TRUE UC FANS HAVE HOPE AND GO FIND ANOTHER TEAM PLEASE. I HOPE THIS KID TURNS INTO A ALL AMERICAN AND IF HE DONT HES STILL WEARING UC GEAR SO LETS GO KG!!!!

The point was not that he doesn't have potential. The point I made was that he is not ready to contribute and would be a waste in year one (see wilks), it would be best for Gaines, but not necessarily the team, if he red shirted next year and try to better his game. The point I was making with "suicide watch" was most people get over excited when a new guy commits, but so far, except for Lance, no one has made any sort of impact their freshman year. When people overhype recruits and they don't preform to their expectations people really start to freak out.

Lets not put any sort of pressure on these guys: don't expect much from Kilpatrick, Jackson, or Gaines next year. Any contribution by a freshman is just gravy.

I think the question that needs to be asked is how many people have seen this kid play ball in person? I would put my money on none. Let's wait and see what he brings to the table before complaining that he can't help us this year. Quite frankly, we don't have the depth down low to red shirt anyone so that is not even an option. Everything I have heard about Gaines says that he is solid defensively but needs to polish his offensive game. Most big guys come into college like this and if they don't, they are gone to the NBA after their freshman year. I'll take it.

ps talking in caps doesn't make you seem smarter.

On a side note, this site is not here for people to start degrading our coach or players. If you want to discuss a player or coach's on court play or decision making, fine. But keep it civil and relevant. At this point, Gaines has never played a game for the Bearcats. Let's give the kid a chance first. All players have strengths and weaknesses but there is no need to rip anyone at this point in the year and especially the new guys who have never played.

Sorry that I do not think Gaines is the second coming of Dwight Howard. I was being realistic. No one made any comments ripping either Gaines or the coach. If anything the people who couldn't keep it civil are the ones claiming I'm not a true fan.

 

[bearcat jeff]

"don't expect much from Kilpatrick, Jackson, or Gaines" Bearcat_NTS

Kilpatrick will be one of the better players on the team. He will have bad days as a young player but will be a good player. Jackson will provide energy and rebounding off the bench. Gaines may give some defensive minutes but I don't expect much more from him. You really never know how quickly a kid acclimates. It varies from player to player.

Cash, Bishop, Parker, Kilpatrick, Thomas, Gates, Wilks, will see alot of minutes. Jackson will be in the low post rotation and I expect Dixon to get some minutes.

 

[swg]

Fact is. UC will probably be the team with the most experience in terms of minutes in the BE next year. We lost two starters, and the others benefitted from an overly generous rotation. If MC can get the offense jumpstarted, and also get some help from Killah and Jackson...UC is in good shape next year.

It will all start with attitude and preparation. A complete buy-in to Mick would help as well.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

"don't expect much from Kilpatrick, Jackson, or Gaines" Bearcat_NTS

Kilpatrick will be one of the better players on the team. He will have bad days as a young player but will be a good player. Jackson will provide energy and rebounding off the bench. Gaines may give some defensive minutes but I don't expect much more from him. You really never know how quickly a kid acclimates. It varies from player to player.

Cash, Bishop, Parker, Kilpatrick, Thomas, Gates, Wilks, will see alot of minutes. Jackson will be in the low post rotation and I expect Dixon to get some minutes.

heard that story too many times before.

As much as I love Kilpatricks attitude, Jackson's motor, and Gaines shot-blocking potential, if you don't expect too much out of the freshman when they do contribute, it will be an added bonus.

This team needs to rely on Cash, Parker, Thomas, Bishop to be the "guys" on the team. Experience wise that needs to get it done.

 

[HattoriHanzo]

You're suggesting that if Gaines or Jackson have better energy then Gates sits?

I'm saying I want 5 guys on the floor playing hard at all times. The only thing that might make Gates play harder is if he fears losing his playing time.

Do I think Jackson or Gaines will be some sort of immediate answer? No. Freshmen rarely are and it would be unrealistic to expect it of these 2. But maybe their effort and attitude will rub off on some other guys and create some passion and effort on the floor. The more guys we have like this, the better.

 

[cincinnati insanity]

I totally agree i dont want to argue with anyone on this board and apologize if i offended anyone and obviously you are Uc fans and im proud to be part of this. Im just praying that we are not in the cellar of the bigeast and we are really proud again to be UC fans. All im asking is the same thing and thats all the uc players play as hard as they can if they do that than i will be happy. As far as Gaines is considered if he turns out to be great then great, but if he turns out to be not so great then thats ok to. We get caught up in wanting one player so bad (MT) that we look past all the players that want to be here!! No one has really seen these kids play and we will not no until they suit up in the red and black!!! Heres hoping that they turn into respectable ball players!