Simmons vs Lee/Poythress

 I think Simmons will get held to 50% shooting(or less) because of the help defense. 

 I think Simmons will get held to 50% shooting(or less) because of the help defense. 

 I think Simmons will find a way to contribute and get his numbers because his basketball IQ is that high. But he might not be efficient because of the help defense and his teammates will let him down again

 I think Simmons will find a way to contribute and get his numbers because his basketball IQ is that high. But he might not be efficient because of the help defense and his teammates will let him down again

 I’m excited to see Simmons world class athleticism stand out even against an elite athlete like Poythress.  

 I’m excited to see Simmons world class athleticism stand out even against an elite athlete like Poythress.  

 When is that game?  Today?

I will go conservative here: 16 and 9 for Ben Simmons.

Obviously, Coach Cal will gameplan against Ben Simmons.

But, who knows… used to be a U of M coach not necessarily known for floor coaching.

But, on the other hand, so is Johnny Jones.  

I want to see Ben Simmons’ ASSIST numbers.  I think 7 assists is the number that will be important.  If he gets more than 7 I think that LSU can win, even if he "only" 16 points and 9 boards.  Kentucky can’t have LSU’s other guys beat them.  The Wildcats would prefer to just "contain" Simmons with their plethora of bigs, and "shut down" everybody else.

I think Kentucky wins, not a close game but not really a blow out either.  Ben Simmons with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Kentucky needs to slow it down, ground it out, and pound it inside to the bigs.  They can’t let LSU get out and run.  

I ACTUALLY think Skal does relatively well.  I will go with 13 and 6 with 2 blocks for Skal in fairly limited minutes.

Skal might not make a case for the number 1 pick, but he gives hope that he is still a TOP FIVE guy.

 When is that game?  Today?

I will go conservative here: 16 and 9 for Ben Simmons.

Obviously, Coach Cal will gameplan against Ben Simmons.

But, who knows… used to be a U of M coach not necessarily known for floor coaching.

But, on the other hand, so is Johnny Jones.  

I want to see Ben Simmons’ ASSIST numbers.  I think 7 assists is the number that will be important.  If he gets more than 7 I think that LSU can win, even if he "only" 16 points and 9 boards.  Kentucky can’t have LSU’s other guys beat them.  The Wildcats would prefer to just "contain" Simmons with their plethora of bigs, and "shut down" everybody else.

I think Kentucky wins, not a close game but not really a blow out either.  Ben Simmons with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Kentucky needs to slow it down, ground it out, and pound it inside to the bigs.  They can’t let LSU get out and run.  

I ACTUALLY think Skal does relatively well.  I will go with 13 and 6 with 2 blocks for Skal in fairly limited minutes.

Skal might not make a case for the number 1 pick, but he gives hope that he is still a TOP FIVE guy.

 This will be a very interesting game for Ben because lets face it, this is by far the biggest game of his basketball career to date, and if he comes out strong he pretty much solidifies himself as the #1 prospect. 

Ben knows this too, so I want to see him play to win the game, and come out with something to prove. He knows the entire basketball world is going to be watching, the fans, the natial media, and every scout across the country. What more do you need to motivate yourself? This will show up his true heart and competativeness, and that’s what I’m going to be looking for. If Ben can come out, show aggressiveness and the will to win, than I’m sold on him even if his stat line doesn’t resemble most of the ones he’s put up. 

I’m also currious to see how he rebounds, because if there’s one thing the Wildcats have, it’s size and athleticism, and Ben has gotten a ton of flack because he’s seen as just an athletic rebounder. 

I expect Simmons to put up around 20-10-5 while getting to the line atleast ten times, and keeping the game competative with KT. If he does more than that I won’t be moving him from my #1 for the rest of the year. 

This is also a good time for Skal to show up considering he was ranked the #2 prospect behind Simmons for a large portion of the preseason

 This will be a very interesting game for Ben because lets face it, this is by far the biggest game of his basketball career to date, and if he comes out strong he pretty much solidifies himself as the #1 prospect. 

Ben knows this too, so I want to see him play to win the game, and come out with something to prove. He knows the entire basketball world is going to be watching, the fans, the natial media, and every scout across the country. What more do you need to motivate yourself? This will show up his true heart and competativeness, and that’s what I’m going to be looking for. If Ben can come out, show aggressiveness and the will to win, than I’m sold on him even if his stat line doesn’t resemble most of the ones he’s put up. 

I’m also currious to see how he rebounds, because if there’s one thing the Wildcats have, it’s size and athleticism, and Ben has gotten a ton of flack because he’s seen as just an athletic rebounder. 

I expect Simmons to put up around 20-10-5 while getting to the line atleast ten times, and keeping the game competative with KT. If he does more than that I won’t be moving him from my #1 for the rest of the year. 

This is also a good time for Skal to show up considering he was ranked the #2 prospect behind Simmons for a large portion of the preseason

 I also think that DEFENSE will be a big question, too.

IF Ben Simmons can guard everyone from Jamal Murray, Poythress, Skal, and Marcus Lee, then he would help himself even more.

I think Skal could really help out his draft stock if he can guard Simmons fairly effectively and keep him off the boards.

More questions about what position will Ben play on the next level, as opposed to Skal.  Skal seems to be a 4 with range.  Maybe he can play the 3 here and there.  Or, some small ball 5.

But, I think Simmons might be a rebounding 4 at this level, but can he GUARD those huge power forwards are the next level.  So, does he play (and defend) the small forward spot?  He likes the ball in his hands, but in order to be a true point guard, don’t you have to GUARD point guards, or at least 2 guards?

Skal’s job on defense is easier: defend 4’s like Ben Simmons, keep them off the boards, and block a few shots.  Also, close out on 3 point shooters.  That would help complement his offensive potential as a power forward who can shoot and block some shots.

 I also think that DEFENSE will be a big question, too.

IF Ben Simmons can guard everyone from Jamal Murray, Poythress, Skal, and Marcus Lee, then he would help himself even more.

I think Skal could really help out his draft stock if he can guard Simmons fairly effectively and keep him off the boards.

More questions about what position will Ben play on the next level, as opposed to Skal.  Skal seems to be a 4 with range.  Maybe he can play the 3 here and there.  Or, some small ball 5.

But, I think Simmons might be a rebounding 4 at this level, but can he GUARD those huge power forwards are the next level.  So, does he play (and defend) the small forward spot?  He likes the ball in his hands, but in order to be a true point guard, don’t you have to GUARD point guards, or at least 2 guards?

Skal’s job on defense is easier: defend 4’s like Ben Simmons, keep them off the boards, and block a few shots.  Also, close out on 3 point shooters.  That would help complement his offensive potential as a power forward who can shoot and block some shots.

yeah just looking forward to the kid going up against the closest thing to an NBA Big in Marcus Lee, and seeing how he does in the trees, because he has to score from 8′ in.  

We saw what it did to Grayson Allen…now its time to see the difference between Grayson Allen and Ben Simmons.

I think unfortunately because of LSU’s lack of bigmen, and Kentucky’s plethora of bigmen, Simmons will again be relegated to playing inside and watch his guards dominate the ball.

I HOPE he takes command of the ball from the perimeter and at least gives us flashes of his potential transition game in the NBA….how evne the NBA factory that is Kentucky University, coudn’t stop the dunking Magic Simmons.  

He will need to if he wants to win, and a win will help hteir chances to get to the NCAA tournament. 

But besides the SImmons exhibition, Kentucky’s guards are just too good, they’ll dominate LSU’s guards especailly with Blakeney playing like trash.  Maybe Blakeney’s game will rise, I just feel like his body has already given out on him.  

Excited, looking forward to it.

yeah just looking forward to the kid going up against the closest thing to an NBA Big in Marcus Lee, and seeing how he does in the trees, because he has to score from 8′ in.  

We saw what it did to Grayson Allen…now its time to see the difference between Grayson Allen and Ben Simmons.

I think unfortunately because of LSU’s lack of bigmen, and Kentucky’s plethora of bigmen, Simmons will again be relegated to playing inside and watch his guards dominate the ball.

I HOPE he takes command of the ball from the perimeter and at least gives us flashes of his potential transition game in the NBA….how evne the NBA factory that is Kentucky University, coudn’t stop the dunking Magic Simmons.  

He will need to if he wants to win, and a win will help hteir chances to get to the NCAA tournament. 

But besides the SImmons exhibition, Kentucky’s guards are just too good, they’ll dominate LSU’s guards especailly with Blakeney playing like trash.  Maybe Blakeney’s game will rise, I just feel like his body has already given out on him.  

Excited, looking forward to it.

Information from 1 of My mines tells me skal will have a breakout game and get a double-double with 2 blocks and 1 steal!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Simmons scores over 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But Kentucky gits the win!!!!!!!!!!

Information from 1 of My mines tells me skal will have a breakout game and get a double-double with 2 blocks and 1 steal!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Simmons scores over 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But Kentucky gits the win!!!!!!!!!!

dominate this game. I just think he’s in that mindset where he knows now that his team needs him to be the best player on the floor from the very beginning of the game and it looks like the coach is finally getting it, as against vandy (who many thought was the 2nd best team in sec, getting ready for a deep ncaa run) almost every possession halfway through the first, Ben Simmons touched the ball and in the 2nd half even more so and B.S. either got fouled and to the line or kicked it out for a 3 (Hornsby played great) or simply to reset and until the ball found its way back in B.S.’s hands.

With how much Lee and Poy likes to leave their feet to block shots and how soft Skal is B.S. could hit the line in a similar fashion and if blakeny has a decent first few minutes and develops some confidence and Hornsby is still hitting shots LSU could be in a position to win this game. But I’m afraid Murray (who I really like) could explode as ulis draws lots of attention with the way he’s been playing lately and UK uses Ben Simmon’s unselfishness against him. 

dominate this game. I just think he’s in that mindset where he knows now that his team needs him to be the best player on the floor from the very beginning of the game and it looks like the coach is finally getting it, as against vandy (who many thought was the 2nd best team in sec, getting ready for a deep ncaa run) almost every possession halfway through the first, Ben Simmons touched the ball and in the 2nd half even more so and B.S. either got fouled and to the line or kicked it out for a 3 (Hornsby played great) or simply to reset and until the ball found its way back in B.S.’s hands.

With how much Lee and Poy likes to leave their feet to block shots and how soft Skal is B.S. could hit the line in a similar fashion and if blakeny has a decent first few minutes and develops some confidence and Hornsby is still hitting shots LSU could be in a position to win this game. But I’m afraid Murray (who I really like) could explode as ulis draws lots of attention with the way he’s been playing lately and UK uses Ben Simmon’s unselfishness against him.