Pike’s been running this “offense” since he’s been here. I doubt if he does anything different. He had a very good shooter in Cam last year, and did nothing to maximize his abilities. Unfortunately, I expect Griffiths to have to try to get his looks on his own. I expect it to be tough in the beginning for a freshman as the only legit shooter on the team.
You can't maximize the abilities of a limited player (Spencer) playing with all stationary, slow footed players around him.
Gavin will be playing with significantly better guards around him and Simpson will take as many 3s as the offense dictates. Asking Simpson to take 3s without others breaking down the defense to provide shooting space is not a coaching issue, it is a lack of backcourt talent issue.
I know fans keep wondering or asking about what players will shoot from 3, but no one asks who can get past their defender and get to the basket.....
Simpson could against most defenses.
Mulcahy is not a guard to take anyone off the dribble.
Caleb was a wing asked to play both guard spots AND SF at times and is not an off the dribble player.
Spencer is a catch and shoot guy.
Shot attempts are created by the abilities to get past your defender and then make a pass to a open defender. Fernandes and Simpson would be my starting backcourt, with Gavin as my 3rd guard/SF in Calebs role, and Hyatt and Cliff.
Off the bench would be Mulcahy and Davis to lead the 2nd unit, with Woolfolk or whomever is brought in behind Cliff. I would like to see if RU can find another 2023 frosh, the kid Joey Hart from Indiana would be another developmental piece for Pike.
Before fans freak out about Mulcahy not starting, I don't see a true path to start him at the guard where shots are required and playing him over Gavin Griffiths, doesn't make any sense IMO.
Mulcahy and his delay, delay, delay on announcing his return, really makes the most sense. He doesn't have a cleared path to start and Pike showing interest in Joey Hart, to me, is "interesting ".
If Kentucky somehow didn't take Joey Hart and RU somehow figured out a way to get Hart here for a visit, my guess is he finds minutes as a freshman, until Mag gets back.