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Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 01-05-2022, 11:42 PM:

Is there anyone else that thought the Wheeler injury was really nothing? It was a simple screen - he wasn't moving that fast and never hit his head or anything. Now it turns out he might miss the next game. I don't know - this just seems very odd to me.

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 01-06-2022, 12:59 AM:

I told my wife as soon as it happened, I said he's got whiplash.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-06-2022, 06:14 AM:

I've got a golfing buddy who told me yesterday that he ran through that play frame for frame and said same thing you said, rlt. He must've gotten some form of whiplash!

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 01-06-2022, 09:25 AM:

Yes, if you look at the slo-mo replay, his head and neck really got whipped back and forth.

I would imagine he is in a neck brace today, and feeling some serious pain.

It could be a while before he plays, if it is a bad case.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-06-2022, 12:29 PM:

Usually, at that age, it just strains the muscles a little bit. He'll be back, good as new, in no time!

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-06-2022, 01:27 PM:

Cal said on the local news last night it would be day to day.

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 01-06-2022, 08:20 PM:

You know that if there's any way at all for him to play that he'd give anything to play against Georgia.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 01-07-2022, 06:40 PM:

You can bet if the doctor advises that he sit out the Georgia game he's going to sit the game out and that's the way it should be.

Posted by WildcatFanatic (Member # 2932) on 01-07-2022, 07:08 PM:

It would be nice to at least have him on the sideline. He's a spark plug for this team just being there.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-07-2022, 08:14 PM:

Before he went down I could already see us losing another 4 or 5 games in the SEC, especially when we have those nights we shoot in the 30% range. We must break 70 points to win our games. 60 points is just not very good in the SEC.

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 01-08-2022, 11:34 AM:

To me it is inexcusable to not get one of the leading 3 point shooters open in this game. Grady was running his A44 off trying to get open but his screens just sort of stood around. Since it appears we only have one reliable 3 point shooter, Coach needs to run stuff designed just for him imo

I agree with Bama - 60 points will mean a lot of losses and without our big man who sits a lot on fouls and without 3 pointers we are destined to be a so so team.

But we have potential and if our 9 million a year coach can figure it out we will be pretty good.

Posted by clydeh (Member # 7) on 01-08-2022, 12:20 PM:

My wife, who is an expert on team basketball, tells me that Wheeler is not important for this team, but she says he is CRITICAL.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-08-2022, 12:39 PM:

Love that post Clyde! [Big Grin]

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 01-08-2022, 02:01 PM:

Yes, Wheeler is the "hub of he wheel" for this team. Love his endless energy and spunk. We can "make do" without him (although we do have that freshman phenom who is eligible in the spring semester, if the worst case happens), but we can only thrive with him.

As to Tshiebwe, he needs to stop trying to reach in for the ball, and play straight-up defense. We need him as much as we need Wheeler. He is a true beast inside. Washington, Grady, Wheeler, and Tshiewbe are the NBA-caliber players that I deem the minimum necessary to drive a team to a championship. The rest can be plugged in when necessary.

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 01-08-2022, 03:59 PM:

Wheeler NBA caliber? I call bs on that Tip with all due respect. NBA guards will eat him up not to mention he can't shoot. You didn't mean "play" in the NBA did you?

Posted by clydeh (Member # 7) on 01-09-2022, 05:35 PM:

My wife and I wonder if Georgia spent some practice time and some meeting time preparing for Wheeler, and then he couldn't play, and they had to deal with Washington.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-09-2022, 05:40 PM:

If they didn't make plans for him to be in the game and other plans if he wasn't, they sure messed up.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 01-09-2022, 06:37 PM:

Bama, while I wouldn't bet against him (see "Ulis, Tyler"), I would not expect Wheeler to play in the NBA, because of his height.

But, he has the speed, the court vision, the handle, and the defensive peskiness to have a shot if he had been taller. So, I count that as "NBA caliber".

But, to set it straight, let's call it 3 NBA-caliber players (Washington, Grady, Tshiewbe), one great college player (Wheeler), and some excellent supporting cast players. I really like the Toppin/Brooks tandem at the '4', and Mintz played an awesome game last night, as he often does. After that, things get a little thin, although if Ware could keep from hacking, he would be a decent backup for Tshiebwe, and Collins could sub at any of the frontcourt spots with a bit more seasoning and muscle.

Not sold yet on Hopkins (plays out of control) and Allen (plays without much enthusiasm).