What's Keith doing these days?

[Lebanese4Life]

Would like to have KF back next year, but although he is a 3 point threat, his defense is horrid. Gu is a better defender. And losing KF wouldn't be a huge loss considering we got Sed and Shake coming in.

This is simply not true anymore. KF was not good defensively his freshman year but he made a huge improvement this year in the games he played. I'd argue that the biggest improvement in his game from his freshman year was his defense (his ball handling and his near basket finishing also improved) He is not as good as sterling and RM but he was better than Martin, Gu, and Nic Moore and he definitely rated as a good defender.

let's agree to disagree. KF also has a penchant for making boneheaded plays. Numerous times he would commit a needless foul, ill-advised pass, etc - his turnovers were bad and frequent. But I'm banking he grows out of that with more experience. Again, would love to have him back, but based on how he played last year, we didn't miss him much outside of him being a 3point threat.

[LA_Mustang]

let's agree to disagree. KF also has a penchant for making boneheaded plays. Numerous times he would commit a needless foul, ill-advised pass, etc - his turnovers were bad and frequent. But I'm banking he grows out of that with more experience. Again, would love to have him back, but based on how he played last year, we didn't miss him much outside of him being a 3point threat.

I'm not sure if you watched the same games I did this year?? KF rarely turned the ball over. In fact, of the starters he committed the fewest TOs per game (1.2). IMO, he often made the bigger plays to help us win - a key rebound, a great pass or help defense. I can only remember a couple of boneheaded plays he made, but definitely no more than anyone else on the team.

There's no doubt we developed into a better team in the 2nd half of the season but I believe that had everything to do with Markus returning rather than KF not playing.

[ojaipony]

From what I recall, KF made huge strides this year (his soph season). His defense vastly improved. He seemed to get a bit better in his bball IQ. I agree that Gu's defense was in fact pretty good as the season went on and he's a strong, big guard, but Keith is certainly bouncier and more athletic (and was certainly shooting better than Gu) . . . not to mention the energy he brings, seems to be a great teammate - can't discount all those intangibles. I really hope he's back and even better/smarter next season. If he's not, I'd feel bad for him and our community in general but it won't be the worst thing in the world to happen to our program regarding our team's chances for success on the basketball court.

[skyscraper]

Don't hold your breath for KF to come back.
Definitely in the "nice to have" category, but right now he's the source of all our NCAA troubles.

[PonyTime]

Don't hold your breath for KF to come back.
Definitely in the "nice to have" category, but right now he's the source of all our NCAA troubles.

^^^^Feel free to back up anything you just said with any facts. Until then, everything you have stated is just your personal opinion.

[SMU Section F]

Don't hold your breath for KF to come back.
Definitely in the "nice to have" category, but right now he's the source of all our NCAA troubles.

Feel free to back up anything you just said with any facts. Until then, everything you have stated is just your personal opinion.

I'd say the exact same thing skyscraper did and readily admit that it is based solely on my opinion and speculation. That's all most of us have until more info is released.

[skyscraper]

Of course it's my opinion.
I also don't think he's the on-the-court savior others on the board make him out to be.
And you're kidding yourself if you don't think KF is the reason the NCAA has us in the crosshairs.
If he somehow makes it back to playing, great. But I'm not holding my breath for it.

[East Coast Mustang]

We were a better team without Keith

[ponyboy]

Does adding him back into the mix make us better still? I'd say undoubtedly so.

[Nacho]

We were a better team without Keith

so you're say gu was better than keith. hard to back that up.

[Pony_Law]

We were a better team without Keith

we were better because Mk was back and in shape.

[LA_Mustang]

We were a better team without Keith

That's such a ridiculous statement. We were a better team after he left because MK came back and changed everything. I do think Sterling is/was a better fit in the starting lineup in place of KF but to suggest Gu coming off the bench is better than KF in that role is insane.

BTW, I don't think he will be back but if he is, he can be a valuable piece to next year's team.

[blackoutpony]

We were a better team without Keith

lolololololololololol

[friarwolf]

Saw KF going to class the other day so we've got that going for us. Here's my take on the subtraction of Keith and MK coming back. The biggest benefit to Sterling taking Keith's minutes was the basketball IQ of the team skyrocketed. MK's coming back gave us our swagger back and increased our "edginess". Hope he comes back. Same with Keith although I think it is a loooonnnngggg shot.

On Emelegou - he just flat killed us when he would come in. Bad passes, bad turnovers, losing his man on defense, laying bricks, no attacking the rim. He is a total project - whether that is a reclamation project or just a project I don't know. Everyone has some blame in that UCLA game but we get a steal, Gu goes up soft on the layup getting fouled instead of throwing down a dunk with probably an and 1 and.....he misses both free throws. Killer........

[The PonyGrad]

Saw KF going to class the other day so we've got that going for us. Here's my take on the subtraction of Keith and MK coming back. The biggest benefit to Sterling taking Keith's minutes was the basketball IQ of the team skyrocketed. MK's coming back gave us our swagger back and increased our "edginess". Hope he comes back. Same with Keith although I think it is a loooonnnngggg shot.

On Emelegou - he just flat killed us when he would come in. Bad passes, bad turnovers, losing his man on defense, laying bricks, no attacking the rim. He is a total project - whether that is a reclamation project or just a project I don't know. Everyone has some blame in that UCLA game but we get a steal, Gu goes up soft on a layup getting fouled instead of throwing down a dunk with probably an and 1 and.....he misses both free throws. Killer........

I basically agree with the Gu/KF comparison but I see Gu as someone like Manual before things kicked in for him this season. Once Ryan was able to finish at the rim and do it over and over, he became the player we all hoped he could be. I see that potential in Gu. Also I would expect KF to continue to improve over last season.