Twany Beckham Hopes to Give The Kentucky Wildcats More Leadership
by Glenn Logan on Dec 15, 2011 11:30 AM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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PrintKyle Tucker over at the Courier-Journal points out that former Louisville Ballard star Twany Beckham will become eligible for the Chattanooga Mocs game this Saturday night. I think that could be a bigger factor than many people think for this Kentucky basketball team.
Beckham played for the Mississippi State Bulldogs one and one half years, redshirting one year to rehabilitate from surgery to both his hips. Beckham didn't play much his freshman year, but he averaged around 15 minutes/game the first half of last year and started in place of Dee Bost until Bost regained his eligibility. Beckham is an energy guy, a pass-first point guard with good ballhandling skills. He isn't a particularly good shooter, but he has great size at 6'5" for his position and is a very good athlete.
Beckham can help UK in a number of ways. He is a good defender with great size, loves to pass the ball and get his teammates involved, and can finish on the break. Beckham also brings something to this team it can really use -- experience. Beckham has been in college now for 2.5 years, and despite his relative dearth of actual game experience, has a mature attitude that can do nothing but benefit this young Kentucky team.
Many UK fans might not be too excited about a guy like Beckham. He isn't going to wow you with his scoring or his extraordinary skill, but I think his intangibles will be felt when he works his way into the rotation, and I expect he will. He can give Calipari the opportunity to coach Teague a bit more during games without having to move Lamb to the point, if he wants. Beckham can also make UK's backcourt very tall and long, and his size makes it possible for him to defend multiple positions up to small forwards.
So join me in welcoming Twany Beckham to eligibility. Hopefully, we'll see some of him on Saturday.
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I have to agree
6’5 point guard with experience playing in the SEC. How could you not be a little exciting about him being eligible?
i'll be one of the first to welcome Twany!!!
I’ve read some of his history and believe he will be a BIG plus for this UK team!!!…i love the way Cal can bring out the best in his players…Twany, we love ya and need ya!!!…GO BIG BLUE!!!
"Every sweet has it's sour, every evil it's good."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Is Twany considered a junior this year?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Yes
He played 2 years (last year counted even though he left mid-year) at Miss St.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 17, 2011 8:04 AM EST up reply actions
I Like Beckham
He adds a lot. Gives the Cats 5-10 minutes as PG back-up to Teague. Brings SEC experience with him.
I think he plays in rotation by January.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 15, 2011 12:02 PM EST reply actions
Je suis d'accord
So far we’ve been managing at point guard with Teague and Lamb, but down the road we’ll need more. Beckham should fit the bill.
by chicagoblues on Dec 15, 2011 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
Welcome Twany
He provides much needed depth. UK really only had two true guards (with Darius capable of playing the 2). My recollection is that all three got into foul trouble against IU last week. If that were to happen again, Twany would be able to come in a prevent more significant foul trouble.
On an unrelated note, my Clippers traded for Chris Paul. Hooray! They also kept Eric Bledsoe. UK Hooray!
Twany looks to be a great backup PG...
and this gives us a chance to keep Lamb in at the 2 spot, and keep a good PG in there who can control the ball. Anyone know of his previous FT % stats? Will he help in late games, maybe paired up w/ Lamb? Thoughts?
http://www.JohnWallWear.com
Over under on the number of games before we get the first "Bend it like Beckham" headline?
I’ll be particularly interested in how Twany fits in defensively, this team has been pretty good in that area, but the “weakest” link (and I use that term loosely) has been the guard position.
1/x doesn't die, it just fades away.
Great point. Unfortunately, it has been Doron Lamb.
Not sure I can see Lamb and Teague playing together.
How about Beckham, Miller, MKG, Jones, and Davis? Talk about a scary-big lineup!
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Uh.
“Lamb and Teague” should have read “Beckham and Teague.” Sorry.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Backup PG
From what I can tell, Lamb’s been getting only about 5-10 possessions as backup PG when Teague leaves. I’m not sure there’s even been a non-garbage time situation where neither player was on the floor.
Against IU, when both Teague and Lamb picked up 2 personals at the end of the firs thalf, Cal went with Lamb. In that scenario, I could see Beckham coming in for a spell.
The issue with Beckham replacing Lamb as the backup 1 is that when Lamb shifts to the 1, Miller is often on the court as a 2. So Putting Beckham in would be coming at the expense of Lamb/Miller, and I’m not sure Cal wants to make that sacrifice. Miller has actually looked like a plus defender at the 2. I was worried he wouldn’t have the speed to keep up with smaller 2’s, but he’s looked just fine.
That said, I’ll be plenty pleased if Beckham can come in and contribute positive minutes.
I don't think that's true, really.
I think it frees up more room for Miller at the 3, and gives us much more flexibility when one of the starters gets into foul trouble. You can always play Miller and Lamb with Beckham, move MKG to the four and Jones to the five. Beckham can play the 1 or the 3 as long as we keep a shooter on the floor. He is a slasher, and the 3 is a good spot for him if we need Lamb or Teague at the 1.
Against Indiana, we could have been a lot more aggressive defensively with Beckham available. I’m confident he won’t get major minutes, but the rotation as it is is could use one more back-court player, even if its just for 3-5 minutes a game. That’s about what I expect to see.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Beckham's Stats
Not overly impressive: FG% 36+, FT% 50, A to TO ratio: a tad better than 1:1. Ballard lost to Scott Co. in 2007 KHSAA finals.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
His stats are not impressive.
But there is more to him than the stats reveal, kind of like Davis.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
BTW, Poythress Moves Up
KSR reports UK signee one of 13 named to Naismith watch list as HS POY. He’s averaging nearly 30 and 15 for his undefeated Clarksville, TN, HS team. Look for him to move up in rankings.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Love Poythress.
He will be fun to watch next year.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
CBS College Dream Team
Interesting restrictions, e.g. only one player per team. A couple of Cats make it. Shabazz Muhammad #1 recruit.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Notice that
The Loathsome Troll is the only one of the four without a ‘Cat in his starting five. He’s a dipweed.
One of em had two players
from the same team (Ohio State I believe)….obviously had trouble reading the directions.
I have kleptomania,
but when it gets bad,
I take something for it.
New Bracketology
#1’s: UK, OSU, ’Cuse and, suprise, Duke. Cats in Midwest, Cards #2. IU #4 in East.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Grantland Has Cats #2 ...
Behind Syracuse. IU #5. Great commentary.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
I think I'll take a wait and see approach with this guy....
I am not always sold on transfer players.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
I think you will be.
Just don’t expect him to shoot it from three. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I am more concerned about his ability to shoot free throws....
We certainly more players that can shoot better than 70% when not guarded.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
He can't shoot them either.
Not a good shooter period. Won’t see major minutes, but should see some.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Not a significant sample.
He was 3-6 from the line last year (in 220 minutes!). His previous stats are from three years ago. I’m not ready to define him by that. Let’s see who he is now.
But if he can’t shoot, can’t get to the line, and can’t hit FTs when he gets there .. well, I don’t care how well he distributes the ball, why should anyone guard him? Sag off him and double-team freely. I’m sure that won’t be the case. Cal wanted him for a reason. Trust in Cal.
He isn't going to be a star or anything, and may take a while to get into the rotation.
But he will help ease the rotation a bit, and can defend well.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I get that but I also think the hype around players that havent seen the court yet
is usually overblown….so I’ll wait and see what he can bring in real games.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
There's not a lot of hype to this guy.
He’s a serviceable backup. That’s about it. He won’t see major minutes unless I miss my guess. Probably about like Eloy.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
He has seen the court
on previous teams and he has been practicing against some pretty good players. If he can take care of the ball and run the team for a few minutes a game, he will be very useful.
I am all for people expressing their opinions, as long as they back them up with facts.
What he can do ...
… is defend his position. That’s really what it takes to get on the floor playing for Calipari. Just ask Vargas.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Curious about practice
Who is running the point in practice against the first team, Beckham or Harrow? If Harrow is getting the nod, then I’m suspicious that Beckham will get much play in games after he is eligible.
Harrow, I expect.
Beckham will not get a lot of time. I figure 3-5 minutes per game, and it may take a while to get there. But he can really help when we want to be aggressive defensively, or give a particularly big look.
Beckham gives you a lot of things you can use. He is a really heady player, he is completely unselfish, and defends his position.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
If defense is your team's
strongest point, it never hurts to have another long guy who can rotate in and spell your primary defenders for a while.
On the other hand, using Beckham at PG could result in a Miller/Lamb rotation, assuming that Darius gets on-track with his 3P shots.
"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena . . .who spends himself for a worthy cause . . ."
by oldcat'69 on Dec 15, 2011 6:26 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Exactly.
Beckham gives you a lot of flexibility that we don’t really have in the back court. Miller has struggled all year to guard the 2 spot, he’s just not quick enough.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I agree with this
Miller’s lack of quickness is in his feet. On the perimeter, he has trouble keeping men in front of him.
Actually ...
… depending on who he’s guarding, that could be a plus. But I don’t recall him doing a particularly good job in 3-point defense the other day.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Beckham will be big for UK
More than anything else, Beckham brings smarts to the floor. He’s a very heady player and terrific at finding the open man and delivering the ball on target.
I saw him play three or four times in hs, and thought he was tremendous player.
I remember seeing him at MSU last year...
… and I thought the same thing. Plays with intelligence, and is much more athletic than people think.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Played three minutes vs UTC
I thought he would play more. Cal says he “doesn’t understand how to play” the point guard position (as jc eluded to below). Well hell, if I would have known that I wouldn’t have touted him so highly, LOL!!
I do think he will contribute minutes to this team, though. He brings too many positives to the table to sit, in my view. But hey, I ain’t at practice, so what do I know?
by Ken Howlett on Dec 18, 2011 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
Per Brett Dawson...
John Calipari says Twany Beckham won’t play point guard. Says Beckham’s behind Jarrod Polson in understanding that position.
Interesting.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Dec 17, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
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