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2014/15 UK Basketball - :pours40out: (1 Viewer)

Offensively Kentucky did not play well. That has been a glaring problem for them the last two games. Fortunately that is a problem that they have the talent to fix. They have shooters on the team. They will find their shots as the year goes on. They will get better. Defensively....they will get better. That's a scary thought. This team is scary good on defense right now. To think that they could be better is unimaginable. But I believe there is always room for improvement. I will say this. I think Kentucky will lose some games. Who and when is up for discussion. It will be a team that shoots lights out from the 3 line and plays decent defense itself. Trouble is that may not happen till NCAA tournament. Sucks for every other team in the SEC. Go Cats!

 
Jack White said:
Does anyone really believe they will -- or even should -- go undefeated?
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I do - I think their toughest game left will be the national semi-final game.

The have some tough games in the next 3 weeks - UNC @ Rupp, UCLA, Neutral, and @ Louisville. Beyond that, the SEC looks pretty weak. They do not have to travel to Vandy which is always a tough road game due to the bench set-up.

They are deeper than any team, so absent a couple of injuries, I don't foresee a fatigue let-down. They just beat teh #6 team in the country with virtually no outside shooting. Based on that, I don't think anyone else on the schedule has the size or depth to create as difficult a game as Texas just did.

Best way to play against UK is exactly how Texas did - good zone, with plenty of size, and good rebounders. I think teams like UNC and Louisville are going to try and play man-to-man, and they will get eaten up by UK. SEC teams that will go zone don't have the size or depth to play aggressively for 40 minutes.

UK may be in a lot of 60-40 type games, but they will be on top of those games.

Once the NCAA tourney hits, UK will face teams that can beat them from the elite-8 on. But the team that faces UK in the elite-8, won't have time to prepare, having just played the sweet-16 game. The team playing the national semi-final will be a good team, and will have a week to prepare - that is where I see a potential slip-up. If UK makes it to the final game, I don't think any team will have enough time to prepare to beat UK.

 
:yawn: Sloppy play in 2nd half, maybe a theme against some of the lower level schools.

Only question is now if UK can hit a 3 in the game.

 
Sinn Fein said:
:yawn: Sloppy play in 2nd half, maybe a theme against some of the lower level schools.

Only question is now if UK can hit a 3 in the game.
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4:30 left 908 game streak on the line....

0-10 in the game, after 1-12 v. Texas

 
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Smart guys hanging tough tonight...UK did not get a lead until the 2nd half, and still a tight game - though fouls are starting to creep up on Columbia

 
Ugly performance tonight. Lack of defensive intensity, poor rebounding early, and the Harrisons completely reverted to 2013-14 mode...

Definitely missed Booker and Ulis

 
I think Cal nailed it in the post-game interview - without the 2nd unit guards coming in, they lacked the energy that they usually see with the platoon system.

Even as poorly as they played - they were still up 15 with about 90 seconds to go in the game. Though Prince Myshkin correctly noted the old Harrisons coming back into play - a bit selfish at times, and it looked like Cal really chewed out Andrew after one drive to the basket late in the game.

In theory, Cats have good stretch here to recharge the batteries a little - UNC, UCLA and UofL all spaced out a week, but players have a bunch of stuff going on - exams after UNC, Christmas break after UCLA - so it will not be as focused as I am sure Cal would like.

 
Poythress looks done for the year with an ACL - tough break for him - I imagine he'll be back at UK next year as a result.

With Poythress out, that is going to make things interesting - particularly with the platoon deal.

It could open up some playing time for Derek Willis who has played (shot) well in limited minutes. I could see moving Marcus lee into the other platoon for Poythress, and Willis into the 2nd platoon - a bit better outside shooter.

The only other real concern is the impact on the other NBA players - how cautious do they get - worried that their lottery ticket could go up in smoke. I am pretty sure they all have insurance, but still I hope its not in the backs of their minds.

 
Sick for Poy. Kid is due to graduate this year, carries a 4.0, did all the right things, etc. Hate to see that happen to a guy.

Let's kill UNC and prove that we are still the favorties.

 
Yeah hate to hear that for Poythress. From a basketball standpoint, there's a huge drop from Poythress to Willis. I certainly don't think those 20 min/game will all go to him. I'm guessing a few minutes for Willis, a few for Hawkins (started while Poythress was out sick earlier), and a bump in minutes for Lyles (really the only true small forward left aside from Willis), Booker, Ulis, and the Harrisons. I personally feel like Lee is playing too much as it is, so I hope his role stays about the same.

 
Poythress is eligible for a redshirt season, if he wants it.

Disappointed we didn't see Willis at all. Cal spouted a bunch of nonsense about it afterward. Whatever.

 
I love Poy. I think he does a lot of "little things" that casual fans who look at his PPG/RBG numbers wouldn't notice. But I don't think his injury really affects UK much at all. You simply give Booker/WCS/Lyles/Lee another few minutes a game each at a forward spot. Booker is a better scorer anyway. We have enough size to compensate for Poy being out.

If UK gets past Louisville, I'd say they have a better than 50/50 shot at entering the NCAA tourney undefeated.

 
All this talk of going undefeated is non-sense. We will lose somewhere along the way. Louisville may do it. Some team in the SEC will get lucky and do it. And really we need to lose a game. Let's us know we can be beat if we don't give effort and focus on our game. Anybody remember Witchta State? Don't wanna be those guys come NCAA tournament time.

 
Defenze said:
All this talk of going undefeated is non-sense. We will lose somewhere along the way. Louisville may do it. Some team in the SEC will get lucky and do it. And really we need to lose a game. Let's us know we can be beat if we don't give effort and focus on our game. Anybody remember Witchta State? Don't wanna be those guys come NCAA tournament time.
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Its gonna happen.

Louisville is certainly a tough game, and UK could lose there, and road games, even in the SEC, might pose a challenge. But, this team, barring another injury, is simply better and deeper than every other team on the schedule. The SEC is particularly weak this year, and UF made it through undefeated last year. UK has shown it can win against good teams even if they are not shooting straight - good defense rarely has an off-game, and these guys take great pride in their defense.

Cal, and these players, are chasing greatness. This is not Wichita State - they were overrated last year.

Could they lose - absolutely. Will they lose - probably not.

 
Vegas feeling like a low-scoring game, with UCLA only 15 point dogs in Chicago.

65-45 good guys.

Did here a sound bite from Cal this week about how the Cats are a terrible defensive rebounding team (rank 13th in the SEC) so expect a renewed emphasis on crashing the board on the defensive end tomorrow.

 
Prince Myshkin said:
Prince Myshkin said:
Montana at 17 with 6:51 left and I'm still not sold they will reach 20. They had 11 at half time and 11 with just under 10:00 to play.

eta: jinx...ran off 5 quick ones to get to 21
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Montana State ended up at 28...odds that UCLA gets there???
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Pretty good - UK started to shut it down late in the half, they will be on cruise control for most of the 2nd half - I think UCLA gets to 40

 
Sinn Fein said:
Prince Myshkin said:
Prince Myshkin said:
Montana at 17 with 6:51 left and I'm still not sold they will reach 20. They had 11 at half time and 11 with just under 10:00 to play.

eta: jinx...ran off 5 quick ones to get to 21
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Montana State ended up at 28...odds that UCLA gets there???
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Pretty good - UK started to shut it down late in the half, they will be on cruise control for most of the 2nd half - I think UCLA gets to 40
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good call!

 
Cal is nothing if not predictable in his post game presser - nothing but praise for the way his guys are sharing minutes.

I think he is aware of the perception that his guys don't have the "counting" numbers for consideration for end-of-season type awards - so he continues to point out they are getting theri numbers in limited minutes.

I will say, this is a really good group of guys, who genuinely looks like they enjoy playing together. Of course, winning helps, but I think most of these guys really are good guys. Booker and Ulis were the players at the post-game presser, and they were each very well spoken - and spoke highly of all of their teammates.

Biggest hurdle to an undefeated regular season next Saturday - Louisville has the size and strength to go toe-to-toe, not sure if they have the stamina.

 
Kentucky's defense will get them by most teams. But if they shoot like they did against UCLA......no one touches them. However, Louisville could do it. I am kinda hoping they beat us so we can get this undefeated crap out of the way. You don't want this thing hovering over you as you go into conference play. I want another championship, not another NCAA record.

 
I'll start off that I'm a UConn alum and big fan. The best that can happen to KY is to lose between now and tournament time. If not, I'm predicting a loss in NCAAs. The team will not know how to respond in a tight game or be hungry enough to win a national championship. Its not the best team that wins national championship....

 
stlrams said:
I'll start off that I'm a UConn alum and big fan. The best that can happen to KY is to lose between now and tournament time. If not, I'm predicting a loss in NCAAs. The team will not know how to respond in a tight game or be hungry enough to win a national championship. Its not the best team that wins national championship....
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Normally I would agree, but this is not a normal team - I think they are trying to become one of the best defensive teams of all-time. They will embrace the pressure, and I think they will thrive under it. This is an unusually talented and mature group of players - they are used to playing in the spotlight. The longer the streak, the more the players will take it as a badge of honor - thus not taking any SEC road game lightly.

Of course they can lose - I just don't think they will lose. I think they have two games left that they are more likely to lose - this weekend @Louisville, and the national semi-final game - because it will be a good team, and they will have a week to prepare to face UK.

 
I'll say it again, if Kentucky doesn't shat the bed during the tournament (which is more likely if they are undefeated), they will lose to Duke in the Final Four/Final.

 
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Kentucky are 6 point favorites in their first road trip of the season - Should be a good game, and I expect it to get very physical. I think UofL will try and punch UK in the nose early to see how they respond. Pitino will have them ready to play, and they won't be intimidated.

In the end I think UK has too much, but they will be in for a battle.

 
Calipari previews the UK v. UofL game

On what they've worked on since getting back from the break: "The physicalness of the play you have to be prepared for. To play through bumps and all those kind of things. To rebound in traffic with bodies on your – nudging you.
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On if one moment in the rivalry since he got here stands out: "Not really. I mean, look it's the next game for us. We're not even in the same league. I say this, now if we win it will be a huge game. (Laughter).
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On how much he worries about team dealing with undefeated talk: "When you have two groups, it's just different. When you're trying to play against yourselves, we don't worry about anybody else. And we know how good teams are. I mean, we're not the only good basketball team out there, and sometimes you forget we're not the only team with good players. You got a bunch of other teams, including Louisville, that got terrific players. So, let's focus on us. That's how I've always coached.
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On which UL player worries him the most: "All of them. Blackshear, Rozier, Smith, they're all — listen, they're all of them able to get 30 points. Harrell. C'mon. They're big guys, I mean, they'll block shots, they got great size. There's not a guy out there that I don't think, like, 'Well, he can't play.' They all can play, and they all can get 30, and they probably are all gonna try and get 30. Just how it is in this game.
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89 local and national media picks for the game

85-4 in favor of UK

Howie Lindsey (Louisville Sports Report) Louisville 51, Kentucky 48. Louisville slows it down and grinds out a win in an ugly game.
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Matt King (Bleacher Report) says Louisville 65, Kentucky 64. Kentucky has lost its first true road test of the year for the previous four seasons. After a Christmas break and due for a letdown after the UCLA game, I expect a slow start that Louisville’s pressure will take advantage of and ride to an upset.
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Jody Demling (Cardinal Authority) says Louisville 57, Kentucky 55. Cards defense is better than most believe it is.
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Drew Deener (ESPN680) says Louisville 65, Kentucky 63. It’s not david vs Goliath. It’s 91 duke vs. UNLV. Good teams can beat great teams. And it’s ok to say it out loud.
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I think all four are legit reasons why UK could lose the game. The other 85 were mostly along the same lines - UK wins with depth and better talent. Scores were split between a close game, and a UK blowout. A little surprised that as many people expect a game in the 60s-70s - I think both defenses are too good for that - unless fouls become an issue.

 
The 1991 UNLV game to compare to today isn't Duke; it's Arkansas. UNLV was ranked #1 and looked unbeatable. Their last big hurdle to go undefeated in the regular season was Arkansas at Fayetteville. Arkansas was ranked #2 and had won 19 straight. The first half was fantastic and competitive. And then UNLV blew them out in the second half. Arkansas made the score respectable after the benches emptied, but it was difficult to take them seriously as a national title threat after that game.

 
Lyles is the only one who brought his jump shot, and 10 turnovers in the first half.

And it doesn't ####### matter because their interior D and transition D is so good.

 
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