15-16 > 14-15

[brianpoe]

Last year I thought I was going to kill myself over our poor rebounding efforts in some important games. We racked up lots of rebounds against lesser teams IMO. I think we can manage fine with what we have. I also think this team has way more overall balance, albeit not as strong defensively even though I think they can be close.

Skal can be a very effective rebounder. Lee can get more given more minutes and trying to block a few less shots. He didn't have to be a rebounder last year.

At times rebounding was definitely questionable.

 

[tmuck]

No, but this team will be remembered more as years go by. Why? Because they're gonna win the title. I do think this team will be better offensively, but defensively? Not even close. But by the end of the year, they will be a damn good defensive team.

 

[.S&C.]

At times rebounding was definitely questionable.

Or actually it was during lesser competition when we should have slaughtered it on the boards...

Anyway, I think this team can achieve the ultimate goal, and quite honestly, I get tired of all the comparisons. These teams are different, they all face different teams now with OAD's and the transfer generation, so it's all moot IMO.

But any comparison to 2012 should be off limits out of respect. No one has been able to duplicate that, regardless of meaningless stats and comparisons.

Humbly.

 

[Hoskins21]

Why do some fans feel the need to put such huge expectations on a young team, especially before their first game?

 

[.S&C.]

Why do some fans feel the need to put such huge expectations on a young team, especially before their first game?

Could be an interesting observation. I think Calipari does that actually.

 

[stoneycat_20]

From my perspective looking at your list, I think we were better at every position last year than this year... We'll see what the new guys bring this season, but based on what little I've seen I would take last year's team at every position.

you would take the twins over Ulis and Murray???...hahahaha

 

[FiveStarCat]

Damn I must have been relapsing in that game. I remembered it differently. It seemed like had we not had in incredible night offensively, they would have went on. I remembered our boys having to play an A game to take it home.

:::id edit and add we owned Kansas far more easily than Indiana....at least it seemed that way to me.

You are remembering correctly. Kentucky shot 35-37 from the line, which is absurd. 50% from 3 as well but only on 10 attempts so that is not a crazy number.

Had Kentucky shot its average of 72.3% from the line, it would have been a 4 point win, possibly less considering it would have changed the end of the game and IU wouldn't have had to foul as much to catch up.

 

[MKGMVP]

From my perspective looking at your list, I think we were better at every position last year than this year... We'll see what the new guys bring this season, but based on what little I've seen I would take last year's team at every position.

There is no way you take Booker over Murray

 

[michaeluk26]

People are setting themselves up for a major disappointment. Last years team would slaughter this years team. We are going to struggle this year and lose a handful of games but by march we should be really good. But nothing will top last year's team. They were a machine and clutch as hell. This years team is nowhere near what we had last year. I'm surprised anyone would even try to compare the two.

 

[Bigkyfan10]

I know it's way too early.

No one is saying this team will be 38-0. Like I said above 15-16 guys are starting at much lower level.

Also 14-15 team stunk at defensive rebounding. One of the reason why we struggled against ND and lost to Wisconsin. We also struggled against other team because of it.

I just like the potential of this team far better because of spacing and skill sets. My key concern is how we will defend with smaller size.

ummm.... We were ranked 4th nationally for defensive rebounds and 2nd nationally for rebounds total

 

[bigbluelou]

This team will be as good as last years..wont win 38 games, but the 15 team should have lost 3 times...Ole Miss gave us a game..A&M should have won and we could have lost 1-2 more....

Georgia.

 

[prossdog]

I'm not gonna touch the notion that this year's team is better. But being that last year's stopped a game too early, this year's team could accomplish what last year's didn't. As fun as last year was, I may THEN decide to crown this group as better.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

UK has two fringe-transcendent players on this year's team. The 2011 only had one (Kanter would have been #2).

I think hat's the big difference. The supplemental casts are pretty equal in terms of NBA talent.

 

[Bigkyfan10]

you would take the twins over Ulis and Murray???...hahahaha

I would take the twins, Ulis, Booker over Ulis, Murray, Briscoe or would say its at least equal

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

I don't know who would win, but I think it's silly to assume team1 would slaughter team2. It's obvious last years team could have lost a few games last year against teams they should have slaughter. That's the way basketball goes.

 

[kybassfan]

you would take the twins over Ulis and Murray???...hahahaha

You might too, once SEC play rolls around. I rather enjoyed having a couple of M1A1 Abrams playing guard in the SEC at times, particularly against the teams like Arkansas and LSU. Not saying Ulis and Murray are better or worse, but there were situations when the twins had a lot of upside. Having two guard tandems with such different looks was quite a luxury.

Why do some fans feel the need to put such huge expectations on a young team, especially before their first game?

Amen. Well said.

 

[reddickulis81]

Am i little crazy? yes.

I'm also not saying this team will go 38 straight wins, to be honest i'm surprised that team even went 38 straight wins.

I also believe that 14-15 has much better head start. Therefore, if you were to compare beginning of the season for both teams, 14-15 would slaughter 15-16 team.

However, this 15-16 team is rather interesting, and i'm not even sure how Coach Cal pulled it off. I started comparing the two teams and it's a lot closer than i was expecting.

Which would you pick? (Number reflect their year)
PG position:
Andrew(2) + Ulis (1) versus Ulis (2) + Briscoe (1)

I think last year many argued Andrew or Ulis, but if you had sophomore Ulis i'm sure most on here would pick Ulis. Coach Cal calls Ulis the best floor general. That's quite the statement, over Wall and Knight. He's also superior shooter than Andrew, Wall, or Knight in terms of efficiency. (but wall and knight is the better guard overall, but Ulis does many thing better than Wall/Knight, something Andrew won't be able to say)

SG position:
Aaron(2) + Booker (1) versus Murray(1) + Hawkins(3) + Mulder (?)
I think 14-15 season would win in most depth competition, but Murray would be the best player out of all these guys. He's the craftiest guard we have ever had, and that includes Lamb. I'm sure he won't shoot at Lamb's 3pt%, but i do believe his scoring threat is far better than Aaron/Booker. Booker was way too inconsistent, and Murray will likely be top 10 pick in NBA draft.

SF position:
Poythress (3) + Lyles (1) versus Mathews (1) + Poythress (4)
Lyles i think is the best player on this rotation, but Poythress was injured. Mathews is probably better defender but Lyles is probably a better offensive player. Depending on how mathews grow, there might be more discussion to be had since Lyles played out of position in my opinion.

PF position:
WCS (3) + Lee (2) versus Skal (1) + Lee (3)
This is based around someone's unique line-up proposition which i now think is good idea. Playing Skal at the 4 than a 5. He's far more offensively gifted than either WCS/Lee. He's also quick enough to guard other players on the court. I would pick 15-16 season over 14-15 season. Lee is visibly better this year than last year also helps the case for this year.

Center position:
KAT (1) + Johnson (2) versus Humphries (1) + Lumberjack (1)
KAT going away favorite here.

KAT would make it much more favorable for one position for 14-15, but other than that 15-16 season does better in 3 position. SF is still a question, depending on how Mathews play. Lyles was out of position so i don't think we truly maximized there for 14-15 season.

Dude, sit back n enjoy. Last year dosent happen. Only loss is the final four. This team will lose a few. Maybe not great pros but our smallest starter was 6foot6. Don't do the whole set yourself up for anger thing. Expect a top 5 team and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[reddickulis81]

Davis and Towns had/have wider shoulders as frosh and developed a post game as the season went on. Skal is more narrow, we will see if he can do that.

Davis was narrow man. About as narrow as they come.

 

[WildMoon]

Dude, sit back n enjoy. Last year dosent happen. Only loss is the final four. This team will lose a few. Maybe not great pros but our smallest starter was 6foot6. Don't do the whole set yourself up for anger thing. Expect a top 5 team and let the chips fall where they may.

i always find these comments to be hilarious.

1. I don't get mad.
2. I always sit back and enjoy.
3. I'm one of the few that's happy with last year.

This was more about how surprisingly talented this year is. so Dude, relaxxxxxxxx. we just talking about basketball on basketball forum. OMG!