50 Media Members Pick Winner of UK-UL Game. Guess Who Forde Picks?

[Smashcat]

http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...cky-louisville-basketball-game-2015/77854388/

Here are more than 50 predictions from a collection of national, Louisville-based and Lexington-based media on Saturday's University of Louisville vs. University of Kentucky basketball game, noon, Rupp Arena.

Kyle Tucker, The Courier-Journal
Kentucky 61, Louisville 58: Logic tells me the Cards are playing better and are likely strong where the Cats are weak. But that home record and undeniable imbalance in raw talent for UK feels like just enough.

Jeff Greer, The Courier-Journal
Louisville 70, Kentucky 66. It's a toss-up, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it go either way, but I do think U of L is a bit more cohesive at this point in the season.

Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal
Louisville 74, Kentucky 68: Location is important, but not as critical as direction. Cards are climbing; Wildcats struggling.

Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal
Kentucky 75, Louisville 69: Louisville is the hotter team, but I'm not picking against John Calipari's recent dominance. This UK team is still better than the 2012-13 one, which lost to Louisville.

 

[JerseyCat84]

No surprise. Dana ONeil and Pat Forde pick UL. They would pick Transylvania vs UK.

 

[Twice_Vacated]

Cats by 7

 

[ukfan79]

I counted 56 predictions. Cats 35, whores 21

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

The only one in that list I truly respect is DeCourcy. That he is picking UL worries me. He is the one that can look at the game with no bias and no dog in the hunt and call it how he sees it.

 

[BBUK]

All I predict is:

UK Wins

 

[Dakota25]

The game being in Rupp and mathiang being out is huge. Louisville has quick guards but so does uk so if UK can guard them on the perimeter then Louisville should struggle to score enough points to get the win.

 

[ukfan79]

The game being in Rupp and mathiang being out is huge. Louisville has quick guards but so does uk so if UK can guard them on the perimeter then Louisville should struggle to score enough points to get the win.

I agree. This will be an ugly game with both teams lucky to be at 40% shooting. Free throws will be HUGE. First team to 60 wins and I've got the Cats 63-56.

 

[CharlieT71059]

Cats close through 30 min, then win by 15

 

[UK till Death]

I really believe uk will end up winning comfortably... around 10 or so.

Guess we'll see.

 

[Tychorz]

I agree. This will be an ugly game with both teams lucky to be at 40% shooting. Free throws will be HUGE. First team to 60 wins and I've got the Cats 63-56.

I think the O/U is 140+. I thought it was high.

 

[docholiday51]

I think the O/U is 140+. I thought it was high.

I think it gets over that, I think it is a transition game, which will help us maybe get Skal going

 

[uky8unc5]

This will be our finest hour (to date). Ulis and Skal will rise and shine.

 

[4UK]

Hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see UK winning this game.

Home court advantage and Cal's dominance over Pitino might be enough to pull us through, but that's only worth so much. Frankly, this is just not a very good UK squad. If they turn the offense over to Murray and let him get as many shots as possible, we might have a chance. But we won't win sticking with the the dribble-drive, with Briscoe on the wing and Skal in the middle. Just simply not enough offense. And we certainly won't win if we don't show up for all 40 minutes - which this team really hasn't done since the Duke game.

UL has a ton of confidence right now, and regardless of the level of competition they built that confidence against, it's still there. Couple that with the fact that UK is a team with zero identity right now, and I certainly couldn't criticize anyone for picking UL.

 

[DCFseattle]

mathiang being out is huge.

Waka waka

 

[Bkocats]

I'm extremely nervous about this game - worried even

 

[Mike-D]

I'm extremely nervous about this game - worried even

I'm not

 

[docholiday51]

I'm extremely nervous about this game - worried even

It is because based on what we have seen from both teams the game is a crap shoot. UL has played a bunch of nobodies and we have played Jekyl and Hyde for 11 games. Just line up and play the game, any Cat fan that isn't a bit nervous about this one is kidding themselves

 

[usinfantrycat85]

77-64 Cats

 

[JC CATS]

Before the season I thought this was no contest. I am not going to lie, I am very worried. Cards have a bunch of bigs and have been playing better than expected, although they have really only played 1 legit team, but they played them well

 

[uky8unc5]

The greatest athletes have a gear that engages when the challenge is greatest. We will win.

 

[stenchymouse]

Most everyone picks it to be a close game.

Id say that foul trouble will impact this game.

If Damion Lee or Onuoku get into foul trouble, Louisville is screwed.

If Murray or Ulis get into foul trouble, we're screwed.

It's very hard to predict foul trouble...

UK 71
UofL 68

 

[WildcatDJ]

Before the season I thought this was no contest. I am not going to lie, I am very worried. Cards have a bunch of bigs and have been playing better than expected, although they have really only played 1 legit team, but they played them well

So did Florida and Oakland.

Our team has played to the level of competition all year...which is why the Duke game is the only game we've brought it.

Today is a big game and we will bring it.

 

[UK-chulo]

He has a 50% chance of being right.

 

[caneintally]

77 UK 61 UL . UL is not a good team and we will learn that today . How can anyone say they are when they played one game all season worth crap. If they had played UK's schedule they would have 3-4 losses IMO.

 

[Blueisbest]

If we can get Anything out of Skal then we should win. Marcus Lee and a so-so Poythress won't be enough to win today. Also, Briscoe cannot turn in another clunker like he did against tOSU.

I think Skal gets in foul trouble but does make a contribution while on the court and that along with a bounce back game from Briscoe is enough of a difference maker to get us over the hump.

Cats by 6.

 

[tbone.ky]

"docholiday51, post: It is because based on what we have seen from both teams the game is a crap shoot. UL has played a bunch of nobodies and we have played Jekyl and Hyde for 11 games.

This isn't just a huge game because of the rivalry... it will have a big impact come March and seeding. And, Cal has always been a "philosopher" for March.

For UK, the UCLA loss on the road might not have been too bad to the committee's "eye" test since it was early in the season. But, the loss to OSU on a neutral court- ouch! At this point in the season, if we played Kansas at Lawrence, I just don't see UK pulling off the upset.

So, this is a very important OOC game for both since it will affect tournament seeding. I guess UL has several more chances in conference for quality wins before 'tourny time. The Cats will have opportunities against ranked teams with the Gamecocks and Aggies (besides the Jayhawks). Maybe, maybe LSU and Vandy will sneak into the top 25-30 by the time we play them. But, I doubt it.

Time for the old adage, "Big-time players step up for big-time games" to prove itself true today for several on our roster

 

[docholiday51]

If we can get Anything out of Skal then we should win. Marcus Lee and a so-so Poythress won't be enough to win today. Also, Briscoe cannot turn in another clunker like he did against tOSU.

I think Skal gets in foul trouble but does make a contribution while on the court and that along with a bounce back game from Briscoe is enough of a difference maker to get us over the hump.

Cats by 6.

I think you are probably right, this is a game where Skal can use the skills he has and maybe won't be quite so exposed in the ones he doesn't have yet. I think we could get something from Matthews in this game as well