9-9 is realistic. 8-10 is not unrealistic. Both SEC records still get us in the Dance.

[Son_Of_Saul]

We could obviously drop a few at Rupp, ladies and gents. It's not because we're terrible either. It's because the conference is just too strong. In year's past, this Georgia team would finish in the top 5 in the conference. Not this year.

We have Auburn, TN, and Alabama coming to Rupp. 2 out of those 3 of those games could very well ending up in the loss column. I could also see Arkansas having a shot against us at Rupp, merely due to the fact that Cal's guys could be playing out of their minds in that game.

Those are four Rupp games we have to take very seriously. So let's say we go 2-2 in those games. I think we'd be very fortunate.

The rest of the Rupp schedule includes: Texas A@M (coin flip), South Carolina (win), Vandy (win), and LSU (win). We should go 4-0 or 3-1 in these games. I'm playing it optimistically and saying we go 4-0.

We then have road games against Mississippi State (loss), Vandy (win), Tennessee (loss), Ole Miss (coin flip), Texas (coin flip), Oklahoma (coin flip), Alabama (loss), and Missouri (coin flip). 3-5 is an optimistic goal. 2-6 might be more reasonable.

Right now we're 1-1. The above numbers are fairly reasonable. 10-8 looks like the ceiling. 9-9 gives us room to lose one more road game or drop one more at Rupp. 8-10 means that we met our floor.

This is still a 20 (floor) to 23 (ceiling) win team. Thank God for the early wins against Gonzaga and Duke. The good news is that 8-10 in the SEC, with our non-conference resume, still gets UK in the top 8 seeds.

But this team will not be a top 3 seed. We kissed those hopes goodbye last night when we were yet exposed again. Wishful thinking won't change the fact that UK is terrible at rebounding and lacks toughness.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Meh. We aren’t gonna win many road games this year, if any. We won’t be allowed to win them. One team allowed to play super aggressive while the other is called for nonsense BS the entire game. Well, until the last 2 minutes I reckon. Was optimistic this would stop once Cal was gone. NOPE! Takes all the fun out of being a UK Basketball fan. It’s absurd.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Hell, we had to play a damn near PERFECT game at HOME to beat Florida! I counted at least FIFTEEN free throws Florida got in second half that absolutely were NOT fouls! Only reason they were even in that game! It’s BULLSHIT!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Meh. We aren’t gonna win many road games this year, if any. We won’t be allowed to win them. One team allowed to play super aggressive while the other is called for nonsense BS the entire game. Well, until the last 2 minutes I reckon. Was optimistic this would stop once Cal was gone. NOPE! Takes all the fun out of being a UK Basketball fan. It’s absurd.

If we don't win any road games, we should brace for 8 or 9 seed impact because this team filled with misfit toys is definitely not holding serve at Rupp - not with Bama, Texas A@M, UT, and Auburn coming to town.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

I'm just gonna go back to not caring much about college basketball game. I don't wanna be pissed off about a game that is influenced so much by the refs or such. Imagine if we got a advantage like Georgia did in rupp. We would never lose and have a 65 game win streak at home. Sports is pissing me off due to gambling and last night was a wtf ever moment.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

If we don't win any road games, we should brace for 10 or 11 seed impact because this team filled with misfit toys is definitely not holding serve at Rupp - not with Bama, Texas A@M, UT, and Auburn coming to town.

Nope! I heard a podcast the other day that said if UK goes 8-10 they would be a 5 seed. If we win ONE SEC tournament game we would be a 4. But, then again, we are Kentucky. Might get a ****ing 14 seed!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Nope! I heard a podcast the other day that said if UK goes 8-10 they would be a 5 seed. If we win ONE SEC tournament game we would be a 4.

Where would a 7-11 record get us? I still think that's tourney-worthy in the SEC.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I'm just gonna go back to not caring much about college basketball game. I don't wanna be pissed off about a game that is influenced so much by the refs or such. Imagine if we got an advantage like Georgia did in rupp. We would never lose and have a 65 game win streak at home. Sports is pissing me off due to gambling and last night was a wtf ever moment.

I cussed and ranted the entire second half of the Florida game, that we WON! Last night, I just shook my head and laughed. It’s unbelievable how bad of a whistle we get.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

Nope! I heard a podcast the other day that said if UK goes 8-10 they would be a 5 seed. If we win ONE SEC tournament game we would be a 4. But, then again, we are Kentucky. Might get a ****ing 14 seed!

10 or 11 seed is just catastrophist talk. Sick of all the catastrophists.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I cussed and ranted the entire second half of the Florida game, that we WON! Last night, I just shook my head and laughed. It’s unbelievable how bad of a whistle we get.

And Pope stood there stoically like a a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Where would a 7-11 record get us? I still think that's tourney-worthy in the SEC.

I’m not sure. I just heard the 8-10 record. SEC is gonna be ROUGH! Especially with the whistle we get. We can’t out talent other teams this year to overcome it. We can shoot our way out of it. Nonsense that a team needs to do that in order to win a damn game!

 

[wildcat_nation28]

kentucky has got to win some road games and not play like they did last night

 

[Cowtown Cat]

kentucky has got to win some road games and not play like they did last night

We played pretty bad. However, you’re not gonna win many games where the other team shoots 2/3 times the amount of FTs. Especially against a quality opponent on the road.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

We could obviously drop a few at Rupp, ladies and gents. It's not because we're terrible either. It's because the conference is just too strong. In year's past, this Georgia team would finish in the top 5 in the conference. Not this year.

We have Auburn, TN, and Alabama coming to Rupp. 2 out of those 3 of those games could very well ending up in the loss column. I could also see Arkansas having a shot against us at Rupp, merely due to the fact that Cal's guys could be playing out of their minds in that game.

Those are four Rupp games we have to take very seriously. So let's say we go 2-2 in those games. I think we'd be very fortunate.

The rest of the Rupp schedule includes: Texas A@M (coin flip), South Carolina (win), Vandy (win), and LSU (win). We should go 4-0 or 3-1 in these games. I'm playing it optimistically and saying we go 4-0.

We then have road games against Mississippi State (loss), Vandy (win), Tennessee (loss), Ole Miss (coin flip), Texas (coin flip), Oklahoma (coin flip), Alabama (loss), and Missouri (coin flip). 3-5 is an optimistic goal. 2-6 might be more reasonable.

Right now we're 1-1. The above numbers are fairly reasonable. 10-8 looks like the ceiling. 9-9 gives us room to lose one more road game or drop one more at Rupp. 8-10 means that we met our floor.

This is still a 20 (floor) to 23 (ceiling) win team. Thank God for the early wins against Gonzaga and Duke. The good news is that 8-10 in the SEC, with our non-conference resume, still gets UK in the top 8 seeds.

But this team will not be a top 3 seed. We kissed those hopes goodbye last night when we were yet exposed again. Wishful thinking won't change the fact that UK is terrible at rebounding and lacks toughness.

I’m still going 10-8, but I don’t disagree with anything you are saying. This team is like the Oregon football teams that used to coast during the regular season and then when they met physical teams they got exposed every time

 

[Bluegrass79]

7 and 2 at home
Four and five on the road.

11n7

 

[chroix]

There are going to be a bunch of teams tied in conference. SECT byes could get real complicated.

 

[susan2361]

I love Coach Pope's brilliant, analytical mind but I'm a little concerned that he is too nice, too easy-going at times. I hope he gets fired up at times and that we just don't see it.

 

[Fox2monk]

We could obviously drop a few at Rupp, ladies and gents. It's not because we're terrible either. It's because the conference is just too strong. In year's past, this Georgia team would finish in the top 5 in the conference. Not this year.

We have Auburn, TN, and Alabama coming to Rupp. 2 out of those 3 of those games could very well ending up in the loss column. I could also see Arkansas having a shot against us at Rupp, merely due to the fact that Cal's guys could be playing out of their minds in that game.

Those are four Rupp games we have to take very seriously. So let's say we go 2-2 in those games. I think we'd be very fortunate.

The rest of the Rupp schedule includes: Texas A@M (coin flip), South Carolina (win), Vandy (win), and LSU (win). We should go 4-0 or 3-1 in these games. I'm playing it optimistically and saying we go 4-0.

We then have road games against Mississippi State (loss), Vandy (win), Tennessee (loss), Ole Miss (coin flip), Texas (coin flip), Oklahoma (coin flip), Alabama (loss), and Missouri (coin flip). 3-5 is an optimistic goal. 2-6 might be more reasonable.

Right now we're 1-1. The above numbers are fairly reasonable. 10-8 looks like the ceiling. 9-9 gives us room to lose one more road game or drop one more at Rupp. 8-10 means that we met our floor.

This is still a 20 (floor) to 23 (ceiling) win team. Thank God for the early wins against Gonzaga and Duke. The good news is that 8-10 in the SEC, with our non-conference resume, still gets UK in the top 8 seeds.

But this team will not be a top 3 seed. We kissed those hopes goodbye last night when we were yet exposed again. Wishful thinking won't change the fact that UK is terrible at rebounding and lacks toughness.

We aren’t finishing 9-9. I whole heartedly believe we will lose 6-7 games at most. We will win a Game or 2 we shouldn’t or don’t think we will. Honestly we need a decent whistle. It sucks getting behind the 8 ball every night because we get called for the most ridiculous shit. We need to play tougher and I hope the staff mixes up defenses more.

 

[Fox2monk]

7 and 2 at home
Four and five on the road.

11n7

That’s what I think as well. Truthfully I will be surprised if it’s worse than that.

 

[TankedCat]

I felt if UK were to seriously compete for the SEC regular season, last night was a must win.

you can talk about refs or whatever, but you gotta win the games you're supposed to win

look to some extent its all gravy, UK is better under Pope in the first year than I thought they could be, that doesn't change the trajectory though. This team has to understand they are going to get the best shot from every team they face on the road, especially ranked in the top 10 - whether its refs or whatever , and you can't fold

if this was last year I'd just shrug my shoulders, conditioned to lose those games. I'm in a different mindset with this team but this can't continue. Yes, the SEC is good, but this wasn't one of those teams. Last night was a lost opportunity you won't likely earn back and now you have to count on other teams to do the work for you.

 

[Cawood86]

I'm just gonna go back to not caring much about college basketball game. I don't wanna be pissed off about a game that is influenced so much by the refs or such. Imagine if we got a advantage like Georgia did in rupp. We would never lose and have a 65 game win streak at home. Sports is pissing me off due to gambling and last night was a wtf ever moment.

The gambling thing is definitely an issue. No way around it. It's advertised all the time. Promoted all the time.

Bad idea to allow this to be easily done and promoted.

 

[jwphelps]

We could obviously drop a few at Rupp, ladies and gents. It's not because we're terrible either. It's because the conference is just too strong. In year's past, this Georgia team would finish in the top 5 in the conference. Not this year.

We have Auburn, TN, and Alabama coming to Rupp. 2 out of those 3 of those games could very well ending up in the loss column. I could also see Arkansas having a shot against us at Rupp, merely due to the fact that Cal's guys could be playing out of their minds in that game.

Those are four Rupp games we have to take very seriously. So let's say we go 2-2 in those games. I think we'd be very fortunate.

The rest of the Rupp schedule includes: Texas A@M (coin flip), South Carolina (win), Vandy (win), and LSU (win). We should go 4-0 or 3-1 in these games. I'm playing it optimistically and saying we go 4-0.

We then have road games against Mississippi State (loss), Vandy (win), Tennessee (loss), Ole Miss (coin flip), Texas (coin flip), Oklahoma (coin flip), Alabama (loss), and Missouri (coin flip). 3-5 is an optimistic goal. 2-6 might be more reasonable.

Right now we're 1-1. The above numbers are fairly reasonable. 10-8 looks like the ceiling. 9-9 gives us room to lose one more road game or drop one more at Rupp. 8-10 means that we met our floor.

This is still a 20 (floor) to 23 (ceiling) win team. Thank God for the early wins against Gonzaga and Duke. The good news is that 8-10 in the SEC, with our non-conference resume, still gets UK in the top 8 seeds.

But this team will not be a top 3 seed. We kissed those hopes goodbye last night when we were yet exposed again. Wishful thinking won't change the fact that UK is terrible at rebounding and lacks toughness.

I say no one gets thru the SEC without at least 6 losses.

 

[trueblujr2]

3/4's of the league could wind up 9-9. the league is brutal. Even the majority of SEC teams left out of the top 25 could make a case for being in it. Probably the strongest basketball conference in history this season.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

I love Coach Pope's brilliant, analytical mind but I'm a little concerned that he is too nice, too easy-going at times. I hope he gets fired up at times and that we just don't see it.

Based on everything I’ve seen from his coaching career I don’t think he does tbh. He’s more of a calm, keep it light kind of coach

 

[UK67KU59]

I hope we can do better than 9-9 and think we can. But they are going to have to grind day in and day out to get there. Having a top 4 seed in the SEC tourney would be huge for NCAA seeding and our chances to advance deep into the SEC and NCAA tourneys - that’s what us fans want! I hope Pope and the gang can make it happen! But it won’t happen without defensive grit and fundamentals. And Pope has to help these guys find ways to dictate the style and pace of the game to benefit us and help us have more consistent offense.

 

[catsall]

I hope we can do better than 9-9 and think we can. But they are going to have to grind day in and day out to get there. Having a top 4 seed in the SEC tourney would be huge for NCAA seeding and our chances to advance deep into the SEC and NCAA tourneys - that’s what us fans want! I hope Pope and the gang can make it happen! But it won’t happen without defensive grit and fundamentals. And Pope has to help these guys fii inns ways to dictate the style and pace of the game to benefit us and help us have more consistent offense.

 

[Mike-D]

If we lose 2 or 3 home games, this team is gonna finish in the middle or bottom of the conference, because they aren't winning any road games. That'll give us an 8 or 9 seed.

 

[ukwazoo]

I'm just gonna go back to not caring much about college basketball game. I don't wanna be pissed off about a game that is influenced so much by the refs or such. Imagine if we got a advantage like Georgia did in rupp. We would never lose and have a 65 game win streak at home. Sports is pissing me off due to gambling and last night was a wtf ever moment.

Yeah, the older I get, the less I care.

 

[JonathanW]

RR really is a schitzophrenic group.


13-5, possible but not likely
12-6, possible, but probably not
11-7, most likely outcome
10-8, possible, but disappointment
9-9, possible but unlikely
8-10, worst case scenario but I guess it's possible

So 10-12 SEC wins has probably 80% odds

 

[gojvc]

7 and 2 at home
Four and five on the road.

11n7

That was my exact prediction to my son the other day. But I was counting on Georgia as one of the four. I’m not sure where four road wins are coming from now.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

Based on everything I’ve seen from his coaching career I don’t think he does tbh. He’s more of a calm, keep it light kind of coach

Correct. He's a Tony Dungy type of coach. The good news is that those types of coaches still win championships.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

Correct. He's a Tony Dungy type of coach. The good news is that those types of coaches still win championships.

I’ve been watching this game for 40+ years now and I’m going to be honest the assholes win more than the saints.

 

[YardCat]

Where would a 7-11 record get us? I still think that's tourney-worthy in the SEC.

This is where I see us or 8-10. Gets us 20 wins in the best league and should be a 6-7 seed.

 

[catfan220]

We could obviously drop a few at Rupp, ladies and gents. It's not because we're terrible either. It's because the conference is just too strong. In year's past, this Georgia team would finish in the top 5 in the conference. Not this year.

We have Auburn, TN, and Alabama coming to Rupp. 2 out of those 3 of those games could very well ending up in the loss column. I could also see Arkansas having a shot against us at Rupp, merely due to the fact that Cal's guys could be playing out of their minds in that game.

Those are four Rupp games we have to take very seriously. So let's say we go 2-2 in those games. I think we'd be very fortunate.

The rest of the Rupp schedule includes: Texas A@M (coin flip), South Carolina (win), Vandy (win), and LSU (win). We should go 4-0 or 3-1 in these games. I'm playing it optimistically and saying we go 4-0.

We then have road games against Mississippi State (loss), Vandy (win), Tennessee (loss), Ole Miss (coin flip), Texas (coin flip), Oklahoma (coin flip), Alabama (loss), and Missouri (coin flip). 3-5 is an optimistic goal. 2-6 might be more reasonable.

Right now we're 1-1. The above numbers are fairly reasonable. 10-8 looks like the ceiling. 9-9 gives us room to lose one more road game or drop one more at Rupp. 8-10 means that we met our floor.

This is still a 20 (floor) to 23 (ceiling) win team. Thank God for the early wins against Gonzaga and Duke. The good news is that 8-10 in the SEC, with our non-conference resume, still gets UK in the top 8 seeds.

But this team will not be a top 3 seed. We kissed those hopes goodbye last night when we were yet exposed again. Wishful thinking won't change the fact that UK is terrible at rebounding and lacks toughness.

I've been saying all year 10-8 would be a success this season in the SEC. Win all but one or two at home, lose all but 2 or 3 on the road and you get 10-8.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Remember for many years you had power conference teams that were sub .500 in conference and people would always make the argument if you can't be .500 you shouldn't be in the tournament.

This is why that line of thinking was silly.

Yes. This is a historically good conference this season. But in the past there was other conferences that were light years ahead of the pack and they had teams hovering about .500 and people were complaining about them being IN.

Bottom line......put the best teams in. And yes that could be a power conference team that goes 8-10 or even 7-11 in conference.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

I’ve been watching this game for 40+ years now and I’m going to be honest the assholes win more than the saints.

Oh they definitely do. Saban, K, Hurley, etc.

Pope is what he is and isn't changing. He can still win big here despite his nature.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

This is where I see us or 8-10. Gets us 20 wins in the best league and should be a 6-7 seed.

Probably looking at a 5 seed and we all know that story of the 12 seed upsets. We're just not good at anything but home game shooting and that's up in the air sometimes. Send us on the road in March Madness and we will be heading home in the first or second round as always. Thanks Pope for restoration of our hope away from Cal but some can see the big picture and a final four is as far away from our program as it was this time last year.

 

[yoshukai]

kentucky has got to win some road games and not play like they did last night

We are going to be hard to beat at home , unlikely to win on the road , and neutral games will depend on matchups. All but a few sec teams are the same.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I’ve been thinking 9-9.

But I can see us dropping a game or two at home.

So 7-2 at home means we have to win two road games to break even.

Looking at our schedule, I can’t find a game that I feel confident that we could win on the road.

So I figure 1-8 (we will get hot from 3 and win a road game we shouldn’t) on the road, 7-2 at home. 8-10 in SEC play.

Maybe win a SEC tourney game. 20 wins going into the NCAA tourney.

Probably a 4-5 seed? Our big wins will pull us up a tad. Assuming no bad losses in the SEC to drag us down.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

RR really is a schitzophrenic group.


13-5, possible but not likely
12-6, possible, but probably not
11-7, most likely outcome
10-8, possible, but disappointment
9-9, possible but unlikely
8-10, worst case scenario but I guess it's possible

So 10-12 SEC wins has probably 80% odds

Who's your first statement directed to? Be specific. If you're referring to me, we can talk about that. I'll have to consult my other personalities if we do though in order to get their opinions.

Secondly, why is 11-7 the likely outcome? You have us holding serve at home? Against Bama, Auburn, TN, and A&M? Not likely.

Or do you have us winning 3 or 4 on the road?

Break down your assessment game by game. I'm genuinely curious.