Anybody TRULY concerned we will lose to awful South Carolina in Rupp Saturday?

[FitchandMurray29]

Think they'll bounce back with a win. Thought the 1st Half was a bit of carryover from the last game. Such a build up for the game and losing it can carry over--and it did for a Half. That's happened before/will happen again no matter who the coach/players are too.

Just need to improve the play away from scoring to get right. Shot selection factors in obviously but being connected on defensive end, rebounding (been an issue a lot even when they were winning) and need to get Garrison going again-he's been in a mini slump.

Would be nice if Butler could get back but I have no idea what is wrong with him and honestly my approach to the injuries across CBB is that I've never seen so many in my life as a fan and I'm in my 5th decade watching the sport. Just not sure if it's too much training, too much lifting, agents influence over players (Klutch with Nick Smith Jr, Lively, Bradshaw) the addition of legal gambling--who knows? Likely a bit of all combined but just odd to see so many guys injured when they spread out a 31 game regular season schedule over 5 months.

Don’t think enough has been made of the emotional carryover from the Arkansas defeat ralph. Really surprised that’s not getting talked about more. I think being in a bad head space already, then this game starting with Williams getting fouled/no call on a drive and the same thing happening with Oweh combined with Ole Miss scoring at will just broke them until halftime. They responded better after getting their feet back under them at half.

If USCjr was a road game I’d be very worried as they had tons of wins on the table there that they squandered. On the road they’ve not been able to really come close very often.

 

[*CatinIL*]

If the CATS lose to SC, I'm contacting the Mothership and getting the hell off this planet.

 

[Smashcat]

If the CATS lose to SC, I'm contacting the Mothership and getting the hell of this planet.

I have several friends who might join you. 🙃

 

[fastpaste101]

If we come to play we should win so.....hard to say.

 

[CrazyCat74]

It mainly because ole miss won so many, and they played more loose and defense was not tense as before, so we "suddenly" outscored them in second half.

We were a different team offensively in the 2nd half, not just points scored. Played faster, cut better, made better decisions, passed the ball cleaner.

For some reason we played selfish and didn't move well in the offensive side that first half.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I'm not. (though I'm sure I'll be told I should be).

I think we will be fine but as bad as they are viewed we better take them serious. That's 4 ranked teams below that didn't exactly destroy them.

FL beat them by 1
AUB 3
AM 4
MissSt 5 in OT
@ Vandy 3

 

[true blue1]

We better not overlook them.

 

[BlueSince92]

I’m not the least bit concerned.

 

[MakinMusic]

Sure. Nothing would surprise me with this team. I’m not sure they have the desire to win. I noticed a lot of tentative play for loose balls etc.

 

[Disappointed Cat]

I'm not. (though I'm sure I'll be told I should be).

You should be. If you recall NO BODY was concerned about losing to Arky in Rupp either. In fact most people were wondering if Pope would hold down the score to avoid embarrassing Cal.

 

[ukfan041]

IF we lose at home to USC, it’s time to full out panic!

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Don’t think enough has been made of the emotional carryover from the Arkansas defeat ralph. Really surprised that’s not getting talked about more. I think being in a bad head space already, then this game starting with Williams getting fouled/no call on a drive and the same thing happening with Oweh combined with Ole Miss scoring at will just broke them until halftime. They responded better after getting their feet back under them at half.

If USCjr was a road game I’d be very worried as they had tons of wins on the table there that they squandered. On the road they’ve not been able to really come close very often.

Everything about this post is dead on. I was really upset about the Arkansas debacle but it was the perfect storm. Then the Ole Miss game set up as ‘perfect storm 2’. This time we should be the team to have the edge in multiple areas. I wouldn’t bet a nickel that we win but I really think we are set up well to win this one.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

You should be. If you recall NO BODY was concerned about losing to Arky in Rupp either. In fact most people were wondering if Pope would hold down the score to avoid embarrassing Cal.

…. and then we lost two of our best players and all of a sudden our hometown hero boy turned on us as well as former players that unexpectedly became Arkansas fans. Throw in the fact that Arkansas hit shots they’d been airballing all year. That was just a Twilight Zone episode where hopefully karma comes back to fix that mess. Hate to use the old cliche but this really is a marathon and not a sprint.

 

[ukfan1622]

I'm afraid to say no; don't want to guarantee a Kentucky loss.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Concerned? No. Do I think it’s a distinct possibility? Yes. They have played many good SEC close and they have to win one at some point.

We need to get someone else involved in handling the ball besides jaxson. Teams figured out he cant handle the heat after they saw him melt in the final minutes of the UT game. Been a disaster since.

 

[ManitouDan]

Cliff notes version - no

TL;DNR version -

We should concern ourselves about HOW we respond.

We should do so with urgency, determination, grit, hustle more, play harder, no taking off and enjoying the scenery when shots go up. Crash the glass and defend like this team is capable but hasn't shown yet this year. We have stud defensive dogs and can get after it. Why have we not seen it but with spurts of consistency?

We play FAST PASTE and are .. maybe ten percent tougher than most everyone else?!?? Give us a coca coler and we will conquer the world ? Or maybe we should just all GOOOOOOOOO... and see where that gets us. Basketball Bennies UNITE! HAHA!

I want to think and believe our team as a whole will come out and push through the continuing difficulties and overcome. I truly feel like the game comes at a crucial point for us, and it's a good time to get them at home. I don't think SC is as bad as everyone says. 90th in the net rankings still means there's what, 250 or so teams worse than them. So they are in our league, and anything can happen. Respect the opponent and prepare accordingly. The SEC has been historically great this year. May not ever see anything like it again. Probably not.

Get behind our team for this home game, BBN. Show them you got their back !

Let's turn things around... starting with South Carolina.

My only regret this year is that I haven't been even MORE supportive and positive for our team. Sure, I've had doubts, and have them. But I won't give in to despair and angst. Nor will I let my faith falter.

I feel in my heart this team has the kind of character that can rise above the difficulties they are faced with and succeed and LEARN TO EMBRACE THE CRAZINESS AND THRIVE IN IT ! I*'ve loved what they've given, and felt pain and sadness when they fell. They chose to come to Kentucky and are learning the difficulties that are unique to playing here.

They have a fine outstanding coach that accepts his mighty responsibility and faces it a true caring, loving, resolute and determined man. An incredible human being leading a team full of leaders. That's what I feel in my heart these young men ALL ARE.

So I am with them every single basket and rebound, every defensive play offensive play, coming into and off of the court, and after the game, standing tall and holding my head high. I listen once again to the coaches and players before and after each game. I don't turn it off if they trail at half. Or late. I don't turn it off and tune out.

Because I love them. They give me strength. I love Kentucky basketball more than any other sport or team - definitely - and almost anything else in my life. I have for over 5 decades now. I am a dedicated, die hard fan that will not give up or quit on them. If you love - truly LOVE - Kentucky basketball, then you feel the same way. I salute you, my faithful BBN friends and family !

We will rise above it all and overcome, as we always have. The haters tears will be so much sweeter when we do ! Think about THAT !

The biggest lesson I **think** I have learned in living my life ?

You never become truly GREAT until you can overcome .... yourself.

Go Big Blue for life !

Great post , I've given up on pro sports , no MLB , NO NFL , dont even give a care to the Super Bowl . and haven't watched the super stupid NBA for 20 years . So all I have is the Cats . Going to Florida to watch UK softball next week . Go Cats

 

[azubuikefan]

We won the 2nd half at Mississippi 53-44. So we had that good half to get some confidence and rhythm back after the Arkansas game.

I have zero concerns vs SC

You sound like David Lee after the 2003 Florida game at Rupp.

 

[CrazyCat74]

You sound like David Lee after the 2003 Florida game at Rupp.

Im sorry, you will have to refresh my memory on what David Lee had to say.

 

[Rockfly78]

People will always say "failure is not an option" or in this case "losing is not an option". But in the words of the great and wise Chael Sonnen, failure is always an option. It's the most readily available option at all times.

Never expect anything from a bunch of college kids you've never met. They will be chasing an orange bouncing ball through a big fancy barn on your television screen. Who the hell knows?