Anyone remember the juggernaut 1996 team?

[83Cat]

They were the best of the best, right? Lost to UMass in the second game (UMASS was #5), barely beat IU in the next game by 7, the next game WISC-GREENBAY we all were up in arms because it was close and ended 74-62, a couple of games later, our defense was questioned when we let MARSHALL score 99 points on us! 99!!! We beat them 118-99. We had a couple of other fairly close ones but for the most part waltzed through the SEC, but we let several teams score over 80 on us. BUT we lost the SEC tournament by 11 to MISS State. We went on to win the National Championship by 9 over Syracuse (who could forget?). My point is, not every year is going to be a team that blow every one out game after game. Take a win. Take improvement and player development and shoot for March Madness! That's all I can do to stay sane.

 

[kyboy1998]

Dont hold your breath if you think you are seeing the early stages of 96 with this group.

On second thought...hold your breath.

 

[JerseyCat84]

Insane comparison.

 

[STL_Cat]

Yeah ... no. Just no.

 

[Tampa_cat54]

I don't think he is saying this team will be anywhere near as good as 96.

Maybe I missed it, but I never saw him say that.

His point was that even the greatest teams of all time have nights like tonight.

Our team last season sure did

 

[Big Cat fan]

The best of the best is the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats.

 

[BigKari]

I got your point OP and it is a good point. I was frustrated with the defense tonight, the rim protection, or lack thereof, is not what I'm used to. However, we defended the perimeter pretty well and EKU is a good scoring team and decent squad overall. This team has a ways to go, but if Murray and Skal can improve and continue improving throughout the year, we can put it all together and do something special.

 

[kyjeff1]

96? Why the heck would anyone remember that team? What the heck did they ever accomplish?

 

[brianpoe]

This isn't just one bad game.

We have looked sharp one game.

This team has obvious flaws, there is no Walker in the post to get a for sure basket and there certainly is no DA or Mercer on the wings.

Not to mention a Delk from 3.

Even during poor games in 96 we knew what we had.

We cannot be sure at this point as to how this squad will turn out.

We have Cal and we have individual talent, it will be an interesting ride.

 

[JerseyCat84]

This isn't just one bad game.

We have looked sharp one game.

This team has obvious flaws, there is no Walker in the post to get a for sure basket and there certainly is no DA or Mercer on the wings.

Not to mention a Delk from 3.

Even during poor games in 96 we knew what we had.

We cannot be sure at this point as to how this squad will turn out.

We have Cal and we have individual talent, it will be an interesting ride.

Not to mention that UMass team was better than any team in this year's field.

 

[fabcat]

I remember the 96 team won road games by an average of 34 points a game...and home games by an average of 25 points a game. Outside of that not much other than winning the NC, and being one of the most dominate UK teams I've ever seen.

 

[brianpoe]

Not to mention that UMass team was better than any team in this year's field.

I wish Skal could get possessed with some 96 Marcus Camby...

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

They were the best of the best, right? Lost to UMass in the second game (UMASS was #5), barely beat IU in the next game by 7, the next game WISC-GREENBAY we all were up in arms because it was close and ended 74-62, a couple of games later, our defense was questioned when we let MARSHALL score 99 points on us! 99!!! We beat them 118-99. We had a couple of other fairly close ones but for the most part waltzed through the SEC, but we let several teams score over 80 on us. BUT we lost the SEC tournament by 11 to MISS State. We went on to win the National Championship by 9 over Syracuse (who could forget?). My point is, not every year is going to be a team that blow every one out game after game. Take a win. Take improvement and player development and shoot for March Madness! That's all I can do to stay sane.

You failed too mention that our early season struggles was due to Delk running the point. Epps took over and Delk moved to shooting guard and then the team clicked.

Lost 2 games that year both those games we played horribly and still was close and both those teams were FF teams. Pitino did not play Walker in the 2nd half against Miss St and that game was a very close game.

That '96 team would beat this team by 30-40 unless Cal makes some adjustments.

College ball back then was very strong and had senior talent on most teams not like it is today. That '96 team would beat last years team by 20

 

[marshalfan]

This team is no where near the 96 team. We had good post play by several players. Pope, McCarty, Walker. Great Guard play with Delk and a very steady Epps with Turner and Sheppard of the bench. Incredible wing play. Don't even try to go their

 

[sound defect]

College ball back then was very strong and had senior talent on most teams not like it is today. That '96 team would beat last years team by 20

No way last year loses by 20, you already forgot how good they were. If they went all the way everyone would be saying that team was the greatest of all time. Our defense was insane last year, it really was one of the all time best.

 

[mj2k10]

They were the best of the best, right? Lost to UMass in the second game (UMASS was #5), barely beat IU in the next game by 7, the next game WISC-GREENBAY we all were up in arms because it was close and ended 74-62, a couple of games later, our defense was questioned when we let MARSHALL score 99 points on us! 99!!! We beat them 118-99. We had a couple of other fairly close ones but for the most part waltzed through the SEC, but we let several teams score over 80 on us. BUT we lost the SEC tournament by 11 to MISS State. We went on to win the National Championship by 9 over Syracuse (who could forget?). My point is, not every year is going to be a team that blow every one out game after game. Take a win. Take improvement and player development and shoot for March Madness! That's all I can do to stay sane.

The 96 team did start slow, but using points allowed ain't the way to show that. That team played at a pace way, way beyond anything you'll see today. Yeah, they gave up 99 to Marshall, but that was a game where they led 70-49 at halftime (and, if memory serves, stretched that lead way out early in the 2nd half).

The turnaround for that team, coincidentally enough, happened on 12/9/96. That was a nationally televised Saturday night game against Georgia Tech, which had Stephon Marbury. UK played a sluggish 1st half, and trailed 41-38. They blew Tech's doors off in the 2nd half (45-19), and it was off to the races for the rest of the regular season, with an almost endless succession of blowouts.

 

[brianpoe]

You failed too mention that our early season struggles was due to Delk running the point. Epps took over and Delk moved to shooting guard and then the team clicked.

Lost 2 games that year both those games we played horribly and still was close and both those teams were FF teams. Pitino did not play Walker in the 2nd half against Miss St and that game was a very close game.

That '96 team would beat this team by 30-40 unless Cal makes some adjustments.

College ball back then was very strong and had senior talent on most teams not like it is today. That '96 team would beat last years team by 20

Not sure of any adjustments Cal could make against that team with this one currently.

Only positive I see would be our 3 guards vs the press.

But that game would get ugly.

Walker would give lessons to Poy Skal and Lee.

We complain about our guards letting EKU wings drive by...can you imagine DA and Mercer?

Not to mention Walter in the corner and Pope re-enacting the UCLA white kid's shooting, except from 3....

And Tony too..?

I shudder to think about our boys versus that squad.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

I am not comforted that the 96 team had some early season issues. They also had WAY MORE NBA talent than this team and it was experienced

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

Skal and poythress as the 4's with lee and Humphries the 5's. Let Skal shoot and stretch the floor. And lee is stronger with the ball, I trust him down low more

 

[brianpoe]

Skal and poythress as the 4's with lee and Humphries the 5's. Let Skal shoot and stretch the floor. And lee is stronger with the ball, I trust him down low more

Except that Lee has no post up game.

 

[GOING FOR #9]

Duke tore it up offensively last year and dialed in the defense later in year. They dropped some early games and came out champs.

 

[83Cat]

You failed too mention that our early season struggles was due to Delk running the point. Epps took over and Delk moved to shooting guard and then the team clicked.

Lost 2 games that year both those games we played horribly and still was close and both those teams were FF teams. Pitino did not play Walker in the 2nd half against Miss St and that game was a very close game.

That '96 team would beat this team by 30-40 unless Cal makes some adjustments.

College ball back then was very strong and had senior talent on most teams not like it is today. That '96 team would beat last years team by 20

My point was that even the best of years had bad games, adjustments to be made, players to develop...let's not panic and let's hope we stay healthy.

 

[bbsanders]

I remember the 96 team won road games by an average of 34 points a game...and home games by an average of 25 points a game. Outside of that not much other than winning the NC, and being one of the most dominate UK teams I've ever seen.

I can hear Robert Goulet now.

 

[jrpross]

I wish Skal could get possessed with some 96 Marcus Camby...

Hell, even a '96 Walter McCarty I would be tickled with.

 

[catrecruit]

The best of the best is the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats.

1996 team had 7 pros....2012 had 6

 

[blubo]

96? Why the heck would anyone remember that team? What the heck did they ever accomplish?

did anybody from that team go pro?

 

[weused2luvhim2]

The best of the best is the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats.

Umm no, 96 was was the superior team and its not really close.

 

[KyFaninNC]

Duke tore it up offensively last year and dialed in the defense later in year. They dropped some early games and came out champs.

Prediction?

 

[KyFaninNC]

Umm no, 96 was was the superior team and its not really close.

96 team would beat the 12 team by 15.

 

[.S&C.]

1996 team had 7 pros....2012 had 6

2012 would lose to 1996 7 out of 10 IMO. Younger People just don't understand the competition level back then, and the power of that team.

Oh and last time I checked, sagarin rates 1996 the best team of all time. Not UK, the NCAA.

 

[gossie21]

Not to mention that UMass team was better than any team in this year's field.

They were certainly well coached.

 

[.S&C.]

Hell, even a '96 Walter McCarty I would be tickled with.

In his dreams.

Not bashing, but he's nowhere near a Walter McCarty.

 

[.S&C.]

The best of the best is the 2012 Kentucky Wildcats.

Try again.

 

[brianpoe]

In his dreams.

Not bashing, but he's nowhere near a Walter McCarty.

Of course Rick didn't attempt to force Walt to stay on the block...then again Cal doesn't have an Antoine Walker either.

If Lee or Poy had any kind of back to the basket game it would be much easier to pull Skal outside a bit.

 

[.S&C.]

Of course Rick didn't attempt to force Walt to stay on the block...then again Cal doesn't have an Antoine Walker either.

If Lee or Poy had any kind of back to the basket game it would be much easier to pull Skal outside a bit.

Yea but Skal is no Walter McCarty. Like, at all.


Yet.


Hopefully it changes.

 

[Xception]

 

[KyFaninNC]

I get the point, but it was not good point.

 

[brianpoe]

Yea but Skal is no Walter McCarty. Like, at all.


Yet.


Hopefully it changes.

I dont think he was saying that he is, he responded to me wanting Skal to channel Camby and he said he would be happy if he was just McCarty (very good but not Camby good).

 

[hoodro]

Of course Rick didn't attempt to force Walt to stay on the block...then again Cal doesn't have an Antoine Walker either.

If Lee or Poy had any kind of back to the basket game it would be much easier to pull Skal outside a bit.

Not that it matters, but Cal tried this yesterday in an attempt to do something different and get Skal going. There were several plays ran for him in the 2nd half that were away from the basket.

The idea was to get Skal to face up and make a move towards the basket or to shoot the elbow jumper. He refused to make a move or shoot the ball and instead passed it off.

 

[brianpoe]

Not that it matters, but Cal tried this yesterday in an attempt to do something different and get Skal going. There were several plays ran for him in the 2nd half that were away from the basket.

The idea was to get Skal to face up and make a move towards the basket or to shoot the elbow jumper. He refused to make a move or shoot the ball and instead passed it off.

I saw that too, he didnt even look at the basket when Cal had him on the elbow. Kid has to come around mentally.