Anyone remember the juggernaut 1996 team?

[hoodro]

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

I agree. He has too much promise and potential to be given up on; especially, this early in the season. One thing is for sure, once it clicks the sky is the limit. I just hope it clicks during his time at UK before it's too late.

 

[DCFseattle]

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

The point isn't to compare the teams directly. Just to point out that even the best of the best had a slow start and that this year will be fine. Its a good point, considering the nonsense some people are saying about this team.

And if we're honest, i think Cal has earned the benefit of the doubt in regards to getting his guys dialed in.

 

[Primedfor9]

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

On second thought...hold your breath.

Reading comprehension isn't your friend. It must be hard for some of you to remember how to breathe.

 

[Xception]

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

You still don't get it if you think it wasn't a good point .

 

[Xception]

The point isn't to compare the teams directly. Just to point out that even the best of the best had a slow start and that this year will be fine. Its a good point, considering the nonsense some people are saying about this team.

And if we're honest, i think Cal has earned the benefit of the doubt in regards to getting his guys dialed in.

This is getting the point

 

[UKWildcats#8]

This is getting the point

Yeah, I thought it was pretty obvious to intelligent UK fans what the OP was saying. He is simply saying that all teams have some clunkers, even the all time greats.

And yes, I'd go 1. 96 and 2. 2012 in all time best UK teams. 2012 had the best player, but 96 was the best team. It would not be a blowout though as some have suggested. That is just idiotic. The 96 team almost lost to a much less talented Cal UMASS team in the Final Four (and lost to them in the regular season), so I think Cal with his best UK team could stay closer than 15 as some have said.

 

[Mojocat]

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

Might be a "superior team", but head to head I take the '12 team. No one on the '96 team is in the conversation with AD, and the '12 team has Cal, while '96 has Rick.

 

[CastleRubric]

not sure who to historically compare this team to -- maybe one of the early 80's teams from Coach Hall --- they were top ten for most of the season but bowed out early in the NCAA's 2 years running even though the UK team's were pretty talented,,,,,,I think the chemistry and intangibles just were there with those guys -- and I think this team could be similar even though the personnel don't quite compare

For example
Drek Minnifield - Tyler Ulis : although their physical stature and build is very different - the outcomes may not be

Dirk's best post season was an elite 8 but he was on 2 teams (80-81 and 81-82 I believe) that were good teams that dropped in round 1 of the NCAA's

I this team team will be more like a S16 team though

Then again - some of those close shots could start falling and suddenly things look a lot different -- who knows?

 

[Mojocat]

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.

I thought you said in a recent post you're 28? Whatever. I was 28 years old that season, so I very well "understand" the game back then vs now. Over time, that '96 team has taken on a mythic quality. I think they beat the '72 Lakers and the '96 Bulls. It's almost like Cal didn't beat that very team with Marcus Camby and 5 guys from the YMCA. Beat Rick the first time, and came very close the second time. 2012 UK is hands down better than '96 UMASS. The '96 Cats had no one like AD, no one even close to him. And it's Cal vs Rick, so you know where the advantage is there.

'96 had a more impressive season than '12, so you can argue it was better in some absolute sense. Head to head, I'm taking AD and Cal.

BTW, Sagarin says UNC is going to beat Texas yesterday, and also says UofL should be a 9 point favorite over UK on a neutral court. I'm sure he's a nice guy.

 

[brianpoe]

not sure who to historically compare this team to -- maybe one of the early 80's teams from Coach Hall --- they were top ten for most of the season but bowed out early in the NCAA's 2 years running even though the UK team's were pretty talented,,,,,,I think the chemistry and intangibles just were there with those guys -- and I think this team could be similar even though the personnel don't quite compare

For example
Drek Minnifield - Tyler Ulis : although their physical stature and build is very different - the outcomes may not be

Dirk's best post season was an elite 8 but he was on 2 teams (80-81 and 81-82 I believe) that were good teams that dropped in round 1 of the NCAA's

I this team team will be more like a S16 team though

Then again - some of those close shots could start falling and suddenly things look a lot different -- who knows?

"although their physical stature and build is very different"

Tyler couldn't do this off a ladder....

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

This team has enough talent to win it all, but I don't think we have a real shot unless Skal turns it around. Given that I think it's mostly mental and just learning the game at this level, I am hopeful he can do it. I know he has the shot-making part already. But if he doesn't, I don't see any way we can do it.

 

[Bkocats]

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.

and if things happen as we hope - it'll be an amazing ride.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

If the '12 team was allowed to stay together for another year or 2 then I would give it up to the '12 team but they were mostly young guys with little experience.
The college game is nothing like it used to be, back when you had guys like Jordan or Shaq staying for 3 seasons in school. Today they are one and done. Today the game is void of experienced NBA talent on the court, they leave after a year and back then you more than likely sat on the bench. Ron Mercer was the #2 player in the nation and he come off the bench for the '96 team today he would be the focal point as a freshmen.

Talent is one thing but experienced talent is another.
I also have every game the '96 team played on tape and they were much better. They blew opponents out by 30-40 and then Pitino would put in the cigars with like 4-5 min left against the other teams starters and they would cut the lead back.

I also posted this exact same thing last season during our run. College ball is just so weak compared to what it used to be. I'd love to have the '12 squad together with Jones being a senior and Davis a junior, MKG a junior etc. That is the way college ball used to be like. It wasn't just one or 2 teams that had talent it was many teams.

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.