Assuming we beat Oakland, would you rather face TT or NCSU?

[MidseasonTweak]

I think NC State. Yes, they beat UNC and Duke, but they may have some fatigue still from the ACC tourney. Also, they have an offensive tackle that plays. Kentucky runs and guns. We will often be 5 on 4 early into the shot clock because Burns cannot run well. Advantage us.

 

[yes_takeaside]

NCSU

Think the TT coach is a potential Cal replacement

 

[502 Wildcat]

One key stat about Tech that I haven’t seen mentioned yet - they are one of the worst teams in the entire tournament at defending the perimeter.

Something to keep in mind.

 

[blue cincy]

Not going to look past Oakland. I just hope we play our best and continue to move on.

 

[IowaMuse]

Oakland is going to challenge UK in a major way. Saw them live. With how UK plays D and with a couple dynamic shooters/scorers on Oakland, I actually think it’s gonna be a nail biter.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Yes, I expect us to beat Oakland.

NCST. I think the ACC is a joke. Sure, North Carolina is solid. Duke could not beat them in either try. Virginia lost 9 games all by double digits before the ACC Tournament yet was considered a tournament team. The conference is a joke and a mess.

I'd be surprised if any made it to the second weekend. I'm sure 1 will going by odds. However, UVA sucks, Clemson is a paper tiger, Dook is just waiting for Vermont to ass rape them amazingly. Leaving the heels who I think will earn their name.

I'd be shocked if the ACC didn't have 4 teams in the FF. Reverse jinx🤡

 

[TexKat]

NC St is playing with a LOT of heart right now. Not to be underestimated. If the nuke five are hot we got it

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

Definitely NC ST. T Tech has been inconsistent this yearbut,like us when they are on they are very good

 

[Stretch98]

Oakland is going to challenge UK in a major way. Saw them live. With how UK plays D and with a couple dynamic shooters/scorers on Oakland, I actually think it’s gonna be a nail biter.

 

[bluefaithful]

We have not beat Oakland and may never play the 2nd game, Ever. There is an 11% chance we lose now that chance has gone up because of this jinx. Thanks

 

[The_Answer1313]

lol I'm not playing this game. One team is obviously better than the other but I've seen it happen all too often we wish for a team, get them, then lose lol.

 

[Not2Shabby]

As long as Rob and Sheppard come off the bench, we aren't going anywhere this postseason. We might win the first 1-2 games but that's it. Cal is determined to make sure he plays his favorites and damn the consequences. He knows he won't get fired for it, so to hell with the results.

 

[Stretch98]

Oakland is going to challenge UK in a major way. Saw them live. With how UK plays D and with a couple dynamic shooters/scorers on Oakland, I actually think it’s gonna be a nail biter.

Kentucky is #3 in the nation in blocked shots per game at 6.3. They might block 20 against Oakland. Townsend plays below the rim and he will have his hands full with Thiero and Edwards. Ugo and Z will be assigned to Conway and they will smother him with length. At the perimeter, Gohlke and Lampman are no threat to beat our guards one on one and with no penetration, there will be no tendency for our defenders to leave their shooters to provide help. UK by 20+.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Not seen nc state much but if we show up we should be able to handle them solidly.

Their 4 guy is like a Thiero on steroids. Their lead guard is very good at scoring from anywhere. Their 5 is 472lbs, no way of really guarding him down low. But he is a liability on defense. Their coach is very good. To take the type of players they have and do what he has done, you know he gets the most out of what he has got.

 

[storm1507]

If we have any hope of winning 6 in a row it really shouldn't matter who we play the first 3 games. Win 3, have our A+ team for the next 3, and good matchups those last 3 is the only way to #9.

 

[Dore95]

Grant McCasland is a much better coach than Kevin Keats. So this is a no brainer - NC St all day.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

I think we’ll be playing State, and they’re a bad matchup for us. Burns and Diarra (sp?) will kill us inside, and Horn will go off for 35 against our guards. Plus, my oldest daughter goes there, and I’ll never hear the end of it (my youngest daughter is committed to UNCW, so I’m already taking a beating this year.

 

[Tony Perkis]

If we beat Oakland, I would have to lean towards NC State. Prior to the last week, it wouldn't even be up for debate.

 

[catsfanbgky]

NCSU

Think the TT coach is a potential Cal replacement

Replace him for what ? It sure as hell will ne be as UK coach. Well, unless he is willing to wait a few more years. CAL IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE .

 

[Chief Paducah]

Just thinking from a Vegas odd's perspective, we will probably be favored over TT by 2/2.5 and favored over NC State by 4/5. Neither will be an easy game. The guys will have to lace them up the rest of the year or we are going to be in offseason mode pretty soon. I have said on here several times, it is these middling teams that worry me worse than the higher seeds. We seem to get up for bigger named teams than we do for teams we expect to beat before we arrive at the arena.

 

[catsfanbgky]

Little preview of The Mighty Oakland team. 23-11 (15-5 in the gauntlet Horizon league) #126 Net
Top players:
Trey Townsend (6'6 F) - 36 MPG. 17 pts. / 7.8 reb. 45% FG (only 9/26 from 3)
Blake Campman (6'3 G) - 35 MPG. 13 pts. / 3 reb. 38% FG / 37% 3FG (83/225)
Jack Gohlke (6'3 G) - 31 MPG. 12 pts. 4 reb. 37% FG / 37% 3FG (121/327) Most on team
Chris Conway (6'9 F) - 26 MPG. 10 pts. / 4reb. 37% FG / 2/12 3FG (16%)
DQ Cole (6'3 G) 22 MPG. 9 pts. / 4 reb. 48% FG / 35% 3FG (43/122)

The 3 starters averaging over 30 mpg is very big issue, especially Townsend and Campman. Lot of minutes.

Average 14.5 assist per game / 11.2 turnovers. UK - 17.6 Assist / 10.7 to's.
6.7 steals per game UK 7.7
2.8 blocks per game UK 6.3

Team shooting ; Oakland 45% 2FG / 35% 3FG UK 49.7 2FG / 41.2% 3FG
Free throw shooting - Oakland 75.8 % UK 77%

I just do not see them being that big of a threat everyone is making them out to be. Sure any team can have a great shooting night, but more likely UK does, there numbers indicate it. Not to mention, 3 key players playing over 30 minutes per game. Foul trouble would decimate this team, UK, not so much, next man up.

If is not so much Oakland being a good scoring team, how do they stop UK, a BETTER scoring team, and done so against much better teams. Sure scoring 80 against an Horizon team is good, can they against a UT ? Everything would have to be a perfect storm. Which if that happens any team can beat another. Odds say it wont.

UK by 18.

 

[247CATS]

NC State big man committed to Tennessee out of HS I believe and was a 4 or 5 star recruit. He’s listed at 280 but I’d like to see the scale.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Little preview of The Mighty Oakland team. 23-11 (15-5 in the gauntlet Horizon league) #126 Net
Top players:
Trey Townsend (6'6 F) - 36 MPG. 17 pts. / 7.8 reb. 45% FG (only 9/26 from 3)
Blake Campman (6'3 G) - 35 MPG. 13 pts. / 3 reb. 38% FG / 37% 3FG (83/225)
Jack Gohlke (6'3 G) - 31 MPG. 12 pts. 4 reb. 37% FG / 37% 3FG (121/327) Most on team
Chris Conway (6'9 F) - 26 MPG. 10 pts. / 4reb. 37% FG / 2/12 3FG (16%)
DQ Cole (6'3 G) 22 MPG. 9 pts. / 4 reb. 48% FG / 35% 3FG (43/122)

The 3 starters averaging over 30 mpg is very big issue, especially Townsend and Campman. Lot of minutes.

Average 14.5 assist per game / 11.2 turnovers. UK - 17.6 Assist / 10.7 to's.
6.7 steals per game UK 7.7
2.8 blocks per game UK 6.3

Team shooting ; Oakland 45% 2FG / 35% 3FG UK 49.7 2FG / 41.2% 3FG
Free throw shooting - Oakland 75.8 % UK 77%

I just do not see them being that big of a threat everyone is making them out to be. Sure any team can have a great shooting night, but more likely UK does, there numbers indicate it. Not to mention, 3 key players playing over 30 minutes per game. Foul trouble would decimate this team, UK, not so much, next man up.

If is not so much Oakland being a good scoring team, how do they stop UK, a BETTER scoring team, and done so against much better teams. Sure scoring 80 against an Horizon team is good, can they against a UT ? Everything would have to be a perfect storm. Which if that happens any team can beat another. Odds say it wont.

UK by 18.

They're small too, we should have little problem rebounding in theory. No second chance points - that's how we can extend a lead and really put some pressure on them.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I know nothing about either team. NC state was lucky to get in so if we play them they are a hot team. Then again, one can argue they are due for a loss.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

NC State big man committed to Tennessee out of HS I believe and was a 4 or 5 star recruit. He’s listed at 280 but I’d like to see the scale.

I guessed 472. But, he is talented on offense.

 

[HenryMuto]

Never assume you know the saying. We can never assume we ever beat any team ever again in any game ever.

 

[darkshadesofblue]

NC State would’ve been a fun matchup, instead we’re sitting at home getting ready for one of the greatest nights in UK basketball, yet again.

 

[CatPhight]

 

[pinecreek]

Oakland does sound terrible. NC State board should get to read this.

 

[NociHTTP]

This thread aged like fine wine.

 

[HenryMuto]

If Brown had not blown their game to Yale then we would not have had to play Oakland. Oakland was the highest ranked #14 seed by the committee. If Brown had beat Yale it would have slotted Oakland into the #13 seed and we would have played another #14 seed.

Damn you Brown!

 

[Catswin9]

Really? Who in the heck cares at this point?

The most important question is: when will Cal be removed?

 

[The_Answer1313]

It shouldn't matter.
UK should be able to handle 14 seeds.

Upsets happen. But this is ridiculous