Big Game Saturday @ A&M..........

[blueblood65]

I hope Willis is ok along with Lee. I also hope they're not too exhausted after playing last night and have to turn right around and play Saturday. I know they do it in the Tournament(Thursday/Saturday,Friday/Sunday) but the difference is they stay in the same arena and no travel. I know they can beat A&M but it'll be tougher than SC....GO CATS!!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I think Cal loves it. I think I can learn to love it from a pragmatic end.

UK won't hurt their seeding with a loss if Lee and AP don't play. So from a pragmatic level, getting Humphries and Skal some moments that might put hair on their chest becomes the emphasis. If those two can go down to Texas and have a few stretches where they play decent basketball, it will only help their self-assurance, which is a good thing heading into March for a team that desperately needs frontcourt confidence.

Ideally, we'd all love for AP and Lee to be available, and for an extra three days to get Willis fully healthy; but long-term, having those guys out might be the biggest blessing in disguise when it comes to the advancement of Skal and Humphries (and the whole team for that matter).

 

[blueblood65]

I think Cal loves it. I think I can learn to love it from a pragmatic end.

UK won't hurt their seeding with a loss if Lee and AP don't play. So from a pragmatic level, getting Humphries and Skal some moments that might put hair on their chest becomes the emphasis. If those two can go down to Texas and have a few stretches where they play decent basketball, it will only help their self-assurance, which is a good thing heading into March for a team that desperately needs frontcourt confidence.

Ideally, we'd all love for AP and Lee to be available, and for an extra three days to get Willis fully healthy; but long-term, having those guys out might be the biggest blessing in disguise when it comes to the advancement of Skal and Humphries (and the whole team for that matter).

I agree with everything you said. I just hope their all at 100% for March because this team can make a serious run at #9......GO CATS!!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I agree with everything you said. I just hope their all at 100% for March because this team can make a serious run at #9......GO CATS!!

Agreed. The sky's the limit for this team if they get on a roll with a nice stretch of decent health.

 

[pascat]

I've always liked Kentucky's chances in games where the other team simply must win and this is one of those games. All pressure will be on the Aggies and UK doesn't need to win to be okay. Even though this sounds like the dynamics of the contest would favor TAMU, I like these kinds of games. Seems to bring out good things in Kentucky, IF they are up for the challenge. Expect A & M to play their hardest game of the season, even though the last few games suggest they won't necessarily be at their best. They 100% will find a way to make it a contest, as they are now a desperate team.

Also, expect Cal to step out of character and sandbag a bit. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he approaches Willis with an offer to rest, almost as a test to see if Willis accepts it or refuses it. Regardless, I think that the atmosphere will be terrific and that the UK players who do play will have no choice but to get up for it.

 

[BBUK]

I've always liked Kentucky's chances in games where the other team simply must win and this is one of those games. All pressure will be on the Aggies and UK doesn't need to win to be okay. Even though this sounds like the dynamics of the contest would favor TAMU, I like these kinds of games. Seems to bring out good things in Kentucky, IF they are up for the challenge. Expect A & M to play their hardest game of the season, even though the last few games suggest they won't necessarily be at their best. They 100% will find a way to make it a contest, as they are now a desperate team.

Also, expect Cal to step out of character and sandbag a bit. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he approaches Willis with an offer to rest, almost as a test to see if Willis accepts it or refuses it. Regardless, I think that the atmosphere will be terrific and that the UK players who do play will have no choice but to get up for it.

Ahhh could be....who knows....a reasonable take. Be Good

 

[Riverslynn010]

Question ... Say we lose Saturday ( probably won't ) and only win our remaining home games but win the SEC tourney, do we still get a 3-4 seed?

 

[jesusfan]

We can still lose Sat, and get a 2 imo. We'd have to win out though. Lose Saturday, and drop another one, and you're looking at a 3-4.

 

[ulismyman]

Deck stacked against us tonorrow but we have Ulis and Murray and they cure a lot what ails ya

 

[westerncat]

I like our chances at A&M tomorrow. UK is playing very good basketball right now.

 

[Aike]

Not only do we fly to Texas, short-handed, for a tough game on one day's rest, but we then fly back to Lexington for a Tuesday night game vs. a suddenly strong Alabama team.

If we get through these next two unscathed, we deserve a medal. Alabama at home next Tuesday has the makings of a classic trap/letdown game.

 

[EnglandWildcat]

Not only do we fly to Texas, short-handed, for a tough game on one day's rest, but we then fly back to Lexington for a Tuesday night game vs. a suddenly strong Alabama team.

If we get through these next two unscathed, we deserve a medal. Alabama at home next Tuesday has the makings of a classic trap/letdown game.

Thankfully we get them at home, and at least A&M doesn't have the cache that a big non-conference matchup would. I mean to say that I don't think there will be too much of a letdown. We might be exhausted, but that's a different story.

Good prep for the Thursday/Saturday or Friday/Sunday turnarounds in the tourney, I guess.

 

[ganner918]

Not only do we fly to Texas, short-handed, for a tough game on one day's rest, but we then fly back to Lexington for a Tuesday night game vs. a suddenly strong Alabama team.

If we get through these next two unscathed, we deserve a medal. Alabama at home next Tuesday has the makings of a classic trap/letdown game.

We don't lost at home.

 

[Aike]

Thankfully we get them at home, and at least A&M doesn't have the cache that a big non-conference matchup would. I mean to say that I don't think there will be too much of a letdown. We might be exhausted, but that's a different story.

Good prep for the Thursday/Saturday or Friday/Sunday turnarounds in the tourney, I guess.

It's a lot different though. In the tourney you fly in a few days early. You play then sleep, eat, and shoot jumpers for 48 hours.

This will be a tough stretch. Weekends like this are where those Auburn and UT losses hurt.

 

[EnglandWildcat]

It's a lot different though. In the tourney you fly in a few days early. You play then sleep, eat, and shoot jumpers for 48 hours.

This will be a tough stretch. Weekends like this are where those Auburn and UT losses hurt.

Absolutely. I'm just saying I don't think Bama will be a 'letdown' game. But we definitely can't afford anymore players getting banged up, that's for sure.

As for the tourney, obviously it's different, but it's a quick turnaround like these next two games. What doesn't kill you (or seriously maim you…) makes you stronger, I suppose.

 

[Aike]

Absolutely. I'm just saying I don't think Bama will be a 'letdown' game. But we definitely can't afford anymore players getting banged up, that's for sure.

As for the tourney, obviously it's different, but it's a quick turnaround like these next two games. What doesn't kill you (or seriously maim you…) makes you stronger, I suppose.

Here's where I'm coming from...

Go on the road to play an emotionally charged game short-handed.

Say we win or narrowly lose. Then a quick turnaround to come back home (where we always win) and play a good team (that we already beat easily once).

Easy to come out flat in a game like that.

Obviously I'm projecting quite a bit here. Let's take care of business tomorrow first.

 

[EnglandWildcat]

Here's where I'm coming from...

Go on the road to play an emotionally charged game short-handed.

Say we win or narrowly lose. Then a quick turnaround to come back home (where we always win) and play a good team (that we already beat easily once).

Easy to come out flat in a game like that.

Obviously I'm projecting quite a bit here. Let's take care of business tomorrow first.

Maybe so. But yes, let's take care of business tomorrow. Even though A&M has been on a slide, it would be a good win for us on the road. We can worry about Bama after that. Thankfully we get them at Rupp.

 

[jboler]

Has anyone heard an update on Alex?

 

[AGEE11]

I think the injuries make this a "nothing to lose" game for the Cats. If we are missing 2 sarters in Lee and AP, plus a hurt or not playing Willis, then the committee will basically not look at this game if we lose. If we win, on the other hand, it is a huge plus for us.

That said, their guards struggle turning the ball over and our backcourt is the best in the nation. Offense and defense. That nonsense about OU last night was just that, nonsense. I think we turn their guards over, gt a big win, keep rolling and are the #3 team coming in to the tournament with a #1 seed.

 

[CharlieT71059]

We should beat A&M by 6

 

[caneintally]

Stop House and beat A&M as House is a beast!

 

[blueblood65]

You all make excellent points. I will add that the difference between last night and tomorrow is that in the Tournament you don't have to travel on a Thursday/Saturday-Friday/Sunday . I'm really looking forward to tomorrow to see how UK responds after last night,the injuries,Gameday,etc. Should be a fun game..GO CATS!

 

[miller0926]

Writing this as I camp out for Gameday. The Thursday-Saturday turnaround is most likely a contributor to our one hone loss to SC. Y'all are in a kinda similar situation we were in 2 weeks ago: South Carolina played on a Tuesday and had the rest of the week to prepare for a huge game against us, and meanwhile we were playing @Vandy on aThursday night. Fast forward to this week, we played at home on Tuesday against an uninspired Ole Miss team and y'all had to wait til Thursday to play. Now y'all have one day to prepare for us while we had 3 and this game has become huge considering our recent slide.

 

[TexKat]

Welcome to the great state of Texas. Tomorrow is a brand new day! Cats will prevail Going to ruin another white out!

 

[JerseyCat84]

Writing this as I camp out for Gameday. The Thursday-Saturday turnaround is most likely a contributor to our one hone loss to SC. Y'all are in a kinda similar situation we were in 2 weeks ago: South Carolina played on a Tuesday and had the rest of the week to prepare for a huge game against us, and meanwhile we were playing @Vandy on aThursday night. Fast forward to this week, we played at home on Tuesday against an uninspired Ole Miss team and y'all had to wait til Thursday to play. Now y'all have one day to prepare for us while we had 3 and this game has become huge considering our recent slide.

How do you explain the 3 losses around the loss to SC?

Could've been the quick turnaround or just another game in the middle of a losing streak.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

In the tourney both teams play with one day in between. Not the case here. Will be on hand and expect Cats to win at the buzzer.

 

[Gary4UK]

I hope Willis is ok along with Lee. I also hope they're not too exhausted after playing last night and have to turn right around and play Saturday. I know they do it in the Tournament(Thursday/Saturday,Friday/Sunday) but the difference is they stay in the same arena and no travel. I know they can beat A&M but it'll be tougher than SC....GO CATS!!

They practice like that almost every day... These are kids, they'll be fine.... My goodness, the NBA plays how many games a week, and they're old men..... The worn out legs are a coaches excuse....