Boysssss it’s gonna be a long season…

[Montana81]

We have more combined tourney wins and experience on the roster than like the last 4 seasons combined. (that might be a slight exaggeration. But it’s close)

Again, some of these D2 teams…for a single game are capable of challenging good D1 teams.

Exhibit A: https://goduke.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2019-20/northwest-missouri-state/boxscore/11008

In cameron. Don’t underestimate them.

 

[Basscat1987]

Sheeweee this is an easy bunch to get fired up 🤯. Please everyone come back and tell me I wasn’t completely wrong when top tier teams score at will against us. And I’ll do the same if teams don’t. The difference between last years defense and now is last years team actually COULD play lock down D if they wanted but chose offense over defense most nights. I’m just saying I don’t see this team being able to be a lock down defense. I could see a Zone being our best option against a lot of teams in the sec

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Sheeweee this is an easy bunch to get fired up 🤯. Please everyone come back and tell me I wasn’t completely wrong when top tier teams score at will against us. And I’ll do the same if teams don’t. The difference between last years defense and now is last years team actually COULD play lock down D if they wanted but chose offense over defense most nights. I’m just saying I don’t see this team being able to be a lock down defense. I could see a Zone being our best option against a lot of teams in the sec

Williams, Oweh and Butler are all lock down defenders. No team is going to have much more than 3.
And dont think for a sec all three were going full tilt on D in ex games.

 

[gharding07]

I'd rather not lose anymore 1st or 2nd round games..so I'm willing to ride with whatever Pope or whomever he brings in. Flashy and high octane athletes hasn't gotten it done the last 4 years.

 

[Rockfly78]

You’re not wrong but Alabama is not good on defense at all. They never are. And it hasn’t stopped them from winning the SEC 3 of the last 4 years and making a final four

Defense in college basketball is overrated if you can run an elite offense. We should have been great last year with how much offensive talent we had even with how bad our defense was. The problem was obviously lack of offensive sets and horribly head scratching lineups.

The goal isn’t to win the sec.

 

[Bluesbrother]

I agree with the OP regarding the SEC pounding our bigs down low and being more athletic. But, what he doesn’t take into consideration is that we have a Coach that has played and knows how to play as a big. And I have a feeling that he will play zone and trap some to disrupt the other team. We have found a diamond in the rough in Pope. IMO

I have to agree with you about Pope. The idea of having a coach that will coach the players is exciting to me ... after dealing with Calipari's deceit and abuse.

 

[jr40831]

I can see Kentucky at times able to beat the #1 team by 20 or lose to anybody depending how hot/cold they are from three.

 

[crxohio]

OP your just trigger happy. Is all that we are saying here. Give it time, if u end up being right. You end up right. But how did Oakland loose the very next game? They played a team that played defense. That's how. Nc state. Oakland 1, Sec 0. Oakland also lost to every team that played defense last year.

 

[bbncal02]

I agree with the OP regarding the SEC pounding our bigs down low and being more athletic. But, what he doesn’t take into consideration is that we have a Coach that has played and knows how to play as a big. And I have a feeling that he will play zone and trap some to disrupt the other team. We have found a diamond in the rough in Pope. IMO

People forget how very effective zone can be in college ball. Now in the pros, it's hardly ever used because of the ability to shoot well from beyond the arc and the talent of players. You HAVE to play m2m in the pros

 

[RunninRichie]

Carr’s defense is going to be an issue.

 

[SkyPrince1]

Sheeweee this is an easy bunch to get fired up 🤯. Please everyone come back and tell me I wasn’t completely wrong when top tier teams score at will against us. And I’ll do the same if teams don’t. The difference between last years defense and now is last years team actually COULD play lock down D if they wanted but chose offense over defense most nights. I’m just saying I don’t see this team being able to be a lock down defense. I could see a Zone being our best option against a lot of teams in the sec

If a zone is out best option to win the game at least we have a coach that will utilize it.
I don't think Pope promised anyone we wouldn't play zone because they don't play it in the NBA.
I also disagree that last year's team could play lock down D when they wanted to.
Wilmington game proves my point.
Needed stops to get the win but couldn't keep their guards out of the lane to save their life.
Remind me again who was drafted off that UNC-W team.

 

[IL Wildcat]

The only thing I'll agree about is that the team didn't look great at the beginning of the game. Nobody looks very good when the shots aren't falling. And meanwhile, Minnesota St made about 4 of 5 threes at one point in that stretch.

So yeah, watch 10 minutes of a game and then base your entire season progostication on that? You're gonna end up posting something like this. This is why I rarely ever post here, or anywhere else, DURING games. It's almost always a bad idea because things change, players get hot or go cold, big plays happen and bad ones do, too. So, that's my personal unwritten rule- don't post DURING games. I will break that rule occasionally and it's usually when it's an absolute blowout, over by halftime.

 

[Blue wood]

Someone who actually understands the post a little bit. Andrew carr is gonna be punished on defense. When krissa comes into the game he’s not gonna be able to stay in front of anybody. Almonor isn’t going to be able to guard anyone. He is so slow. I’m just saying what I see and people don’t wanna hear it lol. Can we score? Absolutely. But defense is gonna be an issue I believe. Hope I’m wrong

Good lord, you get this from the exhibitions? Lol no way your a Ky fan

 

[Fox2monk]

OP didn't return to the thread. He is a troll. Is he banned yet mods?

Why does every dbag on here have a screen name that starts with Bass?

 

[chevyman 50]

I enjoy watching this team much better than the old Cal teams yes he always had great talent but they run around lost all the time, I know we have not played great teams yet but this team last night was Nat. Champs of their division I think.

 

[Fox2monk]

Someone who actually understands the post a little bit. Andrew carr is gonna be punished on defense. When krissa comes into the game he’s not gonna be able to stay in front of anybody. Almonor isn’t going to be able to guard anyone. He is so slow. I’m just saying what I see and people don’t wanna hear it lol. Can we score? Absolutely. But defense is gonna be an issue I believe. Hope I’m wrong

Almonor guarded Zach Edey In one of the biggest tourney upsets ever, Kerr played a ton for a number one seed in Zona, and Carr has played major D1 ball for 4 years. Sorry if I don’t think that they will be crushed just for stepping on the court. They may not be the fastest or most athletic but they fit the system well and can hold their own. All those guys have things about their games that are great against opposing defenses too.

 

[Cleatortoises]

The goal isn’t to win the sec.

I think that's one of the goals,
Every year.
🐄 tried to brainwash it out of us.

 

[Deli owl]

I’ll take 22 year old players with 2-4 years of experience over 18 year old high school super stars all day long.

You will hate next year then if Pope keeps landing them. 😇

 

[Fox2monk]

22-9 or 21-10 feels about right for this team

I could see anywhere from 5-9 losses.

 

[CatPatrick13]

We will be top 10 by Jan and stay there.

Hmmmm... very very interesting statement/prediction.

 

[CatPatrick13]

I could see anywhere from 5-9 losses.

That would land us in the top 10.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Kerr has been to a final four? News to me

Section 337.Row 16, seat 12

He must think he went to Kansas... It's been 23 years since Arizona's been to a final four.

 

[Fox2monk]

That would land us in the top 10.

I honestly believe we have that kinda Potential as good as we are shooting the ball.

 

[BC_Wader]

Once the team coalesces, we'll be a well oiled machine. You can tell this team is being built to play as a unit.

It all goes back to good coaching. We haven't seen what that looks like since Tubby. That's criminal at a program like Kentucky.

 

[jeffky]

Sheeweee this is an easy bunch to get fired up 🤯. Please everyone come back and tell me I wasn’t completely wrong when top tier teams score at will against us. And I’ll do the same if teams don’t. The difference between last years defense and now is last years team actually COULD play lock down D if they wanted but chose offense over defense most nights. I’m just saying I don’t see this team being able to be a lock down defense. I could see a Zone being our best option against a lot of teams in the sec

 

[SkyPrince1]

That would land us in the top 10.

Exactly
10 loss teams are 4 seeds in today's CBB.

 

[Montana81]

Carr’s defense is going to be an issue.

He’s definitely struggled a little in the two exhtibitions.

But he didn’t play a ton in the first one because i think he got hurt. He may not have been 100% in this one.

Also his advanced defensive metrics were very solid at Wake last season. He was not a bad defender. We’ll see what happens. Something to watch.

All that said overall i’m not worried about defense. Butler, Oweh and Amari are all conference or better defensive players and are going to play a ton. Butler is going to be in the conversation for national DPoY.

 

[RunninRichie]

He’s definitely struggled a little in the two exhtibitions.

But he didn’t play a ton in the first one because i think he got hurt. He may not have been 100% in this one.

Also his advanced defensive metrics were very solid at Wake last season. He was not a bad defender. We’ll see what happens. Something to watch.

All that said overall i’m not worried about defense. Butler, Oweh and Amari are all conference or better defensive players and are going to play a ton. Butler is going to be in the conversation for national DPoY.

Yeah I agree, just something to watch at the 4. The duke game could be an issue regarding that Carr/Flagg match up.

 

[Montana81]

Yeah I agree, just something to watch at the 4. The duke game could be an issue regarding that Carr/Flagg match up.

Oh yeah. I love Carr. But he can not guard Cooper Flagg. As much as I want to hate on Flagg i can’t. He’s a problem. Pope will have to figure out something.

 

[Creed Bratton]

 

[megablue]

But no complaining from me. Just stating the obvious. We don’t have SEC talent or athleticism. Slow footed. I don’t worry about the offense, although it could struggle against top tier competition as well, but the defense is where we are gonna struggle. And rebounding. But I’ll take a year or 2 of pope getting his players in place over another year of Cows 1 and done early round exits.

Not going to be a long year, but definitely an interesting one. Yes, like EVERY team does, this team has some weaknesses. What will make the year fun and interesting is to see how far depth, experience and shooting ability can take this team.
GO CATS !!!

 

[wkycatfan]

I like this team and think they will do well. Most likely late in March, they will run into a more talented team, but I'm very impressed with the roster this staff put together in a very short amount of time given the circumstances.

 

[kats23]

I set my expectations pretty low early on. I said if this team could make the tourney, I would be thrilled. That said, folks are going to have to get used to not having athletes that could carry us early in the year. This team isn't going to make lemonade out of lemons. They are going to have to play smart basketball, hit their shots, and rely on coaching to make adjustments to win games.

Hopefully, the difference of actually running a system wins out more vs GO! and pass the ball around the perimeter until an athlete makes a play. I think this will be a good season. I fully expect an 8-10 loss year but it will be a setup for a solid program vs the NBA farm system we are used to.

 

[AshWilliams]

We will not out athlete anyone.

But this is not a decathlon.

In today’s college game teams win. This is going to be a very good team.

Guys will cover for each other and exploit weaknesses in the opponents.

We will win as a unit. Not on the back of a superstar or two.

These are players playing to win.

Not auditioning.

We will be top 10 by Jan and stay there.

We may not make SportsCenter top 10 very often. But we will be a top 10 basketball TEAM!!🏀

Your predictions are like the kiss of death.

 

[WhiskeyCityCat]

But no complaining from me. Just stating the obvious. We don’t have SEC talent or athleticism. Slow footed. I don’t worry about the offense, although it could struggle against top tier competition as well, but the defense is where we are gonna struggle. And rebounding. But I’ll take a year or 2 of pope getting his players in place over another year of Cows 1 and done early round exits.

Ooook asscat1987...whatever you say.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Section 337.Row 16, seat 12

He must think he went to Kansas... It's been 23 years since Arizona's been to a final four.

I was gonna say Kerr looks amazing for 43 years old.

 

[jwphelps]

But no complaining from me. Just stating the obvious. We don’t have SEC talent or athleticism. Slow footed. I don’t worry about the offense, although it could struggle against top tier competition as well, but the defense is where we are gonna struggle. And rebounding. But I’ll take a year or 2 of pope getting his players in place over another year of Cows 1 and done early round exits.

Just got to watch the game film this morning, not sure what you are talking about, either you know very little about the game of basketball or you are just trolling.

 

[truebluewildcat]

Those teams don't win anything that matters either though. If your goal is to win a game or 2, great.

If you want to make a final four or win number 9 that type of team isn't gonna cut it in March either.

I would disagree that these types of teams don't advance deep. Older mature guys with lots of run, lots of points scored in their careers. Guys who won't need training wheels even in March.

That's exactly who advances in March.

When I say "looks like a team that beats a Cal team" I don't specifically mean Oakland. Cal has lost to many teams over the years, early and later in the tournament.

They're usually older, play within a system, play well with one another, have shooters, hustle, have some grit, not defined by individual talent with pro potential.

Big difference in team full of kids in early season infant stage and a team full of grown men, who've had college careers, in the early stages of figuring it out.

 

[WeWant9]

My expectations and outlook didn’t change after two exhibition games. I’m not penciling this team to win the SEC, nor am I booking FF tix; but I absolutely think this team will be competitive in every game.

 

[Seth_C]

You’re probably right. I suspect it will be at least one week longer than last season.