Cooper Flagg vs. "the old guys"

[WebCatKy]

I think the play down the stretch perfectly exemplifies what has frustrated Cat fans for the last 10 years or so and shows why the future is bright.

Cooper Flagg is a stud. He will probably be a top 3 NBA pick. He was by far the most talented kid (17 years old!) on the floor. But with the game on the line, the experience and smarts of the old guys made the difference. Duke put the ball in their fledging star's hands, and he turned it over twice to UK's suffocating defense. Finally, the tables have turned!

Go CATS!

 

[UKWildcats1987]

To be fair, UK has had freshmen make huge plays in numerous ncaa tourney games. The issue is its one and done so one bad close game can doom you.

It did in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Those 6 teams all had the ability to win it all. One bad close loss cost them n each though but there were also clutch close wins to get to those losses.

Flagg will be fine. Duke needs to not lean on him so much though. They have other talented players.

 

[megablue]

This year is probably going to be an outlier for us. I think it doubtful that Pope will be forced to look for seven (7) veteran players (Seniors) in the portal again ... at least, I hope he won't. He'll continue to recruit top talent, like Calipari did, but the key will be the overall roster construction and if youth can blend with quality experience and continuity. To me, that will be Pope's biggest challenge, much the same as it is for all coaches now, with NIL$$$ and immediate eligibility via the portal.

 

[Cats192]

To be fair, UK has had freshmen make huge plays in numerous ncaa tourney games. The issue is its one and done so one bad close game can doom you.

It did in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Those 6 teams all had the ability to win it all. One bad close loss cost them n each though but there were also clutch close wins to get to those losses.

Flagg will be fine. Duke needs to not lean on him so much though. They have other talented players.

I think the world changed so much. NIL and the transfer portal becoming what it's been: College basketball is an upper classmen game now.

John Wall an Julius Randle will always be good in college. But some of these less elite freshmen were able to play well because they weren't going up against these teams full of grown men every single night. Some still struggled in spite of that.

Now we're in a world where every SEC team has experienced guys that know how to play physical, smart, high level basketball. You can't just out-talent that like we used to.

 

[know1]

It was like an episode of "Fun with Flaggs".

 

[MethodUK]

It's what was around Flag. They had some experience on the floor but not what UK had. You have to have that right combination of young talent with seasoned vets...

 

[chroix]

This year is probably going to be an outlier for us. I think it doubtful that Pope will be forced to look for seven (7) veteran players (Seniors) in the portal again ... at least, I hope he won't. He'll continue to recruit top talent, like Calipari did, but the key will be the overall roster construction and if youth can blend with quality experience and continuity. To me, that will be Pope's biggest challenge, much the same as it is for all coaches now, with NIL$$$ and immediate eligibility via the portal.

He’s already talked about retaining players and building continuity. Probably not going to lose as many to the transfer portal as a result of Popes approach vs Cal’s.

 

[know1]

This year is probably going to be an outlier for us. I think it doubtful that Pope will be forced to look for seven (7) veteran players (Seniors) in the portal again ... at least, I hope he won't. He'll continue to recruit top talent, like Calipari did, but the key will be the overall roster construction and if youth can blend with quality experience and continuity. To me, that will be Pope's biggest challenge, much the same as it is for all coaches now, with NIL$$$ and immediate eligibility via the portal.

At this point, I'd rather he just take a squad of the best veterans from the transfer portal and combine them with anyone else we have returning. Incoming freshmen should really be more of a multi-year project than a featured player.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

He’s already talked about retaining players and building continuity. Probably not going to lose as many to the transfer portal as a result of Popes approach vs Cal’s.

This, coupled with team ball and well-coached offensive and defensive strategy, will be the hallmark of Pope’s success.

 

[BBNinSC]

Kon Knueppel is an all-time great name. I have to give them that

 

[Seth_C]

At this point, I'd rather he just take a squad of the best veterans from the transfer portal and combine them with anyone else we have returning. Incoming freshmen should really be more of a multi-year project than a featured player.

Okay, so are you arguing if you can get a John Wall or an Anthony Davis you don’t? Or you bury them on the bench?

 

[jwphelps]

I think the play down the stretch perfectly exemplifies what has frustrated Cat fans for the last 10 years or so and shows why the future is bright.

Cooper Flagg is a stud. He will probably be a top 3 NBA pick. He was by far the most talented kid (17 years old!) on the floor. But with the game on the line, the experience and smarts of the old guys made the difference. Duke put the ball in their fledging star's hands, and he turned it over twice to UK's suffocating defense. Finally, the tables have turned!

Go CATS!

Duke also got out coached down the stretch something UK fans are not used to seeing. Duke burnt their last time out early and had to wing it ala Cal down the stretch. Looked like Duke's coach did not have and set plays to run down the stretch and tried one of Cal's let the freshmen just make a play and it did not work. UK was ready and played good defense.

 

[WebCatKy]

Duke also got out coached down the stretch something UK fans are not used to seeing. Duke burnt their last time out early and had to wing it ala Cal down the stretch. Looked like Duke's coach did not have and set plays to run down the stretch and tried one of Cal's let the freshmen just make a play and it did not work. UK was ready and played good defense.

Truth!