Even Duke couldn't foul us out
- Thread starter Smashcat
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This year opponent free throw rate rank = 3rd
Last season? 204th
Obviously this will go up since the SEC just seems to be obsessed with calling fouls but huge difference.
Last season? 204th
Obviously this will go up since the SEC just seems to be obsessed with calling fouls but huge difference.
But but I thought we were #23 and rebuilding with a new Coach and all new players???
Final Four or Bust
Final Four or Bust
I really can't fault anyone for being skeptical. This was a little different than say Cal bringing in an entire new squad of Freshman because at least these players have had track records in the past with other teams but you just never know how things are going to come together (or how quickly they would come together).
I think most felt the rating systems were underrating us. But i still don't think we have the question answered of just how much. Are we a top 15 team? Top 10? Top 5? Title contender? I think there's a bunch that still needs to be answered.
Like who is our go to player when we have to have a basket? We have a lot of players who will shoot it for the win and I have confidence in them to win the game. We are very lucky that Coach Pope was able to hand pick players that are very good teammates and players. Just not any Superstars, that starts happening next year. I just want the Superstars to be team players first and foremost and I think that is who we recruit and not chase the stars by there names.
Maybe it's ok to not have that one guy so long as our guys don't all turn to stone in crunch time waiting around for someone to make a play.
I felt like in that Duke game, those last two possessions by Duke, you knew who their go to guy was. You knew Flagg was going to try and do something. And it just didn't work. No doubt he will also make big shots for them down the stretch but I also wonder if you want to be too predictable.
Maybe we have multiple "go to" guys here. That might not be a bad thing.
One thing is for sure, we are going to have our fair share of close games in the SEC and it will be interesting to see how that's handled.
I like this, but I hope this isn't just an aberration and we see these numbers regress to the norm.
But it does seem that we're past the era of players just not knowing how to defend without fouling (and possibly a little bit of having a coach that isn't hated by the entire sport).
But it does seem that we're past the era of players just not knowing how to defend without fouling (and possibly a little bit of having a coach that isn't hated by the entire sport).
I think their experience is very helpful on that front. Also, I'm sure Pope's defensive approach is part of this.
But I wouldn't be surprised if the fact that Pope isn't screaming his head off and getting in referees' faces helps this situation a lot. Calipari's temper tantrums and run-ins with officials, and his resulting reputation with officials often preceded him in games. Sometimes I felt like every starter began the game with a foul each. In big games, it seems like we always had a starter sitting the bench by the middle of the first half with 2 fouls.
But I wouldn't be surprised if the fact that Pope isn't screaming his head off and getting in referees' faces helps this situation a lot. Calipari's temper tantrums and run-ins with officials, and his resulting reputation with officials often preceded him in games. Sometimes I felt like every starter began the game with a foul each. In big games, it seems like we always had a starter sitting the bench by the middle of the first half with 2 fouls.
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