Everyone is saying we stunk it up last game...but...

[CJ_Royal_Blue]

I fail to see how a 21 point "struggle" is anything but a positive.

How can winning by 21 despite playing wayyyy beneath your potential a bad thing this early.

How is 8-1 and #5 a bad place to be right now?

Once the 3s start following and the 1 foot basket put ins (looking at you Poythress) start working out, as they should down the road, what team is that scary this year to overwhelm anyone?

Just like Cal's teams, one has to wait a bit since the ceiling is so dang high.

Not giving him a pass since HE is the one that chose this approach every year, but I am giving him time to let things work out.

 

[StubbornPenny]

It isn't fun to be rational. Now, go pretend the sky is falling, panic, and come back and post again.

 

[fatguy87]

By itself, the EKU game isn't troubling.

What is potentially troubling is that it was a continuation of the status quo.

 

[bookerfan66]

I think the expectations are just way too high for this team at the moment.We lost our whole team and are expecting these talented but young kids to come right in knowing their roles and blowing everyone out.Sometimes it just takes time and I wish we could be patient and not bash them so much.They are trying hard and we will get there.

 

[Federal Cat]

We got the W that's what matters, were only what, 9 games into the season, he'll get em where they need to be

 

[CatEye2010]

This happens nearly every year under Cal. Talented, but young, team. Cal breaks them down, then puts them back together to create a much better team, one that is capable of winning in March and April. His eye is on April, not necessarily December. But some posters still don't get it.

Trust in Cal; he's the HOF coach, not us. Enjoy the ride!

 

[CJ_Royal_Blue]

The thing is that this is Calipari's choice with his Players' First, OAD approach. So, regardless of the truth about their age and youth etc, he is responsible for having a plan in place and see how the pieces fit together.
That is why I have been impressed with his choice of characters in the players with the occasional rare exception and how they play defense and aim for team wins than stats.
But at the end of the day, this is not something the fans can use as an excuse because it is PLANNED this way. Cal's motivational techniques is his main strength and what he uses to support his annual strategy. The high amount of talent should not need a lot of time to improve skills but rather be a question of mental toughness and "getting it" in time for a March run.

 

[ralphdaltonfan]

I think the expectations are just way too high for this team at the moment.We lost our whole team and are expecting these talented but young kids to come right in knowing their roles and blowing everyone out.Sometimes it just takes time and I wish we could be patient and not bash them so much.They are trying hard and we will get there.

Great post. It's also a tough schedule for a young team--style of play speaking. Coaches put schedules together to prepare for what's coming (well that is if you have goals you do) and this group is doing better then expected in this outsider's POV. Wynyard's physical presence alone can help Skal/Lee/Poythress and I am in minority and think Poythress is playing pretty well--especially off his injury. About a year out now--so expect more confidence in his knee holding up.

Guards are best part of team--but they still are figuring how to play off each other. It'll come. Ulis needs to play off ball more in halfcourt and let Briscoe drive/create for he/Murray. In open court is where Tyler needs to attack. But in halfcourt--always want best shooters off ball and let the guy who attacks rim create for others/finish at rim (Briscoe being best finisher on team).

Lee/Poythress are providing solid minutes--Skal is key--if he can get his confidence up--he can take this team far in March. I think he will--and Wynyard is best suited to let Skal play natural spot--PF and face up/stretch 4 who can post--but not a throw it down low post up guy.

 

[MegaBlue05]

The chicken littles freak the hell out every time we aren't up 20-0 at the first TV time out.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

Anyone remember the 2012 team struggling into the second half with a mid major around Christmas? I do. Or even last years team struggling with Boston, buffalo and one other team Columbia I think?

you could have us get the corrupt officiating other teams get but what do they get out of it other than looking better than what they are? Cal got more out of last night than K ever could out of a non conf game at Cameron indoor

 

[The_Answer1313]

The line was 24 i think
Most computer systems predicted that margin as well

We won by 21.

It's not the end of the world lol

 

[ManitouDan]

But we shouldnt have to over look or not mention obvious weakness's . There were lots of times last night where we looked disinterested in playing any serious D . You can talk all you want about holding them below their season averages , below 3 total or whatever . we looked AWFUL at times . No the sky isnt falling , but we need to quit getting abused on the boards and have to find some consistency from everyone . Our 3 Pt shooting is bad , our rebounding is bad . Bad meaning not good enough to go to a FF or win # 9 . Thats all that matters to me . Not bad compared to everyone else because we are not " everyone else" Everyone is just frustrated because we started out so strong . Hopefully it all falls into place in Jan after Dec break .

 

[Aike]

According to kenpom we are 12th in offense and 12th in defense.

That's with poor outside shooting and spotty transition and post defense.

Seems like we are decent with maybe a chance of getting pretty good.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

I also don't think people understand how hard it is to defend a team where all 5 can shoot the ball so damn well. I mean it's only what made the 96 team so freaking incredible and why golden state is dominating the nba. I'm just glad we were just that much more talented than them and did just enough to disrupt enough shots.

That being said, some guys on the team need to take defense more seriously

 

[BBUK]

Cal will have them all in "pads" soon. (Football pads). I am not worried in the least with this teams progression. I expect it, no doubt, it will happen. (Now when?) It will be before the tourney starts.....

 

[Aike]

Our "terrible" rebounding team is also sitting at 14th in the country in rebounding percentage. In offensive rebounding percentage we rank 5th.

We have a lot of work to do. We give up on defense at times and it's glaring. We don't get nearly enough hustle balls for a team starting 3 quick guards. But we should get better and better. Should.

 

[jrpross]

The line was 24 i think
Most computer systems predicted that margin as well

We won by 21.

It's not the end of the world lol

The play in the first half when Murray got tripped so bad Helen Keller could have called a foul immediately resulted in a three-point play for EKU. That would have made it a 24 point game.

I'm watching the same ugly team you guys are right now. But I'm really not terribly worried. Yes, the offense often looks disjointed. Part of that is because we have two freshman guards who have never played together and are still learning to trust each other. Skal needs work but I'm pretty sure his second half of the season will be much better than his first. And I'm really hoping that last night was a big step for Alex. This team has amazing potential, they just haven't tapped it yet.

 

[kyjeff1]

I think all the hand wringing we see has nothing to do with the score. It has to do with what the team looks like right now. After the duke game we all thought this team was ahead of schedule but now everyone is seeing that the performance we saw in the duke game was fools gold. This team has no identity, can't shoot, has a couple of timid players and has gaping holes on defense. That's a lot of deficiencies for 1 team to have and be taken seriously.
Honestly I'm amazed we are 8-1, that's a testament to Cal's coaching but everyone will chill out once guys like Skal, Murray and Poythress get it.

 

[Aike]

I think all the hand wringing we see has nothing to do with the score. It gas to do with what the team looks like right now. After the duke game we all thought this team was ahead of schedule but now everyone is seeing that the performance we saw in the duke game was fools gold. This team has no identity, can't shoot, has a couple of times players and has gaping holes on defense. That's a lot of deficiencies for 1 team to have and be taken seriously.
Honestly I'm amazed we are 8-1, that's a testament to Cal's coaching but everyone will chill out once guys like Skal, Murray and Poythress get it.

There is always hand wringing, no matter what. Every season. All year long.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I think all the hand wringing we see has nothing to do with the score. It gas to do with what the team looks like right now. After the duke game we all thought this team was ahead of schedule but now everyone is seeing that the performance we saw in the duke game was fools gold. This team has no identity, can't shoot, has a couple of times players and has gaping holes on defense. That's a lot of deficiencies for 1 team to have and be taken seriously.
Honestly I'm amazed we are 8-1, that's a testament to Cal's coaching but everyone will chill out once guys like Skal, Murray and Poythress get it.

I agree. Most are concerned more with the how than the actual score.

But this has happened so many times since Cal has been here. Every year we talk about how "bad" they look, mostly discussing offense and yet every year our offense is one of the most efficient in the land.

I think it's how we are efficient. We don't shoot well and when you don't shoot well I think it always "looks" bad. But the misses aren't a problem when your rebounding 40-50% of them per game.

Turnovers too make us look bad. But again there's a history since Cal has been here that it's something we've had quite a bit in the early part of seasons only for it to eventually improve come conference play. After all, we are dealing with a bunch of freshman.

In the end tho, it always seems to work. It might not be the easy on the eyes and sometimes its just plain ugly............yet it works

 

[docholiday51]

According to kenpom we are 12th in offense and 12th in defense.

That's with poor outside shooting and spotty transition and post defense.

Seems like we are decent with maybe a chance of getting pretty good.

I would submit that we have done this while playing a better overall schedule than several teams ranked in the top 25.I think 2 of the next 3 will tell us more.I would say all 3 but if you take a hard look at Az St their win over TAM seems like more of a large upset even though it was a home game.

 

[IL Wildcat]

If that run UK went on to end the game had happened at the beginning of the second half, everyone would be fine.

I will say this- the thing that was frustrating about last night's game was the inability to get stops at key moments- and letting a team get back into the game when you have them down. (this IS a typical characteristic of a young team, though) When Lee, who should know better at this point, leaves a guy alone in the corner for a three and then leaves him again. That shouldn't happen. When a guy can just dribble right through the heart of the defense and get a lay-up, that shouldn't happen.

Having said this, it can't be ignored that UK held a team that has been scoring 90+ per game to only 67. So, the Cats did something right.

But there are several positives from last night's game as well...
1. Poythress- that's the best game he's played at UK, in my opinion, at least that I can remember. He may have had better games statistically, but I can't remember it. 21 points and 13 rebounds in only 24 minutes.
2. Lee- coming back from an injury, I think he played better off the bench. He was 5-5 from the field and made his free throw. 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
3. Ulis- 8 assists and only 2 turnovers. Once his shooting comes around, and I think it will, we couldn't ask for any better.
4. Matthews- his second half wasn't as good but he made some good plays in the first half. He's coming around, gaining confidence.
5. Rebounding- EKU isn't a great rebounding team by any stretch, but UK won that battle 50-25, which is impressive against any team.

Really, it's hard to find a player who didn't contribute on the night. Offensively, it was a good game. Even though EKU was clearly trying to keep UK out of the lane and make them a jump shooting team, the Cats refused to go along with it and shot 55% from the floor and scored 58 points in the paint.

Truthfully, there were more positives than negatives. UK fans just wanted to see a 30pt blowout that was over early and instead got a 21pt blowout that wasn't completely put away until about 5 minutes remaining. Truly, UK was never in danger of losing, but the Cats could have put this team away earlier but couldn't get stops when needed. They still have some growing to do, without a doubt. More losses will come for this team, but they will be ready come March.

 

[docholiday51]

Cal will have them all in "pads" soon. (Football pads). I am not worried in the least with this teams progression. I expect it, no doubt, it will happen. (Now when?) It will be before the tourney starts.....

Glad you cleared up the type of pads issue

 

[Bungalow Bill]

But we shouldnt have to over look or not mention obvious weakness's . There were lots of times last night where we looked disinterested in playing any serious D . You can talk all you want about holding them below their season averages , below 3 total or whatever . we looked AWFUL at times . No the sky isnt falling , but we need to quit getting abused on the boards and have to find some consistency from everyone . Our 3 Pt shooting is bad , our rebounding is bad . Bad meaning not good enough to go to a FF or win # 9 . Thats all that matters to me . Not bad compared to everyone else because we are not " everyone else" Everyone is just frustrated because we started out so strong . Hopefully it all falls into place in Jan after Dec break .

If you call out rebounding a team 50-25 getting abused on the boards you probably got your expectations a little to high.

 

[BBUK]

Glad you cleared up the type of pads issue

With some of the posts about UK toughness I thought I had better clarify....sigh....

 

[BBUK]

In October, there were two distinct groups of Cat fans (in broad terms):

1. The Cats are the most talented team in the country RIGHT NOW, probably won't lose more than 3-4 games, and may be as good or better than last year.

2. This is a very young team, that falls on the talent line somewhere between 2011 and 2014, and will lose 7-8 games, but has the promise for a late run just as 11 and 14 did.

If, like me, you were in the second group, the team is exactly where you expected. And last night's game confirmed that it is a potentially very good team, but not a 2015 or 2012 great team: the defense didn't pass the eye test and the shooting didn't pass the smell test. Thank goodness the talent edge was off the charts and Poythress and company could dunk on EKU all night.

If you were in the first category, I can completely understand the meltdown: What you are seeing in no way conforms with your pre-season expectations, so instead of admitting you were wrong then, you are lashing out at the players: Skal is lazy and weak, Murray can't play without the ball in his hands, Briscoe looks out of control half the time.

Blame yourselves if you misjudged what was probable with this team all along.

You're just, just, so cutting edge it's scary.

 

[kyjeff1]

I agree. Most are concerned more with the how than the actual score.

But this has happened so many times since Cal has been here. Every year we talk about how "bad" they look, mostly discussing offense and yet every year our offense is one of the most efficient in the land.

I think it's how we are efficient. We don't shoot well and when you don't shoot well I think it always "looks" bad. But the misses aren't a problem when your rebounding 40-50% of them per game.

Turnovers too make us look bad. But again there's a history since Cal has been here that it's something we've had quite a bit in the early part of seasons only for it to eventually improve come conference play. After all, we are dealing with a bunch of freshman.

In the end tho, it always seems to work. It might not be the easy on the eyes and sometimes its just plain ugly............yet it works

Well, right now, we not only LOOK bad but the Stats clearly show that we aren't very good at any facet of the game.
But I dare someone to say that Cal just rolls the balls out after this season if he manages to get this team to a FF. He has a lot of work to do.

 

[BBUK]

Not looking to scare anybody. And many, many people on this board were saying the same, all summer and into October -- this team will take a good while to jell, it'll lose several games, including some that might surprise people, but it has the elements that could make for a great run in March. If it matters to you, check one of those "How many games will this team lose?" threads from October. You'll see what I'm talking about.

Dude, I was just messing with you. I happen to agree. I am of the adage that Poy taking it a little slower and gradually working his way back is a whole lot better than all this beast stuff going on now. That type injury needs MORE than a year to heal.(I had that type injury before. Sure the techniques they use now are better but flesh is still flesh and bone is still bone.) I don't care what anyone says.

When Tyler, Murray, and Briscoe learn each other more and get more comfortable with what each is thinking in certain situations I feel for the teams they play against.(Not worried about three's or free throws. They will be there.) With Scal I think his time is yet to come. He has the tools. I think there are enough tough guys on this team to where it will rub off on Scal. The kill me, you can't eat me mentality will come out with time and confidence. As Cal whips them into game shape like his UK teams always are, they will be remarkably better. I don't hope, I know as Cal does have a tremendous track record. Be Good

Last point; This team is not playing anywhere near the speed they will be playing at in a month or so. Camp Cal....then watch other teams....may not be able to see ours...

 

[The_Answer1313]

Well, right now, we not only LOOK bad but the Stats clearly show that we aren't very good at any facet of the game.
But I dare someone to say that Cal just rolls the balls out after this season if he manages to get this team to a FF. He has a lot of work to do.

This isn't right tho.

We are 6th in the NCAA in offensive rebounding. We rebound 43% of our misses.
Our effective FG% against is 44.2%.....that's good for 37th
We get to the line..........52nd in free throw rate.

To put it in context, we ranked 8th over in offensive rebounding last season, 1st in effective FG % allowed and 31st in free throw rate

Obviously the huge difference is the effective fg% against.........but that D last season was playing at historic levels at times. We don't need to be that effective to win games here

 

[Jkwo]

The thing is that this is Calipari's choice with his Players' First, OAD approach. So, regardless of the truth about their age and youth etc, he is responsible for having a plan in place and see how the pieces fit together.
That is why I have been impressed with his choice of characters in the players with the occasional rare exception and how they play defense and aim for team wins than stats.
But at the end of the day, this is not something the fans can use as an excuse because it is PLANNED this way. Cal's motivational techniques is his main strength and what he uses to support his annual strategy. The high amount of talent should not need a lot of time to improve skills but rather be a question of mental toughness and "getting it" in time for a March run.

The "can't use excuses" line would make more sense if he weren't the winningest coach in the country since arriving at UK.

There are hardly any losses to rationalize.. The objective posters are backed into a corner by the eeyores like we have to "defend " 8 double digit wins and one loss from a team with nowhere to go but up. There's absolutely no perspective.

 

[MegaBlue05]

There is always hand wringing, no matter what. Every season. All year long.

This is the truth.

Some of us can't enjoy anything. Always looking for ways to worry. It's baffling.

 

[NCukcat62]

Great post Op. If my recollection serves me well, 2012 struggled early on. It happens. This team has all the tools to be great in March. This is nothing like the nit year at all. Patience is a virtue.

 

[Chuckinden]

To me it's just fans on a message board discussing when we play good and when we play bad. Nothing more, nothing less.