Folks, it’s going to be a loooonnnggg season…

[MdWIldcat55]

It may extend further into March than we thought…Maybe longer than that…And I’m going to enjoy every damn second of it —even the losses that are inevitable. This team has such character, and this coach is such a likeable, real person.

I was telling my son today that I truly believe there is nothing in sports like Kentucky basketball on an upswing, and nothing more exciting than being a Cats fan when the program is building toward something special.

It may take a while. But it’s coming…

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Good post, MD. Pope's checking all the boxes.

1. Great system.
2. Awesome personality.
3. Values fans.
4. Knows how to identify talent.
5. Elite recruiter.
6. Winner of big games.
7. Master-class halftime adjustments.
8. LOVES the UK tradition.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I'm taking it for what it is.

I think most felt we were ranked a bit on a low side coming into the season. That was a massive win. That Duke team isn't going to lose many games this season, they are good. It was huge for seeding purposes and the type of big win we haven't been getting early in seasons in previous history.

We have some potential. That being said, there's definitely quite a bit of things Pope and the team need to work on before we could go on any big run here. For a large part of that game, Duke was getting whatever they wanted inside on offense. If they don't go 4 for 23 from three this game, we lose. Experience was a huge reason why we won this. Our guys executed down the stretch and Flagg for however great he is, did not.

But it was definitely a huge win and hopefully a springboard for what is to come.

 

[DeerTurkHunter1]

I'm taking it for what it is.

I think most felt we were ranked a bit on a low side coming into the season. That was a massive win. That Duke team isn't going to lose many games this season, they are good. It was huge for seeding purposes and the type of big win we haven't been getting early in seasons in previous history.

We have some potential. That being said, there's definitely quite a bit of things Pope and the team need to work on before we could go on any big run here. For a large part of that game, Duke was getting whatever they wanted inside on offense. If they don't go 4 for 23 from three this game, we lose. Experience was a huge reason why we won this. Our guys executed down the stretch and Flagg for however great he is, did not.

But it was definitely a huge win and hopefully a springboard for what is to come.

And if my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle. Your 4-23 comment is absurd, give credit to UKs defense, close outs, schemes, etc. oh and also if we’d hit more 3’s we’d still won.

 

[The_Answer1313]

And if my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle. Your 4-23 comment is absurd, give credit to UKs defense, close outs, schemes, etc. oh and also if we’d hit more 3’s we’d still won.

We hit 40% from 3. That's not awful at all. We basically hit our average.

It's not absurd. 3s are more random than twos. Almost every upset in college basketball, one just has to look at why the upset occurs and it's almost always because of the discrepancy in 3s. They missed a bunch of open shots they normally knocked down coming into the game.

There's nothing wrong with celebrating a win while also acknowledging things that need worked on to be better in the future.

 

[Kats meow]

I'm taking it for what it is.

I think most felt we were ranked a bit on a low side coming into the season. That was a massive win. That Duke team isn't going to lose many games this season, they are good. It was huge for seeding purposes and the type of big win we haven't been getting early in seasons in previous history.

We have some potential. That being said, there's definitely quite a bit of things Pope and the team need to work on before we could go on any big run here. For a large part of that game, Duke was getting whatever they wanted inside on offense. If they don't go 4 for 23 from three this game, we lose. Experience was a huge reason why we won this. Our guys executed down the stretch and Flagg for however great he is, did not.

But it was definitely a huge win and hopefully a springboard for what is to come.

If Dook hadn’t just committed ONE turnover in the first half we’d have won even bigger.

 

[YardCat]

I would like to add that Robinson and Butler had terrible games, if they had played like normal we would have had an even better game.
And since Duke was dominating inside why would their coach not continue to pound the ball inside?

 

[DeerTurkHunter1]

We hit 40% from 3. That's not awful at all. We basically hit our average.

It's not absurd. 3s are more random than twos. Almost every upset in college basketball, one just has to look at why the upset occurs and it's almost always because of the discrepancy in 3s. They missed a bunch of open shots they normally knocked down coming into the game.

There's nothing wrong with celebrating a win while also acknowledging things that need worked on to be better in the future.

Yeah what about Dukes one turnover in the first half? Was that their season average? I’m guessing not, even against cupcake U, we’d have won bigger for sure. Oh and our “best” player had 1 point, what if he goes for season average? Your have zero points in your argument above.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

I wish we could get six free throws on phantom fouls on three pointers.

 

[RunninRichie]

It may extend further into March than we thought…Maybe longer…And I’m going to enjoy every damn second of it —even the losses that are inevitable. This team has such character, and this coach is such a likeable, real person.

I was telling my son today that I truly believe there is nothing in sports like Kentucky basketball on an upswing, and nothing more exciting than being a Cats fan when the program is building toward something special.

It may take a while. But it’s coming…

Giggity.