I don’t think the lesser teams have gotten better so much as the elite teams have gotten worse. Compare the rosters of today’s first two lines to the early 00s or 90s.
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The common denominator on the successful tourney teams is not metrics/algorithms…
It’s well-coached, high IQ mature basketball teams that can scheme good stuff on offense and defense on the fly.
Nothing to do with dictating a style of play or 5 star dudes.
In the words of Mark Stoops - “Multiple” with “high capacity”.
Opposing coaches are too good at neutralizing studs and taking away types of shots.
It’s well-coached, high IQ mature basketball teams that can scheme good stuff on offense and defense on the fly.
Nothing to do with dictating a style of play or 5 star dudes.
In the words of Mark Stoops - “Multiple” with “high capacity”.
Opposing coaches are too good at neutralizing studs and taking away types of shots.
Eh. I think it is both. The Final Four teams this year are loaded with veteran talent that was largely developed in their respective programs or from transfers from other decent schools.
The extra COVID year and transfer portal have created a situation where these midmajors are older and, arguably, more talented than ever before. Of the Elite Eight, only UConn, Texas, and (to a lesser extent) Gonzaga have a history of getting highly recruited freshmen.
I think what you are seeing is something similar to the 90s where freshmen have to be a generational talent to lead a deep NCAA run and those guys (to the degree the even exist right now) are either in the G League or overseas.
I'm oddly hopeful that this will be great for college basketball in the long run. Roster turnover sucks for fans unless you're getting John Walls, etc. Once the NIL and transfer portal rules get stabilized, it should actually help the bluebloods create stable rosters where players improve every year. That's the college basketball we all grew up worshipping.
One of the biggest takeaways from watching the tournament this year, is most every coach I see doesn’t act like a total effing clown on the sideline, unlike our guy.
Bottom line is we have to do some damn good work in the portal to have a chance next year.
What? There are like 600 kids per year in the portal it seems. What is stable about that?
Hell 70% of our roster was portal players.
That is no different than relying on FR if it’s an annual turnover deal.
Same. Family connection to the area and University for me.
Interesting to take a look at the Cancer Bracket this morning. Mostly importantly, UKO has been eliminated from the possibility of winning. Some scenarios playing out....
- Wodie Sloot's cousin has UConn in the title game. If that happens, he wins.
- Anth's cousin and Bonzo do as well, but they're currently behind in points
- Wodie Sloot's cousin also has a lock on dead last place. Having the 1st and Last overall bracket has to be an all-timer.
- If UConn does NOT go to the title game, it looks like some dude named Mark is gonna win
- nobody will have the National Champion pick correct
Just a reminder -- UKO will *not* win this year, no matter what. Thank you jesus.
- Wodie Sloot's cousin has UConn in the title game. If that happens, he wins.
- Anth's cousin and Bonzo do as well, but they're currently behind in points
- Wodie Sloot's cousin also has a lock on dead last place. Having the 1st and Last overall bracket has to be an all-timer.
- If UConn does NOT go to the title game, it looks like some dude named Mark is gonna win
- nobody will have the National Champion pick correct
Just a reminder -- UKO will *not* win this year, no matter what. Thank you jesus.
-Cal starts Livingston the whole season, when he had no business playing, and Livingston leaves(allegedly) as soon as the whistle blows. Hilarious.
-Go find the two best shooters and give them Oscar's NIL money. Then sit them on the bench and destroy their confidence.
-So we are getting Reeves and Ugo back? Any word on Adou?
-Covid year definitely changed things. Same with NIL. Same with portal. They don't have to run off to play in the G League, Overseas, or hope for a 2 way contract now. Transfer to a guaranteed spot and make some NIL.
-Days getting longer, everything turning green, beautiful outside. April next week. F4, Masters. Shew. TIWWDT
-Facebook memories have been filed with better time(UKBB). Appears we beat UNC on this day to go to a F4.
-Gotta wonder if Mark Few can ever get it done? They have to feel like this was a big missed opp.
-UCONN is weird. Win the banner and they are easily the most succesful NCAAT team over the last 25 years. Yet, they still don't feel like they belong at the big boy table.. This would give them more actual titles than KU and tie Duke. They obviously belong there but it's hard to take them serious. Hopefully they blew their wad this weekend.
-Go find the two best shooters and give them Oscar's NIL money. Then sit them on the bench and destroy their confidence.
-So we are getting Reeves and Ugo back? Any word on Adou?
-Covid year definitely changed things. Same with NIL. Same with portal. They don't have to run off to play in the G League, Overseas, or hope for a 2 way contract now. Transfer to a guaranteed spot and make some NIL.
-Days getting longer, everything turning green, beautiful outside. April next week. F4, Masters. Shew. TIWWDT
-Facebook memories have been filed with better time(UKBB). Appears we beat UNC on this day to go to a F4.
-Gotta wonder if Mark Few can ever get it done? They have to feel like this was a big missed opp.
-UCONN is weird. Win the banner and they are easily the most succesful NCAAT team over the last 25 years. Yet, they still don't feel like they belong at the big boy table.. This would give them more actual titles than KU and tie Duke. They obviously belong there but it's hard to take them serious. Hopefully they blew their wad this weekend.
Just figure we will see who shows up for practice in the fall, try to learn their names before Christmas, have some semblance of knowing their roles by conference tournament time and then blow it all up and start over. UK BASKETBALL ROCKS!
Agreed. The other thing is that the era of coaches trying to orchestrate every single possession seems to be waning. These coaches seem to let the players play.
They seem to be wildly inconsistent. Either competing for a title or sucking ass.
Thiero would be a solid 4-man in today’s game, especially alongside a shotblocker.
It’s not even that. They’re just damn good when they get to the E8 and F4. Their percentages are ridiculous. They close.
Sloot and Anth have a lot of “cousins”.
I’m just afraid San Diego State is only going to encourage Cal in terms of play style. That Creighton game was only “good” because it was close. Viewing-wise, it was an abortion.
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At one point in the second half neither team had scored in over 5 mins. That’s how a team that scored 57 points managed to go to the final four. College bball is awesome!
Really looking forward to the statement Calipari sends out on his Twitter/Instagram once Livingston announces he’s staying in the draft.
It will no doubt resonate really well with the fanbase after the last 3 years.
It will no doubt resonate really well with the fanbase after the last 3 years.
I’m old enough to remember when clips of multiple McDAAs committed to UK sending messages to the fans was something that made me happy.
I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but if Livingston and Reeves both leave, it's basically a lock that we suck next year. Just is what it is.
It’s just too easy for you all to sit back and cherry pick from ALL the teams that play and are rostered different than UK, and we should be that!
I’m a fool I guess, but with Oscar gone and the roster built on lead guards that can score and post players that can protect the rim on defense I just feel like we’ll be back to something Cal understands.
It shouldn’t be this way, but I think he has been at a loss with Oscar and had no clue how to strategize a consistent game plan.
Like I said I’m an admitted fool.
I’m a fool I guess, but with Oscar gone and the roster built on lead guards that can score and post players that can protect the rim on defense I just feel like we’ll be back to something Cal understands.
It shouldn’t be this way, but I think he has been at a loss with Oscar and had no clue how to strategize a consistent game plan.
Like I said I’m an admitted fool.
Well this year Cal f*cked up the “we just need experienced players to return” thought, so if next year he f*cks up the “he needs top 5 freshmen” thought I think we’re out of thoughts.
Unwatchable final four.
CBS won't leave blue bloods out next year.
UK won't be in final four next year.
FFS
CBS won't leave blue bloods out next year.
UK won't be in final four next year.
FFS
There’s something to this imo. You had to play Oscar, but if Cal doesn’t have a 5 who can switch, block, etc., his defense doesn’t really work.
Praying all the stars align so that our $9M per year, hall of fame coach has a chance to succeed at the best program in college basketball 🙏
Different era's have no bearing. The "lesser" teams are most certainly better "basketball" players than before. Way too much cred is placed on the # of stars beside a recruits name in regards to the blue blood rosters and their perceived elite status.
Wheel your ass on out of here, then.
Player's First = I've lost control of my program
Even shittier is you’re correct about HIS program. It’s no longer ours.
And he’s holding it hostage like Dog Dog Afternoon.
And he’s holding it hostage like Dog Dog Afternoon.
Cal: “Gooooooooooooooooo”
Wheeler: “ok”
Wheeler: “ok”
BBN already filling the role of villain in this narrative. Bullshit. The divide is going to continue.
I know it won't matter because we probably won't make it past the Sweet 16 even if Cal has an entire roster full of Monstars, but I really do like Jameer Nelson Jr. as a grab out of the portal. Small, yes, but can shoot, finish, and definitely has the bloodlines. Think he'd make a great backcourt mate with Wagner.
I wonder if he will make his senior night at his new university?
Cals dream of 10 centers starts now?
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