I don't get Tenn being a 4.5 favorite against us per MJ...

[hotelblue]

another key is going to be getting out of the gate in both halves. we did that beautifully today. you get behind early to these grinding teams and it can be an uphill battle. it’s a little like houston. you have to put pressure on their offense to keep up. if they get a 10 point lead you’re typically going to be in their madhouse.

 

[KyCPA]

That will be UT -3 by tomorrow and probably -1.5 by game day. They should be favored, but 4.5 is way too big of a number.

If the Cats are hitting their shots, UT can’t score enough to keep up.

Yep, comes down to our shooting.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

They are good but we have beaten them twice and are playing well right now.

Love it. Love the underdog role, hope they all pick against us again.

 

[Worf88]

UK has beaten them twice. In both games, UK was down critical starters.

Now UK is somewhat more healthy, and I like our chances Friday.

Screw this "you can't beat a good team three times" stuff. Unlike previous Cal's teams, this UK team won't be reading their own press clippings.

Bama had no issue whipping our ass a 3rd time. I’m nervous, specifically because they’re hot right now, but I like the matchup.

 

[cats#1again]

Didn’t we beat them twice with Jaxon Robinson?
That’s a big loss but we are still capable. I understand the underdog role

No , we beat them without he and Butler

 

[Big Foot 275]

Vegas isn't setting a line to predict a winner or loser. They are trying to get equal betting on both teams. If the betting gets out of balance they adjust the line accordingly.

 

[Fox2monk]

We have enough to get it done. I'd love to have Robinson, but from an in-game talent level, the current team is probably close to that 2011 Final Four team in terms of overall talent.

That’s exactly who this team reminds me of except we shoot it a little better overall.

 

[megablue]

They are good but we have beaten them twice and are playing well right now.

We play better as underdogs, I think.

 

[MonsterMash79]

I hear scared money in this thread.

Scared money never made money 👌

 

[CapnBlubs]

That will be UT -3 by tomorrow and probably -1.5 by game day. They should be favored, but 4.5 is way too big of a number.

If the Cats are hitting their shots, UT can’t score enough to keep up.

Both teams have changed somewhat. UK has gotten better at defense when they have to be, and UT is better at scoring when it has to be. It would be a fascinating game to watch as a fan of neither team. For me? I'm gonna be shitting my pants.

 

[Uncle Adolph]

If we play like we did yesterday I like our chances.

 

[BleedBlue13]

I think we play the 7:30 game

 

[LineSkiCat14]

UK has beaten them twice. In both games, UK was down critical starters.

Now UK is somewhat more healthy, and I like our chances Friday.

Screw this "you can't beat a good team three times" stuff. Unlike previous Cal's teams, this UK team won't be reading their own press clippings.

I think the counter point to the "beating them 3 times" is that we simply just matchup well against them. Pope's offense can seemingly work around Tennessee, but the inverse isn't true: our growing defense is making it tough for them to score.

I will say I think the "3 time" thing is a little more for football in that teams really get beaten down in football by the time that 3rd game hits, plus they know a little more about player tendencies and match ups (like, we need to double this defense end). There's more individual player battles and players have a set position either on offense or defense.

I don't think theres a whole ton of adjustments that Barnes or any team (including us) can make at this point, aside from changing who defends who. It comes down to if their team just happens to be on and can make more shots.

I really like that this will be the first game for Tennessee in this arena (as opposed to the 2nd game). I could see this being a woeful offensive performance for them.

 

[Digger-Cat]

We beat them on Feb 11th at Rupp. We had the same player availability we have today.

Differences:
Carr was still banged up and did not start.
Perry was still getting Chandler's minutes.
Butler was on limited minutes (only 22)

This might have already been stared, but in the Rupp game, Lamont left with 9 minutes remaining and never returned.
We had a very slim lead when he left and Tennessee quickly took the lead. But we got it back and somehow took it to the house without Butler and Jackson.

 

[kywildcat41035]

It's official 10:00 pm

We're the 7:39 PM game on TBS according to ESPN when I just checked.

 

[Digger-Cat]

The other point that should be made here is, Mark Pope gets a week to do nothing but prepare for Tennessee.
I like our chances.

 

[TankedCat]

It’s hard to beat a team 3 times but not impossible. Let’s enjoy tonight. and think about that next week…

I feel the same way but what if we beat them like 20 times in a row, would people still be saying , its hard to beat a team the 21st time?

UT is good, they are playing better ball now - I expect them to come ready to play.