I guess we shouldn't be surprised

[IL Wildcat]

...at how well this team is playing. After all, it seems Calipari's teams always get it figured out and are playing their best ball by mid-February, early March.

But when I think about where this team has come from in just a short time, it's almost impossible to believe. This team dominating South Carolina today on their home floor can't be the same team that melted in away games against UCLA, Ohio St, Auburn, LSU, and even Tennessee, can it? But it is.

I think there are a few things that changed...
1. Inserting Willis into the starting line-up completely changed the floor spacing on offense.
2. Murray shooting the ball with confidence.
3. This backcourt of Ulis, Murray, and Briscoe becoming comfortable together and really developing good chemistry. They're playing well together.
4. A renewed emphasis on defense.

But should we be surprised? No. The only team under Cal that didn't hit its stride this time of year was that 2012-13 team that lost Noel to injury.

 

[VAWildcat15]

Nailed it.

I will always trust in Coach Calipari until I'm given reason not to. For me, Nerlens Noel tearing an ACL is not a good reason. The odds of winning the NCAAT are always low but I can now imagine a world where this team wins it all, and that's enough for me. This team is really starting to figure out what they are and it shows.

 

[TexKat]

What is this, our 3rd team that's had such a dramatic turnaround now after Cals learning curve? He admits his mistakes and presses on. Wouldn't want another. February hoops at it's best and having a blast.

The Glory Road!

 

[W2R]

...at how well this team is playing. After all, it seems Calipari's teams always get it figured out and are playing their best ball by mid-February, early March.

But when I think about where this team has come from in just a short time, it's almost impossible to believe. This team dominating South Carolina today on their home floor can't be the same team that melted in away games against UCLA, Ohio St, Auburn, LSU, and even Tennessee, can it? But it is.

I think there are a few things that changed...
1. Inserting Willis into the starting line-up completely changed the floor spacing on offense.
2. Murray shooting the ball with confidence.
3. This backcourt of Ulis, Murray, and Briscoe becoming comfortable together and really developing good chemistry. They're playing well together.
4. A renewed emphasis on defense.

But should we be surprised? No. The only team under Cal that didn't hit its stride this time of year was that 2012-13 team that lost Noel to injury.

2. Murray started hitting easy shots to warm up. If he hits three in a row he is deadly


Also Cal in the tourney is deadly. Look at teams he has beat since07. He beat Westbrook and love in that ucla team. He is elite 8 or better in 10 years. One year he was injury away.

 

[irishcat1965]

It has happened every year but 2013 and that a great deal to do with losing Noel. Yet every year, it seems there is panic. Lol This team looks dangerous and if Poy can come back by SEC tourney time, we added the depth in the front line we need.

 

[W2R]

Remember 2013 when Cal challenged the Rupp crowd?

 

[CatPhight]

The team defense has improved exponentially.

 

[Brando Mac]

The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Cal is intentionally stubborn and doesn't make adequate adjustments until all appears lost in order to fly under the radar and get the team peaking at the right time.

Of course you could also easily argue that he always has such young teams that it would reasonably take a while to figure out his rotation and which line-ups work best together. In his 6 previous seasons here he's had three teams that dominated the regular season, two that battled through struggles and became dangerous in March, and one clunker. This team appears poised to be just like those two sleepers that stunned some juggernauts in the tournament, perhaps even more dangerous when we're firing on all cylinders.

 

[W2R]

The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Cal is intentionally stubborn and doesn't make adequate adjustments until all appears lost in order to fly under the radar and get the team peaking at the right time.

Of course you could also easily argue that he always has such young teams that it would reasonably take a while to figure out his rotation and which line-ups work best together. In his 6 previous seasons here he's had three teams that dominated the regular season, two that battled through struggles and became dangerous in March, and one clunker. This team appears poised to be just like those two sleepers that stunned some juggernauts in the tournament, perhaps even more dangerous when we're firing on all cylinders.

Summed up In short


"I like My team"

He really likes this team. He sees potential. This team might shock us all. Who knows Our guards are the best

 

[Federal Cat]

They look like their having fun playing now, and fun to watch too

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

We may beat UT by 50 pts Thursday night in Rupp.
Seems that game in Knoxville was a 100 yrs ago but it was just two weeks ago.

 

[FlCATFan]

I am surprised. Never thought this team could reach this point without a healthy Poythress. And that was especially true after Skal's game didn't match expectations.

What should scare other teams is that apparently this team is still a work in progress. Ulis appears to be playing better with each game and that is incredible given his starting point.

 

[pascat]

Our spacing on offense has really improved since Kansas ran that triangle and two on us--and we were already improving before that. Also--and this is in no way to imply that we do not miss Poythress--with Poythress out, there is less standing around on offense, which really helps us with player movement. Defensively, you've gotta like the zone wrinkles we ran today. They help to hide a thinner front court that has struggle all year to keep their feet and hands in front of their opponents. Briscoe's ability to rebound and fill seams and gaps means you can gamble with a zone on both sides of the ball.

 

[wcc31]

Murray has finally figured out when to drive and when to shoot.

Always thought we had great potential defensively. Ulis, Hawkins and Briscoe are lockdown, and when engaged, Murray isn't bad.

Willis definitely stretches the floor.

I wouldn't mind seeing Matthews get some minutes at the 4 when we inevitably get into foul trouble. He's a scrapper and good rebounder.