I just rewatched the UT game highlights

[BBNWildcat]

Some observations:

1. UT needs to spend a week on layup practice

2. The refs are absolutely corrupt. That jump ball call against Wallace with :50 to go was horseshyyte, he was fouled 5 times. Lots of other bad calls already mentioned here as well, and all the grabbing, the bullcrap F1 against Reeves, the refs were clearly trying to give them a police escort to a win but they just couldn't hit their layups (LOL)

3. Reeves is a real veteran go-to. If he's not playing 30 mins a game Cal should be fired

4. Plavsic and Vescovi are absolute dirty chumps. I still remember last season in the SECT when Vescovi grabbed Oscar's forearm and pulled him down in a flop move and got the foul call on Oscar, which iced the game for UT. The stupid refs fell for it just like they fall for all of UT's dirty crap during every game. And Plavsic not letting go of Oscar at the very end even after the whistle is just bush league garbage, he should have gotten at LEAST a delay of game or a technical for that, he was trying to instigate.

5. I saw UT's guys grabbing our guys all over the floor, and our guys with their palms facing up while guarding, you could see how obvious it was the one sided way the refs were calling it. It's amazing we even won the game, UT must have all had hangovers the night before because they couldn't make a layup to save their lives, no matter how hard the refs tried to help them.

6. Wheeler is irrelevant to the success of this team. Play him more than a sub rotation and we lose. CJ is coming around finally. Toppin is a rollercoaster, one game he's hot, the next game he's not.

7. Cal absolutely needs to take away the middle and right block against Plavsic in the next game. He's literally feasting in those spots.

 

[Jamal Mercer]

2. Small correction, I believe they called a jump ball there. But yea, Wallace was fouled many times.

Agree with about everything you said.

 

[BBNWildcat]

2. Small correction, I believe they called a jump ball there. But yea, Wallace was fouled many times.

Agree with about everything you said.

Corrected thanks. The announcers said 5 seconds but the ref did have both thumbs upward.

 

[STL_Cat]

I rewatched the whole game myself on Saturday night. Agree with all your points.

I would just add one other point since you didn't mention his name -- Thiero. His impact in this game was real and it was immediate. He made a couple big defensive plays early in the first half as we had clawed back from the 8-0 hole we were in. The instant he came in the game, positive things happened. Sure he made a couple mistakes but imagine, the guy hadn't played a minute in how many games? And he was asked to come in and play spot PG minutes (out of position) in a hostile environment against the #5 team in the country. If he's not playing 20 mpg from here out it's criminal.

 

[Cayts69]

If Wheeler would’ve played the game Wallace did, there would be a nuclear meltdown here. Wallace was spectacularly bad. Don’t give me the Defense crap. He was blown by time after time.

The difference in this game was Reeves and CJ finally playing like we need them to on the big stage.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I rewatched the whole game myself on Saturday night. Agree with all your points.

I would just add one other point since you didn't mention his name -- Thiero. His impact in this game was real and it was immediate. He made a couple big defensive plays early in the first half as we had clawed back from the 8-0 hole we were in. The instant he came in the game, positive things happened. Sure he made a couple mistakes but imagine, the guy hadn't played a minute in how many games? And he was asked to come in and play spot PG minutes (out of position) in a hostile environment against the #5 team in the country. If he's not playing 20 mpg from here out it's criminal.

His contributions remind me of Allen Edwards. I think his ceiling is higher, though.

 

[STL_Cat]

If Wheeler would’ve played the game Wallace did, there would be a nuclear meltdown here. Wallace was spectacularly bad. Don’t give me the Defense crap. He was blown by time after time.

The difference in this game was Reeves and CJ finally playing like we need them to on the big stage.

We don't have nuclear meltdowns here after wins. Wins and losses are what matter. FWIW

 

[STL_Cat]

His contributions remind me of Allen Edwards. I think his ceiling is higher, though.

Really good comparison. A little bigger and probably a little stronger than Edwards but really like the comp. Nice one.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

If Wheeler would’ve played the game Wallace did, there would be a nuclear meltdown here. Wallace was spectacularly bad. Don’t give me the Defense crap. He was blown by time after time.

The difference in this game was Reeves and CJ finally playing like we need them to on the big stage.

Our defense was MUCH better. No debate. Not many people are gonna agree with you here. You talking about the turnovers? I think two of which were BS calls? Also, one is a freshman and the other is a senior.

 

[BBNWildcat]

Really good comparison. A little bigger and probably a little stronger than Edwards but really like the comp. Nice one.

He's one you want back next year. He'd be a leader. He's really long, it's got to bother the opposing guards.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Also, just let me say, Wallace didn’t force a bunch of nonsense. We all know Wheeler would’ve taken bad shots that would’ve led to runouts.

 

[STL_Cat]

Also, just let me say, Wallace didn’t force a bunch of nonsense. We all know Wheeler would’ve taken bad shots that would’ve led to runouts.

Agreed. There’s a lot more going on out there than just the numbers. Wheeler dominating the ball on offense has killed any flow we have all year long.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Not to mention, Wallace played hurt. That was obvious.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Agreed. There’s a lot more going on out there than just the numbers. Wheeler dominating the ball on offense has killed any flow we have all year long.

Couldn’t agree more.

 

[Jazzycat]

Made free throws and defense/rebounding won the game, imo. - Something that did not happen against Alabama, Missouri and South Carolina….

Need to double team the post as Oscar is not tall enough to cover a big man like Plavsic or any other guy that big in the post. I would start Toppin/Ugonna at the five and let Oscar play the four…

 

[DreadLox]

If Wheeler would’ve played the game Wallace did, there would be a nuclear meltdown here. Wallace was spectacularly bad. Don’t give me the Defense crap. He was blown by time after time.

The difference in this game was Reeves and CJ finally playing like we need them to on the big stage.

I don't understand your criticism of Wallace. Apparently you've never had a severe muscle cramp. I had them 3-4 times a year when I was young, and to me, he's a marvel for even appearing in uniform much less getting out on the court.

 

[kartmd]

If Wheeler would’ve played the game Wallace did, there would be a nuclear meltdown here. Wallace was spectacularly bad. Don’t give me the Defense crap. He was blown by time after time.

The difference in this game was Reeves and CJ finally playing like we need them to on the big stage.

A big part of why Reeves and CJ finally got going is because they had better spacing with Wheeler off the floor. Plus, Wheeler is usually more likely to pass to a defender than he is CJ

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I don't understand your criticism of Wallace. Apparently you've never had a severe muscle cramp. I had them 3-4 times a year when I was young, and to me, he's a marvel for even appearing in uniform much less getting out on the court.

Back issues are very painful and make it extremely hard to do anything. I couldn’t imagine playing a high level basketball game with back spasms.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

A big part of why Reeves and CJ finally got going is because they had better spacing with Wheeler off the floor. Plus, Wheeler is usually more likely to pass to a defender than he is CJ

This. They had to stay up on all our guys. Couldn’t sag on Wheeler because he didn’t play.

 

[Cayts69]

Back issues are very painful and make it extremely hard to do anything. I couldn’t imagine playing a high level basketball game with back spasms.

Our defense was MUCH better. No debate. Not many people are gonna agree with you here. You talking about the turnovers? I think two of which were BS calls? Also, one is a freshman and the other is a senior.

Ziegler drove right by him time after time, just missed wide open layups.

I’m not trying to criticize Wallace, I’m just pointing out the double standard. If Wheeler had played the game Wallace did, there would be a revolt.

Again, Reeves and CJ finally made some open shots that they’ve been missing other games. It’s that simple.

 

[Cayts69]

This. They had to stay up on all our guys. Couldn’t sag on Wheeler because he didn’t play.

They got the same shots they’ve been getting all year. Just made them.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Ziegler drove right by him time after time, just missed wide open layups.

I’m not trying to criticize Wallace, I’m just pointing out the double standard. If Wheeler had played the game Wallace did, there would be a revolt.

Again, Reeves and CJ finally made some open shots that they’ve been missing other games. It’s that simple.

They had space to actually shoot the ball in this game. Wheeler’s TOs are usually live ball TOs that lead to buckets on the other end. That or he takes terrible shots that lead to runouts on the other end as well. Wallace didn’t force up terrible shots.

 

[Cayts69]

They had space to actually shoot the ball in this game. Wheeler’s TOs are usually live ball TOs that lead to buckets on the other end. That or he takes terrible shots that lead to runouts on the other end as well. Wallace didn’t force up terrible shots.

Again, I disagree. It’s the same shots those guys have missed time after time in our big games. They finally hit them. That’s the story, imo.

 

[KENTUCKY_FLYER]

4. Plavsic and Vescovi are absolute dirty chumps. I saw this all game, Especially Plavsic, that dude is mean. But just what id want on my team.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

They got the same shots they’ve been getting all year. Just made them.

Reeves and CJ never get up that many shots with Wheeler in the game. No doubt in my mind he would’ve been trying to force feed the post when nothing was there. Plus, he doesn’t hit the open 3 point shooter in stride. Wheeler would’ve been dominating the ball and pounding it in the floor.

 

[Smashcat]

I rewatched the whole game myself on Saturday night. Agree with all your points.

I would just add one other point since you didn't mention his name -- Thiero. His impact in this game was real and it was immediate. He made a couple big defensive plays early in the first half as we had clawed back from the 8-0 hole we were in. The instant he came in the game, positive things happened. Sure he made a couple mistakes but imagine, the guy hadn't played a minute in how many games? And he was asked to come in and play spot PG minutes (out of position) in a hostile environment against the #5 team in the country. If he's not playing 20 mpg from here out it's criminal.

Big Thiero fan from the get-go. He’s a natural and so versatile. I don’t know if he’ll get 20 mpg but better be getting at least 10.

 

[Cayts69]

Reeves and CJ never get up that many shots with Wheeler in the game. No doubt in my mind he would’ve been trying to force feed the post when nothing was there. Plus, he doesn’t hit the open 3 point shooter in stride. Wheeler would’ve been dominating the ball and pounding it in the floor.

I’ll agree there re: Wheeler forcing some shots.

This team was engineered, I think, to have Wheeler penetrating and finding open shooters. However, when those shooters have been non existent like they have all year (in big games), that falls apart and we get the worst version of Wheeler.

I think he has a role on this team and can be efficient if guys are hitting shots.

Again, the story of this game was reeves and CJ finally made shots. That’s why we won. Wallace had arguably his worst game as a cat.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I’ll agree there re: Wheeler forcing some shots.

This team was engineered, I think, to have Wheeler penetrating and finding open shooters. However, when those shooters have been non existent like they have all year (in big games), that falls apart and we get the worst version of Wheeler.

I think he has a role on this team and can be efficient if guys are hitting shots.

Again, the story of this game was reeves and CJ finally made shots. That’s why we won. Wallace had arguably his worst game as a cat.

He has a role but it isn’t 35 minutes a game. He absolutely sucks in crunch time. He can’t be relied upon. He’s proven it time and time again. He’s not the answer at PG for 35 minutes a game. He just isn’t and it’s obvious to everyone.

 

[KENTUCKY_FLYER]

His contributions remind me of Allen Edwards. I think his ceiling is higher, though.

100% I'm really worried he transfers out before we see this develop.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Wheeler is a 20 minute a game spark plug off the bench. If he’s our primary PG, we aren’t going anywhere. Plain as the nose on one’s face. I don’t give a damn how many assists he averages. It’s fools gold.

 

[crestcat]

4. Plavsic and Vescovi are absolute dirty chumps. I saw this all game, Especially Plavsic, that dude is mean. But just what id want on my team.

If those two played for UK the refs would have them on the bench before the 16 minute TO. They’d wear their whistles ou

 

[KENTUCKY_FLYER]

Wheeler is a 20 minute a game spark plug off the bench. If he’s our primary PG, we aren’t going anywhere. Plain as the nose on one’s face. I don’t give a damn how many assists he averages. It’s fools gold.

I agree with this i think. But what if everybody that should be hitting 3's were hitting 3's What if our guy were driving the lane and actually scoring. Wheeler would have taken 1/6 of the shoots he has and could be hands down the D1 assist leader. The teams failure to hit shots has force wheeler to do things that he can't do. He cant shoot and he not Wayne Turner to the basket. If the team hits the shots he delivers to them he could be the best point in the country. If they don't, you don't want him on the floor.

 

[Cayts69]

Wheeler is a 20 minute a game spark plug off the bench. If he’s our primary PG, we aren’t going anywhere. Plain as the nose on one’s face. I don’t give a damn how many assists he averages. It’s fools gold.

Alright. I think we found an agreement, ha.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

What I've noticed is that at home, teams are allowed to get away with disgusting level of holds, pulls.. grabs and physical shoves.

If Cal doesnt change his wuss way of defense (try not to foul crap) then he doesnt want to win. To make the NCAAT, at home, foul the loving sh*t out of opponents. ... its not like you have anything to lose in daring refs to call it.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Here’s the deal, guys. If we are gonna go by analytics. The lineup of Wallace, Reeves, CJ, Toppin and Oscar is by FAR our best lineup we’ve used all season. I’ve seen the numbers and they’re eye opening. I believe we outscored UT 29-15 or something like that with that lineup. Anyway, the numbers are astronomical.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Alright. I think we found an agreement, ha.

I’m not in the camp of “never play Wheeler another minute”. I think he brings some qualities to the team and has some value. IMO, he’s a change of pace type of guard we should use as a spark plug off the bench to push the pace. Just don’t think he has the basketball IQ to be your every day, every game 35 minute a game type go to PG.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

If Wheeler would’ve played the game Wallace did, there would be a nuclear meltdown here. Wallace was spectacularly bad. Don’t give me the Defense crap. He was blown by time after time.

The difference in this game was Reeves and CJ finally playing like we need them to on the big stage.

Wheeler would never play the game Wallace did because he’s incapable.

Wallace only played 22 minutes. Back trouble and foul trouble.

Wallace had 6 assists. Wheeler would not have had them.

Wallace did guard. Wheeler would not have guarded.

Wallace only took 3 shots. Wheeler would have taken a dozen.

Tn only had 2 fast break points. With Wheelers wild live ball turnovers and missed layups Tn would have killed us on the break.

With Wallace Tn had to play 5 on 5. With Wheeler they would have gotten to play 5 on 4.

Wallace did have 5 turnovers. 2 were bad calls. None were live ball. Wheeler would have had more. And all live ball. Add in his missed lay ups that would have been Tn run outs and the margin only grows.

There’s no question we lose if Wheeler played.

The only question is by how much.

 

[megablue]

If Wheeler would’ve played the game Wallace did, there would be a nuclear meltdown here. Wallace was spectacularly bad. Don’t give me the Defense crap. He was blown by time after time.

The difference in this game was Reeves and CJ finally playing like we need them to on the big stage.

100% this ^^^ ... combined with overall relentless effort and excellent free-throw shooting.
Our best moments in the game were PG by committee, where everybody stepped up and was aggressive with the ball, including Thiero. We need this offensive aggression by the wings, regardless of who is at the point. It has been missing the entire season. They have stayed on the perimeter and deferred to the point, it seems to me. Grady did the same thing last year. Only Mintz and Washington attacked the rim.

 

[megablue]

Wheeler would never play the game Wallace did because he’s incapable.

Wallace only played 22 minutes. Back trouble and foul trouble.

Wallace had 6 assists. Wheeler would not have had them.

Wallace did guard. Wheeler would not have guarded.

Wallace only took 3 shots. Wheeler would have taken a dozen.

Tn only had 2 fast break points. With Wheelers wild live ball turnovers and missed layups Tn would have killed us on the break.

With Wallace Tn had to play 5 on 5. With Wheeler they would have gotten to play 5 on 4.

Wallace did have 5 turnovers. 2 were bad calls. None were live ball. Wheeler would have had more. And all live ball. Add in his missed lay ups that would have been Tn run outs and the margin only grows.

There’s no question we lose if Wheeler played.

The only question is by how much.

Tennessee at Kentucky (January 15, 2022)

Kentucky at Tennessee (February 15, 2022)

Kentucky vs. Tennessee (March 12, 2022)

Kentucky at Tennessee (January 14, 2023)

 

[kyrx]

Agree with a lot that's been said.

-Plavsic is a goon. He threw down Oscar after a FT and it wasn't even called.
-Cason played hurt. But I still think he played a solid game on the O end, even if he didn't score. But he was hurt.
-We missed as many layups as they did.
-I am 100% in the boat that Wheeler is not the answer and should be a backup.
-Give me Cason, CJ, Livingston, Toppin & Oscar as starters. Reeves for Livingston if we play smaller, faster teams.
-One silver lining from the USC loss was CJ. Here's hoping he stays hot the rest of the year.
-Finally, it was clear UT's plan was goon tactics. We shot 25 FTs but should have shot 40.