I like our bracket, and BYU is how we should be playing.

[KMKAT]

What I will say is if we play the way BYU does, we will advance.
Last night, 11 TO, 12/26 from 3, 15-16 FTs, and both halves (47-44pts) were played consistently.

I like our chances vs Illinois.

 

[MonsterMash79]

Maybe.. I’m definitely not getting worked up about it, if we don’t..

 

[TFCats11]

That BYU team is fun to watch! UK plays nothing like that, and I thought they would.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Maybe.. I’m definitely not getting worked up about it, if we don’t..

With you, Mash.

 

[TheDude73]

With you, Mash.

I'm already prepared to turn off the TV on games after today and even have set plans for next weekend.

It just feels like we're walking into a big loss. IL was on fire the other night and they seem to have some heavy mojo in this tournament. We are hobbled and forgot how to hit shots near the rim. They are also top 5 rebounding team in the country, something we pretty much suck at.

I won't be upset, but I will be slightly annoyed.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I'm already prepared to turn off the TV on games after today and even have set plans for next weekend.

It just feels like we're walking into a big loss. IL was on fire the other night and they seem to have some heavy mojo in this tournament. We are hobbled and forgot how to hit shots near the rim. They are also top 5 rebounding team in the country, something we pretty much suck at.

I won't be upset, but I will be slightly annoyed.

Makes me sick to agree. I’m planning on going home today too

 

[KA4Prez]

That BYU team is fun to watch! UK plays nothing like that, and I thought they would.

There were spurts.

And yes, BYU has really played well the last 2 months, and they are fun to watch when it works.

However, look at their quarterfinal Big 12 Tourney game against Houston. They got starved and pushed around. That's why Pope can't just recreate BYU teams. He has to bring those elements, but also bring certain physicality and athleticism, if he wants to go all the way.

The current state of THIS Kentucky team though, I wish could still score like BYU. There's glimpses, but the style of play has reverted away from it with the guard injuries.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

There were spurts.

And yes, BYU has really played well the last 2 months, and they are fun to watch when it works.

However, look at their quarterfinal Big 12 Tourney game against Houston. They got starved and pushed around. That's why Pope can't just recreate BYU teams. He has to bring those elements, but also bring certain physicality and athleticism, if he wants to go all the way.

The current state of THIS Kentucky team though, I wish could still score like BYU. There's glimpses, but the style of play has reverted away from it with the guard injuries.

We are 0.7 pts within ORtg of BYU, got ours in the SEC and had key injuries all year. BYU is fun to watch, but so are we.

 

[Cleatortoises]

Fully expect a resounding victory.
GBB!

 

[FirewithFire]

If Illinois is on from downtown we are in deep trouble. If we aren't hitting threes it's over and I think we lose big. If we are on and they aren't we win. So everything really comes down to who is on and who is off.

Yeah, I know, cue Captain Obvious.

 

[germuk]

Half of BYU's core was built by Pope, so I'd say that plays a big role in why they play the way you thought we would. When he has more time to assemble his roster instead of patching one together in the middle of the portal, you'll probably see that type of style emerge. Hall, Saunders, Knell, Baker, and Stewart all played a big role tonight and all were recruited to BYU by Pope

 

[Cleatortoises]

I offered her honor.
She honored my offer.
The rest of the night I was on her and off her.
GBB!

 

[JonathanW]

Do yall forget that we are playing without one of our top 2 scorers/shooters, without our backup PG, with our starting PG at 70% when he can play, our starting PF with the back pains of a 50yo, and 2 of our shooters dealing with some sort of thing with their shooting hand.

 

[Cleatortoises]

I read on one of these threads that we just had to be tougher.
So, there is that.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

Makes me sick to agree. I’m planning on going home today too

Usually staying in the tourney into the Sunday of the first weekend means we got to enjoy watching all the games of the first weekend.

But to be honest it hasn’t been all that enjoyable given the vast supply of chalk/boring games

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Idk I'm weirdly not too worried for today. We've beaten better teams without Jrob and Butler entirely.. and we had to do it by throwing guys like Noah, Perry and Chandler right into the fire. Now those guys have some reps under them, and Illinois isn't an SEC "beat the hell out of you" team.

I'm not saying we definitely win or anything.. but we still have a lot of reasons why we are a capable team, and why we were a 3-seed and they were a 6-seed. They lost a lot this year.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Idk I'm weirdly not too worried for today. We've beaten better teams without Jrob and Butler entirely.. and we had to do it by throwing guys like Noah, Perry and Chandler right into the fire. Now those guys have some reps under them, and Illinois isn't an SEC "beat the hell out of you" team.

I'm not saying we definitely win or anything.. but we still have a lot of reasons why we are a capable team, and why we were a 3-seed and they were a 6-seed. They lost a lot this year.

It seems like the consensus is even with positive folks today is we have to hope they have a bad jeckyl and Hyde type game. I'm not holding my breathe there.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Do yall forget that we are playing without one of our top 2 scorers/shooters, without our backup PG, with our starting PG at 70% when he can play, our starting PF with the back pains of a 50yo, and 2 of our shooters dealing with some sort of thing with their shooting hand.

The team we have right now if you think next years team is going to be better than what we have there’s no guarantee. Butler can do exactly what we need. Defend, handle the ball, provide leadership. It’s now. Never assume 1 year is going to be a game changer.
We have the
Top shooter in the country in cbb
A big man capable of a triple double when he shows up
The best stretch 4 we ever had
A freshman phenom breaking out
We have a guard who can bully his way to the basket
Oh and a pg who lead his team to the title game
Oh and we start 4 graduate students

You think we will have better starting 5 next year? It’s a coin flip this team is built to win now jacon robisnson wasn’t the team and honestly Chandler a 21 year old freshman is better defensively. We sre a better defensive team with chandler. But yeah let’s make excuses. Remember this pope put together a very deep team. Kerr when we signed him I knew would play a handful of games. We were ready to roll whether robinson returned to college or left. Continuously pointing out injuries overlooks the guys we have who play. It’s a pretty damn good team

 

[BarefootBeach]

The team we have right now if you think next years team is going to be better than what we have there’s no guarantee. Butler can do exactly what we need. Defend, handle the ball, provide leadership. It’s now. Never assume 1 year is going to be a game changer.
We have the
Top shooter in the country in cbb
A big man capable of a triple double when he shows up
The best stretch 4 we ever had
A freshman phenom breaking out
We have a guard who can bully his way to the basket
Oh and a pg who lead his team to the title game
Oh and we start 4 graduate students

You think we will have better starting 5 next year? It’s a coin flip this team is built to win now jacon robisnson wasn’t the team and honestly Chandler a 21 year old freshman is better defensively. We sre a better defensive team with chandler. But yeah let’s make excuses. Remember this pope put together a very deep team. Kerr when we signed him I knew would play a handful of games. We were ready to roll whether robinson returned to college or left. Continuously pointing out injuries overlooks the guys we have who play. It’s a pretty damn good team

Good lord, I've never seen someone move the goalposts so much in my entire life.

 

[FiveStarCat]

The team we have right now if you think next years team is going to be better than what we have there’s no guarantee. Butler can do exactly what we need. Defend, handle the ball, provide leadership. It’s now. Never assume 1 year is going to be a game changer.
We have the
Top shooter in the country in cbb
A big man capable of a triple double when he shows up
The best stretch 4 we ever had
A freshman phenom breaking out
We have a guard who can bully his way to the basket
Oh and a pg who lead his team to the title game
Oh and we start 4 graduate students

You think we will have better starting 5 next year? It’s a coin flip this team is built to win now jacon robisnson wasn’t the team and honestly Chandler a 21 year old freshman is better defensively. We sre a better defensive team with chandler. But yeah let’s make excuses. Remember this pope put together a very deep team. Kerr when we signed him I knew would play a handful of games. We were ready to roll whether robinson returned to college or left. Continuously pointing out injuries overlooks the guys we have who play. It’s a pretty damn good team

Who is the best stretch four we’ve ever had?

And who is the freshman “phenom”?

 

[Cleatortoises]

The team we have right now if you think next years team is going to be better than what we have there’s no guarantee. Butler can do exactly what we need. Defend, handle the ball, provide leadership. It’s now. Never assume 1 year is going to be a game changer.
We have the
Top shooter in the country in cbb
A big man capable of a triple double when he shows up
The best stretch 4 we ever had
A freshman phenom breaking out
We have a guard who can bully his way to the basket
Oh and a pg who lead his team to the title game
Oh and we start 4 graduate students

You think we will have better starting 5 next year? It’s a coin flip this team is built to win now jacon robisnson wasn’t the team and honestly Chandler a 21 year old freshman is better defensively. We sre a better defensive team with chandler. But yeah let’s make excuses. Remember this pope put together a very deep team. Kerr when we signed him I knew would play a handful of games. We were ready to roll whether robinson returned to college or left. Continuously pointing out injuries overlooks the guys we have who play. It’s a pretty damn good team

I'm calling Mashburn better than Carr.
But, that's just me.

 

[JonathanW]

The team we have right now if you think next years team is going to be better than what we have there’s no guarantee. Butler can do exactly what we need. Defend, handle the ball, provide leadership. It’s now. Never assume 1 year is going to be a game changer.
We have the
Top shooter in the country in cbb
A big man capable of a triple double when he shows up
The best stretch 4 we ever had
A freshman phenom breaking out
We have a guard who can bully his way to the basket
Oh and a pg who lead his team to the title game
Oh and we start 4 graduate students

You think we will have better starting 5 next year? It’s a coin flip this team is built to win now jacon robisnson wasn’t the team and honestly Chandler a 21 year old freshman is better defensively. We sre a better defensive team with chandler. But yeah let’s make excuses. Remember this pope put together a very deep team. Kerr when we signed him I knew would play a handful of games. We were ready to roll whether robinson returned to college or left. Continuously pointing out injuries overlooks the guys we have who play. It’s a pretty damn good team

I agree that what even an injured Butler can give, defense, leadership, experience in NCAA-T makes even 70% of him worth playing. But you are blind to think we wouldn’t be better with him (and others) healthy.

We do NOT have any “FR phenom”, not even close!

Do I think we will have a better starting 5 next year than we started this year with? IDK, there is a solid chance, but no guarantee. I do think it will be close either way.
Do I think we will have a better starting 5 next year than NOW (considering health)? Absolutely, yes!!!

If you predicted Kerr would get injured and only play a few games, let be take you to Vegas. I call BS! Maybe you were less enthusiastic about him than others, but no one would have predicted we get so little from him.

I do agree Chandler is better defender than Robinson. But JR is still all around better player. And even if you disagree with that, you can’t disagree that it takes away our depth. In our last loss we played the 3 FR I think 69 minutes; that is probably 3X (maybe 4X) the # of minutes they were expected to average combined this season.

There is a difference between making an excuse, and understanding there is a reason.

 

[JonathanW]

Who is the best stretch four we’ve ever had?

Probably Padgett.

 

[UKAlum84]

My thoughts are play good ball, minimize turnovers, focus on the paint. We can win this game.

 

[JonathanW]

I'm calling Mashburn better than Carr.
But, that's just me.

Goes without saying, but I think many would not call Mash a stretch 4.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Who is the best stretch four we’ve ever had?

And who is the freshman “phenom”?

Yeah. He is a goof.

He is just setting it up as he hopes we lose today.

 

[JonathanW]

My thoughts are play good ball, minimize turnovers, focus on the paint. We can win this game.

Defense. If they make >6 3’s that will be bad (we need to make more 3’s than them). #2 is not giving up lots of offensive rebounds. #3 would be TOs

 

[Cleatortoises]

Goes without saying, but I think many would not call Mash a stretch 4.

In 92 pelphrey was the small forward.
93 it was rod Rhodes or brassow.
Many might not, but I would.
How about S. Bowie?
No 3's then but 15 ft was automatic.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

It seems like the consensus is even with positive folks today is we have to hope they have a bad jeckyl and Hyde type game. I'm not holding my breathe there.

That's the consensus around here, but I disagree with it. This game is about us not them. Our defense is way better than theirs, and at both teams' best, so is our offense. If we hit shots and play like we're capable, I don't see anything Illinois can do to win.

Cats by 7.

 

[SemperFiCat]

Idk I'm weirdly not too worried for today. We've beaten better teams without Jrob and Butler entirely.. and we had to do it by throwing guys like Noah, Perry and Chandler right into the fire. Now those guys have some reps under them, and Illinois isn't an SEC "beat the hell out of you" team.

I'm not saying we definitely win or anything.. but we still have a lot of reasons why we are a capable team, and why we were a 3-seed and they were a 6-seed. They lost a lot this year.

Right there with ya. I'm feeling pretty good about today.

 

[Lempface]

I just wanted one win in the SECT and one in the NCAAT, which I think doubles Cal's since COVID. We're there, successful season in my book based on all the surrounding factors. Still think we can win but I'm not going to be upset if we don't.

 

[L.O.D.]

This could be the triple whammy of triple whammy s for Mark Pope. Losing to al at home in biggest UK home gsme in 20 years. Watching Cal advance further and then seeing your byu replacement advance further. That's a tough an bitter pill

 

[Sejonesy]

I'm already prepared to turn off the TV on games after today and even have set plans for next weekend.

It just feels like we're walking into a big loss. IL was on fire the other night and they seem to have some heavy mojo in this tournament. We are hobbled and forgot how to hit shots near the rim. They are also top 5 rebounding team in the country, something we pretty much suck at.

I won't be upset, but I will be slightly annoyed.

Good chance you will have to change those plans next weekend.

 

[Cat in ga]

Go Cats

 

[KMKAT]

I just wanted one win in the SECT and one in the NCAAT, which I think doubles Cal's since COVID. We're there, successful season in my book based on all the surrounding factors. Still think we can win but I'm not going to be upset if we don't.

Get ready for more. It's coming.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

I'm calling Mashburn better than Carr.
But, that's just me.

Not to mention, Prince, Padgett and possibly McCarty. I reckon he’d be considered a 4. That’s just off the top of my head.

 

[gharding07]

A win today would cement a successful season to me. This is Kentucky after all, a lot of you have forgot that. I dont care who's the coach and how long he had to put together a staff/players ect. We have a very high bar.

 

[jace2012]

Coaches seem to forget what their basketball philosophy is when they get to UK and end up coaching totally different styles

 

[TheDude73]

Good chance you will have to change those plans next weekend.

I hope so. They aren't solid.