Issues prior to Duke

[brianpoe]

Since we are UK fans we must nit pick everything.


Here are my concerns after 2 games:

Last game we had issues on defense rotating over underneath. This game it seemed our guards gave up quite a bit of penetration.

Turnovers:

Skal 6
Murray 8
Briscoe 4
Tyler 6


Alex Poythress:

Will he show up?

Will he continue to be foul prone? 8 fouls


Skal's turnaround is automatic from 8-10 feet out. But do we have anyone who can post physically post up on the block consistently?


As for Duke; Grayson Allen and Amile Jefferson are playing very well.

Jefferson has doubles-doubles both games. He is a Sr we actually went after late. Kid has bulked up and plays with high energy.

As for Allen, many here disrespect his game. I dont. I think he is a very good ball player and will continue to be.

Albany missed a bunch of outside shots against us, as did NJIT - 6-32 from 3.

Duke will not miss that many.

Jones, Kennard, Ingram and Allen will not be as generous.



This is the 5th straight year we have played a big game early:

2014 - Beat the ever-loving dog piss out of Kansas
2013 - Lost to MSU
2012 - Lost to Duke
2011 - Beat Kansas (and the should have been POY and of course I will be #1 draft pick, Mr Robinson...)

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Duke better hit 10+ threes or they are doomed.
Skal, Lee and Poy should have field days inside.
Our length will give them fits especially with Willis at 6'9 on the peremeter.

 

[Smashcat]

Overwhelm Thorton and let vets Poy and Lee defend future superstar Ingram and we win.

 

[JerseyCat84]

I'm just worried about the refereeing.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

I'm just worried about the refereeing.

Me too Jersey.

 

[brianpoe]

Duke better hit 10+ threes or they are doomed.
Skal, Lee and Poy should have field days inside.
Our length will give them fits especially with Willis at 6'9 on the peremeter.

Overwhelm Thorton and let vets Poy and Lee defend future superstar Ingram and we win.

I'll play Blue Devils advocate this thread...

Plumlee and Jefferson will not allow a field day. These are upperclassmen with big bodies that have played against the best competition.

Willis is long on the perimeter but not fleet of foot - a head fake and a clear path to the basket.

Thorton does not even start.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Cal said in the postgame that he is happy with where are, so I'll take it. Hard to know what to expect not having seen Duke, but they played two nobody's, so they rolled, but do they really know where they are after those games? Pretty sure they are gonna have to play better D than they have so far.

 

[brianpoe]

Cal said in the postgame that he is happy with where are, so I'll take it. Hard to know what to expect not having seen Duke, but they played two nobody's, so they rolled, but do they really know where they are after those games? Pretty sure they are gonna have to play better D than they have so far.

Duke has given up 150 points and scored 205.

Uk has given up 122 and scored 165.

 

[W2R]

If they call the game with the new rules, I think we win by10. Duke can't flip or slip in the lane like they have for years. Also our guards are more athletic. Hell or bigs are more athletic. I see us making a statement on Tuesday. If the freshman don't get caught up in the lights and hoopla . I think list and Poythress keep us grounded and one of our freshman has a breakout game

 

[4UK]

I think this game will be a good learning experience, win or lose. I don't think we'll see much of Skal, unfortunately. I think he'll be in foul trouble most of the game. That's not really driven by the Duke "friendly whistle" theory, though there will be some of that. It's more because Skal is not very good defensively right now (though he did get better tonight as the game went on) and I think in the first high profile game of the year there will be an even greater emphasis on "freedom of movement."

So I'm anxious to see where UK goes for offense if Skal isn't on the floor. Murray (Pan Am games) is the only guy who has really proven he can get buckets against high level competition. Will Tyler finally start playing like everyone expected? Can Willis carry over this type of play against the better teams? Can Briscoe stay under control on such a big stage or will he try to do too much? Will Lee continue his steady improvement? Hopefully we win, but just as important is starting to see roles defined and see who you can count on when the lights get really bright.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Duke has given up 150 points and scored 205.

Uk has given up 122 and scored 165.

Ok and that totals to plus 22 for Duke v lesser competition.

Duke is clearly in trouble.

 

[Canned Heat]

I think duke takes a decent lead during the first half. If Murray gets his legs back, and Ullis finds his shot, we storm back and the game comes down to wire.

 

[ulismyman]

Op...let me get this strait??? We have serious concerns and Duke is playing great?? DUKE CANT GUARD...lets see how that works for them tuesday

 

[brianpoe]

Ok and that totals to plus 22 for Duke v lesser competition.

Duke is clearly in trouble.

I just gave the facts based upon another result, I did not provide any commentary.

 

[brianpoe]

Op...let me get this strait??? We have serious concerns and Duke is playing great?? DUKE CANT GUARD...lets see how that works for them tuesday

Let me get this straight... you make the dumbest posts ever AND you cant understand what others write either?

Just a discussion thread.


Where did I use the words SERIOUS CONCERNS?

Where did I say Duke is playing GREAT?

You say Duke CANT GUARD - we dont know what they can do yet. I hope our guards are too much for them.

For those that think Plumlee and Jefferson will be pushovers are wrong. I'm not a fan of Jeter.

Duke has good shooters, always will be a threat.


How about you ask for help before posting from now on and maybe you wont look like a dunce like you have every single day since you started posting?

 

[bucsrule8872]

Ulis is the key. If he plays stellar defense on Thornton, we disrupt their offense and we will win.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Consistant defense.
We had almost no d (except a couple plays) in the first half, but come second half it was much better.

 

[brianpoe]

Ulis is the key. If he plays stellar defense on Thornton, we disrupt their offense and we will win.

Yes but Thornton hasn't started a game yet... he has played quite a but not sure he is the key.

 

[DodgerDukie1985]

Albany missed a bunch of outside shots against us, as did NJIT - 6-32 from 3.

Duke will not miss that many.

For what little it's worth, Duke was 6 for 25 from 3 against Siena and 13 of 26 against Bryant. I hate to be Captain Obvious, but odds are this will likely balance out and Duke will make 9 or 10 out of 24 or 25 on Tuesday night.

 

[brianpoe]

For what little it's worth, Duke was 6 for 25 from 3 against Siena and 13 of 26 against Bryant. I hate to be Captain Obvious, but odds are this will likely balance out and Duke will make 9 or 10 out of 24 or 25 on Tuesday night.

Yes but even that is a bit misleading as Ingram was like 1-50, kind of like our game tonight with Murray going 1-10.

I have zero doubts that Duke will hit shots.

 

[DodgerDukie1985]

Cal said in the postgame that he is happy with where are, so I'll take it. Hard to know what to expect not having seen Duke, but they played two nobody's, so they rolled, but do they really know where they are after those games? Pretty sure they are gonna have to play better D than they have so far.

To give you more of an idea on Duke's defense, they struggled in the first 7 minutes against Siena allowing 15 points. The next 29 minutes were considerably better only allowing 44 points over that stretch, but then they just sorta checked out on both ends of the floor after the final TV timeout when they were ahead 88-59 (no excuse, but IMO that is what happened) and got outscored 15-4 in the last four minutes of that one. The Bryant game was up and down in terms of defense. Got 19 turnovers (14 steals) which was good, gave up 13 of 26 on three pointers which was not so good. Some of that was their guys making tough shots, some of that was the Duke defense giving up open looks.

 

[brianpoe]

To give you more of an idea on Duke's defense, they struggled in the first 7 minutes against Siena allowing 15 points. The next 29 minutes were considerably better only allowing 44 points over that stretch, but then they just sorta checked out on both ends of the floor after the final TV timeout when they were ahead 88-59 (no excuse, but IMO that is what happened) and got outscored 15-4 in the last four minutes of that one. The Bryant game was up and down in terms of defense. Got 19 turnovers (14 steals) which was good, gave up 13 of 26 on three pointers which was not so good. Some of that was their guys making tough shots, some of that was the Duke defense giving up open looks.

You guys playing any zone or pressing at all?

 

[DodgerDukie1985]

Yes but even that is a bit misleading as Ingram was like 1-50, kind o like our game tonight with Murray going 1-10.

Lol at the 1 for 50 line since it was really 1 for 9 (right around Murray's 1 for 10). Duke should hit shots, but they are admittedly at a major disadvantage at the point guard spot and also against Skal talent and skill wise, although Jefferson and Plumlee are seniors in college which can obviously only help. If they and Jeter can at least keep Skal from going nuts and Duke's wings are better than Kentucky's, I'd say Duke could be in good shape on Tuesday. If these things go against Duke, it could be a long night.

 

[DodgerDukie1985]

You guys playing any zone or pressing at all?

Yes on both. Although obviously less of it against the likes of Siena and Bryant. Should see more variety with the big step up in competition on Tuesday.

 

[Montana81]

I saw them play some 1-3-1 against Siena with Ingram at the point. He's like Gumby out there.

Personally I think Willis, Briscoe, Ulis Murray and Skal would destroy any kind of zone put in front of them.

K has been pretty creative on defense lately though. And his best teams have always stepped up on that end when needed.

 

[brianpoe]

Lol at the 1 for 50 line since it was really 1 for 9 (right around Murray's 1 for 10). Duke should hit shots, but they are admittedly at a major disadvantage at the point guard spot and also against Skal talent and skill wise, although Jefferson and Plumlee are seniors in college which can obviously only help. If they and Jeter can at least keep Skal from going nuts and Duke's wings are better than Kentucky's, I'd say Duke could be in good shape on Tuesday. If these things go against Duke, it could be a long night.

I didnt feel like looking up Duke cupcake stats but i knew he only made one and kept shooting ala our freshman tonight.



Jefferson and Plumlee are solid. I am anxious to see how Lee and Poythress do on offense against them. Skal will score and thankfully neither are great offensive players, although they will rebound.



"Duke's wings are better".....

Jones has more experience and i really like Allen, and Kennard, not concerned with Ingram at this point.

Our wings are true frosh and may not do very well.

However, Murray seems to be a big time player and I'm not sure who you would have guarding him...Allen? Jones cannot stay with Ulis all night.

Briscoe and Ingram will be interesting, Isaiah is a bull, Ingram will have trouble out on the floor versus him.

 

[DodgerDukie1985]

Jefferson and Plumlee are solid. I am anxious to see how Lee and Poythress do on offense against them. Skal will score and thankfully neither are great offensive players, although they will rebound.

Jefferson has his moments offensively. I'm not talking about these first two games, but last year. Granted it was few and far between, but in wins on the road at St. John's and Louisville and at home in the overtime win against Carolina, he scored in double figures and was very efficient from the field. I won't say he'll definitely step up his game in terms of scoring or even that it's likely, but it's possible. Plumlee is what he is. Good athlete who can defend and rebound, but pretty much any offense he gets will be on easy dunks and putbacks.

Jones has more experience and i really like Allen, and Kennard, not concerned with Ingram at this point.

Our wings are true frosh and may not do very well.

However, Murray seems to be a big time player and I'm not sure who you would have guarding him...Allen? Jones cannot stay with Ulis all night.

Briscoe and Ingram will be interesting, Isaiah is a bull, Ingram will have trouble out on the floor versus him.

With Murray, I'd guess Jones and Allen will see some time on him. Probably some Ingram as well when Duke decides to play big with two of Plumlee/Jefferson/Jeter on the court at the same time. Same with Briscoe. As far as Ulis, Thornton will see some time on him as well. But as I said, BIG edge for Kentucky there. Obviously Kennard will be on somebody when he's in there too, but that'll be a problem on the defensive end unless whoever he's guarding is careless with the ball. He came up with a couple steals against Bryant. I know it was only Bryant, but I just think he'll be a big liability defensively if the likes of Briscoe and Murray take care of the ball. Just don't see how he can contain them. I guess he could see some time on Poythress and Willis, but Willis isn't a slouch for you guys right now and he'd be at a major strength disadvantage against Poythress. So in other words, you could say I'm hoping he has sort of his breakout game offensively Tuesday night to make up for what little faith I have in him on the defensive end.

 

[Bodvar Bjarki]

Pretty much automatic that the Duke whistle will have Skal riding the pine all night. So if Briscoe and Murray play well we win and if not we lose. We have to have big nights from those two scoring wise.

 

[Cat Ballou]

The key is defense on their guards - stop Allen driving to the basket and don't leave Kennard wide open.

Allen is going to draw a ton of fouls on us.

 

[Bodvar Bjarki]

Agree that being ready for Duke driving the ball into the paint will be the key. If they are beating our guards and then getting our big(s) in foul trouble then it is going to be a long night.

 

[WallMashKyBall]

Agree that being ready for Duke driving the ball into the paint will be the key. If they are beating our guards and then getting our big(s) in foul trouble then it is going to be a long night.

Ouch, that's an issue for us, I think our guards do allow drives into the paint too much. I'm sure Coach K has seen that mid major guards can get a step on Murray, and will dish up a lot of that.

 

[Blueaz]

If they call the game with the new rules, I think we win by10. Duke can't flip or slip in the lane like they have for years. Also our guards are more athletic. Hell or bigs are more athletic. I see us making a statement on Tuesday. If the freshman don't get caught up in the lights and hoopla . I think list and Poythress keep us grounded and one of our freshman has a breakout game

I think that IF is too big. So glad we had competition in this first two games. We should beat them, but I've got a bad feeling on the foul situatuion and Duke squeking a win.

 

[BostonCat2001]

my concern is the level of insane nonsense that is going to break out here when we lose to duke.

 

[Aike]

I think the most likely scenario is a fun, up and down game between two teams who don't know how to guard anyone yet.

It's the kind of game you want to win for bragging rights, but it isn't much more important than a scrimmage in the scheme of things.

I REALLY like our pieces this year but we aren't close to being the team we will be in March. Not close.

 

[Bkocats]

Since we are UK fans we must nit pick everything.


Here are my concerns after 2 games:

Last game we had issues on defense rotating over underneath. This game it seemed our guards gave up quite a bit of penetration.

Turnovers:

Skal 6
Murray 8
Briscoe 4
Tyler 6


Alex Poythress:

Will he show up?

Will he continue to be foul prone? 8 fouls


Skal's turnaround is automatic from 8-10 feet out. But do we have anyone who can post physically post up on the block consistently?


As for Duke; Grayson Allen and Amile Jefferson are playing very well.

Jefferson has doubles-doubles both games. He is a Sr we actually went after late. Kid has bulked up and plays with high energy.

As for Allen, many here disrespect his game. I dont. I think he is a very good ball player and will continue to be.

Albany missed a bunch of outside shots against us, as did NJIT - 6-32 from 3.

Duke will not miss that many.

Jones, Kennard, Ingram and Allen will not be as generous.



This is the 5th straight year we have played a big game early:

2014 - Beat the ever-loving dog piss out of Kansas
2013 - Lost to MSU
2012 - Lost to Duke
2011 - Beat Kansas (and the should have been POY and of course I will be #1 draft pick, Mr Robinson...)

Brian, as always, I enjoy your posts and perspective. Maybe it's simply wishful thinking, but I believe the competition we faced the last two nights far outweighs who Duke played. At least, I'm counting on that experience, LOL. In the two perspective threads I broke down the numbers just a little to give an idea how Duke did against their competition compared to how we did against ours.

I believe we actually have a defensive edge -part of the misses from our two opponents was due to some defense, after all. I'm also confident in Ulis's point guard play

Skal will probably be riding the bench early - not a fault thing, but a learning thing.

It will be interesting to see how our guys react to the really big stage - and how our experienced guys come to play.

 

[kyjeff1]

Too many think this game means nothing beyond bragging rights. Well, that's just not correct. A win over Duke on a neutral floor could be the difference between UK getting a one seed in March and getting a 2 seedin a tougher bracket . If it's down to us and another team for the last 1 seed I want to have that win over #5 Duke in our corner.

"wins or losses at this time of year mean very little because this is nothing like what this team will look like in March"… ..well duh. Is there any team out there that is in March form right now? We aren't playing the March 2016 version of Duke, we are playing the November 2015 version of Duke.

 

[Aike]

Too many think this game means nothing beyond bragging rights. Well, that's just not correct. A win over Duke on a neutral floor could be the difference between UK getting a one seed in March and getting a 2 seedin a tougher bracket . If it's down to us and another team for the last 1 seed I want to have that win over #5 Duke in our corner.

"wins or losses at this time of year mean very little because this is nothing like what this team will look like in March"… ..well duh. Is there any team out there that is in March form right now? We aren't playing the March 2016 version of Duke, we are playing the November 2015 version of Duke.

Last year, we were probably better in November than we were in March. Veteran teams are much closer to their March form than young teams like us.

The quality win slightly matters, but only slightly. It's only one small piece of the puzzle.

If you want to give the game more weight than it deserves, be my guest. But just because it matters a lot to you doesn't mean it is a huge deal in the scheme of things.

 

[Jazzycat]

I like the Cats chances against dUKe. Both are young with some experience. Both have HOF coaches and are still trying to find their team identity. Both play up and down with guard oriented teams. The key will be UK's front court and the ability of Skal, Willis, Lee and Poythress to defend and make shots. Poythress can be key in this game if he plays aggressive around the basket to neutralize dUKe's inside game. I like UK's young guards to take this game personally and outplay the blue devils backcourt. Jmo

 

[kyjeff1]

Last year, we were probably better in November than we were in March. Veteran teams are much closer to their March form than young teams like us.

The quality win slightly matters, but only slightly. It's only one small piece of the puzzle.

If you want to give the game more weight than it deserves, be my guest. But just because it matters a lot to you doesn't mean it is a huge deal in the scheme of things.

I will agree that UK looked better in November than they did in March but that's rare for any team not coached by Rick Barnes.

 

[Joneslab]

Games on big stages certainly matter, but these are the kinds of games that matter more if you win than if you lose.

If you win it's a huge win for your resume and the confidence of the team. But if you lose it doesn't carry nearly as much weight. Kentucky has been beaten soundly even in the Cal era by good teams--UConn in Maui, Michigan State in the Champions Classic--early on and has gone on to have Final Four seasons.

But it has also won some of these showcase games and has used those very games as touchpoints for a postseason resume.