It seems to be all about home and away

[IL Wildcat]

There are some players and teams which are totally different home and away, and I think this team is one of those. It's the only way I can explain the way this team can beat Louisville and a good Ole Miss team at home and then lay an egg at LSU. That would also explain the loss at UCLA and the loss to Ohio State. The only thing I can't explain is how we beat Duke.

If I'm right, it's likely mostly a mental issue than anything else. It also means this UK team could lose to pretty much any team in the SEC on the road, until they get this figured out.

 

[CELTICAT]

Also means we could get bounced first weekend or play in April. Sort of like an awful lot of Kentucky teams through the ages.

 

[KyFord]

This would also describe the Brandon Knight squad, that team peaked at the perfect time. It was tough losing to UConn but still an awesome run through the Tournament.

Hopefully this team can turn the corner as well, it is very tough to win on the road with a young team.

 

[The_Answer1313]

It's hard to win on the road. It's not specific to UK.

 

[IL Wildcat]

It's hard to win on the road. It's not specific to UK.

This is true, but some players, and by extension their teams, seem to embrace the road environment and see it as a challenge to overcome. Others seem to just crumble or play poorly or just make uncharacteristic mistakes. It seems to me that Poythress and Lee both fit this description for whatever reason.

 

[UKDUNK]

Homecourt advantage is borderline unfair in college basketball. I always say it's worth 8-12 points.

 

[IL Wildcat]

All young teams start out uncomfortable on the road, the basis of my early prediction of a loss to UCLA even after the Duke win when that was seen as ludicrous by many. Cal has had three Final Four teams lose their first road game and even last year's only won in Double OT.

I think it is too soon, and the sample size too small, to suggest this team will not turn it around fairly quickly on the road. I'm cautiously optimistic the Cats will win the next three road games. If they have more than one additional road loss before the Kansas trip, I'll be worried.

I agree about the cautiously optimistic outlook on this particular team. I do think there is something more about away games for this particular team, but I'm convinced it's mostly mental. There is no doubt they've shown the ability to play well and win against good teams. So they just need to figure out how to do it on the road.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Homecourt advantage is borderline unfair in college basketball. I always say it's worth 8-12 points.

3.7 points I believe. So in reality it's 7.4 points.

 

[docholiday51]

There are some players and teams which are totally different home and away, and I think this team is one of those. It's the only way I can explain the way this team can beat Louisville and a good Ole Miss team at home and then lay an egg at LSU. That would also explain the loss at UCLA and the loss to Ohio State. The only thing I can't explain is how we beat Duke.

If I'm right, it's likely mostly a mental issue than anything else. It also means this UK team could lose to pretty much any team in the SEC on the road, until they get this figured out.

Home vs Away is a big factor, I think it is more about match-ups and personnel. Our losses have been to teams that have strong athletic guys down low that can score, we haven't been able to defend the paint. We don't seem to be able to contest shots and rebound at the same time, if we contest the other team gets a put back or second chance possession, if we try to get position the shot goes in and there is no rebound to get. We are missing that one guy that can be a factor in the paint.

 

[IL Wildcat]

Home vs Away is a big factor, I think it is more about match-ups and personnel. Our losses have been to teams that have strong athletic guys down low that can score, we haven't been able to defend the paint. We don't seem to be able to contest shots and rebound at the same time, if we contest the other team gets a put back or second chance possession, if we try to get position the shot goes in and there is no rebound to get. We are missing that one guy that can be a factor in the paint.

You may be right Doc. We desperately need Skal or someone to step up in the paint. Should we give up on Wynyard? Is he too far behind to play meaningful minutes? Is he just unable to compete at this level yet? I can't imagine he'd be any worse than Skal has been, but I could be wrong. Heck, if he will put someone on their butt and grab a rebound, I'd be happy.

 

[IL Wildcat]

By the way, if anyone just sees this thread as my being a debbie downer, sorry about that. Just so we're clear, I'm not ever giving up on the team, on the players, on the coach, or anyone else.

 

[docholiday51]

You may be right Doc. We desperately need Skal or someone to step up in the paint. Should we give up on Wynyard? Is he too far behind to play meaningful minutes? Is he just unable to compete at this level yet? I can't imagine he'd be any worse than Skal has been, but I could be wrong. Heck, if he will put someone on their butt and grab a rebound, I'd be happy.

Coming from the background and type/level of play that Wynyard does I think it is almost an unreasonable expectation for him to be able to produce at this level in basically 2 weeks time. Humphries played decently early but then disappeared from the floor for a month. I would be surprised if Wynyard is to his level yet. As you say we don't have much to lose and maybe one of the two of them could take up space and free up Lee or AP to challenge shots and be more active in the lane.