ADVERTISEMENT

Just for perspective - Duke Vs Siena

Bkocats

All-American
Jan 2, 2011
31,075
68,467
113
I got to thinking about all the comments regarding the UK game last night vs Albany. There are a lot of well-deserved concerns for our current team, but I don't think the situation is as bad as some have made it out to be.

Consider - UK played a team who made the NCAA tourney the last three years running. Albany returned most of their team from last season. UK fielded a mostly young team, none of whom started regularly last year, and a returning player who is coming off a major injury. Yes, we should have played much better - not going to argue that. And we should have won by more than 13 - play got very, very sloppy the last few minutes and that is where we allowed them to get closer in the rebounding and in score. I won't talk about the T on Murray which could have given us a 15-17 pt win.

Duke played Siena - a team that has NOT been to the tourney since 2010 and who went 11-20 last season. Duke only won that game by 18. Duke shot 45% from the floor for the game; 24% from three and only outrebounded Siena by 4. They had 9 assists and 5 blocked shots.

Kentucky vs Albany, we shot 56% from the floor, 35% from the three - granted our rebounding sucked as we only outrebounded Albany by 6. But we did also have 16 assists and 8 blocked shots. (not going to discuss turnovers though - obvious reasons)

The only reason I bring up Duke is because we play them Tuesday. They play Bryant tonight - another team that hasn't been to the tourney recently (since 2008) while our Cats play another tourney team in NJIT.

Just some things to think about - take them as you will.
 
Good thoughts.....I love this team. There is a huge upside and potential that will depend on the coaching and ability of these guys to work together as a unit. The middle of February should tell the tale.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
I'm not sure what everyone said but,

I think it's more about opportunity for improvement.

To be honest, I don't care too much for what Duke is caring.

One thing I know is that coach cal will keep the team improving. It's fun to talk about the change by end of the year.
 
I'm not sure what everyone said but,

I think it's more about opportunity for improvement.

To be honest, I don't care too much for what Duke is caring.

One thing I know is that coach cal will keep the team improving. It's fun to talk about the change by end of the year.

as I said, the only reason why I brought up Duke is that we will be playing them Tuesday. Duke is currently ranked fifth and we are 2nd. There are a lot of similarities for our two teams. It's a marquis matchup. This will be a huge game for our guys.
 
as I said, the only reason why I brought up Duke is that we will be playing them Tuesday. Duke is currently ranked fifth and we are 2nd. There are a lot of similarities for our two teams. It's a marquis matchup. This will be a huge game for our guys.

Do we play Duke Tuesday??? I didn't know... :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
Very good points BKO, I wondered about the difference in competition. you nailed it. We didn't play as bad as some think we did.
In reality Ulis ended up with 5 turnovers. That's not gonna happen too often.

Poythress was a complete no show, we need him to be a dominant force.

Skal was a bit in Awe but look for him to get better by large margins every game.
The rebounding was atrocious but don't look for that to continue.

Also, we didn't have Briscoe last night either.

I'm excited about where this team is right now. We will know more Tuesday night.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
Not sure why anyone wouldn't be thrilled with last night as we are a whole new team with alot of moving parts that will take some time to gel but when we do I think this will be Cal's best team with maybe the exception of 2012. Murray , Skal and Ulis combined ? WOW . Poythress ,Lee and Willis improved - yes sir . Guys like Matthews and Humphries who are oozing talent - Check. I am so stoked for this team . Probably the only team I was this excited about that Cal has had was this first one as Wall and Cousins were such a breath of fresh air but I love this team . Also you can't judge us when we don't have Briscoe , a guy who will be the 2nd leading scorer for us.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
I wish we played Duke a little later in the early season to allow both teams to self-identify. I don't think either team is solidified enough to claim bragging rights as superior after the upcoming game. I want to see the talent comfortable with their own game instead of still feeling each other out.
 
last year to this year is like black and white. last year the upside was hit right out of the gate. this year the sky's the limit. gonna be fun to watch. GBB.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bmenk and Bkocats
Not sure why anyone wouldn't be thrilled with last night as we are a whole new team with alot of moving parts that will take some time to gel but when we do I think this will be Cal's best team with maybe the exception of 2012. Murray , Skal and Ulis combined ? WOW . Poythress ,Lee and Willis improved - yes sir . Guys like Matthews and Humphries who are oozing talent - Check. I am so stoked for this team . Probably the only team I was this excited about that Cal has had was this first one as Wall and Cousins were such a breath of fresh air but I love this team . Also you can't judge us when we don't have Briscoe , a guy who will be the 2nd leading scorer for us.

That was kind of the point - we should be happy with this team right now. Yes, there are obvious concerns, most of which, I feel, will be quickly and fairly easily rectified. Last night for Ulis was an aberration; we knew he had a minor injury this week. Remember last year when he was dealing with shin splints? Those turnovers will be rare for a guy who averaged only 1 a game last season.

And you do make a point that I didn't make in the OP - we were without Briscoe. Because of that, we played Hawkins more than he will normally play.
 
Two similar teams IMO. They're trying to figure things out at point guard and we're trying to build an identity in the post.

The Grayson Allen/Jamal Murray match-up will be fascinating to watch. (Defensively they'll likely put Brandon Ingram on Murray.)

Neither is a very good defensive team yet, it doesn't look like. And it serves to reason that they wouldn't be having to shuffle in so many young players. Duke gave up 47 in the second half last night. One advantage that I could possibly see for Duke is Amile Jefferson. Guy is constant energy and Lee and Poythress will have to match it or he'll just feast on the offensive glass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
Duke will be even softer inside than usual. Poy and Lee have got to show up.
 
Duke game will come down to how hard they screw us with fouls. When you play Duke or UNC it always comes down to the refs.

Think about it, if they are willing to cheat the way they do in school do you suddenly think that stops once they play the games? Hell no. They are screwing us royally and I am tired of it. When is the last time we played Duke without some strange idiotic "what is he doing to Wojo" type moment?
 
Siena's votes in the Mid-major top 25 : 2 big whopping votes
Albany's votes: 54

Siena was probably ranked about 65th among mids and Albany is ranked around 35
http://www.collegeinsider.com/mens-mid-major-top-25.php


NJIT tonight is ranked 24th. We ain't playing super cupcakes that's for sure. NJIT has a guy who shoots 3's like a damn maniac. VOLUME 3 point shooter
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
We have lots of room for improvement, and I'm confident we will see that improvement. Skal needs to be tougher and I'm sure he will get there. Cal has already said he expects a different Poy the next game.

And keep in mind that everyone is adjusting to the new foul calls, so the flow of the game wasn't great last night as players tried to figure out how to defend.

I'm not worried at all. Great post BKO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
Should be a fast paste game tonight. From what I have read LJIT lies to run.
Hope I can see it tonight. By Tuesday you will see a different team that plays against Duke. Cal will have them ready.

The game last night was the 1st real game for the Freshmen so they will be better tonight. I am wondering if Cal will keep Briscoe out of the game tonight and save him for Duke.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
Siena's votes in the Mid-major top 25 : 2 big whopping votes
Albany's votes: 54

Siena was probably ranked about 65th among mids and Albany is ranked around 35
http://www.collegeinsider.com/mens-mid-major-top-25.php


NJIT tonight is ranked 24th. We ain't playing super cupcakes that's for sure. NJIT has a guy who shoots 3's like a damn maniac. VOLUME 3 point shooter
That Poll echoed what I was saying before yesterday;s game - both Albany and NJIT are good teams who will challenge us some but NJIT presents a tad better challenge. Also interesting to see Illini St is in there and we play them as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
Nice post, BKO, I'm sure many who were concerned after the game didn't put things in perspective like you did and I appreciate you checking the stats of both games and making the comparison. We all know comparisons don't always work out but still good to see and then come to our own conclusions. Duke has a lot to accomplish, just as we do, and Tuesday could give us a nice little sneak look into the future but I'm thinking both teams will be very different by March. I was at the game last night and though I wasn't wowed by our effort I'm also encouraged that we have a team that will get way better as the season goes along. Also, this is definitely not the time of year we would want our guys clicking on all cylinders anyway. Again, nice post as I didn't know all the stats from the Duke game last night, only the score. Sounds like we weren't all that bad in comparison.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats
If ur not seeing the potential of a beasty team ur either blind or a jealous hater. We are fine and will be great by march!
 
If ur not seeing the potential of a beasty team ur either blind or a jealous hater. We are fine and will be great by march!

oh I think we all the see the potential; the point was say we weren't as bad as some thought - and quite comparable to Duke, who happens to be in a similar situation we are right now.

I saw enough last night to be excited about this team.
 
Jmo these first two games mean nothing in regards to Tuesday
Their only purpose was to get both team youngsters used to the bright lights.I really don't know what to expect but cannot wait
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT