I respectfully disagree. If UK beats Duke on a neutral court, we're a top 10ish team in the next poll and would be top 5-7 by the time we play Clemson.
Beating Duke puts this UK team instantly on the map.
Kentucky currently a 7.5 point dog against Dook
- Thread starter Smashcat
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Beating Duke puts this UK team instantly on the map.
I am not suggesting that you feel that way. I am talking about the national media. The same ones who are suggesting that Arkansas struggled as did Baylor because they have so many new players on the team as if Kentucky doesn't. I can't speak for Baylor, but having lots of new players is nothing new for Cal, so that shouldn't be an excuse.
I think one thing that’s easy to forget is this projects to be a very good shooting Duke team. It’s easy to just label them young/talented especially because we can relate to that so well from Cal teams of the past. But unlike our past talent, this roster can shoot. Besides their African and Syracuse bigs, everyone can shoot at a decent level with Kon and Gillis being big time shooters.
I have no idea what to expect.
We’ve seen young teams be super amped and really mentally into a big game so they dominate regardless of age difference. Would not shock me for that to happen Tuesday. We saw Duke just in the last couple weeks boat race a Big 12 team that competed with Gonzaga today. But only be up by 8 a little after half against Maine.
The non Koby Brea 3 point shooting is sub 30%. If those other guys are hitting, I like our chances. If they don’t, it’s probably going to be a tough night. We’ve also been labeling this a big athleticism disadvantage all offseason. Personally Amari’s movement skills have amazed me. Think that helps shrink that gap, which outside of Carr doesn’t feel extreme as it once did.
I have no idea what to expect.
We’ve seen young teams be super amped and really mentally into a big game so they dominate regardless of age difference. Would not shock me for that to happen Tuesday. We saw Duke just in the last couple weeks boat race a Big 12 team that competed with Gonzaga today. But only be up by 8 a little after half against Maine.
The non Koby Brea 3 point shooting is sub 30%. If those other guys are hitting, I like our chances. If they don’t, it’s probably going to be a tough night. We’ve also been labeling this a big athleticism disadvantage all offseason. Personally Amari’s movement skills have amazed me. Think that helps shrink that gap, which outside of Carr doesn’t feel extreme as it once did.
It's hard to know really what to expect.
We looked good against Wright St and Bucknell.
This is an entirely different beast tho.
We looked good against Wright St and Bucknell.
This is an entirely different beast tho.
I don't recall them shooting that well in their previous games which is the reason why they are projected to be an inside scoring team.
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Well they’ve made 28 3pts to our 24 and 41% to our 40%. They are def a good 3 shooting team. Hopefully we’ll have JRob and Brea both on fire and maybe another or have a couple others pitch in. I think Kriisa is capable of having a big scoring night.
They shot close to 50% from 3 in the exhibition games and are 42% from 3 in reg season. High volume. Can shoot too
Hhhhhhmmmm. Well, if Duke mops the floor with us, are the fans going to find comfort in the fact that Pope put it together quickly? Maybe.
Soon enough, soon enough. Then the talking heads will say that they knew UK was under rated and that they expected them to be good. Pope is playing with house money this year.
After Zion and the other pukes mopped us up, we still knew that we had a good team and a chance to be really good. Pope gets a pass if that smug A hole did.
Here’s the thing, we all like how it looks against Wright and Bucknell. We all love Pope. But, we sit wondering how this team stacks up against P5 teams. This game gives us the very first look.
I actually think UK’s experience – which is better than Duke’s – could be the determining factor. I just see that Duke is not exactly like a typical Calipari type team in that they have some good experienced players who they can rely on. I hope Duke lets James, Gillis and Brown languish on the bench more against UK.
This Kentucky team and coaching staff will not allow any team in America to mop the floor with them. I expect to see close wins and some close losses through the season, but this team is nobody’s mop handle.
Beginning of the year, we are only 7.5 points to one of the best teams in college basketball on a neutral court. Says a lot. We will be way better by March. We still win this game.
Go Cats!!
Go Cats!!
I make no predictions. It’s early in this season and teams like UK that replaced a whole roster and have only one former player under the HC will grow as the season progresses. Duke has a lot of young talent and I think will give Kentucky trouble on the boards. UK is mature, but might not have a true superstar. It seems like a weird matchup and will be a great barometer.
Even that, the lines moving suggest that the bettors don't think we are 7.5 points behind but closer to 6. Some would even say we are closer than that.
This might be a very good year.
UK getting some action. Now UK+6.
Hoping the moneyline will shrink a bit. Looking to buy a win but -260 is too steep.
Considering who our coach was during that span and the amount of talent wasted, it isn't much of a surprise.
They ain't mopping the floor with us.
They don't have the team to do it.
Point spread about as much as they're going to win by if they win.
I do believe Kentucky wins in a surprise blowout. Kentucky will run the ball up and down the court quickly. Probably full court pressure from the beginning. Why?
Pooper fags is going to be on the bench with cramps. He was on the bench second half of the Army game last game with cramps. He'll get cramps against Kentucky defense/offense because of over exertion.
Get into their legs. It's an early weakness. Duke has had problems with cramps for 3 years.
Full court pressure using 10 guys. That's how you beat them. Watch and see. Pope is smart.
That's the best strategy if they're suffering from cramps. Pressure defense 1st half. All 20 minutes.
This doesn't even take into the fact that Duke doesn't start anybody or anybody on their bench under 6'5. They are very tall. Even the bench is tall like I said nobody under 6'5. Pressure defense might work against a bunch of tall dudes.
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I don’t bet on games but if I did I would take that bet all day long year round! I actually see Kentucky winning this game because of their experience and shooting skills. Every player they have can knock down 3’s. Duke is talented but they are young.
We often disagree. But I think you are right.
Initial rankings are not much more than darts thrown at a dart board, especially after the top 5. Duke is one many are saying is top 5, so to beat them, without any other blemishes, I would think would put us in top 10.
It will continue to move down. People are watching KY in Vegas. Someone put big money on KY right before gametime against Bucknell that moved the spread almost 5 points. They might do it again.
Go Cats!!
no one knows anything about these two teams yet......especially in the big-time prime time.....
should be a good test for both.
should be a good test for both.
Over/Under is 160.5 on DK and 161.5 on FD
This might be low
This might be low
I don't gamble, but given the spread and the O/U, doesn't this essentially mean the prediction is 87-80 (or 86.75-80.25) Duke?
I will find it VERY hard to believe Duke lays out 86 points against this UK team. Very, very hard. If this gets into a run and gun game as I expect, I think 160.5 is pretty accurate, but the score will be more like UK 88, Puke 73.
In fact, that's what I'm going with.
I think they mean in all the times we've played them in this Champions Classic, we've not won since 2015.
And someone else has a longer state that says we are 2-9 vs Puke since the 90s.
That's fugly, but I think it changes tomorrow night.
Take the CATS and the over. We are going to score at will.
I'm expecting a close game. I think UK will get an early lead and then have to hold off Duke late. I think the Cats win by under 10. Duke will improve throughout the year, but I think the Cats have too much experience this time around and will be too much for Duke this time. UK's three point shooting and defense are the difference.
Well we have 3 Defensive stoppers: Butler, Oweh and Williams. Garrison and Carr are no slouches either.
I say bring it Duke.
You better.
Well, Pope beat #7 Kansas in Kansas last yr with no where near the talent level and depth of this team. In fact Pope’s BYU team defeated 4 ranked teams last yr.
Tomorrow will be old hat for #41.
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