Kentucky is a title contender. According to Myron Medcalf

[kywildcat41086]

I like this article by Medcalf. Saying its not an overreaction that we're a title contender.

Kentucky is a title contender! Duke is doomed? Judging five early-season overreactions

Two weeks into the 2024-25 season, we're seeing potential championship contenders, hot seat names and more -- or are we? Will these trends last?

www.espn.com

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I don't see how we couldn't be. At least among the 10-12 teams who right now, could realistically win it.

It's not like UK had everything lined up for them with Duke, either. It was still OUR 3rd game together, with not a single player from last season. Duke/Scheyer at least had Proctor and a few others who knew the system. It was still Popes 3rd game at UK. It was still the entire staffs 3rd game.

IMO Kentucky still has a good deal more to grow, and we just got a huge win that will go a long way for selection sunday.

 

[know1]

I've thought that since the coach and lineup were in place and nothing I've seen since has changed my mind. Do I think we're likely to win a title? No, but I think we have a chance. I have known we didn't have a chance many of the last 5 years.

Why do we need someone else to tell us what we can see with our own eyes?

 

[kywildcat41086]

I don't see how we couldn't be. At least among the 10-12 teams who right now, could realistically win it.

It's not like UK had everything lined up for them with Duke, either. It was still OUR 3rd game together, with not a single player from last season. Duke/Scheyer at least had Proctor and a few others who knew the system. It was still Popes 3rd game at UK. It was still the entire staffs 3rd game.

IMO Kentucky still has a good deal more to grow, and we just got a huge win that will go a long way for selection sunday.

That's what makes it even more impressive 3 games together never ever playing any games before and only 1 player being coached by Pope. All I have to say is Pope is a genius on how he constructed this staff and this roster.

 

[kywildcat41086]

I've thought that since the coach and lineup were in place and nothing I've seen since has changed my mind. Do I think we're likely to win a title? No, but I think we have a chance. I have known we didn't have a chance many of the last 5 years.

Why do we need someone else to tell us what we can see with our own eyes?

I like it that more of the National media is starting to see it.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

That's what makes it even more impressive 3 games together never ever playing any games before and only 1 player being coached by Pope. All I have to say is Pope is a genius on how he constructed this staff and this roster.

And honestly, it's probably a roster that's at least a LITTLE piecemeal'd together. These are all solid pieces, but I get the feeling that Pope, now having UK's resources at his disposal, can probably upgrade in a few areas.

I was blown away in the 2nd half of the game Tuesday. He did everything right. I'll excuse the 1st half because again, it's our 3rd game, the team was tight, and the officials were of no help giving us double bonus after 10 min. I think our guys were frustrated by the whistle early on.

 

[know1]

I like it that more of the National media is starting to see it.

Screw them. I'd rather they continue to be wrong and show how ignorant they are.

 

[know1]

That's what makes it even more impressive 3 games together never ever playing any games before and only 1 player being coached by Pope. All I have to say is Pope is a genius on how he constructed this staff and this roster.

This is going to happen more and more moving forward unless things change. The majority of most rosters will likely be new. We need to stop trying to make this seem like some incredible thing. It's the new norm and these guys are veteran players who've been on many teams their whole lives and have now been together for about 5 months or more.

 

[Wonky]

Certainly didn’t need Medcalf or anyone else to tell me that.

Looking around CBB so far this year, there’s not a single team that scares me. KU can’t shoot and depends way too much on HD, just like last year. Auburn appears talented but Pearl’s teams ALWAYS lack discipline. Houston is one-dimensional, basically the new Virginia. UNC barely handled Elon and although they have good guards, they are young and I couldn’t name anyone on their roster besides Davis, Cadeau and Jackson. UConn I have only seen very little of so far. I expect them to be dangerous as usual, but a step down from the last two years. We all know what Arkansas is and will be — not a contender. Bama’s offense doesn’t seem as explosive so far. UT is good but down from last year. Gonzaga has looked great so far.

I think the best teams so far are UK, Gonzaga, UConn and Duke. I would be shocked if the national champ isn’t one of these four schools.

 

[Bluesnky]

We still have so much room for individual player development and teamwork development and for Pope to figure out how this team plays best. Our defense on Tuesday was annoying, harassing, and intense. Our offense was unrelenting with tempo and showed it can still kill you when you take the three away. Our coaching staff and players are all fantastic lovers.

Our fan base is excited instead of dreading every big game. We are back.

 

[CATFANINFLORIDA]

We are pretty high now in the Vegas odds

 

[Fitch44]

In hindsight, I love the fact that we down double digits twice and 9 at half. Had to make adjustments and toughen up on both ends of the court. The team did that and really grew a ton in that second half. I haven’t been this excited since 2009.
LFG!

 

[HerrosHeroes]

I like it that more of the National media is starting to see it.

They have to after we dehorned the #6 Devils and Wonder Boy on a neutral court after trailing by double digits in the 2nd half.

I told you guys mths ago that this team should have been top 10 from the get.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

One of many title contenders. It's going to be a fun ncaa tournament and hoping UCONNs reign of terror is over.

And we have posters saying they are more excited about a big regular season win than the 2012 national title run or the 2014 or 2011 ncaa tourney runs or 38 and 0 start in 2015 and so on. Sorry, 100% disagree there.

 

[JonathanW]

I agree with him. We are not a title favorite, but we are a contender. Usually the favorites are the top 5-6, and the contenders are the top 10-14.

 

[Ripamaru]

I don't see how we couldn't be. At least among the 10-12 teams who right now, could realistically win it.

It's not like UK had everything lined up for them with Duke, either. It was still OUR 3rd game together, with not a single player from last season. Duke/Scheyer at least had Proctor and a few others who knew the system. It was still Popes 3rd game at UK. It was still the entire staffs 3rd game.

IMO Kentucky still has a good deal more to grow, and we just got a huge win that will go a long way for selection sunday.

And it wasn't like Kentucky played the game of their lives either. They shot 40% from the floor and what's likely their best player had 1 pt and 1 reb in 27 mins. That to me was the most impressive part of it.

 

[anonymous_2011]

We will see. In the Duke game they found a way to win and that's what champions do.

Personally I'd be thrilled to get to the sweet 16 and consider that a big success.

 

[EliteBlue]

Certainly didn’t need Medcalf or anyone else to tell me that.

Looking around CBB so far this year, there’s not a single team that scares me. KU can’t shoot and depends way too much on HD, just like last year. Auburn appears talented but Pearl’s teams ALWAYS lack discipline. Houston is one-dimensional, basically the new Virginia. UNC barely handled Elon and although they have good guards, they are young and I couldn’t name anyone else on their roster besides Cadeau and Jackson. UConn I have only seen very little of so far. I expect them to be dangerous as usual, but a step down from the last two years. We all know what Arkansas is and will be — not a contender. Bama’s offense doesn’t seem as explosive so far. UT is good but down from last year. Gonzaga has looked great so far.

I think the best teams so far are UK, Gonzaga, UConn and Duke. I would be shocked if the national champ isn’t one of these four schools.

Throw in Bama, Auburn, Houston, Kansas….and it’s almost guaranteed that the champ comes from one of those 8

 

[chevyman 50]

I think U Conn seems to have to be the favorite but there are always Cinderella teams but I hope Ky is in the final four then anything can happen.

 

[chroix]

I don't see how we couldn't be. At least among the 10-12 teams who right now, could realistically win it.

It's not like UK had everything lined up for them with Duke, either. It was still OUR 3rd game together, with not a single player from last season. Duke/Scheyer at least had Proctor and a few others who knew the system. It was still Popes 3rd game at UK. It was still the entire staffs 3rd game.

IMO Kentucky still has a good deal more to grow, and we just got a huge win that will go a long way for selection sunday.

Exactly this.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

I think U Conn seems to have to be the favorite but there are always Cinderella teams but I hope Ky is in the final four then anything can happen.

Me too Brother, me too.

 

[Creed Bratton]

Hey Myron,

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Certainly didn’t need Medcalf or anyone else to tell me that.

Looking around CBB so far this year, there’s not a single team that scares me. KU can’t shoot and depends way too much on HD, just like last year. Auburn appears talented but Pearl’s teams ALWAYS lack discipline. Houston is one-dimensional, basically the new Virginia. UNC barely handled Elon and although they have good guards, they are young and I couldn’t name anyone on their roster besides Davis, Cadeau and Jackson. UConn I have only seen very little of so far. I expect them to be dangerous as usual, but a step down from the last two years. We all know what Arkansas is and will be — not a contender. Bama’s offense doesn’t seem as explosive so far. UT is good but down from last year. Gonzaga has looked great so far.

I think the best teams so far are UK, Gonzaga, UConn and Duke. I would be shocked if the national champ isn’t one of these four schools.

Agree re Kansas. If they're the best, UK is right there with them.

 

[jeffky]

Who do we play Tuesday night and when you answer let's play them the rest will take care of themselves

 

[kennyskywalker34]

I've thought that since the coach and lineup were in place and nothing I've seen since has changed my mind. Do I think we're likely to win a title? No, but I think we have a chance. I have known we didn't have a chance many of the last 5 years.

Why do we need someone else to tell us what we can see with our own eyes?

This! Kentucky is one of 8-10 teams that can win a title. That's all you can ask for and it's been at least 6 years since we could say that.

 

[NociHTTP]

I don't see how we couldn't be. At least among the 10-12 teams who right now, could realistically win it.

It's not like UK had everything lined up for them with Duke, either. It was still OUR 3rd game together, with not a single player from last season. Duke/Scheyer at least had Proctor and a few others who knew the system. It was still Popes 3rd game at UK. It was still the entire staffs 3rd game.

IMO Kentucky still has a good deal more to grow, and we just got a huge win that will go a long way for selection sunday.

It was our FIFTH game together, it's just only the last three count toward W-L record. Still, we're very inexperienced in terms of playing with one another.