"Kentucky is better than Arkansas"
- Thread starter Smashcat
- Start date
Jaxson Robinson sure looks like a decent NBA player to me so far.
This is the final straw that will drive the Cal lovers over the edge. LolKentucky is better than Arkansas
There is one key stat that tells the story of why Kentucky is out to an early lead on Arkansas in the John Calipari breakup battle. In the Wildcats' 103-62 season-opening win over Wright State, 30 of their 39 baskets came on assists. While many of those buckets came in transition, UK also looked better running its half court offense than Arkansas did in its opener.
The Razorbacks needed a 14-1 late run to pull away from Lipscomb in a 76-60 win on Wednesday to open Calipari's tenure. Just 10 of their 34 made came on assists as Arkansas struggled to a 4-of-19 performance from beyond the arc. Kentucky looked like an actual team in its first game under Mark Pope. Arkansas merely looked like a collection of talent in its debut under Calipari. There's plenty of time for things to change. But if we're overreacting to a one-game sample size, then Kentucky is winning the breakup battle so far. -- David Cobb
Dribble Handoff: Kentucky looks impressive and other overreactions to college basketball's opening week
Here are some knee-jerk observations to the early action as the 2024-25 college basketball season gets startedwww.cbssports.com
You got to have some guys who go get you buckets. At least that is the belief of one of Cal's fanboys. Lol
The two wildest "returns" I recall was Kansas when the year before they beat us 150-95 and RP's return. Crowds were ready for blood both games. Cal's return will be in that group. The fanbase is ready for a bloodletting to wash away his last 5 yrs.
Normally, this would be useless info and probably still is.
But, here is why it is mildly intriguing (mildly is emphasized): Pope has ONE returner to his system. Cal has three. Mark getting his team to play his system is the key. It shows that his staff knows how to teach. Granted, they are teaching veterans, for the most part, but Cal has some seasoned experience, as well.
Other than that, Liscomb (we play later) is not Wright.
Not much more to this.
But, here is why it is mildly intriguing (mildly is emphasized): Pope has ONE returner to his system. Cal has three. Mark getting his team to play his system is the key. It shows that his staff knows how to teach. Granted, they are teaching veterans, for the most part, but Cal has some seasoned experience, as well.
Other than that, Liscomb (we play later) is not Wright.
Not much more to this.
That is one of reason why I don't watch the NBA. However, college basketball isn't the NBA and thank goodness for that.
Cal isn't Pope. However, college basketball is college basketball no matter the team or coach. You either can coach or you can't. We are about to find out who Cal is without Kentucky.
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He was already blaming his players in that first press conference LOL. I’m soooo glad is out of blue and in red now.
It will probably be up there depending on the makeup of the crowd. I don’t think Cal is hated quite like Pitino was overall. Especially going to a rival like that.
I agree. Looks like a taller version of Reeves, who, as we know, would up with a NBA contract after returning for a 5th year.
Two game sample size Arkansas looks like a typical caliparian loser. Young and dumb show ball.
The entire description of Arkansas in that blurb just summarizes the same old shit we saw for the last 7 years with Cal.
I'll wait to see how they look when they are back to full strength. I know they're still missing Brazile, Graham, and Menifield. I know Brazile could be a significant contributor but I'm not sure when he's expected to return. With Calipari, there is no telling, and it will probably be a month longer than expected.
Having said this, the article points out something that was always an issue with Calipari's teams. They're usually more naturally talented than their opponents- usually a step quicker and better athletes, so they usually clear out and allow guys to just do their thing. This leads to few assists and a bunch of tough shots, guarded shots which lead to low FG%. We've all seen it. In years where you have some elite talents, you can play with most anyone. In years where the talent is more equal, you struggle. But the thing that is almost always missing is a lot of teamwork and working to create shots for each other. That is what I see on this UK team already. These guys are working for each other and they are creating shots for each other. I love what I'm seeing so far. As of now, I would agree that UK looks like the better team.
Having said this, the article points out something that was always an issue with Calipari's teams. They're usually more naturally talented than their opponents- usually a step quicker and better athletes, so they usually clear out and allow guys to just do their thing. This leads to few assists and a bunch of tough shots, guarded shots which lead to low FG%. We've all seen it. In years where you have some elite talents, you can play with most anyone. In years where the talent is more equal, you struggle. But the thing that is almost always missing is a lot of teamwork and working to create shots for each other. That is what I see on this UK team already. These guys are working for each other and they are creating shots for each other. I love what I'm seeing so far. As of now, I would agree that UK looks like the better team.
Z looks totally lost most of the time still.
Johnell is playing and taking less shots than both DJ and Fland.
Same old same old Cal team.
Not enough shooters and no overwhelming athletes to make up for the shooting for them this year.
Worst staff Cal has ever had.
I guess the bright spot is Adou Thiero, DJ and Z will play about the same way they did last year. Fland is good but he's no better then Tyty, Quickley, Wallace, Maxey and none of them made a F4 with Cal. Johnell is there best player but he's promised minutes and shots to DJ and Fland so predict that locker room won't be the best after they get a few weeks in the season.
Johnell is playing and taking less shots than both DJ and Fland.
Same old same old Cal team.
Not enough shooters and no overwhelming athletes to make up for the shooting for them this year.
Worst staff Cal has ever had.
I guess the bright spot is Adou Thiero, DJ and Z will play about the same way they did last year. Fland is good but he's no better then Tyty, Quickley, Wallace, Maxey and none of them made a F4 with Cal. Johnell is there best player but he's promised minutes and shots to DJ and Fland so predict that locker room won't be the best after they get a few weeks in the season.
As for Davis, I'll say what UofL fans used to say when they lost a recruit, 'Didn't want him anyway...bad attitude....or something'
It quite simply boils down to one factor. CCC is on the sidelines for Arkansas. Advantage UK. I like UK's experience and fitting Pope's system much better. The team will have progressed much further along by the time this game with the Razorbacks comes around on Feb. 1st.
They will never be back to full strength. Full strength isn't Cal's MO these days.
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