Last Night's Game

[Bkocats]

my apologies for not adding this to any existing threads. I didn't get to post during the game last night - so thought I'd throw a few thoughts here.

Lord, what an ugly game. I don't know if it was a "hangover" type thing or what. Wright State was a team we should've beaten by 25+. Everyone seemed out of sync most of the game - rebounding was atrocious, 3point shooting was atrocious and OMG FTs. It did look like Cal was working on some new things; but it was hard to tell if it was that or we just weren't executing stuff we've done before.

But - as, I'm sure it was with everyone, what stood out was the horrendous officiating. I hope it's understood - I'm not blaming officiating on our poor play by a long shot. Bu,t what it did was disrupt the flow of the game for both teams. I get that the new freedom of movement rules will take adjustment time and, theoretically, will eventually allow a smooth flowing game. I don't think these refs quite understood what that meant though. I wonder if they weren't quite clear on the rules or what.

Let me be clear - at no time was I worried that we'd lose this game. I haven't checked the box score - but other than Ulis, it seemed to me no one really came to play (outside of a few highlights).

Am I way off - or........? Let me know your thoughts. TIA

 

[Clive Gollings]

The new rules slowed the game down. It wasn't the refs fault. Wright state came in fouling a lot ....more than most.

I do think Calipari played more bench players than normal. We have to have more looks at what they can do.

Games like this gave us early indicators on what to work on. Which I truly believe we will.

It's the 4th game of the season. Everything is learning mistakes.

 

[Bkocats]

The new rules slowed the game down. It wasn't the refs fault. Wright state came in fouling a lot ....more than most.

I do think Calipari played more bench players than normal. We have to have more looks at what they can do.

Games like this gave us early indicators on what to work on. Which I truly believe we will.

It's the 4th game of the season. Everything is learning mistakes.

LOL you are right it wasn't their "fault" - it just got very, very frustrating to watch; especially the last 10 minutes or so when it seemed they were blowing their whistles every 10 seconds.
I do agree that this is a great learning game for us.

 

[Mike-D]

It's becoming apparent that this team won't average 80 points a game this year, and to me, that's on Cal. Everyone is sticking their heads down and driving to the basket. If you shoot an early jumper and miss, Cal is going to lose it. I just hate the way our Offense has looked. There is no reason why this can't be our best offensive team under Cal. And another thing, Jamal Murray is our best offensive weapon, so let's run a play for him and get him going sometimes.

 

[Big Foot 275]

my apologies for not adding this to any existing threads. I didn't get to post during the game last night - so thought I'd throw a few thoughts here.

Lord, what an ugly game. I don't know if it was a "hangover" type thing or what. Wright State was a team we should've beaten by 25+. Everyone seemed out of sync most of the game - rebounding was atrocious, 3point shooting was atrocious and OMG FTs. It did look like Cal was working on some new things; but it was hard to tell if it was that or we just weren't executing stuff we've done before.

But - as, I'm sure it was with everyone, what stood out was the horrendous officiating. I hope it's understood - I'm not blaming officiating on our poor play by a long shot. Bu,t what it did was disrupt the flow of the game for both teams. I get that the new freedom of movement rules will take adjustment time and, theoretically, will eventually allow a smooth flowing game. I don't think these refs quite understood what that meant though. I wonder if they weren't quite clear on the rules or what.

Let me be clear - at no time was I worried that we'd lose this game. I haven't checked the box score - but other than Ulis, it seemed to me no one really came to play (outside of a few highlights).

Am I way off - or........? Let me know your thoughts. TIA

I kind of thought the same thing but when I looked at the box score I felt a little better. Cats shot 53% from the field although only 2-10 on threes. They hit 70% of their free throws. They outrebounded them by 12. The game did get stopped a lot by free throws which caused the game to not have much of a flow to it. Poy ended up with a double double so him and Ulis had the best games but because of all the free throw shooting it wasn't a great game to watch.
I guess the other thing would be Wright State did hit their threes so that kept the game closer than the 21 point spread.

 

[uk78]

Mike-D's post is of interest because it all depends upon what the long range offensive intent may be. Cal said in the post game about wanting players to drive the ball and picked on Murray for taking an early shot clock 3 that missed. He added that this was the easy way out and he wants his team to be tough and physical.

So, if in the early season this is a teaching issue, great. But, Murray is a huge offensive weapon and we have seen the guy is a super hot streak outside shooter and has to get going and then is effective. So, I hope once the drive to the basket lessons are learned that we don't become just totally dribble drive. The other thing that seemed weird to me was the talk about Ulis not having a back-up and then that Briscoe was selected to play that role (and did not do it very well during the few minutes Ulis was out). But, but, but, Murray was fantastic on the Canada team running it and played much better when the ball was in his hands. Why isn't he moving to that position when Ulis is out? He may in some areas even be more talented than Ulis at the point????? Briscoe plays like a very talented freshman. A few great plays followed by some rushed out of control ones. Whereas Murray seems very paced and again would seem like the obvious option. So, not sure I am following the logic.

 

[CatsIndy2010]

Our guards and post players should be focused on getting that ball as close to the basket as possible when scoring. We had several desperation type shots last night several times...a few mid-range jumpers seemed forced and some 3s.....But overall, a win is a win.

 

[Bkocats]

Mike-D's post is of interest because it all depends upon what the long range offensive intent may be. Cal said in the post game about wanting players to drive the ball and picked on Murray for taking an early shot clock 3 that missed. He added that this was the easy way out and he wants his team to be tough and physical.

So, if in the early season this is a teaching issue, great. But, Murray is a huge offensive weapon and we have seen the guy is a super hot streak outside shooter and has to get going and then is effective. So, I hope once the drive to the basket lessons are learned that we don't become just totally dribble drive. The other thing that seemed weird to me was the talk about Ulis not having a back-up and then that Briscoe was selected to play that role (and did not do it very well during the few minutes Ulis was out). But, but, but, Murray was fantastic on the Canada team running it and played much better when the ball was in his hands. Why isn't he moving to that position when Ulis is out? He may in some areas even be more talented than Ulis at the point????? Briscoe plays like a very talented freshman. A few great plays followed by some rushed out of control ones. Whereas Murray seems very paced and again would seem like the obvious option. So, not sure I am following the logic.

Yes - that's something that struck me too; maybe because Murray IS so good Cal wants him on the floor; perhaps developing into a combo guard? - and maybe wants Briscoe off the bench to provide a spark and to rest Ulis? This is some of what I meant by Cal trying some new things?

Sorry for all the question marks. I honestly don't know - and love the input from people who understand the game better. You all know I love my hoops -and can quote you some stats, but I have to admit, I still get a little lost on many things

 

[Deli owl]

Briscoe came to play I thought

 

[kyjeff1]

I mentioned the ugliness of the game in another thread. It was unwatchable at times. I know it will work to our advantage in some games but come on, that was too much.
Although, it is a known fact that Wright State is one of the worst teams in the country at fouling so there's that.
Also, the last three seasons have all started out with officials stating there will be new changes and each year has started out just like this. The refs start out every time going overboard with the rule changes and eventually it goes back to Normal. I don't know if it's an adjustment period that they go through or if it's just the refs realizing how bad it is affecting the game but look for the refs to eventually back off a little soon.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

It's becoming apparent that this team won't average 80 points a game this year, and to me, that's on Cal. Everyone is sticking their heads down and driving to the basket. If you shoot an early jumper and miss, Cal is going to lose it. I just hate the way our Offense has looked. There is no reason why this can't be our best offensive team under Cal. And another thing, Jamal Murray is our best offensive weapon, so let's run a play for him and get him going sometimes.

Hard to do that when the other teams play stall ball. Team is averaging 79.25 so far.

 

[Bkocats]

I mentioned the ugliness of the game in another thread. It was unwatchable at times. I know it will work to our advantage in some games but come on, that was too much.
Although, it is a known fact that Wright State is one of the worst teams in the country at fouling so there's that.
Also, the last three seasons have all started out with officials stating there will be new changes and each year has started out just like this. The refs start out every time going overboard with the rule changes and eventually it goes back to Normal. I don't know if it's an adjustment period that they go through or if it's just the refs realizing how bad it is affecting the game but look for the refs to eventually back off a little soon.

true true - but it wasn't near like this Tuesday night, and with officials who have a reputation. I don't know if I want them to back off, exactly - just be consistent. They were calling things the last 10 minutes they didn't call during the first half. IT was strange.

 

[Mike-D]

Hard to do that when the other teams play stall ball. Team is averaging 79.25 so far.

Should be well over 80 to this point against the competition we've played. Expect that number to continue to drop unless do more than just drive to the basket every game.

 

[kyjeff1]

true true - but it wasn't near like this Tuesday night, and with officials who have a reputation. I don't know if I want them to back off, exactly - just be consistent. They were calling things the last 10 minutes they didn't call during the first half. IT was strange.

You hit the nail on the head BKO. I noticed that too. Consistency would be nice.

 

[kyjeff1]

Should be well over 80 to this point against the competition we've played. Expect that number to continue to drop unless do more than just drive to the basket every game.

For starters our guys need to make free throws. Ulis is the only one I trust to hit them right now. We missed at least 12 last night.

 

[NCukcat62]

A very boring game overall. But we did do good things. Still have some issues with finishing and rebounding.

 

[ORCAT]

I was at the game and it was one of the ugliest and most unwatchable games I've even been to at Rupp. BKO, you have a good point, the refs did call a lot of stuff, it seems, in those last 10 minutes that they just didn't call earlier in the game. The first half, for example, was finished in about 40 minutes as I checked my watch at halftime because I didn't believe it went so fast. The 2nd half dragged on forever and I even caught myself yawning at one point as I was so board. This didn't allow either team to get into any type of flow and took the corwd completely out of the game. The fans at Rupp, you could tell, wanted to get into the game but just couldn't as the game was constantly interrupted by all the whistles and became very slow. It was also obvious that Wright State wanted to play very physical with us and pack the middle of the key to stop our driving to the basket and that slowed things down considerably. Just a boring, ugly game and I hope we don't see more of that but Cal even said this might be the plan other teams will follow to play against us, be real physical, run lots of different zones and pack the middle. Slow down our style of play much as they can in order to have a chance to keep it close and maybe pull off the upset. New rules also played a huge part as pointed out by others.

 

[ukwazoo]

Poythress and Matthews both played well off the bench. Poythress and Murray both hit all their free throws. We shot 70% as a team. But if you take out Ulis, Poythress, & Murray, we were 2-11.

 

[ukwazoo]

Skal has to get a lot better on defense.

 

[SmyrnaCatFan]

I don't want to change the topic but I'm so mad at the guy who posted that this team will be so sick. Hawkins was out with some kind of virus. Humphries out with a bruised foot. Who's to say that some of the others weren't feeling so well either? People ought not put the jinx on us with those kinds of posts. Think people before you post!

 

[FlCATFan]

It was one UGLY game. Unfortunately until we develop a little more consistency under the basket we are going to struggle at times. Let's give some credit to the Wright State guards. They did foul, but they also managed to stay in front of our guards and gave them very few driving lanes or open looks from the perimeter, (unlike Duke). Developing the aforementioned interior play will help to alleviate this to a large extent.

 

[Cawood86]

Wright St intended to bump and grab all night. No intention of playing basketball

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

We will probably continue looking this way until we develope our post game. Most of this is going to be on Skal and how fast he can get used to playing college basketball. Once Skal can give us that inside scoring, it will open our entire offense up and make our guards that much more dangerous. At the rate Skal's developing is going, it might take a few more weeks until this happens. I do think it will eventually happen so i'm not too worried about it at this point.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

It's becoming apparent that this team won't average 80 points a game this year, and to me, that's on Cal. Everyone is sticking their heads down and driving to the basket. If you shoot an early jumper and miss, Cal is going to lose it. I just hate the way our Offense has looked. There is no reason why this can't be our best offensive team under Cal. And another thing, Jamal Murray is our best offensive weapon, so let's run a play for him and get him going sometimes.

I don't worry at all about this team... and normally I'm a worrier. They'll be fine. It's early and it's going to take a few games to start to really click. They play together, share the ball, and genuinely seem to like one another. Can't believe anyone would worry at this point. Just relax and enjoy the ride.

 

[jedcat]

If opponents are going to pack the middle, does that not alter the effectiveness of the dribble drive and necessitate us having somewhat of a threat from three point range?

 

[Mike-D]

I don't worry at all about this team... and normally I'm a worrier. They'll be fine. It's early and it's going to take a few games to start to really click. They play together, share the ball, and genuinely seem to like one another. Can't believe anyone would worry at this point. Just relax and enjoy the ride.

I'm not worried about anything. I simply said we should be better offensively. You can agree or disagree. We are young, and we will continue to improve just like we have every other season minus 2013.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

2 made threes will not be enough against good competition

 

[stuway]

Wait till we play hookerbirds....last night will make that look mild. 100 plus freethrows coming in that game

 

[westerncat]

We will probably continue looking this way until we develope our post game. Most of this is going to be on Skal and how fast he can get used to playing college basketball. Once Skal can give us that inside scoring, it will open our entire offense up and make our guards that much more dangerous. At the rate Skal's developing is going, it might take a few more weeks until this happens. I do think it will eventually happen so i'm not too worried about it at this point.

I agree with the post game not being that good right now. Skal looked like he was getting a little upset last night in the 2nd half. He is going to be a great player but it might just take him a little longer to settle in. We will be fine come March.