Looking at Clemson’s stats

[Wonky]

I don’t know if they score enough to beat us. We average 17ppg more than they do. If we are cold from three again it could be a long night for us, but only if they sag off. If they don’t, we should burn them in the paint like we did GA State. Their big is their second best player so it would be nice to have BG back to give him a different look and help tire him out. They aren’t as deep as us either. If Butler or Oweh can limit their lead guard to his average, I think we win fairly easily. I don’t think our bunch is going to lose composure in front of a hostile crowd. Should be a fun game!

 

[chroix]

I think we come in focused and ready for this one and win big. Team seems bored with the cupcakes.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Clemson is a cupcake.

 

[B.B.H.]

I don’t know if they score enough to beat us. We average 17ppg more than they do. If we are cold from three again it could be a long night for us, but only if they sag off. If they don’t, we should burn them in the paint like we did GA State. Their big is their second best player so it would be nice to have BG back to give him a different look and help tire him out. They aren’t as deep as us either. If Butler or Oweh can limit their lead guard to his average, I think we win fairly easily. I don’t think our bunch is going to lose composure in front of a hostile crowd. Should be a fun game!

This does remain another unanswered question about this team. How will they fare in a hostile road environment? I lean toward expecting them to be just fine but we shall see

 

[Basscat1987]

Clemson is a cupcake.

Not quite.

 

[Smashcat]

How will they fare in a hostile road environment?

That's the question.

 

[Bluegrass79]

Their defenses holding to 62 points against crap. Which is a good sign because you're supposed to hold crap to 62 points.
So they'll probably keep us from getting 90.

Clemson better hope we're not hitting our threes and also not hitting our twos or they're going to get their ass kicked on their home floor and they're going to find out who the real CAT in basketball is.

Plus we owe you ****ers for the bowl game last year. You're not beating us in both.

The Pope is probably salivating to whoop your ass so you better beware Tigers.

 

[gbl97]

This bunch of grad students won't get rattled on the road. They've been there, done that.

 

[fatguy87]

I expect a rather high percentage of our shots to come from 3 in this game. Clemson's opponents have taken over 40% of their shots from 3 on average.

 

[anonymous_2011]

After last night I sure hope Clemson starts a ruckus with us😀

 

[yoshukai]

This bunch of grad students won't get rattled on the road. They've been there, done that.

I’m eager to see how we play.

 

[chevyman 50]

Beating Clemson at their home, Ky will have to play a good game.

 

[ukcatz12]

I don’t know if they score enough to beat us. We average 17ppg more than they do.

This is mostly tempo related. We score 1.19 points per possession to their 1.15. That's pretty close. The difference is we're the 4th fastest team in the country and they're one of the slowest. We average almost eight more possessions per game than they do. It'll probably come down to a battle of styles of play.

 

[Skyguyb27]

This does remain another unanswered question about this team. How will they fare in a hostile road environment? I lean toward expecting them to be just fine but we shall see

These are seniors that have FF experience. They won’t give 2 sh#ts about hostile.

 

[legalbeagle123]

Clemson is a cupcake.

ESPN Matchup Predictor has Clemson a slight favorite. Their fans will show up ready for blood. I like our chances with veteran guys, but take nothing for granted on the road.

 

[ukcatz12]

Clemson is a cupcake.

Clemson is a 24 on Kenpom and 38 on Barttorvik. Not a cupcake by any stretch.

 

[B.B.H.]

These are seniors that have FF experience. They won’t give 2 sh#ts about hostile.

It isn’t about whether I think they are scared. They are all running a new offense and sometimes communicating is harder on the road. We will see. I expect a win but I’m not looking past Clemson as though this is so obvious

 

[Mozzie]

I don’t know if they score enough to beat us. We average 17ppg more than they do. If we are cold from three again it could be a long night for us, but only if they sag off. If they don’t, we should burn them in the paint like we did GA State. Their big is their second best player so it would be nice to have BG back to give him a different look and help tire him out. They aren’t as deep as us either. If Butler or Oweh can limit their lead guard to his average, I think we win fairly easily. I don’t think our bunch is going to lose composure in front of a hostile crowd. Should be a fun game!

Go after that big. Get him in foul trouble. We have three guys we can play at C without much dropoff. Do they? Doubtful.

 

[WildcatNC]

It's @ Clemson, and we are UK. Always dangerous as teams get super pumped.

If we keep shooting like sh*t anything is possible, but if we start hitting 3s again we'll win by 10+ even if Clemson plays well.

 

[MrHotDice]

This does remain another unanswered question about this team. How will they fare in a hostile road environment? I lean toward expecting them to be just fine but we shall see

They’re not freshman and have all faced hostile road environments for years. Win or lose that environment won’t matter.

 

[B.B.H.]

They’re not freshman and have all faced hostile road environments for years. Win or lose that environment won’t matter.

They haven’t done it together yet. I have Cats by about 8 points but I’m not underestimating this game. I think this is exactly the type of test that you love having a Butler for.

 

[FutureCity]

I don’t know if they score enough to beat us. We average 17ppg more than they do. If we are cold from three again it could be a long night for us, but only if they sag off. If they don’t, we should burn them in the paint like we did GA State. Their big is their second best player so it would be nice to have BG back to give him a different look and help tire him out. They aren’t as deep as us either. If Butler or Oweh can limit their lead guard to his average, I think we win fairly easily. I don’t think our bunch is going to lose composure in front of a hostile crowd. Should be a fun game!

I've always liked watching the bigs play the post. I especially like watching Carr's "old school" post game--shoulder his way into position then loft a soft shot over the defender. If the 3s aren't falling it will be fun to see Pope make the adjustment and go inside. It should be a good game. This team that Pope has constructed will be very tough to beat if the 3s and the inside game are both clicking. We're going to see some games this year when that happens. They're not *quite* there. But you can see it taking shape. If it does March is going to be good for Kentucky basketball.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Clemson is a good team and has one of the better guards in CBK in chase hunter. This is a really tough game

 

[true blue1]

I think it will be a tough game but I think we get the win. Cats by 5.

 

[bucsrule8872]

How will they fare in a hostile road environment?

Pope and Robinson won in Lawrence last season. I’m sure the other guys have some road wins under their belts. No reason to think a team led by seven Seniors will be rattled by a hostile environment.

 

[B.B.H.]

Pope and Robinson won in Lawrence last season. I’m sure the other guys have some road wins under their belts. No reason to think a team led by seven Seniors will be rattled by a hostile environment.

Hostile road environment introduces more factors than simply the fear of visiting players. Let’s see how it goes. I’m expecting Cats by 5-7 points

 

[zoid1]

1. We have a better coach who will have us prepared for the game with a plan.
2. We have better starters but 2 positions could be a wash.
3. We have a much better bench.
4. We shoot the ball from 3 better.
5. We have a better team defense.

Factor is it's our first true road game and they should be really loud I'll say we win by about 10.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Clemson is a cupcake.

Unbelievable. You know less than me about basketball--and I don't know shit about basketball.

 

[catsfanbgky]

They do have some size. Starters go 6-2 , 6-3, 6-8, 6-10, 6-11. Hunter shoots 46% from 3, makes 2.5 per game, and averages 16.4 ppg. They have a few guys who average 35% or better.

The 6-8 kid Schieffelin averages a double-double, 12.5 and 11.6.

They have a nice little inside out game, will have to contest and rebound. Like many have stated, IF we are hitting, I think we win. Subpar shooting night, it will be a war. They will not be intimidated by Kentucky on the jerseys, tough home environment, we will have to match their intensity and effort. I think UK wins by 5 or so.

 

[JonathanW]

I don’t know if they score enough to beat us. We average 17ppg more than they do. If we are cold from three again it could be a long night for us, but only if they sag off. If they don’t, we should burn them in the paint like we did GA State. Their big is their second best player so it would be nice to have BG back to give him a different look and help tire him out. They aren’t as deep as us either. If Butler or Oweh can limit their lead guard to his average, I think we win fairly easily. I don’t think our bunch is going to lose composure in front of a hostile crowd. Should be a fun game!

That ("they can't score enough") is too simplistic of a way to look at it. Scoring is very much a factor of pace of play. If you have less possessions, you will score less. Clemson shoots the ball pretty well 48% overall, 40% from 3, 73% at the line. The other ways to affect possessions is via turnovers vs turnovers forced, and rebounding.
Now depth, I think that will be an advantage for us in most games, and I think and hope that Pope utilizes that all season.

 

[G-PIP]

They haven’t done it together yet. I have Cats by about 8 points but I’m not underestimating this game. I think this is exactly the type of test that you love having a Butler for.

I'm definitely with you on not thinking Clemson is some easy game. Anyone who believes that is just out of touch in my opinion. UK is the underdog by many prognosticators, and otherwise maybe a one point favorite. But I do think the road environment is much less of a factor for this team than with most.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Don't worry guys.

Arkansas is everyone's Superbowl now.

Clemson's place will only be medium intensity tomorrow.