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National Media Consensus...Kentucky is "Down"

KA4Prez

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Dec 8, 2003
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It's hilarious. You listen to a lot of the mainstream podcasts or shows and you would get the impression that UK just isn't much of a threat. At least not at the top of the sport.

I mean, I'm not saying UK is amazing, but they act like things aren't completely wide open. In my opinion, there are 15-20 teams with legitimate title hopes.
 
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I really tried to quit listening/reading mainstream media -
very rarely is there anything worth paying attention to, anymore
 
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I can see your thinking any number of teams could get hot and make a run, but without Skal producing at a one and done clip it does make us more vulnerable than usual. You can't not like Lee or Poythress but neither one are going to dominate, Ulis is probably the only player we have that is superior to anything any other team can floor against us. Briscoe should he find his shooting eye and Murray if he becomes consistent could really propel us along
 
We need another night in night out 10-12 point 6 rebound guy in the front court and we are a different team, we may or may not get that. It comes down to Skal it is just that simple, if he can command attention from the other team it makes us better.
 
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It's hilarious. You listen to a lot of the mainstream podcasts or shows and you would get the impression that UK just isn't much of a threat. At least not at the top of the sport.

I mean, I'm not saying UK is amazing, but they act like things aren't completely wide open. In my opinion, there are 15-20 teams with legitimate title hopes.
If UK is down, then Duke must be underground.
 
If top 10 is down, then the program is doing really well. Don't needa tell you guys that though.
 
I still think we have one of the highest ceilings, will we get there or not is the question. It's just a down year in general for college hoops. Lots of good teams, but no real great teams.
 
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If UK is down, then Duke must be underground.

But they won the title last year so that makes a "down" year more acceptable to everyone, including their fanbase.

I'll fully admit if we had won it all last year this year would be more of a whatever season like 2012-2013. Now I am hoping for a lot more since we did not finish the deal last year as expected, but right now I do not see a national title winning team on the court.

If Skal gets right...that changes of course. Skal is the key IMO, and I'm not some genius for stating the obvious I know.
 
We need another night in night out 10-12 point 6 rebound guy in the front court and we are a different team, we may or may not get that. It comes down to Skal it is just that simple, if he can command attention from the other team it makes us better.
We have 2 in Poy and Lee as especially Lee has been the model of consistency. I know what you mean by this but I think alot of people talk about what we lack instead of thinking about what we do have . Poy and Lee are really good players and both will play for pay in the league . Skal will come along at his pace and honestly if he can provide 9/3 like he did the other night we are a totally different team. He doesn't have to score 25 for us to be a top 5 team . Just can't be invisible . He isn't a center and never will be but what he can do in bunches is hit J's . Let Poy be the center on offense and this team needs to take alot of jumpers and drive when the lanes are open. Murray is a straight assassin when he is on and not many teams have guys like that , Oklahoma with Heild is one though.
 
Agreed its kinda ridiculous. You're in the top ten and sitting at 11-2. Th team is loaded with 5 stars that haven't quite gelled yet. If thats down then who the eff is up
 
I don't think we're down. We're a top 10 team w/ a lot of room to improve. It's already been fun to watch the improvement. The media puts people in the ground just to have something to talk about. Last week the guys @ ESPN were talking about how Peyton Manning had played his last game and deserved a better ending. He came in saved the game and now the Broncos are the #1 seed. The media likes to throw out those hypotheticals just to start a buzz.
 
Ole Miss and loserville wins got us trending upwards. We win without Skal doing much. What if he starts doing MUCH? Lol down my arse. Loserville is the only thing that's down in this state.
 
Agreed its kinda ridiculous. You're in the top ten and sitting at 11-2. Th team is loaded with 5 stars that haven't quite gelled yet. If thats down then who the eff is up
whomever happens to be the media darling of the week, it was unc** until they lost, MSU till they lost, etc. - I think it's KU's turn this week - might be someone else next week, LOL
 
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They are reaching for something to get folks' attention. Too bad the UNC story is being swept under the rug. It would make for great copy and lots of hits on websites. If reporters actually did their jobs, they could continue to win Pulitzers like the old days.

When you lose 85% of your scoring and 78% of total rebounding from the previous season, most teams would completely tank. What makes UK unique is that they have the best recruiter in college bb and when 8 players leave for the draft, they don't rebuild, they reload. This really grates some people in the media and therefore, you have the constant undercurrent of malcontents who would like to see UK completely disintegrate, including and especially, those media fans of opposing schools.

That is why I love coming to this board and reading the comments of people who enjoy watching this team and the players involved in carrying on the tradition of dominance. And yes, while we all get carried away at times with negativity, we are all passionate about Kentucky basketball.

Thank you, fans, for making this board a very fun, realistic, crazy place to hang out. I appreciate it!
 
Ole Miss and loserville wins got us trending upwards. We win without Skal doing much. What if he starts doing MUCH? Lol down my arse. Loserville is the only thing that's down in this state.

But if we lose to LSU tomorrow we trend downward again, with another loss to a so so or worse opponent, although to be fair LSU is better than their record IMO and would be BY FAR our "best" loss.
 
Compared to last years' 38-1 juggernaught, we are down. But that just goes to show that the best team doesn't always win the NC. For example, Villanova in'85, Kansas in '88, Arizona in '97 etc. All had several losses during the season, but peaked at just the right time.
There are no Great teams out there this year, but several very good teams. That should make for a fun NCAA tourney !
 
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Compared to last years' 38-1 juggernaught, we are down. But that just goes to show that the best team doesn't always win the NC. For example, Villanova in'85, Kansas in '88, Arizona in '97 etc. All had several losses during the season, but peaked at just the right time.
There are no Great teams out there this year, but several very good teams. That should make for a fun NCAA tourney !

I agree, the NCAA Tourney should be wide open. If you had me guess I'd predict the title winner will be KU, UNC or MSU...but just pure speculation on my part there and no real confidence. Last year I thought UK, Duke or Wisconsin all year long and felt confident in it being one of those three (never bought into the Arizona hype but I guess they were a legit 4th option). This year it could be any of many numerous teams though, which makes it fun.
 
Bear in mind, the national media...
1. Wants UK to be down because it happens so rarely. They've had to talk about Kentucky as a favorite so often lately, they want to talk about someone else.
2. They have a short attention span, very short.
3. They don't care about SEC basketball. So they've stopped watching UK. None of them care how the team looked against Ole Miss.
4. They've already made their judgments of UK based on the UCLA, Ohio St, and Louisville games.

But this is all just fine with me, to be honest. Our Cats have less pressure this way and get to develop without such high expectations. So, when the end of the season comes and UK looks great, I guess they'll just be shocked.
 
The only reason they say that is because they are comparing us to last year team's.

Whenever they say we are down it's almost always followed by "they aren't as good as last year"

Well yeah........no duh lol.

Doesn't mean we still can't make some noise.
 
But they won the title last year so that makes a "down" year more acceptable to everyone, including their fanbase.

I'll fully admit if we had won it all last year this year would be more of a whatever season like 2012-2013. Now I am hoping for a lot more since we did not finish the deal last year as expected, but right now I do not see a national title winning team on the court.

If Skal gets right...that changes of course. Skal is the key IMO, and I'm not some genius for stating the obvious I know.
Not only Skal but I think Briscoe has to develop into a reliable, probably not great, shooter. Those two are a must if we have any chance to contend.
 
Fine by me, Cal and his teams usually tend to rise when they're the underdog. I'm good with us carrying a chip on our soldier.
 
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Most of us, including the national media, have been spoiled by the end of the year outcomes. Two seasons ago, we seemed to really be underwhelming from high expectations and there was a lot of criticism. We ended up in the final four. Last year, we had a team overwhelming.

Unfortunately, at the beginning of this year, we had recruits whose stock was thought to be instant high impact and that hasn't happened. Be honest, I have even seen many Murray posts here complaining about his play (he almost cost us a game, as an example), Briscoe can't hit a free throw or outside shot, Skal...well enough said, etc. Each have had some great moments along with some poor ones. Perhaps they were a bit over-rated or like other Freshman, have to learn to adjust to the college game. and will do well by the end of the season consistently. Right now, we don't have that strong inside presence and some disorganization causing unforced turn-overs or questionable shot selection at times. Yet, the team is very talented. The end of the year may be just like we have been spoiled with all along. Lets hope so........
 
I think when you rely so heavily on new players year in year out, this is going to happen. Some years freshmen will come in and immediately live up to the hype (see 2010, 2012, last year). Some years it's just gonna take them longer to figure out like 2011 and 2014.

I think it's kinda silly tho to say we are down tho. There's still a huge portion of the season to be played. What if we cruise through the SEC? Would we really consider the season "down"? Or what if it's like previous years........we get a 4 seed or an 8 seed but make the final four? Would anyone consider that a down year?

Again tho it's all relative to where they were at I believe. Everyone can agree this team isn't as talented as last year's team. This team isn't as deep. That team could have started two different top 5/10 lineups and this one we are struggling to find a consistent one. That being said, 2016 UK doesn't have to play 2015 UK or 2015 Duke or 2015 Wisconsin. The media will constantly measure this team among the previous great teams at UK. So from that perspective then yeah they are a bit down.

I have no doubts tho Cal will have this team ready in March as he has done the majority of his time at UK
 
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