I agree, but we didn’t play a perfect game either and Jackson Robinson had what one point
Only thing that bothered me last night
- Thread starter Aike
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I don't disagree, we didn't play a perfect game either. We looked in the first half against Duke, like we did for most of the game last night.
I will say Jaxson Robinson having 1pt at Duke.. again, this might be signaling more of the norm from him, as opposed to being some 16pt/night scorer. He's having a slow start.
But I still think a lot of our troubles are due to the inexperience of this team with each other, with the coach, and the coach with them. Not worried yet. Maybe just not sure I'm ready to think this team has what it takes to win a title.
Or just start to feel the weight.
Think some things that get coded as effort, offensive rebounding and forcing turnovers, are areas we won’t be strong in this season.
In the case of the Clemson game, they had a higher offensive rebound rate and took better care of the ball. It’s why they edged us out despite similar shooting.
In the case of the Clemson game, they had a higher offensive rebound rate and took better care of the ball. It’s why they edged us out despite similar shooting.
Make free throws and today we’re talking about a close win instead of a close loss
I think we have to get better at offensive rebounding, but it doesn’t come natural to this group. It should improve as we become better at running our offense.
On that note, part of the effort I saw missing was failure to run through the bumps. We allowed them to take us out of our offense.
For this team to click on all cylinders, they have to make teams pay for being overly aggressive. I think they know that. But it’s like Tyson says, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
We will have lots of chances to improve. SEC will be a war.
I’m as analytics heavy as anyone, but there are layers to this. One layer is, “ we went 7-27. Hit 9-27 and we win.”
Another layer is, “why 7-27?” Did we get all the shots we wanted and just get unlucky, or were there other underlying issues that put us in position to underperform? That is tougher to quantify, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t important.
For the record, I don’t think effort was the only reason we lost. I’m well aware that had we knocked down a couple more shots we win.
But knock down 2 more shots and we might only mask some other issues. Like being around a 1 assist/turnover when we’re usually closer to 2.
Total focused effort is the first domino, imo. It’s also the “easiest” to control. Again, imo, when the effort level is right, it makes a few other things go right as well.
If we do everything perfectly last night, we win by 20. I’m well aware we won’t do everything perfectly most nights. But I think we were 2-3 effort plays away from a win. In the scheme of things, I think it’s healthier to win that way than to knock down a couple extra bad shots.
I saw several plays where one guy is trying to make a play while others watched. Alot of ball watching and just not an overall great mental effort
Butler starts at PG on every UK team since 2019 for any coach not named Cal. I’d take him over Hagans as well to go back to 18. There’s a few other years he could have started as well such as 2013…and he’s better than freshman Teague for 2012 but wouldn’t have started w Cal.
Oweh starts on at least 5-7 teams over the last 15 years as well if you remove the bias for freshman with draft projections and 5stars out of high school
Amari would have been the best big in last seasons team and really made that team complete (maybe even been better fitted in that system). Probably starts a couple other years like 2016 over Skal as well
It helps when you can go after balls like that and not get called for a single foul in 36 minutes.
Meanwhile, Butler picked up 2 right off the bus.
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I've been saying this for weeks now and I don't know why it continues to be a problem. This team ball watches like none I've ever seen before.
I mean, it doesn't seem to cross their minds to do anything but stand there and watch the ball fly through the air.
I will be stunned if we actually outrebound anybody in the SEC.
Yeah, again, for the 2nd time this year, I found myself cheering for duke. I need a shower.
I absolutely did not want UK to be the only one to lose.
Agreed, that and not running our offense were my two disappointments. I think we will learn from it though. Pope and the staff will break it down with film and get the guys to overcome it.
He went over the back a good 2-3 times on Williams alone.
Offense was stagnant. Not enough cutting and movement. With 5 out there should be multiple backcuts and easy baskets.
If the game is going to be a half court rock fight we need to execute better or try and create turnovers. Our defense was solid but we didn't pressure the ball handlers nearly enough and too easily allowed entry passes to the post.
If the game is going to be a half court rock fight we need to execute better or try and create turnovers. Our defense was solid but we didn't pressure the ball handlers nearly enough and too easily allowed entry passes to the post.
We were around a 75% FT shooting team coming into Clemson. I'll chalk it up as a one off performance. Let's not make it a road habit though.
I couldn't believe it, no calls on those. He landed on Amari one time and slapped the ball out of bounds, no call.
Yeah, but one of the biggest culprits of poor free throw shooting, is Butler, which is bad, because he's the guy you need with the ball in his hands at crunch time.
Carr missed both in a double bonus and Oweh missed a couple.
Losing the game by 4 with so many missed free throws and wide open shots, really sucks.
Early in the game Oweh missed a layup. Great move to the basket, but blew the bunny.
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Good observations.
Someone needs to tell Kriisa that his strength for this team is not shooting 3’s unless he is wide wide open. He is like 25% for the year.
I think the issue was Kentucky was being whistled for bumps and such and Clemson has a free whistle for those types plays. That makes a team play passive more not wanting to get a 2nd or 3rd foul early. Clemson could bump us on drives, bump on rebounds and not have the same issues. So they would just run to the ball and go for it. Heck 20 rebound boy had at least 4 fouls in that game and none were called.
Great take.
I'd add that Butler's fouls were frustrating to me knowing how important he is for the team and how 2 of them were just silly for a veteran player to get. That's the weakness of the '25 team--when Butler is out of the game for long stint.
Said it another thread but this year's team reminds me of a Kevin Stallings Vanderbilt team more than what we'll see moving forward now that Staff has a chance to blend HS recruiting with Portal. I'd like to see more of Brea/Robinson together but understand how important Oweh is for the team on both ends of the court.
The stretch where Kriisa and Carr just got abused defensively for 8 straight points was game changing and were on iso/straight line drives.
Was returning from work Tues night and listening on Sirius and Tom Leach and Goose Givens were hinting how the missed FT's in the 1st Half were something to note and could be costly later in the game-and in any game but specifically on the road-you can't piss away FT's.
Looking forward to seeing them respond on Saturday against Gonzaga and think they will play well.
Clemson fan lurking here. I'm sure I'll get shit on, but that's OK.
We are new to being "good" at basketball. Last years elite 8 was the 2nd in program in history and first since 1980.
I thought Tuesday night was a great game that showcased 2 top 25 level teams that could've gone either way. I felt like it was a heavyweight matchup where both teams exchanged blows. UK came out the gate aggressive and ready to play. It took us a while to answer initially but we did. Then UK came back and did it again. I think it was 28-23 at one point before we went on the run to go up 37-30 at the half.
Neither team shot anything well. We are a solid 3 point shooting team and went 8/25 for 32%. Dropped our season average down to 38.6%. We were also 14/19 from the FT line (74%). I think officiating across the board is awful in all of college sports. At the 10 minute mark in the game fouls were 8-4 with Clemson having 8. No rhythm and flow out the gate to the game and refs blowing the whistle every 45 seconds. Fouls ended up 20-15 in favor of KY with a few being unintentionally intentional in the final 30 seconds. I can certainly understand the frustration with Ian Schieffelin finishing the game with 0 fouls. He averaged 9.4 rebounds/game last year and is 2nd in the country with 12.6/game this season. He has a Dennis Rodman like instinct for anticipating the bounce off the rim.
I'm sure y'all are not familiar with Brad Brownell but his identity here is "Clemson Grit." We aren't a team with sure-fire NBA prospects. Mostly fringe guys and potential All-ACC type guys. Defensively is where we butter our bread. Last week we held Penn State and San Fran a combined 60 something points below their season scoring averages. Our harassing defense is kind of his calling card.
I say all that to say come March I expect Clemson to be inside the top 25 again. It's probably weird to see us where we are in the ACC, but we've stamped ourselves as one of the top 4 teams in the league. In a game that could've truly gone either way I don't think Tuesday was a referendum on either team. And I wouldn't be surprised if we see eachother again down the line like we did with Alabama last year. Cheers
We are new to being "good" at basketball. Last years elite 8 was the 2nd in program in history and first since 1980.
I thought Tuesday night was a great game that showcased 2 top 25 level teams that could've gone either way. I felt like it was a heavyweight matchup where both teams exchanged blows. UK came out the gate aggressive and ready to play. It took us a while to answer initially but we did. Then UK came back and did it again. I think it was 28-23 at one point before we went on the run to go up 37-30 at the half.
Neither team shot anything well. We are a solid 3 point shooting team and went 8/25 for 32%. Dropped our season average down to 38.6%. We were also 14/19 from the FT line (74%). I think officiating across the board is awful in all of college sports. At the 10 minute mark in the game fouls were 8-4 with Clemson having 8. No rhythm and flow out the gate to the game and refs blowing the whistle every 45 seconds. Fouls ended up 20-15 in favor of KY with a few being unintentionally intentional in the final 30 seconds. I can certainly understand the frustration with Ian Schieffelin finishing the game with 0 fouls. He averaged 9.4 rebounds/game last year and is 2nd in the country with 12.6/game this season. He has a Dennis Rodman like instinct for anticipating the bounce off the rim.
I'm sure y'all are not familiar with Brad Brownell but his identity here is "Clemson Grit." We aren't a team with sure-fire NBA prospects. Mostly fringe guys and potential All-ACC type guys. Defensively is where we butter our bread. Last week we held Penn State and San Fran a combined 60 something points below their season scoring averages. Our harassing defense is kind of his calling card.
I say all that to say come March I expect Clemson to be inside the top 25 again. It's probably weird to see us where we are in the ACC, but we've stamped ourselves as one of the top 4 teams in the league. In a game that could've truly gone either way I don't think Tuesday was a referendum on either team. And I wouldn't be surprised if we see eachother again down the line like we did with Alabama last year. Cheers
Most people here treat respectful guests respectfully. Was a great atmosphere. What is it 5 straight wins over top 5 team’s? Please beat Duke and North Carolina!
Fair and honest post, knew it would be a tough game going in but thought we had enough horses to pull it out. Hard to overcome a dude with 20 rebounds. Really an ugly game with no flow for either team. Bring on a rematch at seasons end
I think the luck of the bounce was in their (Clemson) favor too. Balls that magically were banked in or loose balls that kicked directly to them. Not saying some of it was effort, but it appeared to me the basketball gods were in Clemson’s favor all night.
Yes that stat is correct which is pretty wild. We get BOTH at home this year albeit on a 2 day, Saturday-Monday turnaround.
Agree completely. We shot 36% from the field and Kentucky 38%. Both teams are much better than that.
No doubt. When we banked in the 3 pointer as the shot clock expired I figured it would be our night. I will say Ian Schieffelin won't have too many 1/8 from 3 type nights. He shot 47% from 3 last season. When teams have to guard him at the 3 point line our offensive spacing is tremendously improved allowing our guards to get downhill and try to drive to the rim. He rightfully was left wide open Tuesday night as he built a small retaining wall out of his bricks.
Well personally, I’m going to be pulling for you guys in every game the rest of the year .
Me too and while they are at it I hope they smack Cooper Flagg up side of the head
When talking about Fox and Randle, that's 2 NBA all star players we had on our teams back then- not sure we have anyone even close to that this yr but I like our team
I would have thought, Carr since he has played there a few times, would have told the team about the environment etc but who knows
To me, that was the biggest stat of the game- zero fouls called on him and I think he played 36 minutes and got 20 rebounds
That's probably my biggest worry with this team.. and maybe my only worry. I think we have everything else. But we need a little more higher end talent IMO.. and we need a go-to scorer who can create his own shot.. but that sort of falls in line with the first thing.
I think we have everything else needed to make a run.
