Opposite from last year

[WCBcats]

What I expect to happen this year is for us to do the whole "peak at the right time." That might be cliche but there were times early in the season last year where we were hitting all cylinders. That first half against Texas Arlington I think it was, was unreal. so was the UCLA performance. Later in the year at times it seemed like we were tightening up, whether it was the Norte dame game or even Florida at home was slightly off in relation to how good we were.

I could see this years team taking some time to get going but definitely playing their best ball late. Especially with the guard heavy lineups. Whether the Brandon knight hand off or the remarkable 2014 run, Cal seems to put in something that really clicks. I can see ulis and Murray being deadly in tourney. Anyway just more of an off season ramble from me but I hope it comes to fruition. Hope all of BBN has had a good summer.

 

[Smashcat]

I'd much prefer seeing the team really hitting on all cylinders in March.

 

[UK2KC-A-T-S]

I think everyone can agree on this.

 

[Cats192]

I think it'll take a little bit early on to find the chemistry, especially with 3 guards who are all used to handling the ball.

I think ultimately, what did us in last year was AP going down. He added an extra gear to the defense, and that is what had made us special up to that point. If he'd been there, he bangs with Wiscy's bigs better than anyone else we had.

 

[ulismyman]

Lost seven...count em 7 players and not just bodies impact players from last years squad, and still projected top 3 in nation for upcoming season. Let that sink in for a second.

 

[Bigblueforever]

I'd much prefer seeing the team really hitting on all cylinders in March.

Agree

 

[weatherbird]

I think it'll take a little bit early on to find the chemistry, especially with 3 guards who are all used to handling the ball.

I think ultimately, what did us in last year was AP going down. He added an extra gear to the defense, and that is what had made us special up to that point. If he'd been there, he bangs with Wiscy's bigs better than anyone else we had.

This is the point most people are missing about last year. AP seems to have been the forgotten man, as he was out for the majority of the year. But go back and watch the Kansas game, that team was simply unstoppable, and they didn't even play that well on offense. When AP went down, the platoon system basically stopped, and with it, the big advantage that UK had. They went from an historically great defense to just the best defense in the country last year. They problem is that what people predicted would happen, simply did not. They did not improve much offensively, despite the perception that a more offensively skilled player would play AP's minutes. The lack of improvement offensively, combined with the step back in defense is what brought UK back to the pack, still the best team in the country, but very little separation from everyone else.

Depending on what Cal does offensively this year, we could be back to the head and shoulders best team in the country. On paper, we won't be as good defensively as last year, but should be leaps and bounds better offensively. But only time will tell. I expect this team to get better as the season goes on, simply because with so many new impact players, it will take time to adjust, and hopefully they are playing their best basketball come March.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I hope Cal is thinking opposite when it comes to size vs. quickness this year.

I want to see a faster, guard oriented team instead of three near 7 footers across the frontline trying to outmuscle everyone,

I want him to take a page from the Golden State playbook and turn the guards loose.

With guys like Ulis, Murray, Briscoe, Matthews, and Mulder we need to run and gun as much as possible.

And our best bigs (Labissiere, Poythress, Lee) are made for that kind of game as well.

It makes sense to me, I hope Cal agrees with me.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Hopefully we dont get jobbed in the FF inside the last 3 minutes on a missed shot clock violation and we should be fine, if not, all "bets" are off.

The Mob and our quest for 40-0 cost UK the title.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

UK was coming off a 78-39 ass kicking of WVU. I'm not sure how anyone could say they were not playing fairly well going into the ND game. Yeah, they may have screwed around with teams like FL and Cincy, who they knew posed zero threat, down the stretch, but they also annihilated Arkansas in the SEC Tourney final...so they had destroeyd Ark and WVU, aka the two best teams they faced pre Elite-8 in the calendar year of 2015. I think the problem was that ND and then Wisconsin were BY FAR the two best teams UK had played to that point of the season and it took them by surprise.

And yeah this year's team could peak in March, but that guarantees very little once you get to the Final Four. One bad stretch can do you in.

 

[Federal Cat]

As long as the team chemistry is good this team has the parts for a deep run come tourney time, I'm ready for another great season

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

Agree

As long as the team chemistry is good this team has the parts for a deep run come tourney time, I'm ready for another great season

This.

 

[jrpross]

The thing with so many great players (and mind you this is nitpicking but in my opinion is what cost us the Wisconsin game) is that the roles were never really clearly defined and when it was a seriously tight game, they didn't know who to go to. They seemed to rely on talent so much all year that the actual game plan was an afterthought and they choked against another great team down the stretch.

Honestly, last year, despite going into the tourney undefeated, I didn't have the same inner confidence I did in '12 or even back in '96. Don't really know why, but the team just didn't seem complete in a way. I feel like the way the team this year is set up may be more conducive to winning the tournament.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this team is better than last year's team. There's nowhere near the total talent level. But if the 3 point guards can work together and everybody can feed off of each other, I really like our chances this year.

 

[Jazzycat]

Hopefully we dont get jobbed in the FF inside the last 3 minutes on a missed shot clock violation and we should be fine, if not, all "bets" are off.

The Mob and our quest for 40-0 cost UK the title.

WISCONSIN also had something to do with that. They were all about revenge and had that game circled from day one. UK had the game in hand and frittered it away on those clock violations...

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

Hopefully we dont get jobbed in the FF inside the last 3 minutes on a missed shot clock violation and we should be fine, if not, all "bets" are off.

The Mob and our quest for 40-0 cost UK the title.

Let's be real. If anything, the officiating (it was horrible) in the game was a wash, but it absolutely was not slanted in our favor.

We got outcoached and outplayed.

 

[Casper333]

Let's be real. If anything, the officiating (it was horrible) in the game was a wash, but it absolutely was not slanted in our favor.

We got outcoached and outplayed.

You can tell that shit to yourself all day but it is just that "BULLSHIT" granted the shot clock violations killed us, but ONLY after we got bent over and Andrew Harrison did his best shrinking violet routine.

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

You can tell that shit to yourself all day but it is just that "BULLSHIT" granted the shot clock violations killed us, but ONLY after we got bent over and Andrew Harrison did his best shrinking violet routine.

Well, that kind of goes into the whole "outplayed" part.

We also got outcoached. No shame there, as Ryan's one the game's best. Cal is not on his level, as far as X's and O's goes, nor does he ever have the type of experienced players Ryan does, which hurts when a few key decisions are made by guys who are not really equipped to make them.

But there is no way an unbiased fan could watch that game and come to the conclusion that we got the short end of the refereeing stick.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Well, that kind of goes into the whole "outplayed" part.

We also got outcoached. No shame there, as Ryan's one the game's best. Cal is not on his level, as far as X's and O's goes, nor does he ever have the type of experienced players Ryan does, which hurts when a few key decisions are made by guys who are not really equipped to make them.

But there is no way an unbiased fan could watch that game and come to the conclusion that we got the short end of the refereeing stick.

Actually, yes there is. ESPN analysts were talking about it the next day and Monday on radio shows how the shot clock violation missed call, in addition to the two tick tack fouls on UK inside the final minute that marched Wisconsin to the FT line when they missed shots with very little contact were big plays in the game.

Try to pay attention what the people that get paid to talk about basketball say.

 

[Jkwo]

Well, that kind of goes into the whole "outplayed" part.

We also got outcoached. No shame there, as Ryan's one the game's best. Cal is not on his level, as far as X's and O's goes, nor does he ever have the type of experienced players Ryan does, which hurts when a few key decisions are made by guys who are not really equipped to make them.

But there is no way an unbiased fan could watch that game and come to the conclusion that we got the short end of the refereeing stick.

lol

Cal is not one of the game's best, you're right. If you have elite talent, then from there, you just need to roll the balls out to produce the greatest initial 6 year run at a school in CBB history.

Also, a run at a complete bottom feeding mid-major in UMASS better than Gregg Marshall or Shaka Smart.

We haven't publicly flogged and eviscerated someone over this topic in a couple months, so I guess it's time to sharpen the butcher knives.

 

[weatherbird]

Well, that kind of goes into the whole "outplayed" part.

We also got outcoached. No shame there, as Ryan's one the game's best. Cal is not on his level, as far as X's and O's goes, nor does he ever have the type of experienced players Ryan does, which hurts when a few key decisions are made by guys who are not really equipped to make them.

But there is no way an unbiased fan could watch that game and come to the conclusion that we got the short end of the refereeing stick.

So if Cal got outcoached in this game because his players didn't make the plays they should have, does he get credit for outcoaching Ryan the year before, when his players made the plays they needed to win? I think people get the feeling that coaching at the college level is like coaching a pee wee league. Most of the time, it is just players either making plays or not.

 

[jrpross]

In Wisconsin's defense, I was shocked they didn't call a technical on Lyles. His foul looked pretty blatant. But yeah the clock violation followed by the BS calls after that really swung it back the other way.

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

I have to agree with the guy who wants to see us get out and run more this year. We are built to run and it would be a shame to hold our guards back and not let them play the style of basketball they are best at. Even our bigs are the type that will be at their best while running the floor. Alex is not the type of 4 that excels in a half court game. With his elite hops, run the floor and make the game easier for him. With the guards we have on our roster, I think our bigs are going to feast on easy baskets. Skal is the type of big that will easily and often beat his man up and down the court. We all know we don't want Lee playing a half court game. He is also built to get out and run. This group might just be the guys that bring the dribble drive back to a Cal coached team. Maybe when the big 7 ft Aussie kid is in the game, we might struggle running the floor, The rest of our guys will thrive in fast pase up tempo basketball. Ulis leading that type of attack sure would be fun to watch. Not another point guard in the nation I trust more than this kid with the ball in his hands running a fast break.

 

[Bigblueforever]

As long as the team chemistry is good this team has the parts for a deep run come tourney time, I'm ready for another great season

I wish it started tomorrow.

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

Actually, yes there is. ESPN analysts were talking about it the next day and Monday on radio shows how the shot clock violation missed call, in addition to the two tick tack fouls on UK inside the final minute that marched Wisconsin to the FT line when they missed shots with very little contact were big plays in the game.

Try to pay attention what the people that get paid to talk about basketball say.

Riiiiight.

Like the no-call on Lyles that should have been a flagrant 1 minimum or the flops they called in UK's favor that nullified a layup and a three and the obvious charges that went as a no-call and a blocking call they gave us on their end. All in the second half, too.

Again, blame the players, blame the coach, blame the moon if it helps, but there is no way to blame the refs for us losing that game.

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

So if Cal got outcoached in this game because his players didn't make the plays they should have, does he get credit for outcoaching Ryan the year before, when his players made the plays they needed to win? I think people get the feeling that coaching at the college level is like coaching a pee wee league. Most of the time, it is just players either making plays or not.

I actually agree that it's 90% on the players. No one can argue that we didn't have the most talent, but at some point, if your players are going brain-lock, you have to stop the bleeding. Cal didn't do that very well in this particular game. That's all.

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

lol

Cal is not one of the game's best, you're right. If you have elite talent, then from there, you just need to roll the balls out to produce the greatest initial 6 year run at a school in CBB history.

Also, a run at a complete bottom feeding mid-major in UMASS better than Gregg Marshall or Shaka Smart.

We haven't publicly flogged and eviscerated someone over this topic in a couple months, so I guess it's time to sharpen the butcher knives.

Cal's a good coach, and I wouldn't want another coach with the way he can bring in talent, but I have little doubt that if you just switched coaches in that game or if you gave that team to K, Pitino, Izzo, Stevens, Self, Donovan that we'd have another title.

But those guys can't recruit at that level and would never have ASSEMBLED that team.

I'd rather take our chances getting the best players and taking our best shot.

 

[OSOK]

It is true we lost 7 players, but we signed 6/7 players. This is a deeper class than last years.

1. Briscoe
2. Murray
3. Skal
4. Mulder
5. Matthews
6. Humphries
7. Wynyard (?)

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

Riiiiight.

Like the no-call on Lyles that should have been a flagrant 1 minimum or the flops they called in UK's favor that nullified a layup and a three and the obvious charges that went as a no-call and a blocking call they gave us on their end. All in the second half, too.

Again, blame the players, blame the coach, blame the moon if it helps, but there is no way to blame the refs for us losing that game.

The calls you mention were all judgment calls. The shot-clock violation and the play in the 1st half where the Wisconsin player didn't re-establish and got the ball and a lay in were obvious missed calls that directly resulted in 4 Wisconsin points. You can argue judgment calls all you want but missed calls such as the ones mentioned should NEVER happen.

 

[weatherbird]

Cal's a good coach, and I wouldn't want another coach with the way he can bring in talent, but I have little doubt that if you just switched coaches in that game or if you gave that team to K, Pitino, Izzo, Stevens, Self, Donovan that we'd have another title.

But those guys can't recruit at that level and would never have ASSEMBLED that team.

I'd rather take our chances getting the best players and taking our best shot.

I disagree with this. This is a little like the grass is greener on the other side kind of thing. All the coaches that you mentioned have lost games they should have won on paper. I think people are forgetting that coach K has lost in the first weekend twice with a top 3 seed. How many times has pitino lost to kentucky when he obviously had more talent? Crap he barely beat us the year he won a title. This is what I mean when I say that the players have a lot more to do with it than the coach. And there is no garuanteeing that any of those coaches would have even made the final four with last year's team. Remember Duke lost to ND twice, including just 2 weeks before Kentucky beat them. People are selling Cal short on coaching ability.

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

The calls you mention were all judgment calls. The shot-clock violation and the play in the 1st half where the Wisconsin player didn't re-establish and got the ball and a lay in were obvious missed calls that directly resulted in 4 Wisconsin points. You can argue judgment calls all you want but missed calls such as the ones mentioned should NEVER happen.

I'm not arguing the shot clock call shouldn't have been missed, but that was also because of a glitch in the rules that they couldn't review it. Yeah, the refs missed it, but they missed a ton in that game. The charge nullifying Koenig's three was clearly wrong, a no-call at best, as was the flop on the Wisconsin fast break. Already more points than we lost on the shot clock violation and the first half "re-establish" no call.

My point is not that Wisconsin was screwed. Just that neither were we. The officiating was bad, but it was bad for both sides. The officiating had nothing to do with why we lost.

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

I disagree with this. This is a little like the grass is greener on the other side kind of thing. All the coaches that you mentioned have lost games they should have won on paper. I think people are forgetting that coach K has lost in the first weekend twice with a top 3 seed. How many times has pitino lost to kentucky when he obviously had more talent? Crap he barely beat us the year he won a title. This is what I mean when I say that the players have a lot more to do with it than the coach. And there is no garuanteeing that any of those coaches would have even made the final four with last year's team. Remember Duke lost to ND twice, including just 2 weeks before Kentucky beat them. People are selling Cal short on coaching ability.

I totally agree that all coaches lose games they should have won. I just happen to think that Cal is not an elite x's and o's coach. If he was, he would have won a title at Memphis and another one at least here.

But I'd rather have him than any other coach because he keeps loading the roster and we keep getting a great shot. Every year.

 

[ukwizard]

My point is not that Wisconsin was screwed. Just that neither were we. The officiating was bad, but it was bad for both sides. The officiating had nothing to do with why we lost.

Bullshit. Before that missed shot clock violation call Wisconsin was on the ropes and looked gassed. It gave them life and sent UK into a tailspin. Sure calls were missed both sides through out the game but the timing of that one was absolutely devastating for UK.

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

Bullshit. Before that missed shot clock violation call Wisconsin was on the ropes and looked gassed. It gave them life and sent UK into a tailspin. Sure calls were missed both sides through out the game but the timing of that one was absolutely devastating for UK.

LOL at the call "sending UK into a tailspin".

We lost. The officiating was bad, but that was not why we lost. I guess we just need to agree to disagree. I have yet to see any mention of the call by any reputable source (though maybe there are some out there) that didn't also mention the Lyles missed call and/or all the other crucial second half "judgment calls" that went our way. It was a wash at best.

 

[UKSlim]

I hope and pray Calipari will not GRIND with this team. Half court grinding will effectively make this team a sweet 16 team.
The 30 second shot clock will help, but I believe this team needs to operate at a fast pace, and a lot of shot attempts.

 

[MOX-MOX]

"We lost. The officiating was bad, but that was not why we lost. I guess we just need to agree to disagree."

three straight shot clock violations on uk, and the refs just all of a sudden forget what a shot clock violation is. WHAT ON EARTH were they doing? not refereeing that's for sure. Looking for an opportunity to hand us our first L is what.

play great d for 34 seconds and what does it get us? We should have been going the other way, up two, run the clock out and get a fourth shot clock violation, but the pressure would all be on them with that much time left. That blown call swung the momentum 180.

Im sorry, but I don't see how any true uk fan wouldn't be furious at that call. Also, these critics who question cals "x and o's" ive seen them call coach's who couldn't coach themselves out of a paper bag "brilliant at x and o's, but just couldn't recruit" BULL!!!!

cal's tourney record at uk speaks for itself.

 

[Mr. Anderson23]

Im sorry, but I don't see how any true uk fan wouldn't be furious at that call. Also, these critics who question cals "x and o's" ive seen them call coach's who couldn't coach themselves out of a paper bag "brilliant at x and o's, but just couldn't recruit" BULL!!!!

cal's tourney record at uk speaks for itself.

I was certainly furious with the call. Just taking the officiating for the whole game into account, that's all.

I don't understand why people get bent out of shape when Cal's coaching acumen is questioned. Sure, haters will call him a hack, but...that's because, you know, they're haters. I think he's very good, just not an elite strategist or in-game adjustment kind of coach. I wouldn't trade him for any other coach in the game because, as you say, his tourney record DOES speak for itself.

 

[Bigblueforever]

I totally agree that all coaches lose games they should have won. I just happen to think that Cal is not an elite x's and o's coach. If he was, he would have won a title at Memphis and another one at least here.

 

[Mojocat]

I think that trip last summer to the Bahamas might not have been worth it, in hindsight. What it did was allow the team to come together and develop cohesion and chemistry earlier than they would have otherwise, probably. So we were in mid-season form by the first games of the season. That's great for hitting the ground running and avoiding the early season loss when you're not quite jelled. It's bad for peaking at the right time - March. I remember thinking at the end of the regular season that the team looked a little ragged, and I thought that once the post-season started they would revert to form and go on a tear. Cal's teams always peak in March. But that didn't happen. I can only wonder if starting the season, effectively, in August renders it very difficult to peak 8 months later. Too long...

And which retread is Mr. Anderson23? Gotta be one of the former "Cal is not an elite level X and O coach, although I can't explain that other than to say we should have more titles" guys who got run off....

 

[Xception]

Is coach K an elite x and o coach ? Then why did he lose to Lehigh and Mercer ? Did he not have a superior talent advantage ? Name any college coach and there are games he should have won .