Folded all the way to the Final Four. Tough break.
They will be tough to beat again this season.
Let's not forget they choked with an easy path to the title game the year before though. The biggest thing with them is can they be consistent?
Folded all the way to the Final Four. Tough break.
Last night was all the evidence I needed. Moron acted like I was too dumb to look up a box score on UK Athletics, but couldn't be bothered to share a link of the box score that doesn't exist on that site.That guy has always been a d!ck
I don't think this team has any type of inability to go inside and attack the paint if/when needed. They just need to keep playing for the best shot they can at all times. Most of the time that's a 3.I just hope we’re really, consistently, able to knock down 3s and a high percentage. It’s unclear to me what answers this team has if/when they shoot 20% instead of 50% from beyond the arc.
An exhibition game. But it sure was a fun one!What was it then,pray tell
An exhibition match. Season opener is against Wright State. I dunno why everyone dogpiled on know1 when he's technically correct. Like, I know technically correct borders on asshole for a lot of folks, but still. It's not like we can't glean anything from the exhibitions or that he called the team a pile of crap.What was it then,pray tell
This team isn't 100% or close to it on offense nor defense. There's a lot of room to grow and gel. This was basically a shoot around for these guys, but it's nice to see them playing, individually, as advertised.Some of the chicken littles on here kept telling us over and over that since it was an entirely new team and it might take the first couple of months to learn how to play together. Heck, I was expecting the players to run in circles, crash into each other and fall down according to them. That didn't happen.
We have so many shooters it is going to be very remote that ALL will be off.I know it was KW, but we have some serious potential and looks to be our best team since the Fox and Monk squad. I think we can be better than that. So refreshing to not see a rock fight. I know we're not gonna hit 'em like that every game but give me this product all freaking day long. The ball movement. The passing. The movement without the ball. The fast break points. It was beautiful to watch. What a way to break in a new era of Kentucky basketball.
I could see him becoming the leader of a Pope-coached team after this season. Right now, this will be Butler/Robinson's team, and Oweh looks like the third guy from a leadership standpoint.I really like that Oweh is coming from a high major in Oklahoma. He played strong af and if he keeps up that level of physicality and effort good things are going to happen.
I did see a little negative just now... we gave up 31 rebounds (10 Offensive) to that team. I didn't love seeing that. No way KW should've gotten that many boards. Especially in a lopsided game. We've heard about this team's effort, and I'm not arguing that's incorrect. But, rebounding is mostly about effort. I know, first game, yada yada. Just pointing it out.
Kentucky had 43 rebounds (only 9 Offensive)
I did see a little negative just now... we gave up 31 rebounds (10 Offensive) to that team. I didn't love seeing that. No way KW should've gotten that many boards. Especially in a lopsided game. We've heard about this team's effort, and I'm not arguing that's incorrect. But, rebounding is mostly about effort. I know, first game, yada yada. Just pointing it out.
Kentucky had 43 rebounds (only 9 Offensive)
Agreed. On one hand there were a lot of long rebounds due to all of the bricks KW was laying from 3. You can block out and do exactly what you're supposed to do and still not be in position to harness those scud missiles. On the other hand, KW looked a bit quicker to the ball in those scenarios and that's about awareness and effort. I am sure Pope will point that out.
Long shots lead to long rebounds. Long bricks lead to random long rebounds.
Pope actually addressed this in the post-game...
I can't remember his exact words, but he said guys were crashing too hard toward the glass. So, it wasn't an effort thing as much as an awareness thing...i.e. long shot = long miss, so stay back and block out instead of crashing to hard to the lane/rim.
So, it's refreshing to hear that he was addressing the correct reason why there were too many offensive rebounds allowed as opposed to just, "our guys need to fight more... I can't do it for them". I know that statement is also true sometimes, but it can't be the only reason all the time.
Pope actually addressed this in the post-game...
I can't remember his exact words, but he said guys were crashing too hard toward the glass. So, it wasn't an effort thing as much as an awareness thing...i.e. long shot = long miss, so stay back and block out instead of crashing to hard to the lane/rim.
So, it's refreshing to hear that he was addressing the correct reason why there were too many offensive rebounds allowed as opposed to just, "our guys need to fight more... I can't do it for them". I know that statement is also true sometimes, but it can't be the only reason all the time.
Pope pointed out that we got exposed on the glass. And on long rebounds, in his presser.I did see a little negative just now... we gave up 31 rebounds (10 Offensive) to that team. I didn't love seeing that. No way KW should've gotten that many boards. Especially in a lopsided game. We've heard about this team's effort, and I'm not arguing that's incorrect. But, rebounding is mostly about effort. I know, first game, yada yada. Just pointing it out.
Kentucky had 43 rebounds (only 9 Offensive)
The 3's were awesome to watch but what has me excited about this team is the defensive pressure by Butler and Oweh. If you ask me our guards defensive play the last few years have been the main reason for the tournament collapses. They always allowed their opponents to play at their pace and control the tempo. I see two guards yesterday that will harass other teams' guards and not allow them to control tempo.
I imagine all the offensive bells and whistles haven’t been installed yet. I think Pope even alluded to something like this post-game…The offense seemed like a generic 5 out offense. (If there is such a thing.) Pope's BYU team last season ran through a high post 5 and tons of different cuts and picks. Maybe this team doesn't need all that. Maybe we don't have the personnel for that -- although Williams looks willing.
Lots of people have pointed out details they liked so I'll add that I liked that Perry didn't seem fazed by his 3s not falling, and he continued to do good PG things.
If the country goes off the rails after the election, at least we’ll be undefeatedWeek after next will be fun. Monday Nov4th UK first real game vs Wright State (do not know much about them this year). Tuesday Nov 5th, Election (get out and vote, do not care who you vote for but vote), Saturday Nov 9th vs Bucknell. No football this week. Best time of the year is when we have football and basketball throughout the week.
Too Funny. Hopefully whatever will be best for this country will happen. Politics has gotten so volatile. I posted one little thing on FB and it has 3 friends back from high school fighting with 3 friends that are closer friends. This election has already had so much violent rhetoric and pure violence against one candidate. Cannot wait to cast my vote. That is all any of us can do this election is vote.If the country goes off the rails after the election, at least we’ll be undefeated
Good synopsis1. Aside the from the bigs who didn’t show it tonight, there isn’t a single player on the roster who can’t make shots at a high percentage. Chandler was the only one who I think was subpar tonight.
2. Butler is everything expected defensively.
3. Almonor is way better knocking down 3s than I was expecting. Hoping this wasn’t an one off display.
4. Oweh is a bulldog. Reminded me a little bit of Keith Bogans.
5. Passing and movement is great.
6. The Weave play has been permanently retired.
7. Not a single cut for a layup allowed on underneath inbounds plays. Win!
8. Not a single fouled 3 point shooter. Win!
9. The Goooo and Ruuuun plays have also essentially been retired. We’re definitely going to Gooo and Ruuun, but we’re going to do it with with purpose.
You expect us to read all that?Here are a few observations of my own...
1. It's hard to have any complaints after a 123-52 win. I know it's Kentucky Wesleyan, but 123 points against anyone is impressive. Giving up only 52 is also impressive against anyone.
2. I loved the offense! This team is going to put huge amounts of pressure on defenses. 7 guys made a three. The team shot 50% from 3 on 21-42. That is ridiculous! And I love it! Who doesn't have a green light? Amari Williams is the only guy who didn't have a 3pt attempt.
3. These guys are helping on defense and switching on defense, getting good position, not giving up back-doors, getting steals, blocking shots, and on. The defense is what will make this team dangerous. Many teams can score points, but the experience, toughness, and intensity of this team defensively will be the reason they could make a serious run.
4. Lamont Butler really is a great on-ball defender. He reminds me of Reed Sheppard in the way he defends and what he can do, though he may be a little bit quicker with his hands on the ball. He gets in excellent position, he deflects balls, he picks pockets from in front and behind, and his leaping ability allows him to block perimeter shots. He got a couple steals last night that didn't even look possible, but he came out with the ball. Pope joked afterward that folks should guard their wallets when he's nearby. He's going to pester and annoy opposing point guards all season. He will be on the floor ALOT this season.
5. Jaxson Robinson is for real. He will make an NBA roster next summer, I have no doubt about it. He's not as good defensively as Butler, but he's quick and long. He knows where to be. He knows where everyone else needs to be. But the thing that makes him elite is his scoring. You could probably just give him the ball every time down the floor and let him go. But he works within the system and is one of the key pieces that makes everything work.
6. Otega Oweh was very impressive to me last night, and maybe even a little bit of a surprise. I've seen his highlights and I've heard the reports about his strength and improvement, but he showed me some things last night. Not every shot is gonna be a three, although Oweh made 2-2 from 3 last night. But his ability to finish in and through traffic and be a physical presence at shooting guard is what will make him a vital part. He's 6-4 215 which is good size for the 2. His strength is what is so rare at that spot. He held his line on drives and then finished.
7. Andrew Carr didn't get a bunch of highlights last night, but I really like this guy. He's the guy who likely won't be on many highlight reels this season, but he is steady. He only played 16 minutes last night but he had 10 points on 4-4 shooting, was 2-3 from the FT line, grabbed 4 rebounds and an assist. So, he's the blue-collar guy who just does his job, and he's a 6-11 power forward with ball handling, passing, and shooting range. He's not gonna wow you until you look at the boxscore and realize all he contributed.
8. Ansley Almonor impressed me last night. I've heard he can shoot it but at 6-7 244lbs you don't expect to see him do what he did last night. 5-7 from 3 is nuts! 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and a steal, also, and in only 20 minutes off the bench! I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He shot 40% from 3pt range at Farleigh Dickinson last season. He led their team in 3pt shooting while basically playing center.
9. I think we're gonna love this team. I love the chemistry we're already seeing, and it's really shocking to see from a team full of transfers and freshmen. It shows you how good a leader Mark Pope is. This is what I've been most concerned about since the class was finished. I love the talent and I love the experience, but the worry for me has been chemistry and learning to play together. I'm sure there will still be some growing pains in this area, but I really am impressed so far.
Electing a president isn't playing pinochle. There are always extravagant things said. But as my signature points out, one candidate is permitted to be lawless and one is demanded to be flawless. If you value your freedom, vote wisely.Too Funny. Hopefully whatever will be best for this country will happen. Politics has gotten so volatile. I posted one little thing on FB and it has 3 friends back from high school fighting with 3 friends that are closer friends. This election has already had so much violent rhetoric and pure violence against one candidate. Cannot wait to cast my vote. That is all any of us can do this election is vote.