Sports Media Claiming this will be Calipari's Toughest Challenge Yet

[Dakota25]

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...079/are-kentucky-wildcats-facing-tough-reload

Goodman starting early this year, it's just June before claiming this will be a down year. Maybe by our standards but not college basketball standards, just too much talent. Yeah the SEC will be tough but that just means losses won't hurt as much, and more chances for quality wins. For example ten losses with our schedule could be the difference between a four and eight seed. So 23-8 could get UK a four seed in other words. Also Goodman ignorantly stated that we have no superstar, so a first round draft pick that came back in Diallo isn't a superstar? Also Knox was a superstar before he came here instead of Duke.

Only thing I agree with in the article is 2018-2019 has the potential to be a monster team. Green, Alexander, Baker, and two to three front court players will return. Also why didn't espn fire Goodman? He is as bad as Dana who they did fire. Guess we still need one coach Cal hater since UK is the hated winner.

 

[Huma1894]

We have the strongest front court imaginable, and the back court isn't too shabby either. I don't know what he is talking about. We are taller than any NBA team. It's going to be a great season.

 

[kyups01]

Why dont any of these espn writers ever do the so called "one might major assistant/or coach" said this or that about any other team but UK? its almost like they are constantly trying to bring us down, you would never see them do a story about K or Roy asking other high major coaches their opinion, damn its ridiculous.

 

[rick64]

Must have been a slow news day for Mush Mouth. Starting the next season negativity pretty early.

 

[BBUK]

Who cares what the scuzz(es) states. IF, and I state IF this team comes to play with a chip on their shoulder this ride will be over the top good. Enjoy it UK fans this is a life time event we as UK fans are living through.

 

[docholiday51]

I think this could be a challenging year for Cal and UK,we always have more than our share of unknowns with every Cal team,this year is no exception;

1.What real experience or proven production do we have returning?

2.What leadership do we have returning?

3.What does Vanderbilt's health /injury mean for the team?

4.Diallo has been here for half a year,what does he bring to the table and how will he fit with the new players?

5.We have several players who are projected to be very good but do we have the one or two studs that can carry the team till everyone adjusts to college ball.There isn't a Wall,Cousins,Davis,Jones or Miller walking thru the door.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Without reading the article (I'd rather not give him the clicks) I don't think that's an outlandish take.

Even if you think we'll be amazing, having no returning major contributors, the lowest-rated starting point guard he's had to Kentucky, and no sure-fire top 5 pick type talents all means Cal has his work cut out for him.

Then you look at the other challenges. How should we play offensively? What does the rotation look like with so many seemingly equal talents? How do you sort out the situation with so many of our best talents all being 3/4 combos?

It's going to be an interesting year. Maybe everyone else is down enough that we can just throw a somewhat unbalanced roster of freshmen at it and come out on top. But this is the biggest mountain Cal has had to climb from a June perspective.

 

[BBUK]

I think this could be a challenging year for Cal and UK,we always have more than our share of unknowns with every Cal team,this year is no exception;

1.What real experience or proven production do we have returning?

2.What leadership do we have returning?

3.What does Vanderbilt's health /injury mean for the team?

4.Diallo has been here for half a year,what does he bring to the table and how will he fit with the new players?

5.We have several players who are projected to be very good but do we have the one or two studs that can carry the team till everyone adjusts to college ball.There isn't a Wall,Cousins,Davis,Jones or Miller walking thru the door.

Yeah but do they WANT to? That will be the determining factor...

 

[Cardsstink]

I do not agree as Cal has options everywhere. If someone isn't cutting it, he goes to someone else. Now if we can't get a guy to play solid Center, we are in trouble. I have confidence that one will emerge, hopefully two.

 

[wromanp7]

Without reading the article (I'd rather not give him the clicks) I don't think that's an outlandish take.

Even if you think we'll be amazing, having no returning major contributors, the lowest-rated starting point guard he's had to Kentucky, and no sure-fire top 5 pick type talents all means Cal has his work cut out for him.

Then you look at the other challenges. How should we play offensively? What does the rotation look like with so many seemingly equal talents? How do you sort out the situation with so many of our best talents all being 3/4 combos?

It's going to be an interesting year. Maybe everyone else is down enough that we can just throw a somewhat unbalanced roster of freshmen at it and come out on top. But this is the biggest mountain Cal has had to climb from a June perspective.

and I'm probably more excited (intrigued, maybe?) to see how this team plays/winds up than I usually am..

 

[mbc82584]

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...079/are-kentucky-wildcats-facing-tough-reload

Goodman starting early this year, it's just June before claiming this will be a down year. Maybe by our standards but not college basketball standards, just too much talent. Yeah the SEC will be tough but that just means losses won't hurt as much, and more chances for quality wins. For example ten losses with our schedule could be the difference between a four and eight seed. So 23-8 could get UK a four seed in other words. Also Goodman ignorantly stated that we have no superstar, so a first round draft pick that came back in Diallo isn't a superstar? Also Knox was a superstar before he came here instead of Duke.

Only thing I agree with in the article is 2018-2019 has the potential to be a monster team. Green, Alexander, Baker, and two to three front court players will return. Also why didn't espn fire Goodman? He is as bad as Dana who they did fire. Guess we still need one coach Cal hater since UK is the hated winner.

And once we win another SEC and go to another final four, the same jokester will be saying how this was all expected and has nothing to do with Cals coaching

 

[Cat78Scot]

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...079/are-kentucky-wildcats-facing-tough-reload

Goodman starting early this year, it's just June before claiming this will be a down year. Maybe by our standards but not college basketball standards, just too much talent. Yeah the SEC will be tough but that just means losses won't hurt as much, and more chances for quality wins. For example ten losses with our schedule could be the difference between a four and eight seed. So 23-8 could get UK a four seed in other words. Also Goodman ignorantly stated that we have no superstar, so a first round draft pick that came back in Diallo isn't a superstar? Also Knox was a superstar before he came here instead of Duke.

Only thing I agree with in the article is 2018-2019 has the potential to be a monster team. Green, Alexander, Baker, and two to three front court players will return. Also why didn't espn fire Goodman? He is as bad as Dana who they did fire. Guess we still need one coach Cal hater since UK is the hated winner.

And I guarantee that if Cal and UK have a great year but don't win it all the media, and some 'fans', will all say he underachieved.

It's a no win situation for Cal with some people.

 

[CatEye2010]

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...079/are-kentucky-wildcats-facing-tough-reload


Only thing I agree with in the article is 2018-2019 has the potential to be a monster team. Green, Alexander, Baker, and two to three front court players will return. Also why didn't espn fire Goodman? He is as bad as Dana who they did fire. Guess we still need one coach Cal hater since UK is the hated winner.

They threw him a few scraps and he gobbled 'em up. The ones that left had enough self-respect to decline the pay cuts, but not marble mouth.

 

[docholiday51]

and I'm probably more excited (intrigued, maybe?) to see how this team plays/winds up than I usually am..

Agree,this will be an interesting team to watch,Cal has many options.The 5 spot will be a big key as to how good we are and I think how we are able to handle on ball defensive pressure will be a factor as well.I expect teams to try and press at least early.

 

[G-PIP]

I don’t see this as an anti-Calipari article at all. If Goodman was really trying to stick it to Calipari, then he would try to really build up this incredibly young team so that when the inevitable growing pains occur he could say the team underachieved.

 

[wromanp7]

I don’t see this as an anti-Calipari article at all. If Goodman was really trying to stick it to Calipari, then he would try to really build up this incredibly young team so that when the inevitable growing pains occur he could say the team underachieved.

Regardless what he writes or his intentions, he's a tool.

 

[Blueaz]

I think this could be a challenging year for Cal and UK,we always have more than our share of unknowns with every Cal team,this year is no exception;

1.What real experience or proven production do we have returning?

2.What leadership do we have returning?

3.What does Vanderbilt's health /injury mean for the team?

4.Diallo has been here for half a year,what does he bring to the table and how will he fit with the new players?

5.We have several players who are projected to be very good but do we have the one or two studs that can carry the team till everyone adjusts to college ball.There isn't a Wall,Cousins,Davis,Jones or Miller walking thru the door.

And I guarantee that if Cal and UK have a great year but don't win it all the media, and some 'fans', will all say he underachieved.

It's a no win situation for Cal with some people.

It will be HUGE challenge to win it all. The tallest, least experienced team in the NCAA...
and even with a title, many will grumble with "of, course...look at the talent".

 

[G-PIP]

Regardless what he writes or his intentions, he's a tool.

I don't subscribe to (or have much patience for) the silly conspiracy theorists' "everybody is always out get UK" mantra. But, I would agree that Goodman’s take and intentions toward a number of situations and coaches often seems to be the negative angle. He seems very Jerry Tipton-ish to me. So, I'm not a fan of his stuff.

 

[UKUGA]

It wasn't that bad a take.

Kind of circular, but his general point was very young team + tougher conference = toughest challenge.

 

[KyFord]

Diallo and Knox aren't stars?

 

[docholiday51]

Diallo and Knox aren't stars?

Maybe they are ,maybe they aren't .They likely are two of the better players in this not so strong class.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...079/are-kentucky-wildcats-facing-tough-reload

Goodman starting early this year, it's just June before claiming this will be a down year. Maybe by our standards but not college basketball standards, just too much talent. Yeah the SEC will be tough but that just means losses won't hurt as much, and more chances for quality wins. For example ten losses with our schedule could be the difference between a four and eight seed. So 23-8 could get UK a four seed in other words. Also Goodman ignorantly stated that we have no superstar, so a first round draft pick that came back in Diallo isn't a superstar? Also Knox was a superstar before he came here instead of Duke.

Only thing I agree with in the article is 2018-2019 has the potential to be a monster team. Green, Alexander, Baker, and two to three front court players will return. Also why didn't espn fire Goodman? He is as bad as Dana who they did fire. Guess we still need one coach Cal hater since UK is the hated winner.

I actually think they’ve got it backwards.

Cal finally has multiple options at the 2/3/4 – six guys who can play and defend multiple positions in Diallo, Vanderbilt, Knox, Gabriel, Washington, and SKJ. No other roster in the country will possess anything remotely close to this type of versatility.

I think this UK team surprises some folks in March. In late game situations, UK will have multiple options to throw the ball to.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Maybe they are ,maybe they aren't .They likely are two of the better players in this not so strong class.

And college basketball is going to suck next year, so UK has a certain advantage in that Calipari will have more athletes and more length than any other roster in the nation.

If UK can defend the dribble-drive – which I think they will by March due to the length of guys like Diallo/Vanderbilt/Alexander – I think UK will be a top 3 seed somewhere with a real shot at a Final Four.

 

[Dakota25]

Maybe they are ,maybe they aren't .They likely are two of the better players in this not so strong class.

You can speculate classes but no way of knowing until the freshman hit the court. Remember the twins were overrated their freshmen year, and didn't do much until march of 2014, and they played well as sophomores. These freshman may over perform, be on par, or underperform but no way of knowing over the summer.

 

[docholiday51]

I don't disagree with either of the two previous posts,there are just more questions about this team than usual,which says a mouthful when talking about Cal teams.We just don't know yet and probably won't till we see a few games.This team could be the most versatile of any of Cal's teams here and have some intangibles that we will see develop as well.