The championships that perhaps got away
- Thread starter jedwar
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Louisville LAMBASTED UConn by a million in 2014, something like a month and a half before they won it all. None of it matters except being hot in March.
This is true. And you know what defense UL played to accomplish that? ZONE.
Yet we figured our 6'5 guards could stay in front of Uconn's lightening quick backcourt. Baffling really
I agree, but we weren't going to play zone regardless. If one guy just had a hot game (or randles ankle was good, or WCS wasn't out), we win. If I remember Boatwright was on freaking fire. If James Young just had one of those nights, we win. Wrong time to run out of steam.
EDIT: it was Napier. I've tried to block out that night.
1952 - inexplicable regional final loss to a St. John's team they'd beaten by 40 earlier in the season.
1954 - we all know this one, undefeated, best team in country by far, whipped national champ LaSalle in regular season.
1954 - we all know this one, undefeated, best team in country by far, whipped national champ LaSalle in regular season.
James Young continued with lamenting that he is the worst post-entry passer in the history of UK basketball. He did however cram one in traffic.
You said "we weren't going to play zone regardless". You're right, and that's my biggest beef. Why? Anyone and their mother could tell you that Aaron and Andrew had no shot at staying in front of Napier and Boatwright. Just stupid
Been many hurtful losses in my lifetime, but 2015 took a lot from me. To have a game in control and then lose the way we did changed me forever. It also has changed my feelings about Cal's coaching as well. I no longer dwell on losses and don't get excited over a win. It just seems like it is all for nothing, as long as we get 4/5 guys in the draft every year, winning a title is secondary to our coach.
1. He has said as much.
2. The lack of making in game changes to win the game, instead show cases his future pros.
It's amazing, it's like stuttering you can't stop in any post about Cal. The twins were never good defensively that year but with Willie in the paint he cleaned everything up by blocking shots. With him injured that positive was gone on defense.
Yep, some fans are fans of Cal over Kentucky. That's their choice. Not true fans.
WCS was injured, therefore not in the paint to bail out the twins on defense. You're exactly right. That's exactly what happened.
So what about making an adjustment? Why not say, "WCS isn't there to save the twins, we need to do something else to clog up the lane".
We don't see eye to eye on much but to me, in the finals, Cal wasn't going to make the twins better defensively no matter what he did. No matter what you or anybody thinks, a zone defense is not taught overnight and from what I read from Cal's comments, its easier to teach man to man and faster so its understandable why he goes the way he does. Would it be great if he had a team who could prepare for both, yes, I can't disagree with that but every coach has their way that they do things. Syracuse has been a zone defensive team since Jim started with them and he's doesn't like man to man, its his way. If Cal had more players stay, you can bet he would insert anything that would help the team but it would honestly be a waste of time even though he has played some zone, sometimes its look decent other times they sucked doing it. Plus on your last statement, who was really going to replace Willie? UCONN was a bad team for us to man up against without Willie, that's for sure.
So you and 43, bad mouthing Cal, makes you TRUE BLUE FANS? Interesting thoughts I guess but honestly I think you both are closet ul fans and one of you is definitely Cut Nuts, that everyone knows. Heck you both could be the same person with split personalities.
I have seen this argument before and I do not accept it. Which do you think is easier to teach a zone, high level high school grads or 6th grade players? Most grade school and middle school and several top notch high school teams play zone defense. How hard can it be to learn how to guard a section of the floor instead of constantly trying to switch on every screen where you get small guys guarding tall guys and tall guys guarding small guys, ie Wisconsin, and ND come to mind.
I am not wanting to become Syracuse, but dam, playing a zone for a few minutes at a time, just too give the other team a different look might help.
I do not think I am bad mouthing Cal, I just offer my opinion on trying something different for a change to win a natty. I like Cal, I think he is the best coach for UK and I love he gets top notch players who seem to be outstanding kids, never in trouble. Cal does a ton of stuff right and a few things wrong. Just one fan's opinion.
It's like he has a spell on some fans. I think they'd find fault with any other coach, even if he was producing titles. He just wouldn't be their man. He probably wouldn't emphasize draft classes and draft position, as much. I don't think your feelings are that uncommon in this day and age.
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Agree with you..Cal's stubbornness has cost us some titles.
Ok so not a spell? Or is a a "spell" like from witches and wizards ?
Or... is it indeed " infatuation?" What makes you think posters in here are under an infatuation spell?
Asking for friendsssss.
They faun over anything he says or does. I see posters defending the lack of titles, which is odd. That doesn't upset them, but bringing up missed titles enrages them.
See, right there you go. Wondering why Cal operates the way he does on certain things, or how he makes certain decisions is now considered "bad mouthing". My God you must be the most sensitive person on this board.
Me: "hey I think Cal has made some bad decisions in regard to defensive schemes. He should have gone zone against Uconn"
You: "Stop bad-mouthing Cal"!
It's no wonder you are so offended by my posts
Well, I mean I don't think it's "defending" the lack of titles per say , but offering a rational explanation as to why we won't/ don't win a title every single year when certain posters get super salty and upset .
Remember ? Only Duke..: according to some of your reasoning is the only college basketball program currently being successful . We need to try and be like Duke (or so ya said ?)
And when asked what other coaches would
Be better for UK since cal "isn't getting the job done" you said Brad Stevens lol.... lol...
So, I don't think it's a "spell" or "fauning " really. More so just accurate and rational discussions on the matter at hand
I don't think he's offended really. Your posts don't offend anyone lol .
Also, your example of "me " ( the subtle criticism of Cala defensive schemes ) is a valid point but that's not really how you operate (or @Poetax ). I think people get... confused ? Very confused by some of your "criticisms" because it always seems like particular posters are constantly ** negative z
You said that
The 3 stooges think that Cal is throwing games now, interesting but stupid but its expected from these sources. I've also noticed no one or more denies being Cut Nuts?
First I didn't say you were bad mouthing, directed at the cut nuts twins, so please read. Never did say Cal was perfect but these two, and I can prove it, have posted nothing but the same negative crap every time they post on Cal. I will disagree with you that's it's easy to teach an effective zone defense in a practice or two. He has played some zone with mixed reviews but he's definitely a man to man guy.
You bring nothing but the same crap in every post just like you did before they banned you as Cut Nets. Try being original with your constant negative posting maybe we all would listen. But I guess it will never happen.
So, now the name calling starts? Was any of my posts not respectful posts, at what point did I call you a name? When you stoop so low as to start calling people names, then you lose your argument
Not really sure about this one. That one got away because UK shot less than 40% from the field not because the retirement announcement inspired UCLA to spectacular heights. Jimmy Dan Conner, Mike Flynn and Jack Givens just didn't get it done. If it weren't for Kevin Grevey and Bob Guyette, it could have gotten ugly. Another factor that year is that it's not a sure thing UK makes the final at all if Scott May stay healthy.
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