But damn I prefer it to another Cal come from ahead loss.
This loss was hard
- Thread starter crestcat
- Start date
Hopefully things only get better.
Cal was done here. In 2021.
Cal was done here. In 2021.
At least we know the players and coaches cared as much as we did.
They overachieved all year. And then playing without 2 of your top 7, both backcourt guys…. Sure everyone is tired of hearing how injured we were but it’s still the truth…amazing we were one of the top 16 teams.
Had we played a non SEC matchup 2 seed I truly believe we are in the E8 right now. UT is a top 5 team per all the computer metrics. They got to fail twice against us and make adjustments. We made counter adjustments after 10 min but it was too late. Play a Michigan state or Purdue and we win tn
They overachieved all year. And then playing without 2 of your top 7, both backcourt guys…. Sure everyone is tired of hearing how injured we were but it’s still the truth…amazing we were one of the top 16 teams.
Had we played a non SEC matchup 2 seed I truly believe we are in the E8 right now. UT is a top 5 team per all the computer metrics. They got to fail twice against us and make adjustments. We made counter adjustments after 10 min but it was too late. Play a Michigan state or Purdue and we win tn
Yes it was, I just hate it that we were never in the game. I hate that we won’t get to see this group ever again. I wanted them to have a chance for a final 4.
Fans were begging Kentucky to get a stop in the second half. Tennessee just wouldn't miss. Hit a three to cut it to 9 and the momentum would've shifted. The lid was ready to blow up until about 4 minutes left.
Just sad, Man.
That 3, steal and layup sealed the game. Or the other way around I can’t remember. Ziegler to Lanier I remember was one. That took it back to 17.
I agree but honestly Pope didn't motivate his team to defend like Barnes did his. That's just the truth. Barnes also outcoached Cal repeatedly so it's nothing new. But we had never played our hated rival in the tournament. And defense is easier to play on adrenaline than precise things like shooting. Tennessee came ready to play balls to the wall and we didn't. I was really disappointed in Pope and the boys in the first half. They played even in the second half but it was too late.
By 2 points while down double digits isn't "playing even" in your mind? I consider you a friend on here dude so I'm not trying to argue but not sure what point you're trying to make with this one.
Just saying yes we were even but technically we won the second half. No point being made. Our shitty first half cost us the game.
It's just hard for me to take any solace in that because the whole second half was "down 15 - down 13 - down 16 - down 14 - down 17 - down 15" we were never close.
It was just back and forth. And that would've been fine if we came out ready for the first half. But we quite blatantly did not.
I cant figure why they came out of the gate looking so much more ?? motivated or prepared . There were on us early and often . Was a weakness all year long , slow starts .
Didn’t hit me that hard at all, other than being irritated that’s it’s UT.
Not blocking out and fighting for every rebound best us more than anything. It isn’t like UT got lucky in that regard. They whipped us. In addition to all the analytics work, I hope they are watching plenty of film and snagging portal guys who get more than their share of 50/50 balls.
Never getting JR and KK back hurt us. We kind of needed Brea to be on a heater every game to win at this level. JR gave us outside shooting redundancy, some defense and length. KK gave us pace off the bench. We were equipped to beat UT on the offensive end, but our margin for error was thin post injuries.
Not blocking out and fighting for every rebound best us more than anything. It isn’t like UT got lucky in that regard. They whipped us. In addition to all the analytics work, I hope they are watching plenty of film and snagging portal guys who get more than their share of 50/50 balls.
Never getting JR and KK back hurt us. We kind of needed Brea to be on a heater every game to win at this level. JR gave us outside shooting redundancy, some defense and length. KK gave us pace off the bench. We were equipped to beat UT on the offensive end, but our margin for error was thin post injuries.
I agree 100%, we were never really In the game. I think we got it to 9. That was the time to put game pressure but we made a defensive error and a turnover that led to a 3. Right back to 15.
Should also add that when I heard the name Doug Shows I felt like I was walking into a funeral.
Not saying we lost because of him. Truth is, UT kept us at bay all night and had enough working margin that they were going to win regardless.
But I don’t see how anyone could fail to question 1)Kentucky/Tennessee being the only SEC Sweet 16 matchup, and 2)the NCAA choosing to send in a questionable SEC ref with a history of calling UK/UT games even.
Not even getting into Brian Dorsey, who may be even worse though less known.
You would think the NCAA, at minimum, would use a totally different crew for this SEC matchup. West coast officials even.
Not saying we lost because of him. Truth is, UT kept us at bay all night and had enough working margin that they were going to win regardless.
But I don’t see how anyone could fail to question 1)Kentucky/Tennessee being the only SEC Sweet 16 matchup, and 2)the NCAA choosing to send in a questionable SEC ref with a history of calling UK/UT games even.
Not even getting into Brian Dorsey, who may be even worse though less known.
You would think the NCAA, at minimum, would use a totally different crew for this SEC matchup. West coast officials even.
Didn't bother me other than it being UT. I wasn't surprised we lost but didn't like the fact it was never a game and we never made a run n the 2nd half to realistically feel we had a chance.
I mean when was the last time that happened. 2003 against Marquette when they were up big? We lost that by 15 I believe. That was a slaughter.
This team finished where I thought it would and played to seed so no issues there.
I mean when was the last time that happened. 2003 against Marquette when they were up big? We lost that by 15 I believe. That was a slaughter.
This team finished where I thought it would and played to seed so no issues there.
Normally I am literally holding the flag for the ref-hating parade but in the first half, we had:
- no plan on offense (and, no fault of his, a one-armed PG)
- the same lack of box-outs, jumping and diving for rebounds and loose balls that we've seen throughout the season (I really don't understand it because Pope fought his ass off as a player)
Our team seemed completely shocked by Tennessee's superior intensity. And I was very disappointed by that.
Yeah I literally said we didn’t lose because of refs. Doesn’t mean I feel good about the NCAA giving us an SEC game in the Sweet 16, right down to the refs.
I respect the heck out of you dude and I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I know you're a level-headed and mathematically-minded poster. I'm the one always shooting my mouth off getting pissed off for no reason on here.
Just saying I wish I could lean on that ref thing and this time I can't.
By the end of the year, we depended on Brea going for 20, Amari stuffing the stat sheet and Oweh playing normal. Just didn't get it.
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Bench production was huge in this game as Gainey almost trippled our total pts by himself.
UT 23 pts 8 rbs.
UK 6 pts 2 rbs.
I think this game definitely answers the
question of whether to bring in four or five portal players.
Absolutely five!
UT 23 pts 8 rbs.
UK 6 pts 2 rbs.
I think this game definitely answers the
question of whether to bring in four or five portal players.
Absolutely five!
I think you're referring to the steal and 3 that occurred while CBS was showing us a bunch of fatties in the stands high fiving. That crap drives me nuts.
Always bittersweet to lose in the second weekend of the tournament. I've seen a few, so the losses don't sting like they once did.
Very proud of CMP and the team. Hellofa year to bounce back.
Go Big Blue !
Very proud of CMP and the team. Hellofa year to bounce back.
Go Big Blue !
Losing ain't never easy.
A Lotta folks it hurts worse because it was Tennessee....fact is Tennessee was ranked higher than UK all year. So was Alabama, Auburn, Florida.
NOT your old SEC. Superconference you bet.
Also just pointing out that just about all those teams had quite a bit of returning talent from years past. It matters.
A Lotta folks it hurts worse because it was Tennessee....fact is Tennessee was ranked higher than UK all year. So was Alabama, Auburn, Florida.
NOT your old SEC. Superconference you bet.
Also just pointing out that just about all those teams had quite a bit of returning talent from years past. It matters.
The refs did not beat us last night. Lack of rebounding beat us. Rebounding is a "want to" skill. You win rebounding with hustle and determination. We did not have either.
That is invaluable to me. For years it was that way too under cal. The last 5-7 years it was the exact opposite. Those guys couldn't wait to get out of there.
With Dorsey, we have now only won 33.3% of games he has officiated. He + Shows gave UK yet another obstacle. Did Butler’s early foul trouble, with 2 by 12:13 to go in the first half, affect our play in the first half?
Yep. Just couldn’t get consecutive stops or buckets to cut into the lead. It was frustrating and sad.
I still love these guys and thank them for a helluva season I did not expect last April.
Was one of the first things on my mind when I woke up this morning. I was like “Oh yeah….crap”
Sigh. Just sucks.
Sigh. Just sucks.
No doubt that Butler committed both fouls. On the first, Zeigler made a strong drive to the basket that Butler defended tough. The foul there sets the tone for the game that nothing will be uncontested. On the second, Chandler made a weak pass across the face of the defense that Zeigler picked off and Butler mauled him from behind. May have been better with a 5'9" player to try for the block at the rim.
Yes it was. And to be honest it’s a little better with pope but it’s still like comparing a broken leg to a broken wrist. Take your pick. For me it still felt like a bad loss and a total meltdown. It was very Cal like. The entire game was like watching the same mistake over and over for 40 minutes with no changes. Just my opinion
There gameplan was to take away Kobe and that's a problem without JRob.
You didn't think Barnes would let Noah burn him for 11 off the bench again did you?
It was a disappointment if you look at the teams being equal(2 vs 3) but UK had two miracle wins over OU and the improbable sweep of UT.
Our sweep of them is what kept them off the one line and if you factor injuries we we probably closer to a six than a three
This team had a bad habit that they'd fall into a hole early. More often than not, they'd collect themselves and get back into the game. Pope and Crew have to learn that dictating the terms of the game is #1 on the highest level. Now you can reinforce it by changing things-I'd have pressured Tennessee after seeing how disgusting they were against UCLA late--and would've done so within the first 8 minutes of the game because the look/play of the players wasn't urgent enough. Tennessee dominated the pace/physicality/hustle plays and at this level of the NCAA Tournament that's unacceptable. Go down swinging and make them kill you. Last night was more of "we'll shoot our foot/arm-you can finish us off when you feel like it". Frontcourt players watching the PG with one good arm get a rebound between them instead of going to get it at high point....watching people shoot in their face without a challenge....watching period. Bad look.
This was also a start to a game to get on them and let players know what's up. Nothing is worse than being "too cool" in sports. It's fake. Players do it to pretend they aren't nervous and everyone is nervous at the start if you care. It's just part of it. There has to be a staff member to get on them hard. I mean vulgar in your face get your ass going or sit the **** out and watch with me as your teammates compete. Pope's persona isnt' that-fine-but someone better be because games like this isn't the time to wait for something to happen. Time flies in a 1 and out scenario. Specifically if you are trailing....you feel the urgency and pressure so it's best to bring the game/take the energy to your opponent and not sit/wait for things to happen which was way game was from jump. Players were literally standing straight up/down on defensive end-pointing like it's a pee wee shell defensive drill. Those are worthless anyways-but specifically when you allow the players to stand straight up-not get in a stance and not move. So said players would get beat by their man but also not get a rebound and stood and watched. It was sad way to end this-but got the result deserved last night. Credit the more aggressive/tougher team last night.
This was also a start to a game to get on them and let players know what's up. Nothing is worse than being "too cool" in sports. It's fake. Players do it to pretend they aren't nervous and everyone is nervous at the start if you care. It's just part of it. There has to be a staff member to get on them hard. I mean vulgar in your face get your ass going or sit the **** out and watch with me as your teammates compete. Pope's persona isnt' that-fine-but someone better be because games like this isn't the time to wait for something to happen. Time flies in a 1 and out scenario. Specifically if you are trailing....you feel the urgency and pressure so it's best to bring the game/take the energy to your opponent and not sit/wait for things to happen which was way game was from jump. Players were literally standing straight up/down on defensive end-pointing like it's a pee wee shell defensive drill. Those are worthless anyways-but specifically when you allow the players to stand straight up-not get in a stance and not move. So said players would get beat by their man but also not get a rebound and stood and watched. It was sad way to end this-but got the result deserved last night. Credit the more aggressive/tougher team last night.
Maybe I am just old school but never understand how we or other teams do not constantly post up Zeigler and score at will or get him in foul trouble- Butler, or whoever he guarded could have posted him up all night and if they double teamed, we would have a guard who could pass to the open man
The one thing I don’t understand is that Pope played for Pitino was was the master motivator and we had 5-7 games this year where we looked like we had no clue what we were doing. Last night included. Why wasn’t he able to light a fire under these guys like Rick used to? Pitino could make u think St Mary’s of the Deep could beat you if you didn’t give the effort. Would love to know Pope’s thoughts on that. How do u lose to Ohio St by 20? Oh well. 🤷🤷
