To me today's game is simple......

[blueblood65]

If the Cats play the way they have been the past 2 games and tune out the crowd, they win. However, if they revert back to the Tenn and Auburn games and they play unfocused, they will lose.......I happen to think they will continue the way they've been playing and win this game.........GO CATS! UK 78 USC 72...........

 

[kyjeff1]

I agree, from my recliner all this ish looks simple.
All kidding aside, the UT game had more to do with mental and physical exhaustion from the KU game. I'm giving them a pass on that one. I hated to see UK lose that game but their effort was really good. Unlike the losses @UCLA, Ohio State, @LSU, @Auburn etc where they were intimidated and out of sorts.

 

[Blue Decade]

If the Cats play the way they have been the past 2 games and tune out the crowd, they win. However, if they revert back to the Tenn and Auburn games and they play unfocused, they will lose.......I happen to think they will continue the way they've been playing and win this game.........GO CATS! UK 78 USC 72...........

Maybe not as simple as you think. Have you noticed anything about the 4 games you are citing? Our last 2 games were at home in RA. We lost to Tennessee and Auburn on the road. Playing on the road makes a difference, and South Carolina is 1 of the best teams in our conference. We usually play well at home, but we haven't played a solid road game for 2 halves all year. It is unlikely that Kentucky will play today in Columbia like we played Florida and Georgia in RA. The key to winning today is playing solid defense and holding our own on the boards while keeping our bigs out of foul trouble. Without Poythress, this will be really difficult. But it's a big opportunity for Humphries if he can stay out of foul trouble.

 

[TTTblue24]

When we are up 8-10 with 8 mins to go, I hope we don't put it in the freezer & "run clock". At 4 mins to go, ok but not as early as we have been known to before.

 

[John Barleycorn]

Fouls will be the difference in the game today. Foul trouble, we lose.

 

[blueblood65]

Fouls will be the difference in the game today. Foul trouble, we lose.

I agree. I really really hate to say this but they seem to be playing much better w/o alex. I never thought I would say that but numbers don't lie. Today will be interesting w/o him on the road. I want him back 100% because we will need him in the Tournament. GO CATS!

 

[bucsrule8872]

If we play like we did in Lawrence, we have a really good shot. We played very well in arguably the most hostile environment in college bball against a veteran team with an elite coach. We just could not seal the deal. We play like that in Columbia, we win, IMHO. They don't have the talent that KU has.

 

[uk78]

So far this season, almost every conference the good home teams have a huge advantage. It doesn't mean they always win but the percentages are in their favor. What I see is Kentucky has played well recently but at home we experience a few minutes of no offense but with crowd support is hasn't hurt. We can't have that lapse on the road. Plus, we have been hitting our 3's and that will be key against S.C. as well. Late in tight games, every team starts trying to take it inside. That hasn't been a great option for Kentucky, but then our defense has looked impressive lately so it isn't the greatest option for the opponent either. But, refs can play a part and depending upon how tight they call the interior game will also make a difference. Basically, Kentucky has to have a decent lead in the second half or it will prove problematic.

 

[jrpross]

I agree, from my recliner all this ish looks simple.
All kidding aside, the UT game had more to do with mental and physical exhaustion from the KU game. I'm giving them a pass on that one. I hated to see UK lose that game but their effort was really good. Unlike the losses @UCLA, Ohio State, @LSU, @Auburn etc where they were intimidated and out of sorts.

Yeah that's me too. I'm on the couch in my boxers with a beer and a mouthful of pretzels saying "all they gotta do is work around those screens and box out inside. Idiots."

It's so much easier from OUR vantage point.

 

[CatPhight]

We need to dictate the pace of the game and value the ball.

It would also help if we don't watch the Cocks parade to the charity stripe like we've
seen for the last few weeks - hoping the kids and not the officials decide this one.

 

[Bkocats]

We need to dictate the pace of the game and value the ball.

It would also help if we don't watch the Cocks parade to the charity stripe like we've
seen for the last few weeks - hoping the kids and not the officials decide this one.

that's my concern - fouls. And it doesn't matter how well SoCar has shot from the three or the free throw line before - we all know that it'll be different this game.
WE need to shoot well today - defense won't be as much the key today (although very important, as always) as the offense.

 

[JerseyCat84]

Greenberg and Bilas pick USC Jr. Jay Williams picks UK.

 

[spotter34]

When we are up 8-10 with 8 mins to go, I hope we don't put it in the freezer & "run clock". At 4 mins to go, ok but not as early as we have been known to before.

I just don't get this take. Why people continue to think Cal shuts the offense down late in games is beyond me. Every coach tells their team late in a game with a lead to work for the best shot and penetrate to try and draw a foul. That's just smart basketball. With a 30 second shot clock you can't sit on the ball long any way. Cal just don't want them coming down and firing up a shot real early in the shot clock late in the game with a lead, but most GOOD coaches feel the same way.

 

[Deli owl]

I tend to see it even more simple. Score more points than them and win.