UK vs Duke predictions
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This early in the year a loss to either team is nothing to worry about. I think with a fair whistle it will be close, not so fair and we go down by 6. I can't remember anyone getting a fair whistle against Duke, can you ????
I think Briscoe will do well in this game.
I think a lot depends on how well Poythress can post and his energy.
I think Murray, Ulis, and Skal will be themselves.
Our defense on their 3 point shooting and our ability to hit our 3's will ultimately decide the game.
My guess:
UK---83
D-----78
I think a lot depends on how well Poythress can post and his energy.
I think Murray, Ulis, and Skal will be themselves.
Our defense on their 3 point shooting and our ability to hit our 3's will ultimately decide the game.
My guess:
UK---83
D-----78
I think it's a toss up. Our guards have to set the tone on both sides of the ball and even though I already know it's going to suck, they can't allow officiating to decide the game and get them all out of sorts. We can't let them burn us with 3's, it all comes down to how our young superstars handle the big stage, and I'd really love for it to be the Jamal Murray coming out party.
I think that UK will eek out a win late, but I'm not 100% confident in that. It's still too early for me to get a real sense of where we are as a team and what our primary rotation is going to be. If we do happen to lose, though, I hope that the portion of our fans that are prone to over-reaction are at least able to keep that in check somewhat and not pretend that the sky is falling. We are going to have a very good team by seasons end, and we'll once again be in contention to... ah, why even bother, I know some on here will go as insane as ever with a loss.
I think that UK will eek out a win late, but I'm not 100% confident in that. It's still too early for me to get a real sense of where we are as a team and what our primary rotation is going to be. If we do happen to lose, though, I hope that the portion of our fans that are prone to over-reaction are at least able to keep that in check somewhat and not pretend that the sky is falling. We are going to have a very good team by seasons end, and we'll once again be in contention to... ah, why even bother, I know some on here will go as insane as ever with a loss.
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Duke 85- UK 83.
Our D worries me. That said, Murray could go off and win it himself.
Our D worries me. That said, Murray could go off and win it himself.
I will say we will have four players with two fouls each before the ten minute mark. and Puke will have three fouls total !
I don't know why so many think Puke will win, and some by double digits.
Puke lost four starters and are relying on freshman as well. Also UK's defense was great after the first five minutes Saturday.
UK 78
Puke 73
Puke lost four starters and are relying on freshman as well. Also UK's defense was great after the first five minutes Saturday.
UK 78
Puke 73
I'm 50/50 on the game. I think both teams are still looking for their identity, and both have a lot of youth. Well need a complete team effort out there, but will need big efforts from Ulis and Poy. Whoever wins, I don't see it being by more than 5 or 6 points.
I agree with this. Great name matchup but unfortunately way too early as both teams are still figuring out who they are. Probably a toss up and I expect it to be a less than pretty contest. (I look for turnovers and overrall frenetic play.)
Is Grayson Allen that good? It's not like he was a high recruit, and got no minutes last year. I can't imagine him playing like this against Kentucky.
I agree. K may have new and young players, but he's a master at getting them to buy in on fundamentals. Our guys are still playing with some level of disorganized "free-for-all". I don't know who will win, so the best bet is to say "pick 'em". It will probably go down to the wire, however, and the winner will only take it by 3-5 points max.
Allen is doing most of his damage from the foul line. He's shot a fairly shocking 18 of them already, and hit 17. For reference's sake our top FT shooter attempts-wise is Skal at 10.
This (duh) suggests he's really pushing the ball at the basket. Kind of worrisome because Kentucky's defense has had the most trouble so far with those straight drives, and our help defense has been at least a couple of steps slow. Have to do a good job of containing him.
If you think about Cal's teams--and virtually all of them--the thing they struggle with the most early is transition defense. Even the great '12 team had problems. I think it has to do with the fact that everybody swarms to the ball and shot-blocking is such a priority. But we can't give Duke easy breaks to the other end or guys like Allen and Ingram will feast.
This (duh) suggests he's really pushing the ball at the basket. Kind of worrisome because Kentucky's defense has had the most trouble so far with those straight drives, and our help defense has been at least a couple of steps slow. Have to do a good job of containing him.
If you think about Cal's teams--and virtually all of them--the thing they struggle with the most early is transition defense. Even the great '12 team had problems. I think it has to do with the fact that everybody swarms to the ball and shot-blocking is such a priority. But we can't give Duke easy breaks to the other end or guys like Allen and Ingram will feast.
I really think it will to close to call. I hope UK wins but it will be a close game. Alex has to bring his A game and I look for Duke to try and get Skal in foul trouble early. The big question will Ulis be able to play against bigger guards? This may be a game Briscoe may have a big game. Game in the 70's.
cant believe people are putting down allen. now i dont think he is the greatest and all but we got our own problems.
ulis is averaging 34 minutes a game, 8.5 ppg, shooting 29% from the floor, 28% from three. 1.2 assist-to-turnover ratio
allen is averaging 31 minutes a game, 27 ppg, shooting 51% from the floor, 41% from three. 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio
i think its more about ulis having to play a ton better
ulis is averaging 34 minutes a game, 8.5 ppg, shooting 29% from the floor, 28% from three. 1.2 assist-to-turnover ratio
allen is averaging 31 minutes a game, 27 ppg, shooting 51% from the floor, 41% from three. 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio
i think its more about ulis having to play a ton better
I thought Ulis played very well Saturday after a bad game Friday. There were stretches in the game Saturday where he was dominating the game and not really doing anything on the stat sheet.
Has to shoot better, but I think he'll be fine. The issue I worry about with him is when bigger players start to try and pick on him in isos, and the fact that he's going to play 35 minutes a night; not sure if his frame can handle it. It was clear he wasn't right in that game Friday.
He's too good a shooter to just keep missing shots. Along with Murray's night, Ulis being able to hit jumpshots is the absolute least of my worries at this point.
Has to shoot better, but I think he'll be fine. The issue I worry about with him is when bigger players start to try and pick on him in isos, and the fact that he's going to play 35 minutes a night; not sure if his frame can handle it. It was clear he wasn't right in that game Friday.
He's too good a shooter to just keep missing shots. Along with Murray's night, Ulis being able to hit jumpshots is the absolute least of my worries at this point.
Ulis played regular minutes on one of the most loaded uk teams ever last year.
Allen, 30+ games into the season, still had games where he didn't get off the bench for a duke team that had no bench.
He comes out against 2 shitty teams and gets a bunch of points, 1/3 of those from the line playing in CIS.
He is being so overrated.
Murray is going to give him the business tomorrow night. Or jones or whoever else they put on him.
Allen, 30+ games into the season, still had games where he didn't get off the bench for a duke team that had no bench.
He comes out against 2 shitty teams and gets a bunch of points, 1/3 of those from the line playing in CIS.
He is being so overrated.
Murray is going to give him the business tomorrow night. Or jones or whoever else they put on him.
Agreed. Feels like K wins every early season tournsment he takes his teams to. I know he has a ridiculous record in Maui and they won that preseason tourney against UofL in Bermuda a few years back.
I wouldn't feel great about Murray guarding Allen. Murray is probably the worst perimeter defender on the team right now.
But I'm also not ready to believe Allen is actually as good as his numbers suggest. Duke shot a ton of free throws in those first two games.
Personally I think you have to try and draw charges against Allen. He gets a lot of his points by just lowering his head and bull rushing to the basket.
I really hope this game doesn't turn into a free throw shooting contest. 1, no one is going to win a game like that against Duke and 2, it would make the game unwatchable.
It's very probably going to be un-watchable but hopefully it will be winnable. In my opinion UK will represent and represent well. The unknowns right now are the calls. We shall see... (I think UK matches up well shooting FT's as far as percentage-wise, time will tell as far as the numbers disparity as far as FT's go...)
I meant deeper than that. His last 3 games have been great.. but these last two have been awful competition. Which Allen is going to show up against.
I'm not saying he's bad, but I agree with some, he's being a bit over-hyped. Getting the typical Duke calls and FT's. It will be interesting to see how he plays Tuesday,
I tend to think he's not over-hyped because he started to play like this in the Final Four.
I don't think he's going to go out tomorrow night and put up 28, but I do think he's become a dangerous and confident player. The first order of business anytime you go into a game is to blanket the other team's best, and right now he's their best.
I don't think he's going to go out tomorrow night and put up 28, but I do think he's become a dangerous and confident player. The first order of business anytime you go into a game is to blanket the other team's best, and right now he's their best.
I tend to think he's not over-hyped because he started to play like this in the Final Four.
I don't think he's going to go out tomorrow night and put up 28, but I do think he's become a dangerous and confident player. The first order of business anytime you go into a game is to blanket the other team's best, and right now he's their best.
I don't think he's going to go out tomorrow night and put up 28, but I do think he's become a dangerous and confident player. The first order of business anytime you go into a game is to blanket the other team's best, and right now he's their best.
i can see that. unfortunately for us k is good at getting players in their role fairly quickly. maybe not a set rotation for either team, but you know. fortunately for us skal, murray, briscoe, any of these guys could go off in a game like this. know one knows who but i think a fan like you would realize this.
i expect duke's team defense to be better at this point, no chance later in the year though imo. uk has two more advantages in the game. the charge circle and the no 5 second call. two things k has always utilized going back to his earliest teams. will be interesting to see how much denying duke does (and how confidently) when committing yourself hard for a few seconds ball hawking will have no positive effect. my guess is you guys will have to adjust. and maybe will give up less back door plays, but get way less breakaway tap outs from overplaying.
i agree the hype could definitely outdo the actually performance. our team is still learning basics and forming chemistry. the winner of the jefferson/poythress matchup, and i mean as far as leading and performance, will likely win. that's my two cents.
we are all questioning that as well.......not sure....he might be in the doghouse for some reason....K requires results during practice and commitment on defense, or you do not play.
It's also been suggested that he might be the first transfer for K that has not panned out talent wise...
I disagree; I don't think Cal presses that much. Duke likes to play fast, and when you press a team you speed them up. You open yourself up to a lot of open looks from 3 if you don't get a turnover, and I think he will make them try and score in the half court.
One thing to point out is Grayson has to play defense too. I think coach K is awesome at finding a way to keep his star players out of foul trouble. He did it last year with Okafor. That guy never had to play defense and never got into foul trouble. It was amazing.
What I am interested to see is Duke's perimeter defense. Will they come out and guard our guards out near the mid court line like they did to their first two opponents? I hope they do because we should be able to drive past their defenders and create. Make Grayson guard the ball and take the ball at him. Make him defend.
UK is going to struggle more against teams that pack it inside but that's not Duke's game. We should be able to tske advantage of their spread out defense.
What I am interested to see is Duke's perimeter defense. Will they come out and guard our guards out near the mid court line like they did to their first two opponents? I hope they do because we should be able to drive past their defenders and create. Make Grayson guard the ball and take the ball at him. Make him defend.
UK is going to struggle more against teams that pack it inside but that's not Duke's game. We should be able to tske advantage of their spread out defense.
I just hope it's a decently officiated game. I fully expect Kentucky to have two players in foul trouble before the 2nd TV timeout. I fully expect Duke to get the charges. I fully expect 1 UK big to foul out.
I just want to see it kept to a REASONABLE minimum. I'll lose my mind if this turns into 2010 UNC game.
I just want to see it kept to a REASONABLE minimum. I'll lose my mind if this turns into 2010 UNC game.
Grayson is already getting the JJ Redick treatment by going to the line if you even are remotely close to him when he shoots. Like it or not the single biggest factor in this game is whether Duke gets its typical Duke calls (which means a handful of suspect calls plus every single 50/50 call goes their way) or if this is actually an evenly officiated game where the the players get to decide the outcome.
I think it is virtually a lock Duke will have Skal in foul trouble and shoot a dozen more freethrows than we do. It's a given.
I think it is virtually a lock Duke will have Skal in foul trouble and shoot a dozen more freethrows than we do. It's a given.
I haven't watched Duke yet this year, but Wisconsin couldn't even look at Allen the wrong way without fouling him.
Surprised so many are predicting a Duke win. I mean anytime Ive brought up how good Duke has been over the past 6 years all I ever hear on here is how they lost to Mercer and Lehigh in the early rounds of the tournament. I just don't see how a Coach that lost to Lehigh and Mercer is going to beat Cal and UK on tuesday night.
I think we definitely win the game. We're simply the better and more talented team. Some of Duke's young guys aren't as far along as some had thought. (Thornton, Kennard, and Jeter). The guy I'm concerned with is Allen. That kid looks like a MAN this year. I do think by the end of the year though that Kennard and Thornton will be key contributors. But all 3 IMO are at least 2 year kids. Jefferson is another guy who has really stepped his game up
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