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UK/WKU game thread?

Ok on track for a 90 pt game
I don’t think there is a lack of effort from anyone
This game is being called tighter..on both ends…than this team is used to
WKU is showing some different looks that’ll be good for us on the long run
I think we will see necessary adjustments at the half and come out better
A year ago we’d have been down 12 instead of up 12

Yeah, we need to tighten up the D and stop the turnovers. And get REBOUNDS. I counted a couple of times where we put up a shot, bricked it, and only red jerseys were there to get it. That's unacceptable.
 
They do got to clean up quite a bit . I believe Pope will have them playing some ball in the 2nd half . You know why because he’s a COACH and he will make adjustments and that’s what a good coach does!
 
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Nobody is “freaking out” from what I see. It is ok to criticize lack of effort and sloppy passes, missing free throws. This performance would have UK trailing at the half to ranked opponents.

It’s a real-time game thread. You just want a pep rally?

Except it wasn't against a ranked opponent. Why do people always say 'well if we played like this vs x team, we'd be down". We aren't playing X team. We are playing Western. This game has no bearing on how we'd play vs a ranked opponent.

This isn't Jackson St. This was always more likely to be a 20 point win than say a 35 point win.
 
The upside of having a lackluster first half tonight means we can see how well the team can (and I believe) WILL respond in the second half.

WKU is an experienced team that played about as well as I think is possible for that squad.

The pace of this game is definitely going to wear WKU down in the second half.

Look towards the first five minutes of the second half to see the immediate hammer being put down by the Cats. I feel like a run straight away to put this game out of sight is about to happen.
 
They do got to clean up quite a bit . I believe Pope will have them playing some ball in the 2nd half . You know why because he’s a COACH and he will make adjustments and that’s what a good coach does!
The first adjustment tonight should be not to start Williams in the second half. If he goes with Amari again, that’s going to be really disappointing.
 
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Being spoiled has nothing to do with it. That was a horrible first half, and I guarantee you the coaching staff and players aren't pleased.

If they're not pleased, why should we be? This is a Final Four-level team. Fans will expect them to play better than this, and rightfully so.
That will show the true difference in coaching staffs. I’m very confident ours will make adjustments unlike the old regime
 
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People freaking out despite us being up 12.

We didn't shoot it well. We turned it over too much.

It happens.
Yeah, but I think our concern is not about this game.
Play like this against anyone in the SEC and it's a loss.
we're definitely not locked in, our shooting numbers and effort after loose balls is the tell tale sign.
Not only that, but nobody is working hard to get open, or get rebounds.
But, ask Iowa state how fast a big lead can disappear. 12 points is nothing, 18 wasn't enough for them to win.
That look on Pope's face as the team was heading for the locker room tells me he's not happy and he shouldn't be.
 
The first adjustment tonight should be not to start Williams in the second half. If he goes with Amari again, that’s going to be really disappointing.
Pope isn’t like that though he lets his players play through it he will stick with him. He did it with Jaxon against Duke when he only had 1 point.
 
Does he instill confidence in you at the FT line? Butler is a damn good defender and can make some plays when he needs to, but FT shooting is a major concern for him.

Concerning is that he seems to be the one that gets to the line often.

That being said he was terrible last year but he used to be a pretty good FT shooter. He did hit 77% in his second year at SD State. So maybe it's in there.
 
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Good thing WKU isn't meeting some of the criteria you usually see for an upset. When a mid-major wins a game like this it's usually because they take care of the ball, shoot it well from 3, force some turnovers on their opponents, and get help from their opponent missing 3s.

Cats lucky WKU hasn't taken care of the ball or made some 3s.
 
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Hey they weren't all going to be easy. This is a good early test of what you do, to win the game, when your shots arent falling.

But yeah a little annoyed by an experienced team just barely shooting 70% from the line. Gotta be stronger here.
 
Good thing WKU isn't meeting some of the criteria you usually see for an upset. When a mid-major wins a game like this it's usually because they take care of the ball, shoot it well from 3, force some turnovers on their opponents, and get help from their opponent missing 3s.

Cats lucky WKU hasn't taken care of the ball or made some 3s.

yeah definitely not a team you'd expect to go crazy from 3.
 
Both those FT’s looked good tight ass rims. His form is fine.
Ehh, FTs were one thing I was good at besides shooting in high school. He doesn’t hold his follow through all the way. He kinda tries to guide them in instead of just flicking the wrist and shooting it. He just makes me nervous at the foul line
 
Also just saw UConn went down again.

Jerry Seinfeld Popcorn GIF by Sheets & Giggles
 
Looks like the sky is falling….Farrrr Pope - I knew he wasn’t the one..Lol I think we’ll be alright and learn from the lackluster performance thus far tonight.
 
I refuse to give credit to WKU's defense. That's not a good defense, we're just missing shots because we are just going through the motions, not because WKU is d'ing us up.

I'm certainly not freaking out, please don't think I am, I just know we are so much better than this and there is a tiny bit of PTSD from the previous regime.
 
I know Pope didn't make this schedule but UK would be so much better off right now IMO, if we played more teams that could actually push us. These guys know they are gonna win and it shows

WKU is 125 in Kenpom. This isn't a bad game to play at all. Holiday week and Zaga next weekend makes this an easy game to let down on. WKU is decent enough where if you play too poorly they can beat you.

Hopefully see a better half from us.
 
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