Unfortunately… Duke is going to win it all

[bigblueinsanity]

The key to beating Duke is stopping Malucah. He’s in double figures tonight off lobs from the pick and roll. Force Flagg into shooting tougher shots around the rim and guard the middle pick and roll and you can beat them. I just don’t know if there’s a team in college that has that ability. Coming into the tournament, I thought their inconsistency from three and strength of schedule would be their downfall. I was wrong. I believe they will win it all (I just threw up in my mouth saying that).

Hes completely dominant when hes out there. You have to get him off the floor with fouls or out him in a million screens to wear him down. If he didn't cramp up, uk loses that game by 20. Iirc we were down 12 and trending down when he went out.

Sort of remind me of our 2012 team in a way although I know Flagg is nothing like Anthony Davis

In terms of lane protection maluach is every bit as good as ad. Ad was better overall because he could also defend on the perimeter but in the lane they're equal.

In the college game, hes just as impactful as flagg imo.

 

[Cawood86]

They’ve just got the total package. And usually the 3 point line is sometimes a weakness in the tournament for them . But not this year

I'm sure you'll be happy if they do. Us UK fans won't

 

[Buck Creek Cat]

Kentucky had the “complete team” in 2015, undefeated at that going into the FF, and still lost. Duke is not invincible but they will be difficult to take down.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Kentucky had the “complete team” in 2015, undefeated at that going into the FF, and still lost. Duke is not invincible but they will be difficult to take down.

Unfortunately, Duke matches up well with everyone who's left in the field. Sion James is basically their Alex Poythress. He can guard the opponent's best player. He was a huge pickup for them last spring. If you took him away from Duke, it would have a similar effect to losing Poythress for that 2015 team.

Also, Wisconsin was just a horrific matchup for Kentucky that year. Five players who could space UK and draw WCS/Towns away from the rim. A true mismatch with Dekker at the 3.

Duke has favorable positional matchups with everyone who's left.

They've probably got this one locked up unless they have a historically bad shooting performance.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

Also unusual for this day and age to do it with 3 freshmen starting.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

Unfortunately, Duke matches up well with everyone who's left in the field. Sion James is basically their Alex Poythress. He can guard the opponent's best player. He was a huge pickup for them last spring. If you took him away from Duke, it would have a similar effect to losing Poythress for that 2015 team.

Also, Wisconsin was just a horrific matchup for Kentucky that year. Five players who could space UK and draw WCS/Towns away from the rim. A true mismatch with Dekker at the 3.

Duke has favorable positional matchups with everyone who's left.

They've probably got this one locked up unless they have a historically bad shooting performance.

We also had our two best guards on the bench while the Harrison’s had 2 shot clock violations

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

We also had our two best guards on the bench while the Harrison’s had 2 shot clock violations

Two shot clock violations, one turnover by Towns, a charge on Lyles, a forced "bleed the clock" isolation shot by Harrison. Five dead possessions in the last 4 minutes of the game. I've never seen a bigger Kentucky meltdown in all my life when the game was on the line.

If UK scores on even one of those braindead possessions, we win that game.

 

[AshWilliams]

That was during the game. He’s been frustrating to watch at year. He just didn’t have the athleticism to be an effective starter (minus the Duke game).

That game was over at halftime. You can be pedantic if you want, but in your mind it was over. Keep rooting for Arky tho. Calboi

 

[Rafterman]

Duke doesn’t miss any mistake the defense makes. They also are defending like crazy. I’m very surprised at how good they’ve looked. Not unbeatable but they do look the part.

 

[ruppcat]

Two shot clock violations, one turnover by Towns, a charge on Lyles, a forced "bleed the clock" isolation shot by Harrison. Five dead possessions in the last 4 minutes of the game. I've never seen a bigger Kentucky meltdown in all my life when the game was on the line.

If UK scores on even one of those braindead possessions, we win that game.

Don't forget the "shot clock" issue.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Clayton gets his shot off way quicker than Sears and is much more athletic. And Florida has a post game that would make it much more difficult to sell out on just guarding the perimeter.

I feel like we keep doing this. "But now Duke has to play THIS guy". Mark Sears was supposed to be the key to winning and he sucked.

My issue with Florida is that they are not focused enough. If TTU just had a little more of a lead, they win the game. They also slept walked against the 1st half with Maryland, and kind of similar to Uconn.

 

[carbonlib23]

Because he had someone his height and quickness to guard him. Flag still has very repetitive moves ,spins, with high dribbles that even we exploited into turnovers when we played them.

you're right....his draft stock prolly plummeted last night...

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

I dont care if Duke wins it all, UConn and UNC already have 6 titles, whats one more rival getting their 6th title going to do?

 

[DrH. Lecter]

Most talented team since uk 2012 imo.

Duke's Zion team and UK 2015 were vastly better.

 

[Farsight]

When you play dUKe its typically 5v8 anyways

 

[Fitch44]

They still have possibly 2 more SEC teams to get thru. If they do, then kudos to them.

I think Tennessee would have a better shot to beat them than Houston so as much as it pains me I am pulling for Tennessee.
That’s how much I hate duke.

Florida or Auburn, not sure who has a better shot to take down duke.
Thinking Florida due to their ability to match their interior size with those 4 bigs. Especially Haugh who I think could sort of match up with Flagg and cause him some problems.
With Duke’s luck Mich st will knock off Auburn and then Florida and then get murdered by duke for the ship 🤦

 

[EliteBlue]

The key to beating Duke is stopping Malucah. He’s in double figures tonight off lobs from the pick and roll. Force Flagg into shooting tougher shots around the rim and guard the middle pick and roll and you can beat them. I just don’t know if there’s a team in college that has that ability. Coming into the tournament, I thought their inconsistency from three and strength of schedule would be their downfall. I was wrong. I believe they will win it all (I just threw up in my mouth saying that).

This.

Don’t over focus on Flagg. Take away the easy stuff for Malucah and the open lockout 3s for Konueple.

 

[Neue Regel]

Duke's Zion team and UK 2015 were vastly better.

The Zion mythos has made that team one of the most overrated ever. 30% three-point shooting teams don’t win the title.

 

[Mash 2.4]

The Zion mythos has made that team one of the most overrated ever. 30% three-point shooting teams don’t win the title.

Reddish not being the shooter they thought he was hurt them.

 

[Blueheart32]

I mean you could be right. That would suck but I'm not ready to say Duke has the title locked up. Florida or Auburn will challenge them.

Duke's Zion team and UK 2015 were vastly better.

This team is better than the Zion team in about every measurable category. And is much deeper

 

[Neue Regel]

Reddish not being the shooter they thought he was hurt them.

And you need the stars above to line up also. If Luke Kennard comes back then the shooting issues are much more masked.

 

[Mash 2.4]

I feel like we keep doing this. "But now Duke has to play THIS guy". Mark Sears was supposed to be the key to winning and he sucked.

My issue with Florida is that they are not focused enough. If TTU just had a little more of a lead, they win the game. They also slept walked against the 1st half with Maryland, and kind of similar to Uconn.

I’ve never once thought Sears was near the player Clayton is. Sears is crafty and got an extremely good whistle. Clayton is way more athletic and gets his shot much easier. I agree with you Florida hasn’t looked as sharp in the tournament. But people seem to be forgetting Florida waxed Alabama worse than Duke just did in the SEC tournament. If they’re on they’re a load. Alabama was the 4th best team in the SEC. If Duke beats the best of the SEC I’ll take my hat off to them.

 

[UKAlum84]

If auburn loses, mich st I think could win it. The coaching is there.

 

[Mash 2.4]

Still would like to see how this Duke team would handle full court pressure. James nor Proctor seem like great ball handlers. But nobody seems to press anymore.

 

[shaudyshaud]

I’m hoping Duke doesn’t win it all . I’d cheer for anyone in college basketball in a game over them .

But I can’t deny that they look very good . They are so long defensively and their size is going to cause problems for most guards because all of their bigs can switch and hold their own . All it takes is one bad game so hopefully it happens the next game or the title game .

 

[DrH. Lecter]

The Zion mythos has made that team one of the most overrated ever. 30% three-point shooting teams don’t win the title.

LOL. Zion, Reddish, Barrett, Jones. Coach K. 2nd only to UK 2015.

 

[DrH. Lecter]

This team is better than the Zion team in about every measurable category. And is much deeper

Wrong. That was pre-portal NIL era. When Duke and UK could hoard talent. That can no longer happen and why those teams I mentioned will never again be assembled.

 

[Blueheart32]

Wrong. That was pre-portal NIL era. When Duke and UK could hoard talent. That can no longer happen and why those teams I mentioned will never again be assembled.

This team shoots the 3 by a good bit better, shoots free throws a good bit better, averages more assists, and has better plays coming off the bench than that one did.

 

[Duke Blu]

This current Duke TEAM is better than the Zion team. Much deeper as well. Maliq Brown is hurt. He improves an already stellar defense.

 

[jwphelps]

They’ve just got the total package. And usually the 3 point line is sometimes a weakness in the tournament for them . But not this year

I think Florida can take them, not sure about Auburn, they tend to faulter in the big game.

 

[xc72wildcat]

They will crush Houston. Florida or Auburn might be able to hang for a portion of the game but doubt it will be close at the end. The love fest cbs has for Duke and cooper is 🤮

 

[KYFOSSIL]

You would have thought after that crappy thread you started earlier about wanting Carr gone you would have learned your lesson.

But not for you.

You're not a Kentucky fan.

No he’s a douche and has been for quite awhile

 

[Wildcats1st]

Duke is going to be winning a lot going forward. Boozers next year, they are ncaa darling and gift them elite 8s. Stacked teams for duke Nike bought and paid for

 

[bbncal02]

AT Worst Kentucky will be 2-1 against FF teams.

That's frustrating to be sure. Injuries just kneecapped us.

 

[TM2013]

AT Worst Kentucky will be 2-1 against FF teams.

That's frustrating to be sure. Injuries just kneecapped us.

Shows that Pope has us competing at the highest level immediately. Just need a slight bump in talent and better luck with injuries next year.

 

[bbncal02]

Shows that Pope has us competing at the highest level immediately. Just need a slight bump in talent and better luck with injuries next year.

I slightly agree. We got UF and Duke early. I'm not sure we could've beat them in February, even if fully healthy. They both are that good.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

Duke is going to be winning a lot going forward. Boozers next year, they are ncaa darling and gift them elite 8s. Stacked teams for duke Nike bought and paid for

That should give you a woody

 

[gharding07]

I got Duke at +300 to win the tournament. I thought that was easy money. Put down $200 on them to win it and $100 on Florida. Got a good chance to cash in haha. If Duke loses its a win win.

 

[EliteBlue]

https://www.barttorvik.com/?year=20...vquad=0&quad=5&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#

Since the start of conference tournaments, Duke is actually 3rd in efficiency behind Houston and UF.

If you only take the NCAA tournament into play Houston is the current top teams and Duke second.

Essentially, once the competition has been relatively equal for all teams, Houston has been the best team in the nation despite Duke and UF having the hype

 

[UKWildcats1987]

We also had our two best guards on the bench while the Harrison’s had 2 shot clock violations

They weren't the best two guards on that UK team that season. This is lazy revisionist history.

Not to mention we don't even beat ND without the Harrisons. Or make the title game the prior season.