We just gotta get healthy

[Cats192]

Not to excuse the loss. Terrible, embarrassing loss.

But the reality is, we're essentially missing 2 starters. We don't have a healthy PG on the roster.

We're in a rough stretch where we're probably doing a lot better if we're healthy. Carr and Butler were both less than 100% against Alabama. Carr was out and Butler was injured/awful against Vanderbilt. I don't really understand how we won the game @ Tennessee. And then lost an embarrassing one to Arkansas.

Even having Kriisa back to run the point would be an immense help.

I think we're a much better team with the missing parts. If Pope's ominous comments about Butler are foreshadowing an extended absence--boy, are we in for it.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

We are playing a 7 foot 260 pound British dude who was defensive player of the year in the CAA at point.

That seems less than ideal when you say it out loud.

 

[wkycatfan]

Beginning of the season, I thought Carr and Butler were our 2 most important players.

 

[Cats192]

We are playing a 7 foot 260 pound British dude who was defensive player of the year in the CAA at point.

That seems less than ideal when you say it out loud.

Right.

If you say it all out loud, we're in a bit of a disaster situation. Our starting PG is out. Our backup PG is out. Our starting PF (who is one of our best go to scorers) is out.

Everyone loves to say "This is Kentucky, no excuses." But the reality is, we're just not in a good spot right now. I don't understand how we won the Tennessee game.

I don't mean to give a pass for the Arkansas game. Arkansas is bad this year, and I think we should have found a way to have clawed that one out. But we could EASILY be 0-4 in our last 4 games.

 

[megablue]

Yes. I know injuries happen and it’s next man up, but it is simply unreasonable to expect consistent, winning results against SEC competition without a healthy Butler and Carr.

 

[tf4fun]

Not to excuse the loss. Terrible, embarrassing loss.

But the reality is, we're essentially missing 2 starters. We don't have a healthy PG on the roster.

We're in a rough stretch where we're probably doing a lot better if we're healthy. Carr and Butler were both less than 100% against Alabama. Carr was out and Butler was injured/awful against Vanderbilt. I don't really understand how we won the game @ Tennessee. And then lost an embarrassing one to Arkansas.

Even having Kriisa back to run the point would be an immense help.

I think we're a much better team with the missing parts. If Pope's ominous comments about Butler are foreshadowing an extended absence--boy, are we in for it.

It's 3 of your top 6-7 players out! Changes the entire team. Even if butler can give us 15 minutes it would be a huge help. Jax and butler at point. Give jaxson some rest to stay fresh. Even then I think oweh will need to bring the ball up the court at times. One big thing these injuries have done, is slowed us down! Remember how fast we played with butler/krissa? Completely changed how we attack!

Then figure out the 2-3 spots between oweh,Brea,Chandler,Noah ect. I expect Noah to get some time at the 3 spot if Carr can keep playing!

With Brea/ jaxson lack of athletic ability,I think Pope has to play some zone in the future.
1-2-2--- 1-3-1 --- mixing it. But cals lack of success against zone is due to them missing 3's. Last night they were hitting everything. Zone wouldn't have mattered last night. They played like we used to play against Pitino ect.

 

[catben]

Not to excuse the loss. Terrible, embarrassing loss.

But the reality is, we're essentially missing 2 starters. We don't have a healthy PG on the roster.

We're in a rough stretch where we're probably doing a lot better if we're healthy. Carr and Butler were both less than 100% against Alabama. Carr was out and Butler was injured/awful against Vanderbilt. I don't really understand how we won the game @ Tennessee. And then lost an embarrassing one to Arkansas.

Even having Kriisa back to run the point would be an immense help.

I think we're a much better team with the missing parts. If Pope's ominous comments about Butler are foreshadowing an extended absence--boy, are we in for it.

This is the reason Coach Pope looked like he was at a a loss for words last night. The PG position is KILLING our season. With Kerr AND Lamont hurt, we have very little shot at going very far from here on out. Throw in the Carr back situation and Garrisons little nagging stuff and it makes winning that much HARDER!!

This team was very good because of the STRENGTH that the WHOLE of the parts provided. With 3 players hurt and unable to perform at the level needed, it makes winning TOTALLY dependent on making MORE shots than the opponent.

The worst part is that there is NO assurance that those injuries will get better. Just a sad time right now and not much that can be done about it. Hope Butler and Carr can recover to a point that they can play in the post-season, because I'm afraid Kerr is not returning.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

All anyone is doing by knashing teeth is wasting their time. With the mounting injuries and it being year one with players that aren't even UK-level, it's a fools game to try and analyze it. There are a few a-holes that want you to get angry, hate Pope, etc. Not happening with me. All I'm doing this year is watching the games and no more.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Most teams will struggle without a PG that is capable of playing and defending at this level.

 

[Rockfly78]

We’re not getting healthy. Sadly

 

[tf4fun]

This is the reason Coach Pope looked like he was at a a loss for words last night. The PG position is KILLING our season. With Kerr AND Lamont hurt, we have very little shot at going very far from here on out. Throw in the Carr back situation and Garrisons little nagging stuff and it makes winning that much HARDER!!

This team was very good because of the STRENGTH that the WHOLE of the parts provided. With 3 players hurt and unable to perform at the level needed, it makes winning TOTALLY dependent on making MORE shots than the opponent.

The worst part is that there is NO assurance that those injuries will get better. Just a sad time right now and not much that can be done about it. Hope Butler and Carr can recover to a point that they can play in the post-season, because I'm afraid Kerr is not returning.

Only one I can see is if they take it slow with Carr!
Back injuries are funny. I had one. Locked me up for 3 weeks, and disappeared as fast as it came!

So with Carr it could start improving. Butler if it's what is reported, and if he tries to go in a week or 2, hope they only use him to give Jax rest!

 

[AzubuikeandFitch]

When your short handed the coach has to get creative and Pope didn't make adjustments.
No switching defense and the substitutions were horrible.

 

[katwest]

If I’m a player at Kentucky and I get hurt, everybody saw what happened why does it matter who does or don’t know what’s wrong. If they are not releasing it’s because Butler doesn’t want it released. I know about the hippa thing but it’s going to come out later anyway. I guess he’s out for the year, time to move on, this injury thing is going to torment Kentucky forever.

 

[Zuma75]

Not to excuse the loss. Terrible, embarrassing loss.

But the reality is, we're essentially missing 2 starters. We don't have a healthy PG on the roster.

We're in a rough stretch where we're probably doing a lot better if we're healthy. Carr and Butler were both less than 100% against Alabama. Carr was out and Butler was injured/awful against Vanderbilt. I don't really understand how we won the game @ Tennessee. And then lost an embarrassing one to Arkansas.

Even having Kriisa back to run the point would be an immense help.

I think we're a much better team with the missing parts. If Pope's ominous comments about Butler are foreshadowing an extended absence--boy, are we in for it.

Honestly, it’s more embarrassing than it is terrible. Embarrassing because it was Cal. But not terrible for just the reason you said: the loss of 3 key contributors is really taking a toll on this team. You’re right, if the roster doesn’t get back to where it was, the last part of the season is probably gonna be painful.