I don’t know either. Brand new coach and team against a stacked roster with a little continuity. Will be a tall order to win that game imo
Who Thinks We Can Beat Duke In Basketball and Why
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I don’t know either. Brand new coach and team against a stacked roster with a little continuity. Will be a tall order to win that game imo
Yeah, I haven’t seen Pope run it at UK so I am only saying what it should be. You may well be very right. Plus it’s always nice to have.
That's where I'm at. I'm not expecting a win, but I bet we look more like an organized team. Pope isn't just gonna roll the ball out there. We may take some Ls, but I'll be happy as heck to see good team basketball again.
Have no idea if we can beat them but expect AT LEAST a competitive loss since they don't have Roach. That's a big loss for them.
Cooper Flagg is more Kyle Filipowski level than Zion or even Banchero level.
Cats win by 6-8 points.
Cats win by 6-8 points.
You may be right. I'm just not sold on Flagg the way many are. We'll see.
I do. I might give Duke the slight edge, but honestly if we played them 100 games, I think it would be 55-45 (+/-5) games. So pretty much even.
PG/SG/SF:
Proctor, James, Foster, Gillis, Evans, Knueppel, Harris
vs
Robinson, Oweh, Butler, Brea, Kriisa
PF & C:
Flagg, Brown, Maluach
vs
Carr, Williams, Garrison
Other guys:
Knueppel, Harris, Ngongba
vs
Almonor, Chandler, Perry, Noah
At the PG/SG/SF spots, that looks pretty even. Proctor and Robinson could be all-ACC/SEC 2nd team guys. Duke has height advantage over Butler & Kriisa, UK has better shooting.
At the PF/C spots, I'll give Duke a SLIGHT advantage, mostly due to Flagg being a more athletic Carr. The other 4 are pretty even.
The "Other guys" looks pretty even.
First of all, I do not see Flagg as a generational talent, a Kobe, Garnett, Durrant, James, Edwards. It's way too early to say that about anyone. The only HS player in the past 50 years that probably had that aura about him was James. Flagg could possibly be in that next tier (all-stars), which is great. But is he there now? I really doubt it. He didn't dominate or even separate himself at the McD game/practices, he was "just another guy". That is NOT what a "generational talent" does. Each year the "hype" around whoever the best guy is gets bigger and bigger, and is often an overstatement of their true talents (at that time). I would be surprised a bit, if he is as good next year as Holmgren was at Gonzaga. But yeah, that's still pretty good.
PG/SG/SF:
Proctor, James, Foster, Gillis, Evans, Knueppel, Harris
vs
Robinson, Oweh, Butler, Brea, Kriisa
PF & C:
Flagg, Brown, Maluach
vs
Carr, Williams, Garrison
Other guys:
Knueppel, Harris, Ngongba
vs
Almonor, Chandler, Perry, Noah
At the PG/SG/SF spots, that looks pretty even. Proctor and Robinson could be all-ACC/SEC 2nd team guys. Duke has height advantage over Butler & Kriisa, UK has better shooting.
At the PF/C spots, I'll give Duke a SLIGHT advantage, mostly due to Flagg being a more athletic Carr. The other 4 are pretty even.
The "Other guys" looks pretty even.
First of all, I do not see Flagg as a generational talent, a Kobe, Garnett, Durrant, James, Edwards. It's way too early to say that about anyone. The only HS player in the past 50 years that probably had that aura about him was James. Flagg could possibly be in that next tier (all-stars), which is great. But is he there now? I really doubt it. He didn't dominate or even separate himself at the McD game/practices, he was "just another guy". That is NOT what a "generational talent" does. Each year the "hype" around whoever the best guy is gets bigger and bigger, and is often an overstatement of their true talents (at that time). I would be surprised a bit, if he is as good next year as Holmgren was at Gonzaga. But yeah, that's still pretty good.
We will win because this is their coach...
That's fun to say, but if this team and staff had BYU across their chest would you be as confident about a win against Duke?
When it comes to Kentucky basketball, I always believe we have a chance to win. Sometimes it’s a slim chance but a chance nonetheless.
I don’t think Flagg will be up to speed for college ball yet. There’s a huge difference between high school and college, and while Flagg might own college at some point he is gonna have a steep learning curve at the beginning much like the freshman we have watched. I think UK fits in that time period before he is polished as a college player.
in this day of mercenary basketball, a sound fundamental team with veteran players can beat anyone.
Teams that looked like Cals teams of the past are going to struggle now that you can buy players like cattle.
Teams that looked like Cals teams of the past are going to struggle now that you can buy players like cattle.
Not ready to say we will win, but we will be a tough matchup for Duke. We are experienced and gritty with high level defenders on the perimeter and in the paint. If they win its because Flagg is just too good. With it being his first big game, I like our chances.
I think he is the key to what kind of season Duke will have. Can he force teams to win by hitting jumpers? Can he be close to an automatic bucket from a lob? Will he dominate the glass? Will he be foul prone? All that remains to be seen, but he has played a lot vs guys much older and experienced than him.
I’ll just say this, I like this coaching staff and team’s chances vs. the old coach/ staff and the team they had coming in!
Cats by 6📢💯💯💯
Cats by 6📢💯💯💯
I think we will win. Not just because I think we will win every game, {I do}, but this just looks like a win even trying to be objective.
We will play collected and poised and they won't. It's early. They will try to play it down. Pope won't. He might in the press? But not to the players. We are without a doubt a top 10 team. How well the pieces come together will determine if we are top 5.
I think this team will be a joy to watch. And early too. We won't have to wait until January to see what we have.
We will play collected and poised and they won't. It's early. They will try to play it down. Pope won't. He might in the press? But not to the players. We are without a doubt a top 10 team. How well the pieces come together will determine if we are top 5.
I think this team will be a joy to watch. And early too. We won't have to wait until January to see what we have.
A better question for the OP is, "who thinks we can't win vs Duke, and why?".
To say you don't think we will win, is one thing. But to say you don't think we can win, that is a ridiculous statement. It's not we are marching Mark Coury, Bobby Perry, Jeff Tackett, Brandon Stockton, and Jeff Carrier out there.
To say you don't think we will win, is one thing. But to say you don't think we can win, that is a ridiculous statement. It's not we are marching Mark Coury, Bobby Perry, Jeff Tackett, Brandon Stockton, and Jeff Carrier out there.
If you added two lottery picks to UK's current roster, that would basically be Duke.
They're more talented than us. It's okay to admit that. Can we beat them? Sure, but they'll be favored by 6 to 8 points.
Early season cohesion will be the key to whoever wins, obviously.
They're more talented than us. It's okay to admit that. Can we beat them? Sure, but they'll be favored by 6 to 8 points.
Early season cohesion will be the key to whoever wins, obviously.
Clever. But just curious what your mindset it here. No right or wrong answer. The 2 times we have played Duke recently they have had the best player and won
Duke will be favored. That said, I know which coach and team will be hungrier with something to prove.
Duke has 2 warmup games before UK so I wouldn't get your hopes in that regard to flagg.
We also have some guys from smaller conferences we are counting on and that is also a big adjustment. I think they will be fine as well though.
With the shooting percentages coming in, I think that role could be filled by committee on any given night. Surely the whole team wouldn’t get cold…..again……right?
I’m hoping whatever caused the effect of every team shooting crazy stats in Rupp except UK ends with Pope.
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While having the "best" player is always nice, I've haven't been impressed with Scheyer, so much. I'm sure the game will be competitive and there is much we don't know about our team. What I like and hope is that our players will play up to the challenge of a Duke vs UK rivalry. I think Pope will be able to instill some of the fire that has aways separated UK from most other schools and find ways to win even when we might not measure up on paper, an intangible. We may not win the game but if we don't win, I do think it will be competitive, but then again ... it's UK and it's Pope's team. Looking forward to some coaching in Lexington and the good things it brings.
I think absolutely either team has a chance.
Toss up game.
Right now no matter who wins I’m not ready to say they will be a great team.
And vise verse if they loose they will be a bad team.
I’m taking UK just simple reason Pope truly knows how important this game is to fans.
Toss up game.
Right now no matter who wins I’m not ready to say they will be a great team.
And vise verse if they loose they will be a bad team.
I’m taking UK just simple reason Pope truly knows how important this game is to fans.
You mean like how Wake Forest had Tim Duncan? Or LSU had Shaq? Or Navy had David Robinson?
Basketball is a team sport.
Indeed, basketball is a team sport. Try to imagine what a team, working together, might do when "coached" and benefitting from preparation and execution of a gameplan. I'm very hopeful for the coming season.
I think we can beat Duke in basketball. And why?...... Because John Calipari is no longer the coach here and Jon Scheyer is the coach at Duke.
CAN beat them, yes. For years, we've gone into the Champion's classic as the least experienced team. And our inexperience has shown, and cost us.
I also have long gotten the vibe that Cal convinced himself he doesn't care about games in November. He lets the kids do what they want. And when they lose, it's a teaching moment. After all, March is all that matters.
And while I'm not here to tell you that a non-conference game in November defines your season, they cetainly matter. These events should be huge non-conference wins and resume' builders. Instead, it's an annual L.
Pope won't have Cal's "whatever, we're built for March" attitude. For once, we're going into this event with an older veteran heavy team.
Also, Scheyer isn't anything special on the sideline. Or at least he hasn't been so far. I'm not saying Pope necessarily is either. But I would be a lot more concerned going into this thing playing coach K.
WILL we win? Don't know. I'm betting Vegas has Duke favored when the time comes. But I don't think this will be a John Calipari 30 point blowout in Indianapolis, but "Hey, it's ok, we're built for Marhc."
I also have long gotten the vibe that Cal convinced himself he doesn't care about games in November. He lets the kids do what they want. And when they lose, it's a teaching moment. After all, March is all that matters.
And while I'm not here to tell you that a non-conference game in November defines your season, they cetainly matter. These events should be huge non-conference wins and resume' builders. Instead, it's an annual L.
Pope won't have Cal's "whatever, we're built for March" attitude. For once, we're going into this event with an older veteran heavy team.
Also, Scheyer isn't anything special on the sideline. Or at least he hasn't been so far. I'm not saying Pope necessarily is either. But I would be a lot more concerned going into this thing playing coach K.
WILL we win? Don't know. I'm betting Vegas has Duke favored when the time comes. But I don't think this will be a John Calipari 30 point blowout in Indianapolis, but "Hey, it's ok, we're built for Marhc."
UK has a chance, but should be the underdog.
Projected Starters
PG Butler vs. Proctor
Edge: Duke
SG Oweh vs. Foster
Edge: Duke
SF Robinson vs. Flagg
Edge: Duke
PF Carr vs. Brown
Edge: UK
C Williams vs. Maluach
Edge: UK
Bench
Edge: UK(slight)
If you count Flagg as a wing (ESPN has him projected to start at the 3), then I think Duke is stronger on the perimeter and UK is stronger inside. But I do think Flagg will play some at the 4.
Flagg is a matchup nightmare wherever they put him. Too quick for a PF to guard and too big for a SF to handle.
I think UK keeps it close, but ultimately Duke gets the win, 87-81.
Projected Starters
PG Butler vs. Proctor
Edge: Duke
SG Oweh vs. Foster
Edge: Duke
SF Robinson vs. Flagg
Edge: Duke
PF Carr vs. Brown
Edge: UK
C Williams vs. Maluach
Edge: UK
Bench
Edge: UK(slight)
If you count Flagg as a wing (ESPN has him projected to start at the 3), then I think Duke is stronger on the perimeter and UK is stronger inside. But I do think Flagg will play some at the 4.
Flagg is a matchup nightmare wherever they put him. Too quick for a PF to guard and too big for a SF to handle.
I think UK keeps it close, but ultimately Duke gets the win, 87-81.
Better question...who was Kentucky's coach the 2 times we played Duke recently? That makes a world of difference!
Butler and Proctor is close, but yeah slight edge to Proctor.
Oweh and Foster, I think Oweh has the slight edge.
Duke has a bunch of 6'5-6'7 guys, but not much big depth (same as us), so I don't think they will go big with Flagg at the SF for much of the game (maybe 8-10min at the SF). So, I think it may be Robinson vs James, and I'll take Robinson in that matchup.
Then I say Flagg over Carr.
And Williams and Brown are even, or tiny edge to Williams.
You just named 3 players from the 1990s, when college basketball was drastically different. Basketball is a team sport, but individual players can take over games and win them. Duke will have the 2 best players on the floor in this game. Duke will win this game, like they have when they have the best player on the floor. Kentucky will be fine, but this will be dukes game.
Yes coaching does make a difference, but players have to make the plays on the court, and Duke has better players than Kentucky, especially early in the season
Coaching makes a big difference. The garbage coach that finally left Kentucky after last season proved that. He had more talent than just about anyone, but was such a pathetic coach, he couldn't do anything with it.
It's a combination...you need good player and a good coach. I think Kentucky finally has that again, so I like our chances.
Kentucky has a better systematic and basketball mind coach in pope. But Duke still has more talent and will have the best player in college basketball most likely on the floor. I think Kentucky will be better than a lot of the media are acting like, but Duke 3rd game of the season will be a loss.
Might be. I just don't think it's a guarantee.
I think it being the third game gives UK a better opportunity. Now if the dukies live up to their hype, I’d rather not catch them in March. But we’ve seen guys struggle in their first big college game, and we’ve seen guys dominate from the start. So you never know.
As someone who has seen about a minute of Flagg playing, I will be curious to watch him and how Pope decides to handle the defensive duties.
