So, where are we?

[MegaBlue05]

We’re fine.

I swear some of y’all will panic at the slightest sign of adversity. Knoxville has been a house of horrors for Kentucky for 50 years, save UT’s lost decade and a half from 1990-2005 when their program was in the *******.

We won’t play a team we’d previously beaten by 30 on the road in the tournament.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Oscar’s last four games: 17 ppg, 15.8 rpg

That’s actually a hair above his season averages.

It’s hilarious that you consider that struggling. Oscar isn’t one of our problems.

He isn’t a problem, but last night’s stats were deceiving. The final stat line looked OK, but he was 5-15 from the floor. Can’t have your center shooting 33 percent.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Wait and see.

Reasons to not worry:
- every team has a bad game
- Tyty was out most of this one, AND was clearly not himself/100% before he went out
- vs a good (top 20 team)
- on the road, at a place we have always had trouble winning at
- it was a revenge game for them because we embarrassed them so bad in Rupp
- this time of year, it's not bad to get a reality check, a smack in the face, to say "you aren't invincible" "you let up an inch, and you can be knocked off"
- Toppin may be turning a corner

Reasons to worry:
- Oscar, while still getting his reb #'s, has struggled the past couple weeks
- Tyty and his health (to me this is by far the biggest concern)
- Grady the past few games has not worked to get open, and thus has struggled
- maybe Brooks didn't turn the corner, and he just had a couple good games
- Wheeler still plays out of control from time to time, as does Mintz

This is a fair, level headed assessment.

 

[nssdigitalchumps]

The team honestly looked spent in the game last night, and that was from start to finish. I think this was just a one-off.

 

[nssdigitalchumps]

He isn’t a problem, but last night’s stats were deceiving. The final stat line looked OK, but he was 5-15 from the floor. Can’t have your center shooting 33 percent.

Some of the shots he missed were easy ones, especially that layup he blew. He usually makes that stuff.

he was also weirdly frustrated. Not very characteristic of him.

 

[bbnkat02]

Grady passing up on open looks last night was mind blowing.

 

[nssdigitalchumps]

Grady passing up on open looks last night was mind blowing.

Not sure what the heck was up with that.

I knew we were in trouble when TN stole the ball and Brooks was within range to block the player, but just pulled back and let him dunk. Brooks is such a mystery some days. He is tall, lengthy, and doesn’t block anything. Three-point shooters light him up all the time. Just a baffling player.

 

[bbnkat02]

Not sure what the heck was up with that.

I knew we were in trouble when TN stole the ball and Brooks was within range to block the player, but just pulled back and let him dunk. Brooks is such a mystery some days. He is tall, lengthy, and doesn’t block anything. Three-point shooters light him up all the time. Just a baffling player.

I knew it was game when Wheeler went out of control, barely got touched, hurt his wrist, and them Oscar had to pick up Number three.

Team needs to come out Saturday with their hair on fire. Another effort like last night and the fan base will not be happy with this beloved team. Losses happen. Losing like we just didn’t care? Unacceptable

 

[ukcatz12]

Nothing to worry about. We've proven thus far we're a top 4 and potentially top 2 team in the country. Nothing went right last night and it was just one of those nights. Missed shots, boneheaded plays like Grady stepping out before hitting a three, Oscar was weak with the ball down low and got it stripped too many times, TyTy wasn't healthy, the whole team came out flat and never really seemed to turn on the energy, and the crowd kept UT hyped all night.

We blew out Kansas at their place and they're still a top team. Arizona got blown out at UCLA and they're still a top team. Sometimes top teams just come out flat. It's the name of the game in college basketball.

And on the road against a rival (especially a ranked one) in college basketball is the hardest environment to win at in all of sports. We're fine.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Grady passing up on open looks last night was mind blowing.

Couldn’t understand that. Guy was wide open in first half and dribbled inside line and passed the ball. WTF? Take that shot every time. He was in space somewhere.

 

[bbnkat02]

Couldn’t understand that. Guy was wide open in first half and dribbled inside line and passed the ball. WTF? Take that shot every time. He was in space somewhere.

Dude wants to be like Steph and does some things Steph would never ever do. It’s frustrating.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

My only concern is injuries. I figured TN would hand it to us pretty good last night and their one hot shooting half was enough to do that for sure, just like if UK had cooled off in the 2nd half at Rupp we still would have won by 15-20 probably.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

Was last night a one off? Or should we be worried?

I’m kind of stuck in the middle. I think it was a one off, BUT I did not like the lack of fight from our guys last night. That play where Wheeler went down and he was slow to get back up was ridiculous. Some are saying that was a hard foul but the replay didn’t show much contact. I think that was Wheeler trying to do way too much again.

Sigh. Man, last night just sucked.

1. Denial – The first reaction is denial. In this stage, individuals believe the diagnosis is somehow mistaken, and cling to a false, preferable reality.
2. Anger – When the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue, they become frustrated, especially at proximate individuals. Certain psychological responses of a person undergoing this phase would be: "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; "Who is to blame?"; "Why would this happen?".
3. Bargaining – The third stage involves the hope that the individual can avoid a cause of grief.
4. Depression – "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon, so what's the point?"; "I miss my loved one; why go on?"
   

I think most fans are hung at stage 2 right now.
We need a little more time. We'll get there.......eventually.

You may be at step 4.

 

[bbnkat02]

1. Denial – The first reaction is denial. In this stage, individuals believe the diagnosis is somehow mistaken, and cling to a false, preferable reality.
2. Anger – When the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue, they become frustrated, especially at proximate individuals. Certain psychological responses of a person undergoing this phase would be: "Why me? It's not fair!"; "How can this happen to me?"; "Who is to blame?"; "Why would this happen?".
3. Bargaining – The third stage involves the hope that the individual can avoid a cause of grief. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made in exchange for a reformed lifestyle. People facing less serious trauma can bargain or seek compromise. Examples include the terminally ill person who "negotiates with God" to attend a daughter's wedding, an attempt to bargain for more time to live in exchange for a reformed lifestyle or a phrase such as "If I could trade their life for mine".
4. Depression – "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"; "I'm going to die soon, so what's the point?"; "I miss my loved one; why go on?"
   During the fourth stage, the individual despairs at the recognition of their mortality. In this state, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time mournful and sullen.
5. Acceptance – "It's going to be okay."; "I can't fight it; I may as well prepare for it."
   In this last stage, individuals embrace mortality or inevitable future, or that of a loved one, or other tragic event. People dying may precede the survivors in this state, which typically comes with a calm, retrospective view for the individual, and a stable condition of emotions.

I think most fans are hung at stage 2 right now.
We need a little more time. We'll get there.......eventually.

You may be at step 4.

Let’s not even go there. I’ve had too much crap happen in the past two and a half years.

 

[fisherscat]

Already down to a 2. We're looking at 3/4 if those losses happen.

That’s not how it works. The 1/2 line especially at the bottom 1 and top 2 lines are tight and interchangeable from game to game. Cats would have to really struggle down the stretch to drop below 3.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

Let’s not even go there. I’ve had too much crap happen in the past two and a half years.

Look, most of us have.

My buddy looked over at me last night and said " it's just a game".

Sometimes we all need to be reminded it's just a game and not a life or death issue.

Sorry for your losses.

 

[bbnkat02]

Look, most of us have.

My buddy looked over at me last night and said " it's just a game".

Sometimes we all need to be reminded it's just a game and not a life or death issue.

Sorry for your losses.

It is. And I know that. But damn. Life is just a hair more fun when UK is good.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

I honestly think we’re in the same place we have been. People are always results driven in their thinking. We tied a very average MSU team at home over 40 minutes, barely escaped at a ehh A&M team when they shot 1-22 from 3, Alabama shot 3-30 from 3, and we didn’t really impress vs either Vandy or at USC. Any of those games could’ve went the other way but since they were all wins it just kept validating our beliefs on the quality of the team.
I think our team thrives off easy opportunities generated from turnovers and missed shots. It’s partially why you see so many runs in score in our games. But if the other team is executing on offense, not turning it over, and shooting a decent percentage…we struggle to overcome that.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I honestly think we’re in the same place we have been. People are always results driven in their thinking. We tied a very average MSU team at home over 40 minutes, barely escaped at a ehh A&M team when they shot 1-22 from 3, Alabama shot 3-30 from 3, and we didn’t really impress vs either Vandy or at USC. Any of those games could’ve went the other way but since they were all wins it just kept validating our beliefs on the quality of the team.
I think our team thrives off easy opportunities generated from turnovers and missed shots. It’s partially why you see so many runs in score in our games. But if the other team is executing on offense, not turning it over, and shooting a decent percentage…we struggle to overcome that.

This is a very good point. They can beat anybody or lose to anybody...this team's talent level is not on par with 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and maybe not even 2019. People like the experience, but the margin for error is really low for this team and the ceiling is not as high as a 2011 or 2014 that could get hot and evolve and make a deep run as both did.

 

[e56]

Apparently, down to a #2 seed with #1 Purdue. Another loss should move us down again.

the sky is falling...

 

[gwjenning]

We’ve not looked good since Kansas. I go back to the fans chanting for Sharpe to be put into the game after our players on the court worked their asses off.
I think Sharpe is a huge distraction to this team and many won’t admit it! We will continue a downwards slide.
I see an early exit in the NCAAT.

 

[Panthur]

What UT did with the game where we slaughtered them, we could easily do that with this game. We do that and we’ll have no worries at all. Except for Tyty’s wooden leg.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

It is. And I know that. But damn. Life is just a hair more fun when UK is good.

We can all agree on that.

I just think we may be getting a little too overhyped about the potential of this team.

I love this team but they have some real weaknesses that the better coaches and teams with talent will expose in the NCAa and a lot of people are going to have an emotional breakdown when they lose in the tournament.

Could they win it all? Sure.
Is that likely to happen. Unfortunately, no. Too many holes, too many weak spots.

Gosh, I hope I'm wrong.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

We can all agree on that.

I just think we may be getting a little too overhyped about the potential of this team.

I love this team but they have some real weaknesses that the better coaches and teams with talent will expose in the NCAa and a lot of people are going to have an emotional breakdown when they lose in the tournament.

Could they win it all? Sure.
Is that likely to happen. Unfortunately, no. Too many holes, too many weak spots.

Gosh, I hope I'm wrong.

You could be right.

 

[ukcatz12]

It is. And I know that. But damn. Life is just a hair more fun when UK is good.

That's the key, try to make UK winning a fun bonus in life. Let the basketball highs get you higher, don't let the basketball lows drag you down.

 

[TheWyldKat_rivals45219]

UK dropped to number eight in the CBS sports daily rankings. After how terrible they played last night I’m not surprised if they would be 12 to 13 range. When you give zero effort, that’s what happens.

 

[blackcat714]

We are a player short Cal should have tried to have got another recruit or a reclass .

 

[Catfan2226]

We’ve not looked good since Kansas. I go back to the fans chanting for Sharpe to be put into the game after our players on the court worked their asses off.
I think Sharpe is a huge distraction to this team and many won’t admit it! We will continue a downwards slide.
I see an early exit in the NCAAT.

The whole damn thing is a distraction in my opinion and was completely avoidable.

 

[Blue Hair_rivals393513]

Was last night a one off? Or should we be worried?

I’m kind of stuck in the middle. I think it was a one off, BUT I did not like the lack of fight from our guys last night. That play where Wheeler went down and he was slow to get back up was ridiculous. Some are saying that was a hard foul but the replay didn’t show much contact. I think that was Wheeler trying to do way too much again.

Sigh. Man, last night just sucked.

Just one of those games. It happens.

 

[-BBH-]

One off, IMO. I always thought we would end up with 6 losses. I like my team.

 

[Pearl]

Good point ... and I guess mine wasn't.

UK is still Top 3 in KenPom and NET ... and it's my belief that UK is vastly superior to all but one other school ... and that it's very close between those 2.

I have zero worries about Arizona, Fraud-burn, or any other top echelon school other than Kentucky. That doesn't mean anything vis a vis "what" could happen in a given game.

But Kentucky is still in GREAT shape ... at least that's my opinion.

I'm really impressed with the west coast lillies from Gonzaga....their SOS at #88 is just super tough. I mean, playing West Putnam U, Molly Putts, Pacific...Pacific......, and Five Blind Men, is just super impressive!!!! I'm sure as always, that super tuff conference schedule will have them sharp as nails, before they choke another NCAA tourney away!!!!!
Here's a hint. Timme can't guard anybody that can move both feet. And "Lerch" is going to go back to getting pushed around. Nemhard is not very quick and guards will blow by him. NCAA tourney......, where Zags go to die every year after playing cream puffs! Alabama put in on that arse, now didn't they? Exposed!

 

[fadkins82476]

That’s not how it works. The 1/2 line especially at the bottom 1 and top 2 lines are tight and interchangeable from game to game. Cats would have to really struggle down the stretch to drop below 3.

Trust me, 7 or 8 losses would make us a low 3/high 4 seed.

 

[GoZags_rivals83639]

I'm really impressed with the west coast lillies from Gonzaga....their SOS at #88 is just super tough. I mean, playing West Putnam U, Molly Putts, Pacific...Pacific......, and Five Blind Men, is just super impressive!!!! I'm sure as always, that super tuff conference schedule will have them sharp as nails, before they choke another NCAA tourney away!!!!!
Here's a hint. Timme can't guard anybody that can move both feet. And "Lerch" is going to go back to getting pushed around. Nemhard is not very quick and guards will blow by him. NCAA tourney......, where Zags go to die every year after playing cream puffs! Alabama put in on that arse, now didn't they? Exposed!

Been awhile since ‘14/‘15. I know you guys have had a cup of coffee at #1 since then …. and who knows? Maybe this April y’all will get back to the Final Four and maybe win a game or two (something you couldn’t manage to do in ‘15 … yet lowly Gonzaga has done twice since your last FF … which was winless).

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

Been awhile since ‘14/‘15. I know you guys have had a cup of coffee at #1 since then …. and who knows? Maybe this April y’all will get back to the Final Four and maybe win a game or two (something you couldn’t manage to do in ‘15 … yet lowly Gonzaga has done twice since your last FF … which was winless).

Wait......what????
A trash talking Gonzagaroo???

I thought you guys were the kinder, gentler dudes, with soft eyes. What happened???

 

[Wildcats1st]

When healthy we can play with anybody.We aren't healthy right now.I expect a loss at Arkansas and a battle at Florida.Thats ok,I'm not worried about a 1 seed.A 3 seed doesnt bother me at all.Get healthy and use the SEC tourney as a launching pad for the dance.
We got to get healthy and refocused.Forget about distractions.

We will not be healthy this season. We ve had injuries from day 1 and continue to have them. Depending on matchups we are a first weekend out possibly. Or we could make a sweet sixteen I don’t see much potential past that unless we are 100% healthy. But that’s not happening.

Alabama will beat us Saturday without a 100% tyty. They felt like they should have won the last one and just like UT it will be a revenge game. I think KU was the peak for this team because of the experience these guys have. This isn’t the team that you should expect to play it’s best basketball as we progress through the season. That’s what the heavy freshman teams do.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Not sure what the heck was up with that.

I knew we were in trouble when TN stole the ball and Brooks was within range to block the player, but just pulled back and let him dunk. Brooks is such a mystery some days. He is tall, lengthy, and doesn’t block anything. Three-point shooters light him up all the time. Just a baffling player.

Tin man’s disease.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

We will not be healthy this season. We ve had injuries from day 1 and continue to have them. Depending on matchups we are a first weekend out possibly. Or we could make a sweet sixteen I don’t see much potential past that unless we are 100% healthy. But that’s not happening.

Alabama will beat us Saturday without a 100% tyty. They felt like they should have won the last one and just like UT it will be a revenge game. I think KU was the peak for this team because of the experience these guys have. This isn’t the team that you should expect to play it’s best basketball as we progress through the season. That’s what the heavy freshman teams do.

He literally threw up his hands and backed up on one play during a scrum for a rebound. Total surrender.

 

[JC CATS]

I don't have a problem with losing. I anticipated it. But we got run. That's concerning.

Seems like we lost by 50, but it was actually 13