Game thread. Georgia vs Kentucky

[STL_Cat]

I was pleasantly SHOCKED Cal pulled him after that bad entry pass in the 2nd half. Dude has had as much leash as anyone I can recall. Cal pulling him there was him saying "enough."

Same. I’m yelling at my tv expecting him to be out there running us into the ground. I saw he was back out and thought, maybe that was finally enough for Cal

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Hard to believe Kentucky covered the -11 never seen that coming at the half

You and Wheeler both.

 

[bbnkat02]

Hey. Just realized. We gained a game back! Double win!

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

I think Cal looks like a moron at this point in regards to Wheeler.

I just glad he's finally to the point where he's stop doing things like playing someone out of spite

Agree. I still don't trust him with it though.

 

[TankedCat]

The K State Coach has FIRE

that was a great speech

 

[Crawfords Corner]

But free throw’s aren’t important enough to work on during team practice

They must be working on them now, though. So, Ill take it.

 

[sam_o]

Wallace
Reeves
Frederick
Livingston/Toppin
Oscar

This should be our primary lineup going forward. This is not even up for debate anymore. I think Cal even sees it now

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

You were watching with one eye! lol

Nope I’m starting the tape now. I put on headphones and watched YouTube. I checked the score once with 4 minutes left.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

Oscar is a video game tonight

He's a bucket......

 

[Cats192]

Will he stick with it though? That’s the key. If he values any kind of legacy he will.

He stuck with it for a huge chunk of the 2nd half.

This felt like the "I can't play you" moment.

I think if Cal's seat wasn't so hot, he'd be more inclined to let Wheeler stay out there. I think he finally feels like he has to make a tough decision. He did. We're better for it.

 

[Bkocats]

They must be working on them now, though. So, Ill take it.

Lol
Sorry that was me kinda being facetious

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

They must be working on them now, though. So, Ill take it.

Yeah we have been making them, that’s good to see.

 

[LmdCat]

Imagine if we could put 2 halves together like that!

We can if we continue playing disciplined basketball and if he keeps that high weave and handoff offense locked away. Slow and deliberate is what is best for this team. When playing like this, the team actually set effective screens that result in made baskets.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Gotta start being prepared, we can’t keep getting down 10 every game.

Yep. And that's one of those many steps we see come SEC play. At some point a lot of our great teams figure out how to play the whole 40 minutes. I think that's the next progression.

Right now though, it's these players realizing "wait a second, I'm really talented, I can do this!"

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

OSCAR is back to F’in BEAST MODE gimme that NPOY year Sh@T!

 

[Cats192]

Saturday’s game is huge. A&M is better than UGA and more physical. Kentucky cannot get off to a and start that game, but these last two games have shown little improvements Kentucky can build off

We played REALLY well in the 2nd half. Do we build off that or fall back into the habits of the 1st half?

 

[Crawfords Corner]

Lol
Sorry that was me kinda being facetious

You weren't wrong. 65% as a team before the last 2 games.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

We can if we continue playing disciplined basketball and if he keeps that high weave and handoff offense locked away. Slow and deliberate is what is best for this team. When playing like this, the team actually set effective screens that result in made baskets.

Amazing what happens when you run Reeves and CJ off screens. Having Oscar alone in the post is killer.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Too bad in 2015 Cal didn't figure out Booker and Ulis were our best 2 guys and we could gone 40-0

They weren't that season.

 

[Cats192]

OSCAR is back to F’in BEAST MODE gimme that NPOY year Sh@T!

REALLY interested to see how Oscar fares when he's surrounded by shooters to keep the paint open.

 

[LmdCat]

Amazing what happens when you run Reeves and CJ off screens. Having Oscar alone in the post is killer.

The game is pretty simple when played the right way.

 

[pauled#1]

Yeah we have been making them, that’s good to see.

Free throws wins games!

 

[hotelblue]

toppin is not a great player or a smart player but when he plays hard he gives us what we need. he needs to get fired up every game.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

We played REALLY well in the 2nd half. Do we build off that or fall back into the habits of the 1st half?

True, they cannot start slow Saturday, I have watched A&M a couple of times, they are tough as hell, and will make things way more difficult the UGA did for Kentucky offensively

 

[Cats192]

Amazing what happens when you run Reeves and CJ off screens. Having Oscar alone in the post is killer.

This.

Even if they're not making shots, the defense has to respect them.

If Oscar is constantly getting 1 on 1's, he's going to beat up on a lot of teams.

He struggles against length, but in the past he's been able to use his strength to create separation. He hasn't done that as effectively this year. But keeping the paint clear will help a ton.

 

[anon1751545683]

Cal outcoached Mike White once again.

Even though he played Wheeler about 11 minutes too many.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Cal owes you some tickets and a handshake

Damn straight, I even messaged him at half. His Assistant or whoever runs Twitter. Take wheeler out and learn a zone for F@cks sake!

 

[LmdCat]

toppin is not a great player or a smart player but when he plays hard he gives us what we need. he needs to get fired up every game.

Talk about a backhanded compliment, I don't think you could have done a better job at it. Lol

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

This.

Even if they're not making shots, the defense has to respect them.

If Oscar is constantly getting 1 on 1's, he's going to beat up on a lot of teams.

He struggles against length, but in the past he's been able to use his strength to create separation. He hasn't done that as effectively this year. But keeping the paint clear will help a ton.

It allows him to at least rebound and get like 10 points in put backs at least.

 

[KyCatFan1]

that was a great speech

That is what Cal is lacking these days. Most of his passion comes from screaming at players and refs. I think he struggles getting these guys fired up and ready to play.

 

[fs-ripcord65]

The offense is so different without Wheeler.

I think Cal has finally seen the light.

My guess is that the rest of the team has unanimously let CCC know that they don't want Wheeler running the point. And Wheeler (predictably) doesn't like it. That's where the team friction is coming from. But that's totally just a guess on my part.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

Wallace
Reeves
Frederick
Livingston/Toppin
Oscar

This should be our primary lineup going forward. This is not even up for debate anymore. I think Cal even sees it now

There is about 50 basketball bennies on here that have known that for about 2 months and would have played them for less than $9M.

 

[hotelblue]

Talk about a backhanded compliment, I don't think you could have done a better job at it. Lol

if he plays hard he’s not bad. would you agree?

 

[LmdCat]

Do you think Cal will go to Dykes to call out himself for getting a dumb *** tech when his team had taken control of the game? It was dumb to be that far out on the court holding Reeves hand while placing him on the court where he wanted him as if he was coaching 9-year old kids.

 

[sam_o]

Yup. It’s been obvious for a long time.

There is about 50 basketball bennies on here that have known that for about 2 months and would have played them for less than $9M.

 

[LmdCat]

if he plays hard he’s not bad. would you agree?

I agree that all of UK players look much better when put in position to be successful. Now, it is time for Cal to figure out a means to get something out of Livingston.

 

[KyCatFan1]

My guess is that the rest of the team has unanimously let CCC know that they don't want Wheeler running the point. And Wheeler (predictably) doesn't like it. That's where the team friction is coming from. But that's totally just a guess on my part.

I mentioned it last game that I wasn't sure if Wheeler was really out because of injury. With as dysfunctional as we have looked,it appeared like something is going on behind the scenes.

 

[hotelblue]

i mean toppin is not very smart a player. he’s saved passes to the other team 4 times this year for points. in this one game he tried 3 times to take a rebound from oscar on the baseline and one time it was a turnover. he can fix things like that. just saying.

 

[cathouse_rivals216755]

I agree that all of UK players look much better when put in position to be successful. Now, it is time for Cal to figure out a means to get something out of Livingston.

Toppin and Livingston need to play 20/20 at the 4.

 

[LmdCat]

i mean toppin is not very smart a player. he’s saved passes to the other team 4 times this year for points. in this one game he tried 3 times to take a rebound from oscar on the baseline and one time it was a turnover. he can fix things like that. just saying.

Your complaint about Toppin taking the ball away from Oscar is interesting because during the game posters were criticizing Oscar for running through his teammates for rebounds. I guess it is all a matter of perspective. I don't think there are any teams in college basketball that would pass on a chance to get Toppin if he was available. You can't teach what he brings to the table.