Arkansas and Cal looking good

[Kantucke_rivals]

Turned into a Blowout

 

[darkshadesofblue]

Damn, had the guys not gotten lazy last four minutes of the Mizzou game. Ark and Ky would be tied with the same record. Need to keep this momentum going

 

[Cats4321]

I know we've had more than our share of problems, but I still don't miss Cal at all.

 

[UKGrad24]

Thank god the only thing more powerful than the Rafters jinx is Calipari’s sphincter getting tight enough to make diamonds at the end of a close game.

Imagine someone walking you to a plank in the middle of the ocean blindfolded and hands tied. They tell you, “you’ll live and won’t walk off if the team who’s up 6 with 4 minutes to go wins.

You breathe a little relief. It’s better than the inverse.

Then you hear a TV somewhere on the deck of the pirate ship “ GOOOOOOOO RUUUUUUUUN

You realize it’s Arkansas up 6 with 4 to go……

Honest odds in your mind you’ll live? 50/50?

 

[bbnkat02]

Damn, had the guys not gotten lazy last four minutes of the Mizzou game. Ark and Ky would be tied with the same record. Need to keep this momentum going

Yeah, SEC is gonna be a mud pit for the year and then a lot of us won't go far in the tourney. NO elite teams.

 

[Zuma75]

“Not my team …”

 

[Tprinceuk]

I know we've had more than our share of problems, but I still don't miss Cal at all.

Me either, I understand the talent level they have but they haven't won any games that they shouldn't have and with all that talent they already have 5 losses.

 

[kyjeff1]

Man, those two guards, Acuff and Thomas, are legit. Their touch around the rim at full speed is unreal.
Plus, they have a junior Wagner who is solid, Billy Richmond, who is really good, Brazile, Knox, Ewin and Pringle. That team shouldn’t have 5 losses.

 

[TALtruthatlast]

Hogs lose by 14 at Ga
North Carolina lose to Cal Berkeley to go 0 & 2 in Bay area

Purdue holds off USC for a 5 point win. Duke and Unc out West at the same time. Duke holds Cal and Stanford to 56 and 50 points on their home court. Duke has amped it up after a couple close ones with a bad FSU and GT team.

 

[CELTICAT]

Man, those two guards, Acuff and Thomas, are legit. Their touch around the rim at full speed is unreal.
Plus, they have a junior Wagner who is solid, Billy Richmond, who is really good, Brazile, Knox, Ewin and Pringle. That team shouldn’t have 5 losses.

their front court is their Achilles heel. Brazille was -25 today in +/-. The thread running between Mich St, Duke, Houston, Auburn and now Georgia is they got killed down low in all five. Acuff and Thomas are on the level of Cal’s best guard tandems.

 

[Runt#1969]

It must another frustrating season for Hog fans, much below what they were hoping for.... one of the biggest busts in college basketball this year maybe ? Cal seems to be having trouble again, after last year's dismal start to SEC conference play. They didn't wakeup until the Kentucky game. They can't afford that this year....

Also, I just like having the opportunity to chime in on a thread about the woes of CCC in hogvegas.

Looking forward to playing them this year. We should muck the game up quite a bit. Cal won't like that. LOL!!

 

[Buckwheat Otay Is Dead]

Looking good “Losinğ”

 

[kyjeff1]

their front court is their Achilles heel. Brazille was -25 today in +/-. The thread running between Mich St, Duke, Houston, Auburn and now Georgia is they got killed down low in all five. Acuff and Thomas are on the level of Cal’s best guard tandems.

We're really going to need JQ when we go there.

 

[GreenCheckRex0807]

bro omg.

why?

Arkansas will 100% take this one now. Why?

Good call

 

[ukalumni00]

Neither UK or Arkansas traded up with the coaching changes.

 

[Trinity45]

Doesn't look so good now does he,

 

[anon1777473514]

Neither UK or Arkansas traded up with the coaching changes.

I’m pretty happy going to a Sweet 16 and a three seed in year 1. Waiting to see how year 2 finishes but rough start.

 

[megablue]

Ark has been struggling lately ... looking out of sorts doing it.

 

[HipTer]

Imagine someone walking you to a plank in the middle of the ocean blindfolded and hands tied. They tell you, “you’ll live and won’t walk off if the team who’s up 6 with 4 minutes to go wins.

You breathe a little relief. It’s better than the inverse.

Then you hear a TV somewhere on the deck of the pirate ship “ GOOOOOOOO RUUUUUUUUN

You realize it’s Arkansas up 6 with 4 to go……

Honest odds in your mind you’ll live? 50/50?

I’d take Ark. up 4 at Bud Walton with 4 minutes to go right now. Pope will be trying to win the game. Calipari will be trying to move his guys up the draft board. At that point Acuff and Thomas will each take the first 25-30ft. shot they see regardless of the game situation. If they hit it then we likely go down, but the low percentage shot in a crucial situation is all you can ask for. And Calipari isn’t going to draw up anything else other than “go make a play” and when Thomas in particular (but Acuff too) hears that he isn’t passing the ball.

Both those freshmen are really good players - Acuff is surprisingly good at this stage – and I’d be glad for UK to have either, especially Acuff at this point obviously. But they’re freshmen and without better direction and control they’re going to be a net negative more often than not in a crucial end of game situation at this point. But to be fair, Aberdeen is not the easiest guy to get to give up the ball either – although some of that may be he’s not that confident in his passing in traffic and his experience suggests getting a shot off is better than a turnover.

 

[dckala2_]

Cal couldn’t have have had a better group to follow him to Fayetteville and his first recruiting class that was ready for UK was solid with Knox and Richmond. Having acuff this year I’m not sure he’s ever going to have a better roster at Arkansas.

 

[RedwoodHigh]

Arkansas is packed with future NBA PLAYERS.- That’s Cal’s Thing.
Ky has at least 2 NBA players with several international pros too boot.

 

[UKGrad24]

Cal couldn’t have have had a better group to follow him to Fayetteville and his first recruiting class that was ready for UK was solid with Knox and Richmond. Having acuff this year I’m not sure he’s ever going to have a better roster at Arkansas.

I’ve said since day one this was the year I was afraid of when he left. Knew it would be good.

And he’s already got them 1 game away from being unranked.

It doesn’t matter who calipari has, he’s washed. The only reason he made that elite 8 last year was because he was in “prove it” mode with his back against the wall. But, ever more than that, his road was absolutely cakewalk city given the matchups. He couldn’t have drawn a better road. That’s probably not happening again.

I was afraid of calipari for this season only. Knew he’d return players for the first time due to NIL. Knew the backcourt would be best he’s had in a while. But he’s still missing ingredients, it’s a coach K team without the 3 point threats and without guys who can lead like Scheyer 2010. He will never get it. You have to have guys who will outshine the Wagners and he just won’t do it. Calipari really isn’t about winning anymore. He’s about impressive recruits and their handlers and having NBA guys in the league. Winning only matters if it’s a byproduct of that. Calipari does not care if he wins unless it’s against UK of course.

This was the first good freshman class in a very long time. Don’t think next years is even close. If he gets no final four at Arkansas this year, and it doesnt look like he will, then it’s probably over for Calipari. Knox and Richmond are gone, his guards are gone. He’ll be young again with worse players. And I don’t believe he’s coaching past 2 more seasons.

 

[TheKentuckyKid]

He hasn't even tweaked the team yet.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Georgia is good
Arkansas is good

The SEC is still very good this season

It.......just........means.........more lol

Georgia really surprises me how good they are.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Cal up to his old tricks. Haha. Most overrated and hyped coach ever

Going thru his typical lul. I still think they gave a good squad makeup and will be a tough out come tourney time. All depends on how that front court plays. Kinda like the EI Montgomery years where we never knew what we would get.

 

[Agent Redbone]

Don’t worry! Calipari is a genius. He’s got this! Georgia will collapse soon. Guaranteed!

lol, nope

 

[UKGrad24]

Georgia really surprises me how good they are.

Georgia has that crappy white dude who you wouldn’t actually recruit and isn’t going anywhere, but damn if he doesn’t cause problems and have wierded out breakout games where he sucks but pulls sht off all game long. Then you just never hear about him again.

Guys like Bliss at Georgia years ago, just wiry pasty players.

 

[anon1777473514]

Has any person ever been whiter than Mike White? His parents should have just cut the bull**** and named him White White

 

[Trinity45]

It must another frustrating season for Hog fans, much below what they were hoping for.... one of the biggest busts in college basketball this year maybe ? Cal seems to be having trouble again, after last year's dismal start to SEC conference play. They didn't wakeup until the Kentucky game. They can't afford that this year....

Also, I just like having the opportunity to chime in on a thread about the woes of CCC in hogvegas.

Looking forward to playing them this year. We should muck the game up quite a bit. Cal won't like that. LOL!!

Typical Cal chokes down the stretch, just now it's somebody else's worry.

 

[UKGrad24]

Has any person ever been whiter than Mike White? His parents should have just cut the bull**** and named him White White

 

[anon1772831261]

Just breaks my heart

 

[BigBlueGuru]

I’ve said since day one this was the year I was afraid of when he left. Knew it would be good.

And he’s already got them 1 game away from being unranked.

It doesn’t matter who calipari has, he’s washed. The only reason he made that elite 8 last year was because he was in “prove it” mode with his back against the wall. But, ever more than that, his road was absolutely cakewalk city given the matchups. He couldn’t have drawn a better road. That’s probably not happening again.

I was afraid of calipari for this season only. Knew he’d return players for the first time due to NIL. Knew the backcourt would be best he’s had in a while. But he’s still missing ingredients, it’s a coach K team without the 3 point threats and without guys who can lead like Scheyer 2010. He will never get it. You have to have guys who will outshine the Wagners and he just won’t do it. Calipari really isn’t about winning anymore. He’s about impressive recruits and their handlers and having NBA guys in the league. Winning only matters if it’s a byproduct of that. Calipari does not care if he wins unless it’s against UK of course.

This was the first good freshman class in a very long time. Don’t think next years is even close. If he gets no final four at Arkansas this year, and it doesnt look like he will, then it’s probably over for Calipari. Knox and Richmond are gone, his guards are gone. He’ll be young again with worse players. And I don’t believe he’s coaching past 2 more seasons.

But he didnt make the Elite 8 last year.

 

[MichaelGray]

Man, those two guards, Acuff and Thomas, are legit. Their touch around the rim at full speed is unreal.
Plus, they have a junior Wagner who is solid, Billy Richmond, who is really good, Brazile, Knox, Ewin and Pringle. That team shouldn’t have 5 losses.

They shouldn't with that talent but you & I plus many others on here know exactly why lol.

 

[MichaelGray]

Cal couldn’t have have had a better group to follow him to Fayetteville and his first recruiting class that was ready for UK was solid with Knox and Richmond. Having acuff this year I’m not sure he’s ever going to have a better roster at Arkansas.

Yet with all that talent he should coach those guys to win games, instead, he tells them to "run" & "go" then tells them to go make a play. Freshman mistakes usually gets him in the big games & other coaches see it coming & burn him with it.

 

[Seth_C]

lol, nope

My reverse jinx worked.

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

My reverse jinx worked.

You let me off the hook. Lol

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Will admit this. I will agree that too many bitched about the OAD’s and now are pissed about not getting them. People I usually agree with and think are right about what we need to do are being hypocritical on this issue.

The truth is, we need to be able to recruit NBA freshman and the “place of the pros” need to be maintained. Also, can’t go all in on them, most of those classes don’t mean much anymore.

Just recruit both and be smart about it. But Mark can’t lose all of those recruits.

Fans bitching about the 1ADs and not having a "connection to them" (like a 3 year player was much different) was such a silly argument rooted in a sense of entitlement and a predetermined hate for Cal from the get go.

 

[UKGrad24]

Fans bitching about the 1ADs and not having a "connection to them" (like a 3 year player was much different) was such a silly argument rooted in a sense of entitlement and a predetermined hate for Cal from the get go.

The way this always worked here is we grow with the players and love them over time, Calipari’s OAD method was hard for any long time UK men from the get go. I don’t really fault them for that, the game was not just better but the old way popularized UK and the sport during that time period. From a lifelong Kentuckian POV it does suck. I grew up being those players in the driveway and growing with them over years. That’s why the bond is so strong. Those former UK guys were like family. This stuff today isn’t like that.

I do think without the connection college sports are about to become somewhat irrelevant over the next 25 years. We’re already seeing younger generations give absolutely no ***** about these teams. So there’s merit to all of that. I’m pushing it for my kids but really that shouldn’t be necessary. Since Calipari’s era it’s been more of a chore, something we have to do because it’s been passed down so many generations. It used to be organic.

Kentucky especially has a hard time with Calipari’s OAD or current systems of in and out because in this state Kentucky is what we do, from grandmothers to grandkids, over 100 years the bond with Kentuckian and UK basketball passed down generation after generation. It’s a love affair and what we have and what we do. It’s different, so I get why they didn’t like Calipari’s methods. But we understood it was necessary. Calipari understood being at Kentucky was necessary too. Most UK fans in the state understand the situation and don’t hate Calipari. They’re not really like that, they get it. Most Kentuckians are exceptionally smart when it comes to understanding and sorting that out. Calipari had a negative history here to begin with back in the 90’s, so it’s always been a different style of relationship anyway.

And that aside, I think it all needs to be balanced. Can’t recycle players and give no connection, Pope has personally told me he wants to re-establish player / fan connection in the state. That’s smart, it’s how kids become fanatical. Also we need to continue to be the place of the pros, it helps our programs tradition and recruiting. Also, yes it’s important to have guys on the team from Kentucky when we can. They are very special to the program and they get why this matters so much. My son’s favorite player is Noah, many kids here in Lexington, that’s their guy. So it matters.

And of course you must go for elite talent where it is and sustain our position. So I guess I’m just saying it’s not all or nothing, too many have a rigid style of logic when it comes to this and all extremes are wrong.

 

[UKGrad24]

But he didnt make the Elite 8 last year.

My bad sweet 16. Not sure why I said elite 8.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

The way this always worked here is we grow with the players and love them over time, Calipari’s OAD method was hard for any long time UK men from the get go. I don’t really fault them for that, the game was not just better but the old way popularized UK and the sport during that time period. From a lifelong Kentuckian POV it does suck. I grew up being those players in the driveway and growing with them over years. That’s why the bond is so strong. Those former UK guys were like family. This stuff today isn’t like that.

I do think without the connection college sports are about to become somewhat irrelevant over the next 25 years. We’re already seeing younger generations give absolutely no ***** about these teams. So there’s merit to all of that. I’m pushing it for my kids but really that shouldn’t be necessary. Since Calipari’s era it’s been more of a chore, something we have to do because it’s been passed down so many generations. It used to be organic.

Kentucky especially has a hard time with Calipari’s OAD or current systems of in and out because in this state Kentucky is what we do, from grandmothers to grandkids, over 100 years the bond with Kentuckian and UK basketball passed down generation after generation. It’s a love affair and what we have and what we do. It’s different, so I get why they didn’t like Calipari’s methods. But we understood it was necessary. Calipari understood being at Kentucky was necessary too. Most UK fans in the state understand the situation and don’t hate Calipari. They’re not really like that, they get it. Most Kentuckians are exceptionally smart when it comes to understanding and sorting that out. Calipari had a negative history here to begin with back in the 90’s, so it’s always been a different style of relationship anyway.

And that aside, I think it all needs to be balanced. Can’t recycle players and give no connection, Pope has personally told me he wants to re-establish player / fan connection in the state. That’s smart, it’s how kids become fanatical. Also we need to continue to be the place of the pros, it helps our programs tradition and recruiting. Also, yes it’s important to have guys on the team from Kentucky when we can. They are very special to the program and they get why this matters so much. My son’s favorite player is Noah, many kids here in Lexington, that’s their guy. So it matters.

And of course you must go for elite talent where it is and sustain our position. So I guess I’m just saying it’s not all or nothing, too many have a rigid style of logic when it comes to this and all extremes are wrong.

In the grand scheme of things, it was a miniscule side affect to deal with, while winning on a level we havent done since the 40s, sans for a few years in the late 90s. Of course, I'd love to have elite talent, that stays for 4 years, and wins titles. But I think that's very tough to do, especially in today's "player first" era.

Still, I dont think its that hard of a pill to swallow that these guys leave a little sooner than what we are used to. We still have them as BBN ambassadors, they come back around. And we are also able to add MORE talent in numbers because of the 1AD system. They may not have been here long but we stacked a ton of great players. If we have Wall for 4 years, we dont get Brandon Knight, Teague. If we have Cousins for 4 years, we never get Anthony Davis.

Im not saying I dont agree in part. It sucks when these guys left early especially if the season fell short. But for me, its a small price to pay to witness what was a pretty remarkable run from 2010 to 2018. And looking at what we have now (a still very suspect coach and talent that makes you not even want to tune in), I dont think we realize how nice we had it.