5 freshman just took an experienced and talented team to the last minute. Cats are going to be nasty in a month.
We're better than I thought
- Thread starter Louis_Skunt
- Start date
And it may not take a month.
The pessimist in me would rephrase what you said to "we're not as bad as I thought". 
But, I agree.
This team showed me enough tonight to make me believe that they have a real shot at making serious noise in March.
They will need to work really hard to do it, but I think Cal will get them there.
But, I agree.
This team showed me enough tonight to make me believe that they have a real shot at making serious noise in March.
They will need to work really hard to do it, but I think Cal will get them there.
They were getting better by the minute tonight. I'm excited, skies the limit for this group. I hate losses, but can't help but know its going to be a great season.
Little bitter? Knox, Green, Wenyen and Baker will be the better shooters.
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Only upset about the loss cause it's Kansas and even then, Kentucky was playing with house money.. But for how young they are, can't ask for much more. I'm not sure how you could expect one of the youngest teams in the history of the game to beat an experienced team that's soon to be in the top3.
Yeah, Knox is going to score all of our Fg’s outside 8 feet the rest of the year. None of the guys who have still only played less than a handful of college and much more organized games will get better.
Nope, definitely not. That’s crazy thinking!
We have a good stretch of about 8 or 9 non conference games that we should win that will give a good opportunity for players to establish their roles and work out some of the ball protection issues and for Cal to work out his rotations. By the time Virginia Tech comes around, we should be seeing a more polished product. Remember guys like KAT, Murray, AD, Monk, etc. didn’t really come into their own and become a game in game out threat until about 1/3 of the way into the season. I see that happening for Knox and Diallo in particular on this squad.
We'll be fine. Vanderbilt will help inside. March is what matters it just sucks losing a close one to Kansas. I'm excited to see how far this team can go once they find an identity
Yep, not sure why my earlier positive thread went to hell but I for some reason really like this team
The team showed a lot of fight and a lot of youthful mistakes. Our rebounding in the first half was terrible, but it was very good in the second half. They've got to learn to bring it on every possession. I think two very poor shots down the stretch cost us the game. Green's runner in the lane and Knox's shot where he was behind the backboard. The game could've gone either way. I hate harping on the officiating, but Azubuike should've fouled out with ten minutes to go. He was allowed a lot of leeway with his physicality. Not so much for us. It wasn't a horribly officiated game, but I can't recall a single questionable call that went our way. Not one.
Yeah, he's got some eligibility left. Coming back around Christmas.
Green can, just didn't show it tonight.
I am encouraged in particular by how insanely effective these guys are on defense for stretches. Just imagine when they know what they're doing on D later on in the season.
Kansas looked so frustrated at certain points when all those long arms were getting in the way and the ball was blocked/stripped time after time.
Also, quade can shoot from outside. Just watch.
Kansas looked so frustrated at certain points when all those long arms were getting in the way and the ball was blocked/stripped time after time.
Also, quade can shoot from outside. Just watch.
Who is Murray lol? Wish we had him back tonight..... Anyways. I'm proud of em. They lost me 20$ but no biggie. They played well. Honestly Knox got fouled at the end and so did SKJ. Either way. Much better than I expected
Gotta say, I was impressed with what I saw last night. After Friday night, I was concerned about this group. But now, I have confidence that this group will be fine this year.
I am in the same boat. I thought we might lose by double digits last night. However, I believe that when we get Vanderbilt back, and Cal has unlimited practice time, over the Christmas break, this team is going to make quantum leaps. By the middle of Feb. this will be a top 5 team.
I don't even think Vanderbilt matters that much now. We got so much better last night that we're going to be dangerous shortly....with or without him.
Im in the same boat. Was a 100% sure we'd lose that game and many more, but i feel good. Ive never been so optimistic about a team than I am for this one. Going to be a fun season.
I don't know. We could just as easily say Kansas played less sound than we expected. I don't feel like last night told me much. But I have a few very early impressions. Our forwards are the strength of this team, and they will eventually be outstanding. Knox is still getting his feet wet and Washington looks lost, but both of these guys will be tremendous with more experience. Our 5s are still works in progress, but there is upside and depth. Our guards concern me a little bit, not because of any lack of talent. I just think it may take a while to find out who is going to defend at a high level in our backcourt when it really counts. The turnovers were the real reason we lost last night, but they don't worry me because Calipari's teams almost always turn the ball over in November. And people shouldn't get down on Quade Green and SGA just because they aren't Fox and Ulis. That's an unfair comparison. Green and SGA are more than good enough to get the job done if they can defend.
Green and Gabriel can enough to keep ppl honest. Getting Baker back will be a big boost in that department.
My concern is we don't have that final possession go to guy. Knox is the go to guy when you need a score in the flow of the game but that doesn't always translate to "I need a game winner, who do I give it to?"
If diallo was a better shooter he would be that guy because of his ability to get by his man or elevate over to get his shot off with a decent look regardless of defense.
Basically the team has a ton of deficiencies and rawness compared to other Cal UK teams. But they are insane long and that makes up for a ton.
Think it will be more like 2 months but that is fine . JV is the key and he will be back in a month so give them 1 month with him.
JV is the biggest peice IMO moreso than anyone playing right now as he is top 2 on this team at everything besides shooting .
And there you have it. Every team has different strengths and weaknesses. Fox and Monk were fantastic individual playmakers, but it took last year's team several months to play sound defense and get on the boards. We may not have as many dominant scorers this year, but this team could be defensively dominant if Green and SGA can defend at the point. There is also the unknown variable of Vanderbilt. I could see this team becoming very difficult to play against if our players really focus on the defensive end, take better care of the basketball, and then allow the natural talent of our forwards to take up some of the scoring slack.
Well, we will get better, but, defensively, we can use Vanderbilt. Also, at 6'9" and very active, I don't see KU getting 18 offensive rebounds if he is playing.
On the season? They've played 3 games. I don't even think they know what a ball screen is yet, relax.
