Confidence in this year's Cats versus the 2017 Cats?

[fisherscat]

Heading into the NCAA tournament how would you compare your confidence levels for this year's team compared to the 2017 team?

Some similarities...similar records, some great wins and a couple of "bad" losses, some experience to rely on (Briscoe and Willis), both 2 seeds.

I actually went into the NCAA tournament more confident that the 2017 had the pieces to win a title. I thought they were one of the 3 best teams (UNC and Gonzaga), had a dynamic backcourt, enough perimeter shooting, a PG playing at the top of his game, and an inside guy who was becoming a force. I actually liked that team's pieces a little more than I do this year's team. It also had 3 lottery picks. BUT...

I like our draw much better this year. We avoid Duke, get a UNC team that I don't think is as good as the 2017 team, avoid another team (UCLA) that could have made the FF, and we have more formidable front court play which should help us with matchups.

How do you compare the two in terms of confidence heading into the NCAAT?

 

[akaukswoosh]

I like our draw much better this year. We avoid Duke, get a UNC team that I don't think is as good as the 2017 team, avoid another team (UCLA) that could have made the FF, and we have more formidable front court play which should help us with matchups.

Agree completely.

 

[Ron Mehico]

I actually feel better about this team, especially their draw. I wasn’t that confident with our front court, and I never trusted or cared for Willis. Fox however was the best PG that year and I was convinced of it. My worry this tourney is Hagans and KJ, but overall I have a good feeling about the tourney this year.

 

[shaolin style]

2 lotto picks in the backcourt had me more confident in 2017, but I think 2019 is more balanced.

 

[Supercat67]

Heading into the NCAA tournament how would you compare your confidence levels for this year's team compared to the 2017 team?

Some similarities...similar records, some great wins and a couple of "bad" losses, some experience to rely on (Briscoe and Willis), both 2 seeds.

I actually went into the NCAA tournament more confident that the 2017 had the pieces to win a title. I thought they were one of the 3 best teams (UNC and Gonzaga), had a dynamic backcourt, enough perimeter shooting, a PG playing at the top of his game, and an inside guy who was becoming a force. I actually liked that team's pieces a little more than I do this year's team. It also had 3 lottery picks. BUT...

I like our draw much better this year. We avoid Duke, get a UNC team that I don't think is as good as the 2017 team, avoid another team (UCLA) that could have made the FF, and we have more formidable front court play which should help us with matchups.

How do you compare the two in terms of confidence heading into the NCAAT?

This is a very good U.K. team. I think we've got as good a shot as anyone, but after watching for the last 30 years I've tempered my expectations.
We could make a final four run or we could get bounced on the first weekend..........
Compared to the real issues does it really matter ?

That said..........GO CATS ! [cheers]

 

[TheBigBlueTeacher]

I like our team. I like our coach. I like our chances. Let the games begin.

 

[JC43]

Feel great bout this team. Have said it since we knew pj was returning. Thought he would get SEC POY, but alas it was not so. This team, by far, is Cal's most complete. Play inside out, fast break, secondary break, half court, bully ball, and can hit outside shots as well as ft. Great rebounding team and at times suffocating defense. Not many teams can outright beat us, not one...this team will only beat themselves. Have a solid starting five, and now a solid bench. Once Hagans feels comfortable calling the plays, his ability to find the open man has been steadily improving, his defense had kind of dropped off, but believe that won't be the case for the tourny.
They have grit and heart. Need them to further that killer instinct ans as someone said," step on their throats and not let up"
HOF Coach and a SR grad transfer who steadied our team. Travis completely manhandles some players putting fear and frustration In them.
My only suggestion is stop flexing and stay focused for the whole 40 minutes. The have the talent, teamwork, the heart. Let them have the poise and the 'hate to lose' attitude that makes them respect yet dominate

 

[gbl97]

2019: Has 4 guys who can take over the game. Solid 6 man rotation (7-9 are shaky). Best FT shooting team of Cal era.
2017: Fox was amazing late in the year, but Monk was really streaky. The others were inconsistent.

2019 wins. This team should make the Final Four.

 

[Dward13]

I did not feel good about a potential rematch with UNC in 2017. We needed a once in a decade type performance from Malik monk to beat them the first time and I didn’t figure we’d get it again. Plus they were motivated and had tons of tourney experience on that roster from the previous final. And it still took everything they had and some help to beat that team.

We don’t have a Monk or Fox level talent this year. But I think we have more balance. Bam was the only inside presence we had on either side of the ball. Willis did it for stretches. But he kind of reverted that game.

I’m not saying we’d beat them for sure. I think it would be another close game. But I certainly feel a lot better about a potential rematch this year than 2017.

Our road to the E8 isn’t easy though. I don’t fear wofford. But Houston/Iowa State would be a tough game.

Ultimately, how things have turned out not just for us but for cbb in general over the last few years I remain skeptical that we are going to get a fair chance of doing anything noteworthy in the sport for a while, and even more so going up against the sports two cash cows UNC or Duke. The people that run things have really been breaking their backs to make it easier on those two programs the last few years.

Then again I could see red hot auburn knocking them off in the S16.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

UNC was a bad matchup for us because of Jackson and because I knew we'd struggle keeping their bigs off the glass.

In '17, they were the team I most wanted to avoid.

I don't have that feeling about anyone in our region this year. Helps that we're already 4-0 against the 3 of our 4 hardest potential opponents in the region.

 

[Dward13]

UNC was a bad matchup for us because of Jackson and because I knew we'd struggle keeping their bigs off the glass.

In '17, they were the team I most wanted to avoid.

I don't have that feeling about anyone in our region this year. Helps that we're already 4-0 against the 3 of our 4 hardest potential opponents in the region.

I agree with that. Auburn is a little scary because they’re red hot right now. Houston is better than a lot of people realize as well. But our region isn’t that bad. I know dlh posted the ap rankings of the teams in each region but if you look at Kenpom and Sagarin the east and the Midwest are pretty balanced.

Ofcourse rankings don’t take into account LSU is missing their coach which tips the scales a little. But Michigan State has managed to right the ship after a few ugly losses immediately following their injury issues.

 

[SuporChin]

'19 UK reminds me more of' 17 UNC than the UK team. They've got a bunch of bigs that will relentlessly rebound everything. They've got good three point shooting and a good bench. Who else can sit their starting front court and send in two 7 footers?
This is definitely our most balanced team in Cal's time here. I like our chances to win the championship.

 

[kyrx]

2019: Has 4 guys who can take over the game. Solid 6 man rotation (7-9 are shaky). Best FT shooting team of Cal era.
2017: Fox was amazing late in the year, but Monk was really streaky. The others were inconsistent.

2019 wins. This team should make the Final Four.

Agree completely. The only reason why we beat UNC in 2016-17 was Monk's monster game. This year we beat them inside and it didn't take 40 points from one of us.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

This is a much better team. Better at the FT line with they focus. Better 3 point shooting team. More physical team and better rebounding team. Better PJ and had no one like RT last year and more experience. You could maybe say better PG play last year with Shai which would be fair, but really we are better at every other position and have better chemistry. Better defense and offense than last year. This is a team. Skys the limit.

 

[UKGrad93]

I like the 2019 team better. KJ over Biscoe, PJ over Willis.

Monk could be great, but in college, I like Herro just as much. Reid Travis offers as much as Bam at this point.

I like the 2019 bench better too.

 

[Bluesnky]

Agree completely. The only reason why we beat UNC in 2016-17 was Monk's monster game. This year we beat them inside and it didn't take 40 points from one of us.

The only reason we beat them in the fall was Monk. The only reason they beat us in the Spring is that ratbastard Higgins.

 

[akaukswoosh]

The only reason we beat them in the fall was Monk. The only reason they beat us in the Spring is that ratbastard Higgins.

Well said.

 

[akaukswoosh]

UNC was a bad matchup for us because of Jackson and because I knew we'd struggle keeping their bigs off the glass.

In '17, they were the team I most wanted to avoid.

I don't have that feeling about anyone in our region this year. Helps that we're already 4-0 against the 3 of our 4 hardest potential opponents in the region.

UNC also had Theo Pinson back when we played them the second time. Even so we should have won that game.

 

[revcort]

Heading into the NCAA tournament how would you compare your confidence levels for this year's team compared to the 2017 team?

Some similarities...similar records, some great wins and a couple of "bad" losses, some experience to rely on (Briscoe and Willis), both 2 seeds.

I actually went into the NCAA tournament more confident that the 2017 had the pieces to win a title. I thought they were one of the 3 best teams (UNC and Gonzaga), had a dynamic backcourt, enough perimeter shooting, a PG playing at the top of his game, and an inside guy who was becoming a force. I actually liked that team's pieces a little more than I do this year's team. It also had 3 lottery picks. BUT...

I like our draw much better this year. We avoid Duke, get a UNC team that I don't think is as good as the 2017 team, avoid another team (UCLA) that could have made the FF, and we have more formidable front court play which should help us with matchups.

How do you compare the two in terms of confidence heading into the NCAAT?

I agree with you. That 2017 team had a couple players that were probably more talented than this season's team. But I think this team is a more complete team. We can win in multiple ways. We have great balance inside and out. We have more depth, which enables us to deal with foul trouble better. We're better free throw shooters. We're better 3pt shooters. We still have upside, in my opinion. We have bench players who can break out and contribute. I feel better about this group than that one.

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

2017 didn't have to worry about scoring droughts. Fox could always take his man off the dribble AND score.

This team is more balanced but they don't have that.

 

[MNantz]

I like this years team, just feel its the best balanced team we have had in a few years. If we get production out of Nick and EJ like they played against UT were going to be able to wear teams out on the glass.

 

[caneintally]

I felt amazing in 2017 and I should of . If the refs do their job in the UNC game we win a title . I have no doubt about that .
This year I feel just as good BUT i think we have a much better draw . Truly UK doesn't have a single team we match up bad with on our region or even side of the brackets besides UT and Iowa St and obviously we can beat both of them with good play. Gonzaga is the team that scares me the most if we were to get to a title game but I think Texas Tech might take them out .

As I said before my Final 4 picks are UK vs UT and Texas Tech vs Duke with Texas Tech and UK meeting for the title .

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

2017 UNC had a bench advantage on us and a slight overall starter advantage on us.

2019 is a push as far as benches go and favors UK at three positions with one position going UNC's way (point guard) and one push position at the three spot.




UK 2017
Fox A+
Monk A
Briscoe A-
Willis C+
Bam A

Bench: Gabriel, Hawkins, Humphries, Mulder, SKJ B


UK 2019
Hagans B+
Herro A
Johnson A
Washington A+
Travis A-

Bench: Richards, IQ, Baker, Montgomery: B

UNC 2017:

Berry A
Pinson B+
Jackson A+
Hicks B+
Meeks A

Bench: Bradley, Maye, Williams: B+


UNC 2019:

White A+
Williams B+
Johnson A
Maye A
Books B+

Bench: Little, Woods, Robinson B

 

[Col. Angus]

this team doesn't have anyone that can go get ya 35+ except maybe Herro, possibly Washington with the right matchup.

2017 had Monk and Fox that could if they absolutely needed to.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

this team doesn't have anyone that can go get ya 35+ except maybe Herro, possibly Washington with the right matchup.

2017 had Monk and Fox that could if they absolutely needed to.

True, but UNC had a real matchup advantage at the 3 and 4 spots. We were taking on the likes of Hicks, Jackson and Maye with Willis and Briscoe.

 

[Jazzycat]

By the end of the year, Fox was a monster on the court. He was virtually unguardable and Monk was somewhat streaky. I would give the nod at pg to Fox over Hagans and Herro slightly better than Monk because he plays defense and rebounds. I really believe Hagans, Herro and Johnson have to be in beast mode for the Cats to get into the FF. The NCAA is all about guard play and match ups in the tourney.

 

[JC43]

By the end of the year, Fox was a monster on the court. He was virtually unguardable and Monk was somewhat streaky. I would give the nod at pg to Fox over Hagans and Herro slightly better than Monk because he plays defense and rebounds. I really believe Hagans, Herro and Johnson have to be in beast mode for the Cats to get into the FF. The NCAA is all about guard play and match ups in the tourney.

If we can have 2 of Hagans kj or herro in beast mode with of pj and RT doing what they do, we win.
Unc will take a bunch of threes...and fast break, w secondary break...they want to speed Gane up and get possessions above avg

 

[Kyfan37]

I'm pretty confident that PJ won't go 5-20 from the free-throw line.

 

[26MichaelUK]

Heading into the NCAA tournament how would you compare your confidence levels for this year's team compared to the 2017 team?

Some similarities...similar records, some great wins and a couple of "bad" losses, some experience to rely on (Briscoe and Willis), both 2 seeds.

I actually went into the NCAA tournament more confident that the 2017 had the pieces to win a title. I thought they were one of the 3 best teams (UNC and Gonzaga), had a dynamic backcourt, enough perimeter shooting, a PG playing at the top of his game, and an inside guy who was becoming a force. I actually liked that team's pieces a little more than I do this year's team. It also had 3 lottery picks. BUT...

I like our draw much better this year. We avoid Duke, get a UNC team that I don't think is as good as the 2017 team, avoid another team (UCLA) that could have made the FF, and we have more formidable front court play which should help us with matchups.

How do you compare the two in terms of confidence heading into the NCAAT?

From the beginning I thought 2017 was gonna win the title. When I saw our bracket however, I knew it would be hard to beat Wichita State, ucla, and especially UNC again.
This year, because of our bracket I think our chances are better to get a final four. This year I relish paying UNC again. We are a terrible matchup for them.

 

[EliteBlue]

2 lotto picks in the backcourt had me more confident in 2017, but I think 2019 is more balanced.

This combined w the OP

We had more high end talent in 2017. Backcourts often win and lose games in March. I knew we’d have the best backcourt in Fox and Monk regardless who we played and believed foul trouble was our only real weakness.

Hagans worries me sometimes. We need him to focus on being a game manager more than a game changer. We have the other pieces to carry us offensively. He isn’t Wall, Bledsoe, Knight, Fox, Ulis. We need him to be be solid and fundamental (good defense/take care of the ball/get it to scorers), like AJ McCaaron on the stacked Bama teams, do all the little things right and let the talent around you do the big things.

 

[26MichaelUK]

The only reason we beat them in the fall was Monk. The only reason they beat us in the Spring is that ratbastard Higgins.

Um, Justin Jackson had an upper 30 point game for UNC so if you say Monk won us that game then acknowledge Jackson kept UNC in that game.

If four of our 5 starters weren't saddled to the bench with two fouls in the first half we would've won. We were down by just 5 at the half.

Fox got hammered every time he drove. There's plenty of pictures that c have been posted here showing it. A ******** goal tend on us. Bam getting hammered every time he went up. There's a video in YouTube that shows all the horrendous calls against us.

I rarely make predictions but if both UK and UNC make it to the elite 8 we're winning. They have, besides maybe us, improved more than any other team. But that didn't change how they don't matchup well with v us. But a lot more ball to be played.

 

[musrat59]

I like our chances better just by getting away from these sorry SEC refs.

 

[kevcat]

If we guard the three like we did against Tennessee, we’ll be headed home in the second or third round.

 

[UKUGA]

Better draw. Feel the same.

Anticipate a “push” game with UNC here in 12 days.

 

[kevcat]

Better draw. Feel the same.

Anticipate a “push” game with UNC here in 12 days.

I feel like the team this year has a couple of more weapons.

Of course we don’t have a great point guard like Fox, but overall, I think this team is better.

 

[KyCatFan1]

2017 would beat this team 6 or 7 out of 10 times in my opinion. The biggest reason why is point guard play. Fox could score much better than Hagans and was better at getting others involved. I don't recall us ever complaining about Fox not passing to Monk enough.

That doesn't mean this team can't go as far or further though because the path to the Final Four isn't near as bad as it was in 2017. It won't be easy and we could go out in the 2nd round if we have a really bad game. We could also be playing UNC in the Elite 8 with a Final Four on the line again. If so, let's just hope there is a different result this time around.

 

[UKUGA]

I feel like the team this year has a couple of more weapons.

Of course we don’t have a great point guard like Fox, but overall, I think this team is better.

The shaky ball-handling concerns me.


On the whole, though, it feels eerily similar.

 

[blubo]

The only reason we beat them in the fall was Monk. The only reason they beat us in the Spring is that ratbastard Higgins.

Eloquently put.

 

[irishcat1965]

I firmly believe 2017 UK was the best team in the nation. Higgins was the reason we lost. It’s difficult to compare teams because the competition is different also. But the more I think about our draw, the more I like it this year.

 

[GonzoCat90]

2017 had three guys who, if put on this team, I think would make us the title favorite.

2019 has three guys who, if put on the 2017 team, I think would have made them the title favorite.

2017 had more talent, but had to rely on Willis to do too much that he couldn't do.