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If Cats beat UT Saturday...

Do we beat those Dirty Vols?

  • Yes

    Votes: 61 67.0%

  • No

    Votes: 30 33.0%
  • Total voters
    91
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,477
70,668
113
Y'all might laugh at this, but Garrison might be a big key in this game. If he plays like he did last night, he can be the difference.
He's a big body and UT has a hoss in the paint. Also, he hit all his free throws last night. That was awesome, I didn't think he would even hit 50%.
This is a game where we really need the best version of BG.
 
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Cowtown Cat

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,969
54,344
100
You remember the end of our last game with them?! Yeah, we are gonna beat that ***! Firmly believe that.
 
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Cowtown Cat

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,969
54,344
100
bleedsblue5 said:
TN is gonna maul us, the ending of the last game did not set well with them and they will be coming after us.
Probably doubling Oweh and make others beat us, Pope plays Barns teams well so I hope we come out ready.

We will get 150 percent out of them from the last game motivation. I just hope we bring that same intensity.
Click to expand...
Good! Hope they do!
 
F

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
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kyjeff1 said:
Y'all might laugh at this, but Garrison might be a big key in this game. If he plays like he did last night, he can be the difference.
He's a big body and UT has a hoss in the paint. Also, he hit all his free throws last night. That was awesome, I didn't think he would even hit 50%.
This is a game where we really need the best version of BG.
Click to expand...
I think the main reason why BG frustrates the living poop out of people is because we know he has potential to be good (not great), but his lack of effort and awareness are his big issues, if he can focus on the game and not be selfish and make good team plays he will get his.
 
F

FitchandMurray29

All-Conference
Dec 11, 2021
2,395
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61
I hope so. My goal for the postseason is to avoid one of the upper echelon teams the first weekend of the tourney. Probably want to get to the top half of the 6 line or better to do that. This game could go a long way in accomplishing that.
 
UKGrad24

UKGrad24

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Apr 2, 2024
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I think it’s highly possible.

Ans when we do, no doubt the selection committee will have us play them a 3rd time
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,477
70,668
113
Farsight Clone said:
I think the main reason why BG frustrates the living poop out of people is because we know he has potential to be good (not great), but his lack of effort and awareness are his big issues, if he can focus on the game and not be selfish and make good team plays he will get his.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have never really bashed BG, sure, he's not great, but I don't think he's close to as bad as everyone makes him out to be.
Can he be better? Heck yeah, but for a backup 5, he's not bad, especially when he plays like he did last night.
 
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Possum

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Apr 28, 2024
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bleedsblue5 said:
I think Barns and these guys will be SUPER motivated because of the ending of the last game. They are gonna maul and double Oweh and make us drive to win.
I feel like they run us
BUT Pope plays Barns teams really well so maybe it is just me hoping to not get blown out like the VANDY game.

If we get a fair whistle we stay in it, if they let them play our guys will get beat up and we drop it.
WE have to come out ready, and this last game was a powderpuff style game so if they think it will be like that we will get blown out.

Only upside is TN is on a winning streak and due for a loss.
Click to expand...
If ya scared, say ya scared.
 
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BlueSince92

BlueSince92

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
10,460
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Absolutely the ONLY thing I’m worried about with UT is it’s always gonna be hard to abuse a team three times in a row so I’m half wondering if maybe we oughta give them a game this year and that way the selection committee won’t have UT as a magic bullet ace up their sleeve against us this year like they did last year.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,477
70,668
113
I would rather be in our position than the one UT is in.
And for the record, it's not just Tennesee's guys that are going to have a chip on their shoulder, our guys don't like their guys either, our guys aren't going to be shaking in their boots at the thought of Tennessee's players being motivated. We have tough dudes too. Garrison, Mo, Oweh and Aberdeen have all more than proved they aren't backing down from anybody, especially in Rupp.
 
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UKGrad24

UKGrad24

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UKFootball78 said:
Wrong...I wanted cal gone after 2015. That was when it became clear that pleasing his players and keeping the NBA pipeline going were way more import to him than actually doing what he was hired to do...win games
Click to expand...
Don’t get me wrong, I get the argument. I just can’t move on a coach that’s been to 4 final fours, 2 title games, and a NC then 38-1 season lol. I get it, you are right but I just can’t because like I said I’m about prestige and maintaining Kentucky dominance. Didn’t like Calipari but he was doing that at the time.

My father wanted him gone in 2010 and 2012 and 2015. The day he came he said no.
 
davtay

davtay

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2002
1,263
1,211
113
bleedsblue5 said:
I think Barns and these guys will be SUPER motivated because of the ending of the last game. They are gonna maul and double Oweh and make us drive to win.
I feel like they run us
BUT Pope plays Barns teams really well so maybe it is just me hoping to not get blown out like the VANDY game.

If we get a fair whistle we stay in it, if they let them play our guys will get beat up and we drop it.
WE have to come out ready, and this last game was a powderpuff style game so if they think it will be like that we will get blown out.

Only upside is TN is on a winning streak and due for a loss.
Click to expand...
Let's see if I remember this right.

Indiana is going to blow us out....nope
Pitino and St. John's will run us out .....nope
Alabama will blow us out....sadly yes
Missouri....honestly can't remember predictions for that one.....we gave it away. Bad game
Pretty sure no one predicted MSU, LSU or Texas, Ole Miss or Okla. to blow us out.
Tenn they will blow us out.....nope
Vandy ....sadly yes
Arkansas Cal, and those athletes will run us.....nope

So, since our "turn around" 4-2 on this board crying about getting blown out.

I like our chances. Tenn will not blow us out.
 
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Cowtown Cat

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,969
54,344
100
UKGrad24 said:
Don’t get me wrong, I get the argument. I just can’t move on a coach that’s been to 4 final fours, 2 title games, and a NC then 38-1 season lol. I get it, you are right but I just can’t because like I said I’m about prestige and maintaining Kentucky dominance. Didn’t like Calipari but he was doing that at the time.

My father wanted him gone in 2010 and 2012 and 2015. The day he came he said no.
Click to expand...
Highly doubt Cal was reaching any more FFs here, let alone winning more titles. We were spinning our wheels with Cal. He won’t make a FF at Arkansas either.
 
PastorofMuppets82

PastorofMuppets82

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Mar 4, 2025
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To be completely honest my only concern is no Kam Williams to guard Ament this time around. I think Oweh gets the Gillespie assignment but we are thin with wing length, especially when Ament goes foul hunting, and I think that is exactly how Barnes will gameplan us. I still think we win the game, but I do not think it will be pretty.
 
Wunky

Wunky

Heisman
Jan 16, 2021
4,340
17,997
78
PastorofMuppets82 said:
To be completely honest my only concern is no Kam Williams to guard Ament this time around. I think Oweh gets the Gillespie assignment but we are thin with wing length, especially when Ament goes foul hunting, and I think that is exactly how Barnes will gameplan us. I still think we win the game, but I do not think it will be pretty.
Click to expand...

Put Jelavic on him, we’ll be fine.
 
davtay

davtay

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2002
1,263
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I care about the all time wins record. But I have also been accused of being what is wrong with the program because I am a realist on some things. For those who rail on "UK Standards" they fail to acknowledge that basketball was a different sport when most of those were set. They won't admit that the SEC that Pope contends with (in just his second season, 1st historically good) was not the SEC that their daddy's watched UK dominate. They argue that with NIL and transfer portal UK should just get anyone they want and dominate. But, NIL and the portal makes the other teams stronger than they used to be. Just like has been argued in football, teams cannot stockpile all the talent, it goes other places also, making other teams good and keeping UK from having all the talent that they used to have to set the "UK Standards".

Not that I don't think UK is living up to what they should be, currently or historically, but for it to be instantly, don't think it is realistic. Basketball teams on the whole is light years better across the board than it was just a few years ago, and playing in the SEC is eons different.

I know people point to whoever is the "hot" new team...AZ, Mich, BYU, Iowa St....but none of those teams play in the SEC nightly where there are no BAD teams. And teams like Houston, Kansas and others are built with returning players, who consistently improve. I think this is where Pope is headed, build a core that comes back....can't do that with one and dones. Patience and fewer injuries and I believe UK will be back at the top where they belong.

Duke....just doesn't fit any of this. They have NIKE, USA basketball and a weak ACC, so they will continue with Calipari's one and done model. They will occasionally break through, but man, that is an exhausting way to be a fan.
 
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PastorofMuppets82

PastorofMuppets82

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Wunky said:
Put Jelavic on him, we’ll be fine.
Click to expand...
I mean maybe and that's probably how we start the game. But you've also got Jalen Carey and either Okpara (6'11") or Estrella (6'11") at the other two spots. Moreno can't guard both of them. So Mo probably has to take Carey unless you put Collin Chandler on either Ament of Carey. I just think it creates imbalance and we either have to play smaller than them to keep our same starting lineup, or we have to start Jelavich, Mo and Moreno to matchup. Otherwise Chandler will always be guarding someone at least 3 inches taller and heavier. And what's that look like for us on offense with Oweh, Aberdeen, Mo, Jelavich and Moreno starting. Pick your poison kinda thing.

We've got 3 guards 6'5" and below and a backup center left in the rotation to handle foul trouble and injuries. And they have Brown and Phillips as additional bigs they can throw at us if they want to pound the paint all night. If we get a Doug Shows heavy whistle night despite being in Rupp, things could get a lot tighter than they ever should be. But like I said, just a concern. Not because I don't think Jelavic could guard Ament, but because if he does, who guards everyone else. Still think we grind it out in ugly fashion.
 
NociHTTP

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,160
19,067
113
underwear dancing GIF
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,477
70,668
113
Cowtown Cat said:
Highly doubt Cal was reaching any more FFs here, let alone winning more titles. We were spinning our wheels with Cal. He won’t make a FF at Arkansas either.
Click to expand...
I think he was saying he wasn't ready to move on from Cal in 2015 after the crazy run he was on. Anyone back then that wanted Cal fired, definitely didn't have many friends at that time.
It was the 2021 season that pushed me over the edge. That's when I realized the guy in charge of this basketball program is not the same mob boss thst ran it from 09-2015. He got what he nedded out of this program, he was rich and he put himself above the program. Barking back at the fans while you're losing hecause you're priorities are screwed up, is a good way to get run out of town.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,477
70,668
113
davtay said:
I care about the all time wins record. But I have also been accused of being what is wrong with the program because I am a realist on some things. For those who rail on "UK Standards" they fail to acknowledge that basketball was a different sport when most of those were set. They won't admit that the SEC that Pope contends with (in just his second season, 1st historically good) was not the SEC that their daddy's watched UK dominate. They argue that with NIL and transfer portal UK should just get anyone they want and dominate. But, NIL and the portal makes the other teams stronger than they used to be. Just like has been argued in football, teams cannot stockpile all the talent, it goes other places also, making other teams good and keeping UK from having all the talent that they used to have to set the "UK Standards".

Not that I don't think UK is living up to what they should be, currently or historically, but for it to be instantly, don't think it is realistic. Basketball teams on the whole is light years better across the board than it was just a few years ago, and playing in the SEC is eons different.

I know people point to whoever is the "hot" new team...AZ, Mich, BYU, Iowa St....but none of those teams play in the SEC nightly where there are no BAD teams. And teams like Houston, Kansas and others are built with returning players, who consistently improve. I think this is where Pope is headed, build a core that comes back....can't do that with one and dones. Patience and fewer injuries and I believe UK will be back at the top where they belong.

Duke....just doesn't fit any of this. They have NIKE, USA basketball and a weak ACC, so they will continue with Calipari's one and done model. They will occasionally break through, but man, that is an exhausting way to be a fan.
Click to expand...
The problem with your line of thinking is, traditional football programs are kicking our butts.
Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee etc… have had a better 10 year stretch.
Pope is not only losing to Alabama, he's getting owned.
Kansas and Duke are thriving, why aren't we?
UNC has been to a ff with Hubert Davis and they have a more recent title.
We ALL understand that college basketball is a much different animal, but when so many other programs are doing it better year in and year out and many of them are football schools, there’s a problem.
 
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davtay

davtay

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2002
1,263
1,211
113
kyjeff1 said:
The problem with your line of thinking is, traditional football programs are kicking our butts.
Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee etc… have had a better 10 year stretch.
Pope is not only losing to Alabama, he's getting owned.
Kansas and Duke are thriving, why aren't we?
UNC has been to a ff with Hubert Davis and they have a more recent title.
We ALL understand that college basketball is a much different animal, but when so many other programs are doing it better year in and year out and many of them are football schools, there’s a problem.
Click to expand...
Just addressing those you mentioned. AU, FL, AL, TN all were built with core returning players, with talent added. Over those 10 years you mentioned. UK for 8 of those were Cal's one and done new team every year. Just can't build continued success that way. Pope, by necessity last year had to build the team with mostly 5th year seniors, so one and done again. I think this year he is laying the groundwork for core returning players. These teams do play in the SEC, so that part is equal.

Kansas has always thrived in the B12. But once again, core players return + talent. That you can sustain.

UNC had a fluke FF (not that I wouldn't take it) but until this year UNC fans wanted him fired too. Plus ACC is no longer a tough top to bottom conference.

Duke is the outlier...but I've listed why. NIKE, USA Basketball, even ESPN. plus ACC.

Kentucky has to get a core returning base and build from that. Plus talent. I think that is the direction Pope is trying for. We will see if he gets enough time for it to be successful. Remember he started with nothing. It takes time playing in a tough conference, even in NIL/portal era.
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,477
70,668
113
davtay said:
Just addressing those you mentioned. AU, FL, AL, TN all were built with core returning players, with talent added. Over those 10 years you mentioned. UK for 8 of those were Cal's one and done new team every year. Just can't build continued success that way. Pope, by necessity last year had to build the team with mostly 5th year seniors, so one and done again. I think this year he is laying the groundwork for core returning players. These teams do play in the SEC, so that part is equal.

Kansas has always thrived in the B12. But once again, core players return + talent. That you can sustain.

UNC had a fluke FF (not that I wouldn't take it) but until this year UNC fans wanted him fired too. Plus ACC is no longer a tough top to bottom conference.

Duke is the outlier...but I've listed why. NIKE, USA Basketball, even ESPN. plus ACC.

Kentucky has to get a core returning base and build from that. Plus talent. I think that is the direction Pope is trying for. We will see if he gets enough time for it to be successful. Remember he started with nothing. It takes time playing in a tough conference, even in NIL/portal era.
Click to expand...
These are excuses. Cal chose to manage the program that way and Pope has an issue motivating teams.

You can't beat Duke, Gonzaga, Florida and UT twice, then lose to Ohio state, Georgia, Ole Miss etc… then get housed in the sweet 16 by a team that you beat twice. Also got owned 3 times by Alabama.

This year, we no-showed several times. Got 35 pieced in a game in Nashville where the BBN filled the stands.

The 10+ loss seasons are really piling up and it's been 10 years since we saw a FF and it's been 10 years since we were a 1 seed.

Couple all that with the NCAAT losses to Kansas State (twice), Saint Peters and Oakland. These issues are all self infliced. It was our own fault, we don't get to blame others because he had a coach, at 9 million a year, decide to run his own personal NBA farm system.
 
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davtay

davtay

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2002
1,263
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113
kyjeff1 said:
These are excuses. Cal chose to manage the program that way and Pope has an issue motivating teams.

You can't beat Duke, Gonzaga, Florida and UT twice, then lose to Ohio state, Georgia, Ole Miss etc… then get housed in the sweet 16 by a team that you beat twice. Also got owned 3 times by Alabama.

This year, we no-showed several times. Got 35 pieced in a game in Nashville where the BBN filled the stands.

The 10+ loss seasons are really piling up and it's been 10 years since we saw a FF and it's been 10 years since we were a 1 seed.

Couple all that with the NCAAT losses to Kansas State (twice), Saint Peters and Oakland. These issues are all self infliced. It was our own fault, we don't get to blame others because he had a coach, at 9 million a year, decide to run his own personal NBA farm system.
Click to expand...
Respectfully, I don't see this as excuses at all. It is the way most of these schools have built their teams. Cal, of course, chose a different route, and when he left there was nothing. It takes a bit to build core returning players, unless you want one and dones (freshmen or portal) every year.

I have no answer why they have been boatraced several times this year. Inexcusable. Specially when they can follow it up with big wins. Think it is both on Coach and players. But building a team the way I mentioned is not an excuse, just pointing out that other than Duke that is what most programs are doing that are sucessful.
 
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A

AJBlue

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Dec 16, 2015
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bleedsblue5 said:
I think Barns and these guys will be SUPER motivated because of the ending of the last game. They are gonna maul and double Oweh and make us drive to win.
I feel like they run us
BUT Pope plays Barns teams really well so maybe it is just me hoping to not get blown out like the VANDY game.

If we get a fair whistle we stay in it, if they let them play our guys will get beat up and we drop it.
WE have to come out ready, and this last game was a powderpuff style game so if they think it will be like that we will get blown out.

Only upside is TN is on a winning streak and due for a loss.
Click to expand...
Agree totally with this take. No question they will try to turn it into a brawl and we have to resond to that with aggression of our own. If we dont and let them push us 25 feet form the basket we'll be hurting. If counter that with hard agressive drives we can make it back fire on them and get them in foul trouble.

You're right Barnes will try to take the ball out of Owehs hands so Chandler, Aberdeen, and Johnson have to drive it agressively wiht the intention to finish around the rim. Chandler has shown signs of doing that more but still a little tentative to finish in there or pullup for the short jumpers. He adds that to his game and hes gone to another level because he's quick enough and strong enough to get where he wants, just needs to take advantage of the mid rang game and not dribble thorugh it all the time when he can make those and be a 3 level scorer.
 
vol_scott

vol_scott

All-Conference
Jan 23, 2021
1,382
2,418
113
TTTblue24 said:
Chandler becoming that 3rd scorer for us has really helped this team improve, we know OO and Denzel are going to get theirs and be around that 15 or higher clip. If Colin can continue attacking the rim and getting 12 or so a game then add the bigs production, we may not win them all but we will be in them all to the end atleast and hopefully no more blow outs like vandy.
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Chandler killed it in the first game - thought he was the real difference maker. And Moreno has really improved as well. For TN, I think Ament, Carey and Estrella are playing much better so should be another close battle.
 
preston-lemasterpiece

preston-lemasterpiece

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Apr 15, 2025
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JonathanW2 said:
I have a bad feeling about this game, just like I had a good feeling before the Ark game.
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i think we're playing with house money here. we already have a W over a team we weren't expected to beat. worse case scenario, we split the two.
just go out and play loose and feed off the crowd and this should be a W. Tennessee ain't all that
 
C

Chadrock

All-Conference
Jul 12, 2004
2,990
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kyjeff1 said:
The way our guys are shooting right now, I believe we win.
Pope does really well in games where the other team has only 2 real game changer type guys. UT has Ament and Gillespie, the other guys are really good, but not elite.
If our guys play like they did @ Arkansas last Saturday, it's a wrap.
UT is playing better and can definitely win this game, but I think Pope is very good in these kind of games.
Click to expand...
Also, if Gillespie misses free throws and repeatedly throws away the ball in the second half, that will help.
 
A

AJBlue

Senior
Dec 16, 2015
228
405
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Depends how we respond to their aggression. You know they are going to turn it up this time. That means overplaying us and getting in our comfort zone with the ball. The antidote to aggression is aggression. The come out trying to overplay, grab and guard us 25 feet from the basket and we have to drive it hard at them and get to the rim or kick out for 3s. Make them pay of their aggression by making them guard without fouling us while we take it at them. First team to the double bonus in this game both halves wins in IMO. Thats who will make the most free throws and win this game.
 
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