This team is a lot like the 1998 championship team. Herro will be our Jeff Sheppard, to shoot us into the championship.
1998 cats vs 2019 cats
- Thread starter thecatsrock
- Start date
A lot more different than alike
98 had
Strongly anchored post play, blocks & rebounds
A designated spot up three point threat
A heavily experienced and seasoned team
A consistent college star
A reliable and solid pg
They were resilient and did not give up
Fantastic chemistry and selfless play
98 had
Strongly anchored post play, blocks & rebounds
A designated spot up three point threat
A heavily experienced and seasoned team
A consistent college star
A reliable and solid pg
They were resilient and did not give up
Fantastic chemistry and selfless play
Goes with seasoning but a team that had been to two finals in the 2 years preceding 1998
I hope we get Utah in the 2019 final game.
This team is only better at the 3 and 4 spots. The 2 is close but the 1 and 5 were much much better in 98. The combo of Nazr and Magloire was very very good. Turner was a very good pg
The biggest difference was at the 5. Nazr was an absolute monster that season and Magloire was an awesome backup.
Otherwise, it's pretty difficult to evaluate the teams position by position. The presence of Heshimu Evans makes it especially tricky since he could play a couple positions and was one of the best players despite coming off the bench.
The 1998 team weren't purveyors of a glamorous style. They mauled opponents in the paint and played Hungry Hungry Hippos on the offensive glass en route to the championship. Cal's teams in general share that same reliance on paint and offensive rebound production so they will often resemble the 1998 team.
Otherwise, it's pretty difficult to evaluate the teams position by position. The presence of Heshimu Evans makes it especially tricky since he could play a couple positions and was one of the best players despite coming off the bench.
The 1998 team weren't purveyors of a glamorous style. They mauled opponents in the paint and played Hungry Hungry Hippos on the offensive glass en route to the championship. Cal's teams in general share that same reliance on paint and offensive rebound production so they will often resemble the 1998 team.
The 98 team was way better than this one and college basketball as a whole was 10 times better. The amount of very good teams was way higher than now. No comparison.
Plus this year's team doesn't have reserves to match Evans and Mills.
98 team by about 15 they would dominate the paint shepherd was far more consistent 3 point shooter then any one on this years team.
I will say this, this team has a long way to go until they can make that comparison...but it is possible. 1998 played like champions when it mattered most, that’s why we’re still talking about them.
This team is nothing like the '98 team. That team had so much experience. The upper classmen had been to 2 straight championship games with a ring. This teams most experienced contributors have a sweet 16 loss under their belt. We have 5 true freshmen in the rotation with 3 of them starters. Our senior has no tourney experience. I don't see the comparison.
Plus 98 team had a 6’9” Scott Padgett that could hit the three or play inside. He would be the x- factor between the two teams.
They are so much different in so many ways. I think you literally just saw 2 white guards and thought they made them similar teams.
Thar being said I hope the result is similar.
Thar being said I hope the result is similar.
1998 team would beat the hell out of this one and every Cal team except ‘09, ‘12, ‘15.
Not even close. Classic case of MEN (98 team) vs. boys (2019 team).
I think everybody in this thread agrees 98 is likely the better team, but I want to segue into another point I made about needing a good path. That 98 team was very fortunate with tournament upsets that year as several favorites got unexpectedly beat.
Arizona, UNC, Kansas got beaten by other teams and UK had a seed path of 15,10,6,1,3 and 3 to win a title. So as much as I like 98 they were very lucky and probably wouldn’t have won it all without a lot of upsets.
Arizona, UNC, Kansas got beaten by other teams and UK had a seed path of 15,10,6,1,3 and 3 to win a title. So as much as I like 98 they were very lucky and probably wouldn’t have won it all without a lot of upsets.
Shepherd shot 38 percent which is not way better than anyone on this team
I sure wish I could feel as confident about this team as I did about the 98 team. Not that similar at all IMHO
No similarity. 1998 is the most underrated team in UK history. Cal has actually had some of the most overrated UK teams in history. Not bad teams, but a few are pumped way too hard for what they were. There were Uk teams of the last 30 years that had grown men and would likely put these guys on some of Cals teams against a wall today.
Someone said it. Play like champions. They surely did. If we play like champions. We very well could be 1998 revisited. We have glimpses here there with this team. Lets pray time is now. Play like 2019 champions.
A
anon_q409idbs5m40a
Guest
Well, the bottom line is the “98 team won the Championship. So, unless this team wins the title, there’s no comparison.
I remember mimicking WTs jump shot in my driveway when my grandpa wasnt paying attention to get on me about the crappy form lol
But only because of experience, if the 98 team were freshmen then 19 would beat them soundly. Nazr and Padgett played on a created JV team, Mills wasn’t ready. If 19 were seniors then they have just as much group bb iq as 98.
All the folks talking about experience should realize talent trumps experience more often than not. I just see a lot of similarities between the two teams. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking that this team could have that magical run like the 98 bunch did.
I mean there's a little to be desired in shot blocking, and we arent heavily experienced however I cant be the only one who thinks the rest of those facets could be applied to this years team right?
A
anon_q409idbs5m40a
Guest
That goes without saying, but I still see Richards as a sophomore doing things that will drive a coach crazy. Yes, the 1998 team was way more fundamentally sound due to the experience level.
I agree, lots of similarities:
- The ‘98 team was quietly having a great season but overshadowed by the Duke-UNC-Arizona lovefest
- Was discounted as a true contender due to an early season shellacking by a Top-5 opponent (Arizona in Maui)
- Had a very balanced scoring attack from its starting 5 (all were a threat to score 20+ on a given night)
- Well defined roles
- Unselfish and clutch play
- The ‘98 team was quietly having a great season but overshadowed by the Duke-UNC-Arizona lovefest
- Was discounted as a true contender due to an early season shellacking by a Top-5 opponent (Arizona in Maui)
- Had a very balanced scoring attack from its starting 5 (all were a threat to score 20+ on a given night)
- Well defined roles
- Unselfish and clutch play
We currently have a 6’8 power forward who is a better all-around player and can beat you inside or out