2015 vs 2019

[kentuckykowboy8_rivals]

If everybody returns, how do you think this year would compare with 2015? When I look at the rosters, I still feel I would take 2015.
Andrew=Shai
Aaron=Johnson
POY<<<Knox
KAT>>>PJ
WCS>Vanderbilt
Ulis=Green
Booker>>Diallo
Lyles=Gabriel
Lee=SKJ
Dakari>Richards
Hawkins<Herro
2019 also would have Baker

2015 just overwhelms 2019 with their bigs.

 

[WildMoon]

If AP didn't get injured. That team is 40-0.

I would take 2015 .

 

[Nubb16]

That 2015 team was so damn big. We just fatigued so many teams with our size and depth. Eventually they succumbed to our team.

 

[JimboBBN]

I would take 15 10/10. That team was/should have been special.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

If AP didn't get injured. That team is 40-0.

I would take 2015 .

This.

 

[brian5562]

Lyles and Gabriel are not equal

 

[bigblue1971]

Green=Ulis? No. Ulis was a great defender, Never took bad shots and assist to TO ratio was great.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

2015 most likely.. But you never know. We have no idea which players will take a big step forward and we don't know what to expect from the incoming class.

I imagine the current team (let's say JV, PJ, Green, Gabriel, SKJ, Diallo) has greater potential than the 2015 returning roster (Harrisons, Dakari, WCS, Lee, Willis, Poythress).. But don't see this incoming class beating out Towns, Ulis, Lyles and Booker.

I do absolutely think next year could be the 2nd best team under Cal, certainly a shot at top3. And if SGA AND Knox return? they have a chance to be the best if they do what 2015 couldn't.

 

[KentuckyStout]

Did the 2015 team just run out of gas at the end, or what?

I mean, what in the actual hell?

 

[mustnotsleepnow]

Did the 2015 team just run out of gas at the end, or what?

I mean, what in the actual hell?

Higgins.

 

[CatColumbia]

'15 is better than our '19 version regardless who comes or goes..
2014 was better than our 2018 team and they added an even better recruiting class with Lyles, Booker, KAT and Ulis.

 

[Pitinoknew]

The one game all year we could of used Alex was Wisconsin. That team was the best team that year and should of won it all, sucks it didn’t happen, truly special.

 

[BlueBomb]

This really shouldn't even be a question. 2015 by a mile. OK, wait. A half mile.

 

[WildMoon]

Did the 2015 team just run out of gas at the end, or what?

I mean, what in the actual hell?

We were great team. But so was Wisconsin. Wisconsin historically good offensive team. 2015 Wisconsin would be 2018 National title easily.

We were also injured with AP. AP is vital against wisconsin because of Sam Dekkar. Not to mention, AP more than any other player on that team was all addition. He wasn't volume shooter, but can get offensive rebound AND his defense would have been DPoty over Willy.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

We were great team. But so was Wisconsin. Wisconsin historically good offensive team. 2015 Wisconsin would be 2018 National title easily.

We were also injured with AP. AP is vital against wisconsin because of Sam Dekkar. Not to mention, AP more than any other player on that team was all addition. He wasn't volume shooter, but can get offensive rebound AND his defense would have been DPoty over Willy.

AP was our only "hybrid" forward. Best way I can explain it. He was the perfect guy for help D and rebounding. Was the only player we had that could reboun outside of his area really well.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

'15 is better than our '19 version regardless who comes or goes..
2014 was better than our 2018 team and they added an even better recruiting class with Lyles, Booker, KAT and Ulis.

Agree and disagree. Yes, 2014 as a whole was better, but they also lost Randle and Young, two of the better players in that class. So far, we haven't lost anyone yet in 2018. As it stands right now, we're returning a better team than what returned for 2014/2015..

And honestly, looking at Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Alex Poythress and how the Twins were good but not great in the sophomore season.. I like next years team even without Shai and Knox.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

How quickly we seem to forget just how special Tyler Ulis was.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

We were great team. But so was Wisconsin. Wisconsin historically good offensive team. 2015 Wisconsin would be 2018 National title easily.

We were also injured with AP. AP is vital against wisconsin because of Sam Dekkar. Not to mention, AP more than any other player on that team was all addition. He wasn't volume shooter, but can get offensive rebound AND his defense would have been DPoty over Willy.

I thought the same thing when many people were thinking this Villanova team was so great. I think Villanova was firmly behind Kentucky, Duke, and Wisconsin that year.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

Did the 2015 team just run out of gas at the end, or what?

I mean, what in the actual hell?

(as others have mentioned)

Higgins. Vega$. NCAAT stacking our side of the bracket. No AP. Booker's outside shot cooled off. As much as some made fun of it, Cal probably should've platooned more down the stretch. And Wisky was a very solid and worthy team on a mission of their own.

 

[Swifterz_rivals379959]

If everybody returns, how do you think this year would compare with 2015? When I look at the rosters, I still feel I would take 2015.
Andrew=Shai
Aaron=Johnson
POY<<<Knox
KAT>>>PJ
WCS>Vanderbilt
Ulis=Green
Booker>>Diallo
Lyles=Gabriel
Lee=SKJ
Dakari>Richards
Hawkins<Herro
2019 also would have Baker

2015 just overwhelms 2019 with their bigs.

i think Shai > Andrew and Johnson > Aaron though

 

[docholiday51]

This really shouldn't even be a question. 2015 by a mile. OK, wait. A half mile.

You were right the first time,people are comparing apples and oranges.We are likely to be better next year than we were this year ,but 2015 good, not close no way,no how.

 

[Jkwo_rivals113955]

That '15 team is one of the best in history, and they just happened to slip up against the best offense in the history of Kenpom (best O vs best D).

That said, Shai's last 10 games, he had stats clearly better than the POY candidate guards, and he would be just sick if he returned. Andrew was not on that level, even as a sophomore.

And Ulis was one of the best 5 UK guards ever. Soph Quade will not be that.

 

[Stenchymouse]

The 2015 would be better, but the 2015 team didn't have ANYONE like Knox, and didn't have a slasher like Keldon Johnson!!

As great as the 2015 team was, with everyone back, 2019 team would be harder to defend, and would be more versatile.

 

[Mr_GG]

I believe the 15 team should be regarded as one of the best teams of all time. The numbers we put up pre-poythress inhury were absurd. We actually got worse statistically after going away from the platoon.

We were one game away from having a shot at perfection despite losing one of our starters for the season, and we still almost won vs a team with a historically good offense and a monumental screw job by a crooked ref.

Unfortunately, our team will never be regarded or remembered that the way it should be. I don't think I will ever be able to accept or get over that game. I felt like it was stolen from us by a stupid ref, and I feel like we win that game 10/10 times if it had been properly officiated.

 

[UKGrad93]

2015

 

[armchairpg]

They don't have to be better thank 15 just better than our opponents in 19.

 

[Sparkaces]

Losing Poythress def hurt the team in 2015. I think if you are doing a comparison you can't factor him into the equation. Next year will be a very gifted offensive team if most everybody is back, but not nearly as good defensively as 2015 and they wouldn't have Towns, which would make the difference in putting the 2015 team over the top.

 

[isonator35]

I don't agree with you =/> at all. I think I would take Shai over Andrew. Ulis > Green. Lyles > Gabriel. Honestly, now that I think about it, 15 is >>>>> 19. Just based on length and star potential on 15.

I find it hard for a UK team to be better than 15. I believe it's the best team that UK has had (I am only 31). The length, athleticism, etc was insane. I always thought 96 but I think 15 is better.

 

[kentuckykowboy8_rivals]

I loved Ulis as much as anybody (dude is still my freaking avatar). But 2015 Ulis was a freshmen. 2016 Ulis was the best PG in America, but 2015 only averaged 5.6pts and 3.6ast. Freshman Green averaged 9.3 and 2.7. I def think a sophomore Green would equal freshman Ulis.

2015 was definitely more dominant because of our size, but I think 2019 has the potential to have fewer weaknesses. We didn't have anybody who could guard a SF once POY went down.

 

[marshalfan]

If everybody returns, how do you think this year would compare with 2015? When I look at the rosters, I still feel I would take 2015.
Andrew=Shai
Aaron=Johnson
POY<<<Knox
KAT>>>PJ
WCS>Vanderbilt
Ulis=Green
Booker>>Diallo
Lyles=Gabriel
Lee=SKJ
Dakari>Richards
Hawkins<Herro
2019 also would have Baker

2015 just overwhelms 2019 with their bigs.

I like your list but I potentially disagree with the WCS>Vanderbilt if Vanderbilt can get healthy.

 

[docholiday51]

One of the many reasons I like this board,we can talk ourselves into anything.

Looking forward to what might be a great year is much better than looking back on a year that for all it's promise ended badly.Trying to compare the two teams based on talent will always have 2019 coming up on the short end. As another poster said they don't have to be better than 2015 just better than who they play in 2019.

 

[akaukswoosh]

If everybody returns, how do you think this year would compare with 2015? When I look at the rosters, I still feel I would take 2015.
Andrew=Shai
Aaron=Johnson
POY<<<Knox
KAT>>>PJ
WCS>Vanderbilt
Ulis=Green
Booker>>Diallo
Lyles=Gabriel
Lee=SKJ
Dakari>Richards
Hawkins<Herro
2019 also would have Baker

2015 just overwhelms 2019 with their bigs.

2015 is better but I’ll take a 3 or 4 loss 2018 team that wins it all. Too hard for a team to win 40 straight.

 

[CatChow]

2015 would easily beat 2019 if everyone returns, that’s not really debatable.

However, 2019 won’t have to deal win such a brutal field of teams. The teams that us, Wisconsin, and Duke has that year all would’ve easily won championships in any other year this decade sans 2012.

 

[Wildcats1st]

If AP didn't get injured. That team is 40-0.

I would take 2015 .

This woulda coulda shoulda stuff is outta control. Just like we will be in final four or Arizona v uk is for the championship. No poythress wasn’t going to be a difference maker vs Wisconsin or duke. You’re talking about a team that had nba superstars on it and poythress wasn’t one of them. But some fans gonna believe what they want.
BTW shai = Andrew Harrison??? Aaron Harrison = Johnson?? First shai is a lotto pick. Andrew Harrison was no where near the player he is. Johnson is much better and a different player than aarron and Btw. You don’t even have quickley on there. This stuff is getting old.

 

[Wildcats1st]

2015 would easily beat 2019 if everyone returns, that’s not really debatable.

However, 2019 won’t have to deal win such a brutal field of teams. The teams that us, Wisconsin, and Duke has that year all would’ve easily won championships in any other year this decade sans 2012.

Really??? Really??? 2019 will be a much tougher road. You got 7-11 teams in the sec that could be top 25. You have a villanova team that just dominated the field that will return most. You have a duke team with the top 3 recruits all top 5 picks next season. And that’s not who most are predeicting preseason number 1. It’s kansas with experience, talent. What the hell are people smoking???

 

[docholiday51]

This woulda coulda shoulda stuff is outta control. Just like we will be in final four or Arizona v uk is for the championship. No poythress wasn’t going to be a difference maker vs Wisconsin or duke. You’re talking about a team that had nba superstars on it and poythress wasn’t one of them. But some fans gonna believe what they want.
BTW shai = Andrew Harrison??? Aaron Harrison = Johnson?? First shai is a lotto pick. Andrew Harrison was no where near the player he is. Johnson is much better and a different player than aarron and Btw. You don’t even have quickley on there. This stuff is getting old.

Different years both in terms of quality of teams and draft talent quality.You can't look at it one way in one case and the other way in the second case.

 

[WildMoon]

This woulda coulda shoulda stuff is outta control. Just like we will be in final four or Arizona v uk is for the championship. No poythress wasn’t going to be a difference maker vs Wisconsin or duke. You’re talking about a team that had nba superstars on it and poythress wasn’t one of them. But some fans gonna believe what they want.
BTW shai = Andrew Harrison??? Aaron Harrison = Johnson?? First shai is a lotto pick. Andrew Harrison was no where near the player he is. Johnson is much better and a different player than aarron and Btw. You don’t even have quickley on there. This stuff is getting old.

I'm not saying thing out of opinion. Lol.

Luke Winn did actual study on impact of AP. You don't need NBA all-star to fit into a system. We we're going beyond historic level on defensive end .

After his injury our defensive rating dropped tremendously while no impact on offense.

While you could argue based off nothing .I like to argue based off some form of evidence .

 

[Wildcats1st]

I'm not saying thing out of opinion. Lol.

Luke Winn did actual study on impact of AP. You don't need NBA all-star to fit into a system. We we're going beyond historic level on defensive end .

After his injury our defensive rating dropped tremendously while no impact on offense.

While you could argue based off nothing .I like to argue based off some form of evidence .

There’s no evidence when there is bias.

 

[WildMoon]

There’s no evidence when there is bias.

there is no bias. Luke Winn is not Kentucky Fan.

Nice try!

 

[kyjeff1]

I think we need to do this after the 18/19 season is over. We still don't even know who's going to be on the '19 team and we don't know how the '19 players are going to progress over the summer with the Bahamas trip and all.
I think SGA is better than Andrew and I think Johnson is better than Aaron. But some of the others could be toss-ups. A lot of you guys are picking the 15 team, but you saw what they did on the court, so they have an advantage when it comes to your opinions.
But OP, you really need to change that "Ulis = Green". Ouch, that's way off. The only thing close to equal there is their size.