5 games in 9 days

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

That's ALOT of basketball. Travel to two different cities, sleep in your own bed maybe 2 of those 9 days. I don't care how old you are, it will take it's toll. Add in the anxiety factor and there's no way to predict who will be in the right frame of mind when the ball is tipped off.

Add in how much energy was spent beating Georgia and Texas A & M and it was no surprise that we played like garbage yesterday.

I wish there was a week in between the conference tournaments and when the NCAA tournament started.

 

[JBnTN]

They play 6-7 hours a day everyday during the summer. Plus, they're kids in great shape. That excuse won't fly, imo.

 

[WILD20CATS]

When comparing teams it does. Who will be fresher? A team that played 5 games in 9 days or a team that played 3. Id say the team that had 6 off days and 2 fewer games will be more energetic. it was obvious yesterday. Yet, i still think we shouldve won that game.

 

[ashleys handfull]

The Selection Committee didn't know who won the UK-A&M game last Sunday but they sure as hell knew Kentucky played on Sunday so stuck team with the Thursday-Saturday schedule.

 

[irishcat1965]

It may have affected Murray's legs but it is what it is.

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

They play 6-7 hours a day everyday during the summer. Plus, they're kids in great shape. That excuse won't fly, imo.

Do they travel and sit around hotels? Do they always play great during those summer marathons or do they play like crap some days? We were tired yesterday, Indiana was Fresh and what do you know....they lost early in their conference tourney. Sitting around Hotels wares people out. I'll also reference how we went on the road, played an exhausing game at Kansas, went home and turned right back around and wen't to Knoville and absolutely hit a wall after halftime. How many times during the season do we play 5 games in 9 days? Never? Remember how we started playing like garbage at the end of the Bahamas tour? Fatigue plays a HUGE roll in post season play. Anyone denying that is just out there somewhere.

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

The Selection Committee didn't know who won the UK-A&M game last Sunday but they sure as hell knew Kentucky played on Sunday so stuck team with the Thursday-Saturday schedule.

At a bare minimum, that has GOT to get fixed. Anybody who's conference tournament ends on Sunday should NOT have to play Thursday.

 

[akaukswoosh]

That's ALOT of basketball. Travel to two different cities, sleep in your own bed maybe 2 of those 9 days. I don't care how old you are, it will take it's toll. Add in the anxiety factor and there's no way to predict who will be in the right frame of mind when the ball is tipped off.

Add in how much energy was spent beating Georgia and Texas A & M and it was no surprise that we played like garbage yesterday.

I wish there was a week in between the conference tournaments and when the NCAA tournament started.

It is an issue. Michigan State played Sunday too in the Big10T and got knocked out early.
One step is moving the SECT to a Saturday final. No matter what the NCAA does the SEC team playing in the final game gets at least one extra day it doesn't have now.

 

[Xception]

We looked tired and lethargic , it may have had an impact . As much as people want to deny or pretend , getting rest and easy brackets matter .

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

It is an issue. Michigan State played Sunday too in the Big10T and got knocked out early.
One step is moving the SECT to a Saturday final. No matter what the NCAA does the SEC team playing in the final game gets at least one extra day it doesn't have now.

What do you think the chances are that the SEC will change the tournament to a Saturday finish? I'm guess never, as it's all about money and playing an extra day during the week isn't "good for business". If they keep it on Sunday, Cal should play the whole damn tournament using the 2nd string only. Popovich would do it in a heartbeat.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

Factor in UK's best two best players playing 35+ a game, and you have jump shots not falling like they normally do.

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

Factor in UK's best two best players playing 35+ a game, and you have jump shots not falling like they normally do.

As soon as I saw Tyler leave on on short and Skal leave a couple of short my face got red and I was uncomfortable for the rest of the game.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

If the SEC doesnt move back the championship to Sat. Look for UK to boycott the tournament entirely next season.
We wont need the auto bid because we wont lose more than 4-5 gms with this bumper crop coming in.
The SECT title gm. means absolutely nothing when its played on Sun. as aTm 3 seed and UKs 4 seed attest to.
Why get players injured in a meaningless tournament right before the NCAAs?
Think about it.

 

[Aike]

It's a valid point. I was thinking early on that I hoped we could steal this one and get home to get some rest before UNC.

 

[mdlUK.1]

Wishful thinking that UK will boycott the SECT. Not going to happen.

 

[Cats_2010]

If the SEC doesnt move back the championship to Sat. Look for UK to boycott the tournament entirely next season.
We wont need the auto bid because we wont lose more than 4-5 gms with this bumper crop coming in.
The SECT title gm. means absolutely nothing when its played on Sun. as aTm 3 seed and UKs 4 seed attest to.
Why get players injured in a meaningless tournament right before the NCAAs?
Think about it.

Made a comment very similar to this last Sunday after the brackets were announced. Just hard to justify putting your players at risk over 3 grueling straight days right before the tournament starts. Really could see cal letting the starters play in game one on Friday and then turning it over to the reserves to play the semis. Probably wouldn't make the finals but who cares.

Someone countered me that wouldn't be fair to the fans but cal can make this known ahead of time. If people still want to go then at least they know what they are paying to go see. I love the SEC tournament myself but winning the NCAAT is what really matters. In all honesty I didn't think of fatigue on the players yesterday but it certainly does make sense.