Confidence in beating UT? (Without RT)

Confidence in beating UT?


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Jan 30, 2018
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After we took them apart in Rupp and they seemed to want nothing to do with going inside I figured we would sweep them for sure. Now with RT out, I do have some concern that they will attack us inside constantly. RT is unmovable in the post and creates so much space. He also allows PJ a ton of freedom. What he does doesn't always show up in the box score. He keeps balls alive with tips when he can't get a hold of them and is really a space eater inside. During the AUB game, everyone was on and they all shot the ball so well that I feel it masked not having RT. AUB isn't a good team inside and we only beat them in the paint by single digits. The Arkansas game exposed more of why we need RT, but to be fair it was their shooting and our lack of effort in the 1st half that made that game such a mess.

I really hope Tn doesn't try to live in the paint. If they do we must have Nick give us a repeat performance with key blocks and rebounding as he did. We also need EJ to show up and hope to God PJ doesn't get in foul trouble. I almost feel like Nick will for sure which will mean we really need EJ to step up. If we play our A game like against AUB I think we will be fine in a battle to the end. We can't spot them a huge lead. I suspect our guys will be up for the challenge and I just hope the refs stay out of the limelight and call a good game. If RT was playing I would be at about 85+% confidence, but without him and being on the road I feel more like 51%. like we are the better team, but he is a pivotal guy in a game like this and with them being at home, the fish will be flopping all over. I wish RT would say he's ready, but if not we are going to have to step up. Thought I would see where everyone's confidence was assuming RT doesn't play. I did this last time for the TN game so thought I would see where we are.
 
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kevcat

Heisman
Feb 26, 2007
27,686
32,625
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After we took them apart in Rupp and they seemed to want nothing to do with going inside I figured we would sweep them for sure. Now with RT out, I do have some concern that they will attack us inside constantly. RT is unmovable in the post and creates so much space. He also allows PJ a ton of freedom. What he does doesn't always show up in the box score. He keeps balls alive with tips when he can't get a hold of them and is really a space eater inside. During the AUB game, everyone was on and they all shot the ball so well that I feel it masked not having RT. AUB isn't a good team inside and we only beat them in the paint by single digits. The Arkansas game exposed more of why we need RT, but to be fair it was their shooting and our lack of effort in the 1st half that made that game such a mess.

I really hope Tn doesn't try to live in the paint. If they do we must have Nick give us a repeat performance with key blocks and rebounding as he did. We also need EJ to show up and hope to God PJ doesn't get in foul trouble. I almost feel like Nick will for sure which will mean we really need EJ to step up. If we play our A game like against AUB I think we will be fine in a battle to the end. We can't spot them a huge lead. I suspect our guys will be up for the challenge and I just hope the refs stay out of the limelight and call a good game. If RT was playing I would be at about 85+% confidence, but without him and being on the road I feel more like 51%. like we are the better team, but he is a pivotal guy in a game like this and with them being at home, the fish will be flopping all over. I wish RT would say he's ready, but if not we are going to have to step up. Thought I would see where everyone's confidence was assuming RT doesn't play. I did this last time for the TN game so thought I would see where we are.

Reid being out really hurts. He could really neutralize Williams.

I’m 52% that Tennessee squeaks a win out.
 
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Jan 30, 2018
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I chose 70% because I think we match up well with them but not having RT will make it much tougher.
Yeah, that's why I went with 60%. If we had RT I would feel like it was a win fr sure and that we would beat them by 8+. He is like one of the top 3-4 guys that hurt to be out in this game. I feel like we have to have PJ and probably Ashton and Herro, but I think we could get through this game without 1 guy if it wasn't RT. Nick is going to need to set the pace with the flopping fish early and be dominant on defense without fouling. That will be key along with us playing our A game. If we shoot as we did against AUB then TN doesn't stand a chance. Not if everyone is on like they were in that game.
 
Jan 30, 2018
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Reid being out really hurts. He could really neutralize Williams.

I’m 52% that Tennessee squeaks a win out.
I'm close to you just on the other side at about 51% confidence the cats play their A game and sweep TN. I totally feel like we are the better team I just wish we have RT and I would be excited instead of nervous. It will for sure be a challenge without RT, but if we play as we can we can still take them down. Nick needs to be as good if not better than last game. At least we get him back soon.
 
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Jan 30, 2018
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Williams has fallen to the ground and picked himself up so much it's affected him and how he is viewed by refs now.
I think that's why they have been saying his back is bothering him. All that flopping adds up and he flops hard. End of the LSU game he hit shoulders with a much smaller guard and went flying through the air and landed on his back while the LSU guy just looked around like WTF was that.
 
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Oct 9, 2015
14,034
37,186
78
Confidence is high, I repeat, confidence is high.

 
Jan 30, 2018
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UT has struggled in games since we beat them, so I believe we will be fine without RT. In fact, I'd still say 60% due to home/revenge factors even with RT healthy.
I hope your right because with RT in they hardly looked to go inside and settled for a lot of long jumpers. They usually like to play bully ball inside and RT did a good job on Williams so I just hope we don't see him go off and push Nick and EJ around. Or flop around.
 

Donald Vol

Redshirt
Jun 22, 2018
34
40
0
What is the word on Travis? I hate to see games like this where a key player can’t go.

The key to the game IMO (Tennessee fan) is the outside shooting of Turner and Bowden. 1-14 at Rupp I believe.

After the physical whipping we took last game, it’s safe to assume that P.J. will get his again.

Best of luck.
 
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Jan 30, 2018
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I'm assuming they will attack us inside this game. Especially without RT. I hope Nick doesn't pick up 2 quick ones. I am curious to what the FT totals will be for each team. Last night the game was dam near over and Tn only had 4 fouls. They had to give up some at the end just so they could get the guy to the line and get the ball back.
 
Jan 30, 2018
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What is the word on Travis? I hate to see games like this where a key player can’t go.

The key to the game IMO (Tennessee fan) is the outside shooting of Turner and Bowden. 1-14 at Rupp I believe.

After the physical whipping we took last game, it’s safe to assume that P.J. will get his again.

Best of luck.
He's out. Considering he shut down Williams last game for the most part and is the main reason PJ has so much freedom it's hard to say if someone can cover. Hopefully, Nick can, but hard to replace an unmovable space-eater and senior like RT.
 

TheDude73

Heisman
Jan 7, 2006
24,191
23,775
113
I hope your right because with RT in they hardly looked to go inside and settled for a lot of long jumpers. They usually like to play bully ball inside and RT did a good job on Williams so I just hope we don't see him go off and push Nick and EJ around. Or flop around.
Nick isn't a small dude, so I highly doubt Williams will be pushing him around. And, Williams is a small forward, not a center, so he will still have problems, maybe more so, with Nick than with Travis, and Nick is a true shot blocking threat. If Nick can stay out of foul trouble, I see him doing a better job defensively than Travis given he's such a shot blocking threat, and he'll definitely hold his own size-wise against Williams.
 

KyCatFan1

Heisman
May 6, 2002
30,867
31,594
113
Five less fouls in the post without RT.

Time to break out the secret weapon. Jonny David (the man with 2 first names) will get in there and bang with them. He's definitely good for making up the 5 fouls. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
 

Wall2Boogie

Heisman
Jan 28, 2010
26,239
21,732
0
I probably voted a little too high at 50%. This is a revenge game for them after the *** whoopin they took two weeks
Ago. I also think we stand a chance as long as nick and ej come to play. It neither show up it could be long day
 
Jan 30, 2018
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Nick isn't a small dude, so I highly doubt Williams will be pushing him around. And, Williams is a small forward, not a center, so he will still have problems, maybe more so, with Nick than with Travis, and Nick is a true shot blocking threat. If Nick can stay out of foul trouble, I see him doing a better job defensively than Travis given he's such a shot blocking threat, and he'll definitely hold his own size-wise against Williams.
I just mean RT is 240+lbs of muscle and tall, but a good center of gravity and doesn't give up his spot very easily. Nick is tall and lanky and just seems to get pushed out of position easier than RT. Both are a handful it just depends on if Nick commits dumb fouls. I like him as a rim protector, but I still think the job RT did on Williams will be very hard to duplicate. We will be fine if Nick plays like he did last game blocking shots and rebounding. I also think we gain shot blocking, but lose some inside passing. RT and Pj were starting to find each other inside like JV and PJ last year. Plus RT being a Senior in a game like this on the road always makes me feel better. Hopefully, e see Ashton and PJ lead as they have at times this year. I would like to see the Ashton that told KJ to wake the F up.
 
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HerrosHeroes

Heisman
Aug 16, 2018
27,234
38,039
0
I probably voted a little too high at 50%. This is a revenge game for them after the *** whoopin they took two weeks
Ago. I also think we stand a chance as long as nick and ej come to play. It neither show up it could be long day
Same here boog. If we win I think we win it all.
 
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Jan 30, 2018
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Great I just saw where reporters ask Williams if he was scared of PJ and mentioned Herro's comments after we beat them. That PJ had his number and he thought Williams was scared of PJ. Like we needed more than going on the road without RT for a revenge showdown. Now Bulletin board material. I hope we give them our best shot and if we do it will all be good.
 

HerrosHeroes

Heisman
Aug 16, 2018
27,234
38,039
0
Great I just saw where reporters ask Williams if he was scared of PJ and mentioned Herro's comments after we beat them. That PJ had his number and he thought Williams was scared of PJ. Like we needed more than going on the road without RT for a revenge showdown. Now Bulletin board material. I hope we give them our best shot and if we do it will all be good.
Saw that too.
Not smart.
Seems everything is against UK Saturday, except we have a damn good team.
 
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Jan 3, 2003
7,972
994
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Without Reid, and considering how we embarrassed them in Rupp, I think our chances are in the 40% range.

Sure hope I’m wrong though - If our guys play defense as well as I know they can, and are hitting perimeter shots, then our chances are greatly improved.
 

HerrosHeroes

Heisman
Aug 16, 2018
27,234
38,039
0
Without Reid, and considering how we embarrassed them in Rupp, I think our chances are in the 40% range.

Sure hope I’m wrong though - If our guys play defense as well as I know they can, and are hitting perimeter shots, then our chances are greatly improved.
1st five minutes will tell alot.
 

UKNothinButNet

All-Conference
Aug 31, 2012
2,581
2,704
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I voted 40% but that’s probably high. I think Reid playing would have forced TN to spend a considerable amount of energy dealing with his physicality and would have freed up PJ to get work done in the paint as in the 1st game. I fear that TN will exploit the absence of Travis like Arky did as they won’t have to worry about the PJ/Travis two man game, which might result in PJ being less productive in the paint again. Hopefully Richards/E.J. will be able to contribute and stay out of foul trouble, which will at least give them valuable experience irregardless of the outcome.
 
Jan 29, 2003
18,120
12,185
0
30%

Be prepared to be amazed at the difference between the way this game was called in Rupp v TBA.

RT was the unsung hero of the first game - PJ faces a mountain of an obstacle.

Tennessee is undefeated at home I believe.

Auburn is a good example: +27 at our place, +2 at theirs. I expect a similar swing.
 
Jan 21, 2014
3,595
597
0
I want us to win this game badly, and we definitely can but we'll have to shoot very well, limit turnovers and defend the 3. That being said, I'm totally expecting a loss (like at Kansas 3 years ago) because Knoxville is a house of horrors for us through the years. I'd say 30%.
 
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502 Wildcat

Heisman
Sep 11, 2007
22,310
24,115
113
About 40%, and I’m okay with that. Tough task without Reid guarding The Flopper. We need PJ on Schofield, but he will have to guard The Flopper since Reid is out. Dont think Keldon, EJ, or Nick will be a good matchup for him.

But anything can happen.
 
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