Kentucky vs UCLA thoughts

[LockedOnUK]

Hey guys,

Thought I'd drop a thread and ask you guys what you think about the upcoming UK/UCLA matchup.

The Bruins are coming fresh off whipping the dog out of Maryland, and quite honestly seem like a bad matchup for the Wildcats. They're experienced, efficient, and make you take difficult shots.

Tshiebwe should have his way against a smaller team (their two big guys in the front court don't get a lot of minutes... not sure why), but UK's guards need to step up big time to win. Would be a shame if we fell to 7-3 and were 8-3 heading into league play. Right now, I'm picking UCLA 78-75.

Would love to hear what everyone thinks below.

If you'd like, you can watch my podcast episode previewing this game here. Go Cats!

 

[senonesy]

I think it is the reverse. UK is a bad matchup for UCLA. If Oscar stays out of foul trouble, I predict UK 75 UCLA 70. UK has the better lineup top to bottom. And before the peanut gallery chimes in with “yeah, but Cal is coaching”, remember this is Mick Cronin, not John Wooden on the UCLA bench.

 

[christophero]

I live out west and have seen them on TV a few times. UCLA has been playing well after a few early losses. They have a senior pg in Tyger Campbell who is small but fast and physical. The wings are Clark and Singleton, two upperclassmen who have been playing great. Amari Bailey is a 6-5 likely one and done who has been up and down. The PF is Jaquez, who is 6-7 and a likely All American who is a great scorer and doesn't mind mixing it up inside. Their weakness is at the 5. Their ceiling will be determined by Bona the top 25 freshman, who is a strong PF type at 6-10. He's starting to play well after a slow start. He had 14 and 7 against Maryland. Nwuba is a big body they can throw in off the bench who is raw but has been providing solid back up minutes. They are probably a 4 seed at the moment. Definitely a winnable game, but the Bruins are on a roll the last 5 games or so.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Say what you want about the angry elf, but he'll have his guys pumped to play UK. If they're hitting shots early, hold on for dear life. UK will need to build and maintain a sizable lead to pull this one off imo.

 

[yabbadabbadoo_rivals213851]

Thought this had already been gone over until nausea set in, but if you insist, look for a disorganized mess from the blue tomorrow and a victory by the blue and gold. Does it really even deserve thought ???

 

[uk78_rivals88018]

It's fun to predict and that is the thread. However, in reality there is no way to predict anything with our team so far? Will Toppin show up, will Wheeler be properly coached to not drive into a clogged defended post or take the majority of shots, will our shooters get good screens, will Ugo get some minutes as well as Livingston so they don't feel pressured "to make a play", will we do anything other than man to man defense if UCLA's guards are breaking us down for easy lay-ups, and so on? If there are no changes to the line-ups and time given to certain players I can't see a good outcome. I hope Cal has made the changes that most of us (including the experts) clearly see.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Say what you want about the angry elf, but he'll have his guys pumped to play UK. If they're hitting shots early, hold on for dear life. UK will need to build and maintain a sizable lead to pull this one off imo.

Gimme back me Lucky Charms!

 

[cat tat2]

From what I’ve seen out of UK so far, I think UCLA wins by double digits. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[BBNinSC_rivals62411]

We are a bad matchup for UCLA. This is a game where Kentucky looks like the team we all thought they would be before the season began

 

[cat tat2]

We are a bad matchup for UCLA. This is a game where Kentucky looks like the team we all thought they would be before the season began

Like the sound of that, hope you’re right.

 

[Wunky]

UCLA doesn’t like to be pressed. So of course Cal won’t press them.

 

[rivercatinfl]

I hope Cal doesn't go zone. This guys shoot 3's really well. They will blow our doors off.

 

[SaltyCat22]

I hope Cal doesn't go zone. This guys shoot 3's really well. They will blow our doors off.

I have a better chance of banging my girl Venus Williams than Begok (Or CCC if that’s what you fancy) playing a zone!

 

[kywildcats8]

UCLA doesn’t like to be pressed. So of course Cal won’t press them.

Has Cal ever pressed anyone??

 

[TheDude73]

Has Cal ever pressed anyone??

Token presses. He does one big one when he's desperate, then follows up with a token, weak-*** "press", and then it's gone for the rest of the game. I'll never understand why a guy who claims to be all about defense doesn't:

1. Press all the damned time with the athletes he recruits - good presses turn into transition offense, something we supposedly are "good" at.
2. Mix up the defenses to throw off other teams. You know, a zone here and there.
3. Quit the absurd switching that regularly fails.

On topic, I have no idea if we win or not, and I hate it. This is a high teen ranked UCLA team. We should be completely comfortable that we're going to win, but few of us know what the hell will show up tomorrow at MSG.

I mean my God, UCLA is coming from across the country and will be lucky to have 500 "transplant" fans living in NYC at the game, yet they are the favorite to win. Let's not forget we have the returning NPOY. Just mind boggling.

 

[BruinOne]

UCLA Bruin fan here. My main thought is that I'm so glad that Kentucky and UCLA are playing head to head more as a result of the CBS Sports Classic than the teams previously did during the prior few decades. In my interactions with different fan bases, I find Kentucky fans the most knowledgeable and passionate. In terms of bucket list road games, a visit to Rupp is way towards the top of my list.

This is a hard game to read. I think if UCLA were coming off a loss against Maryland, I might be more confident. Coming off a blow out win over the Terrapins, I'm a little concerned UCLA might come out a little over-confident. Oscar is going to be a load inside so I think the Bruins will have a difficult time scoring with any sort of efficiency inside the key. I think UCLA will need to have to shoot well from outside and the mid-range to have any sort of shot at winning.

Hopefully this is an exciting, injury-free game and may the best team win.

 

[deep3]

UCLA Bruin fan here. My main thought is that I'm so glad that Kentucky and UCLA are playing head to head more as a result of the CBS Sports Classic than the teams previously did during the prior few decades. In my interactions with different fan bases, I find Kentucky fans the most knowledgeable and passionate. In terms of bucket list road games, a visit to Rupp is way towards the top of my list.

This is a hard game to read. I think if UCLA were coming off a loss against Maryland, I might be more confident. Coming off a blow out win over the Terrapins, I'm a little concerned UCLA might come out a little over-confident. Oscar is going to be a load inside so I think the Bruins will have a difficult time scoring with any sort of efficiency inside the key. I think UCLA will need to have to shoot well from outside and the mid-range to have any sort of shot at winning.

Hopefully this is an exciting, injury-free game and may the best team win.

Well done you will cover imo only because of Cal. We do have a better roster but our in game coaching will give us an L imo

 

[Backer cutter]

Token presses. He does one big one when he's desperate, then follows up with a token, weak-*** "press", and then it's gone for the rest of the game. I'll never understand why a guy who claims to be all about defense doesn't:

1. Press all the damned time with the athletes he recruits - good presses turn into transition offense, something we supposedly are "good" at.
2. Mix up the defenses to throw off other teams. You know, a zone here and there.
3. Quit the absurd switching that regularly fails.

On topic, I have no idea if we win or not, and I hate it. This is a high teen ranked UCLA team. We should be completely comfortable that we're going to win, but few of us know what the hell will show up tomorrow at MSG.

I mean my God, UCLA is coming from across the country and will be lucky to have 500 "transplant" fans living in NYC at the game, yet they are the favorite to win. Let's not forget we have the returning NPOY. Just mind boggling.

Nba

 

[yabbadabbadoo_rivals213851]

UCLA Bruin fan here. My main thought is that I'm so glad that Kentucky and UCLA are playing head to head more as a result of the CBS Sports Classic than the teams previously did during the prior few decades. In my interactions with different fan bases, I find Kentucky fans the most knowledgeable and passionate. In terms of bucket list road games, a visit to Rupp is way towards the top of my list.

This is a hard game to read. I think if UCLA were coming off a loss against Maryland, I might be more confident. Coming off a blow out win over the Terrapins, I'm a little concerned UCLA might come out a little over-confident. Oscar is going to be a load inside so I think the Bruins will have a difficult time scoring with any sort of efficiency inside the key. I think UCLA will need to have to shoot well from outside and the mid-range to have any sort of shot at winning.

Hopefully this is an exciting, injury-free game and may the best team win.

U got no worries buddy
U forgot, we got Cal (CCC)
Just be glad you guys didn’t end up getting him a few years ago

 

[jameslee32]

19 NCAA Tourney Championships.

 

[docholiday51]

UCLA should play a pace we like, really don't have a feel for this team(UK),not sure what to expect
If we play like we did vs Yale we get beat. Can we put enough points on the board to win. Oscar and Wallace
will do their part but will they get enough help?

 

[Big BlueBeard]

We need for our shooters to knock down a few early and get comfortable. They miss their first 4 or 5 and start to press themselves, could be a long game.

If Reeves and\or CJ hits a couple early, I think that will set the tone right off the bat. Oscar neeeds to stay outta foul trouble. Gonna be a tough one I think.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Token presses. He does one big one when he's desperate, then follows up with a token, weak-*** "press", and then it's gone for the rest of the game. I'll never understand why a guy who claims to be all about defense doesn't:

1. Press all the damned time with the athletes he recruits - good presses turn into transition offense, something we supposedly are "good" at.
2. Mix up the defenses to throw off other teams. You know, a zone here and there.
3. Quit the absurd switching that regularly fails.

On topic, I have no idea if we win or not, and I hate it. This is a high teen ranked UCLA team. We should be completely comfortable that we're going to win, but few of us know what the hell will show up tomorrow at MSG.

I mean my God, UCLA is coming from across the country and will be lucky to have 500 "transplant" fans living in NYC at the game, yet they are the favorite to win. Let's not forget we have the returning NPOY. Just mind boggling.

Because they don’t play much zone or press in the NBA. The answer is real simple IMO. It’s the ONLY thing that makes any sense. He did both of those things at UMass. Hell, he did it there when they only went 6-7 deep.

 

[jrm693]

UK stomped the Bruins a few years ago, UCLA will return the favor today Bruins 91 Cats 75

 

[Rembrandt90]

I think it is the reverse. UK is a bad matchup for UCLA. If Oscar stays out of foul trouble, I predict UK 75 UCLA 70. UK has the better lineup top to bottom. And before the peanut gallery chimes in with “yeah, but Cal is coaching”, remember this is Mick Cronin, not John Wooden on the UCLA bench.

Those are valid points. I hope for a big UK win today.

I am a lifelong UK fan. Our basketball program is legendary, for bigger reasons than any one particular coach or player. Our current basketball roster includes the returning national player of the year and should be good enough, at least, to make a strong tournament run in March.

Let me just say that I became a little bit concerned several weeks ago when Coach Calipari came forth with the "we're not ready yet" rhetoric. But giving him the benefit of the doubt, let's say his concerns at that time were a plausible explanation for losing to MI St and Gonzo. Even granting that, our team has traveled to London and beaten MI since then. Now our team has had a full week to prepare for UCLA, a team we currently outrank in the polls. Point is that the previous concern about our team not being "ready" does not apply today. If our team is "ready" today, whatever that means, we should beat UCLA on a neutral court on national TV. But if our team is not "ready" today, then I would have to be more concerned about our key SEC games in January. Falling behind teams like Auburn, Tennessee, or Arkansas in the January SEC standings is a recipe for lower seedings in March in the postseason tournaments.

This team played in the Bahamas in August. When is it no longer satisfactory to not be "ready"? However you factor it, I think it is reasonable to say our basketball team must be fully "ready" by the time the SEC season begins (if not sooner). Between now and then, the players will experience Camp Cal. However, I would say today is an important barometer. As has been pointed out before on this board, Cal has a sub-.500 record against ranked teams in recent years, and has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2019. Unquestionably, our current team is one of Cal's more talented teams on paper. This team should break through and experience more success. If we beat UCLA today, then we will be headed in the right direction. But IMO a loss today just leads to more self doubt, tightness, and lowered expectations in the minds of our players, and more rationalizations by Calipari. So today is a major fork in the road for this season, and there won't be any rational excuse for not being "ready" to win. JMO.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

For the people saying Kentucky is a matchup nightmare for UCLA, outside of Oscar where are the matchup nightmares, there is a clear advantage with Oscar like UCLA has a clear advantage with Jacquez

 

[christophero]

I've seen UCLA play and the only advantage I see is at the 5 with Oscar. Bona is good but he's young. UCLA is pretty stacked 1-4. Still; the game could go either way. UCLA is playing like a top 10 team the last 5 games.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

I've seen UCLA play and the only advantage I see is at the 5 with Oscar. Bona is good but he's young. UCLA is pretty stacked 2-5. Still; the game could go either way.

Exactly, wheeler and Campbell are both up and down, Bailey & Clark & singleton, vs Wallace, reeves & Frederick is probably advantage UCLA, jacquez is a clear advantage over toppin, Oscar is a clear advantage over bona. After it comes down to if reeves and Wallace are hitting today

 

[TheDude73]

For the people saying Kentucky is a matchup nightmare for UCLA, outside of Oscar where are the matchup nightmares, there is a clear advantage with Oscar like UCLA has a clear advantage with Jacquez

I think most of us haven't even watched UCLA much, and are basing it solely on the ***-blasting they just gave a ranked (but tumbling/floundering) Maryland team earlier this week. One reason to not take those games as proof that UK will be run out of the gym.

My concern is just a lack of confidence in knowing which UK team will show up. Will CJ do anything? Will Wallace and Reeves be hot? How many "duh" shots will we see from Wheeler today? Will the 2021-22 Toppin show up today, or will we see the hesitant midrange jumper misses all game? Will Oscar try to do too much? How often will Cal put in perplexing lineup combinations that include players that simply aren't scoring threats (Collins, for example). How often will the opposing coach abuse our switching defenses and lack of getting out on the perimeter to defend the three? How many crucial free throws will we miss?

It pains me to have so much distrust...just look at all that I quickly came up with! No fan with a HOF coach, NPOY returnee, and this talent mixed with experience should have these worries!

 

[christophero]

I watched the Maryland game. UCLA put them away early in a hostile environment. The game was over after 16 minutes. But it just could have been a (really) bad day for Maryland. I can't remember, but it was like 40-16 at one point. They also looked good against Oregon. When their 2 freshman (Bona and Bailey) play well they are elite. But they have been inconsistent. They also just got another guard back from injury who is supposed to be good, making them deeper.

 

[ashbergh]

Need a win today. My brother's HS team got upset last night at home by 1. Should have beat the team by 10. Other team played their a$$ off last night.

Need a big win today!

 

[hoggwildcat]

Kentucky has not shown (to this point) anybody any reason to believe they can beat a top 25 team

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

I think most of us haven't even watched UCLA much, and are basing it solely on the ***-blasting they just gave a ranked (but tumbling/floundering) Maryland team earlier this week. One reason to not take those games as proof that UK will be run out of the gym.

My concern is just a lack of confidence in knowing which UK team will show up. Will CJ do anything? Will Wallace and Reeves be hot? How many "duh" shots will we see from Wheeler today? Will the 2021-22 Toppin show up today, or will we see the hesitant midrange jumper misses all game? Will Oscar try to do too much? How often will Cal put in perplexing lineup combinations that include players that simply aren't scoring threats (Collins, for example). How often will the opposing coach abuse our switching defenses and lack of getting out on the perimeter to defend the three? How many crucial free throws will we miss?

It pains me to have so much distrust...just look at all that I quickly came up with! No fan with a HOF coach, NPOY returnee, and this talent mixed with experience should have these worries!

I’ve watched UCLA 3-4 times, they are good not great like Kentucky, but unlike Kentucky I trust their backcourt and wings to show up more than kentuckys, outside of Wallace who will consistently show up for Kentucky. I agree with all the points you made about not trusting cal and this team, we should but the last two years have burnt us all. The reality is this roster is poorly built, and cal has nobody to blame but himself

 

[FtWorthCat]

I live out west and have seen them on TV a few times. UCLA has been playing well after a few early losses. They have a senior pg in Tyger Campbell who is small but fast and physical. The wings are Clark and Singleton, two upperclassmen who have been playing great. Amari Bailey is a 6-5 likely one and done who has been up and down. The PF is Jaquez, who is 6-7 and a likely All American who is a great scorer and doesn't mind mixing it up inside. Their weakness is at the 5. Their ceiling will be determined by Bona the top 25 freshman, who is a strong PF type at 6-10. He's starting to play well after a slow start. He had 14 and 7 against Maryland. Nwuba is a big body they can throw in off the bench who is raw but has been providing solid back up minutes. They are probably a 4 seed at the moment. Definitely a winnable game, but the Bruins are on a roll the last 5 games or so.

There is a horse racing handicapping term call "recent form", and that favors UCLA in this one. UK was still sputtering when last seen. UCLA is on a roll.

 

[christophero]

UCLA and Gonzaga seem to be rounding into form after slow starts. Gonzaga leads Alabama by 5 at the half.

 

[SacramentoKat]

We got to fire calipari, this will be a blowout

 

[deep3]

We got to fire calipari, this will be a blowout

Where is herro beat down coming hang tight.

‘’herro where are you brother?

 

[Jimerussell]

I think it is the reverse. UK is a bad matchup for UCLA. If Oscar stays out of foul trouble, I predict UK 75 UCLA 70. UK has the better lineup top to bottom. And before the peanut gallery chimes in with “yeah, but Cal is coaching”, remember this is Mick Cronin, not John Wooden on the UCLA bench.

Great call buddy!! You nailed it!

 

[christophero]

I live in Washington and have seen 3 or 4 UCLA games. I kept hearing people say Kentucky had more talent than UCLA and I was like ummmm...

 

[rick64]

UCLA tried to give that game away. From the 9:47 mark of the second half UK scored 6 points the rest of the game. 6 POINTS!!!!????