MSU game/ expectations
- Thread starter Cawood86_rivals
- Start date
Tillman and the MSU bigs are gonna be a tough matchup, but we have some things we can exploit as well. Biggest thing is our speed, length, and athleticism. We didn't play two perfect exhibition games, but if anything was blatantly clear it was how fast and athletic we are in the backcourt and on the wing.
Tempo was beautiful last night and I personally think we can give MSU fits with that.
Hagans, Maxey, and Quickley on Winston will also be big. I'm not saying we will shut him down, but I think we are more equipped to contain Winston defensively than any team in the country.
We will see how it goes. Our performance Tuesday, as we learned last season, is now indicative of how good we will be over the course of the entire season.
Tempo was beautiful last night and I personally think we can give MSU fits with that.
Hagans, Maxey, and Quickley on Winston will also be big. I'm not saying we will shut him down, but I think we are more equipped to contain Winston defensively than any team in the country.
We will see how it goes. Our performance Tuesday, as we learned last season, is now indicative of how good we will be over the course of the entire season.
We win by six. I think our quickness in key positions will not only slow Winston down but also other key MSU players. I look for Sestina to give us a sample of what he will actually bring to the table this season. I have my hopes for him set on High . Quickley and Maxey will be difficult for MSU to contain. JMO
So were supposed to believe Kithier and other MSU players got better? Why not Hagans. Lets remember. He didnt get the nod until what, late december?
Im not saying hes for certain going to shut down Winston.. and we dint even know if that will be his assignment.. but its laughable to think theres no chance it can happen.
I doubt we can beat them w/ the score in the 50's. I believe we need to at least be in the 70's to maximize our chance at the W.
Your statement, ""pathetic auburn", raises concern how much you understand basketball. Luck doesn't get you to the final 4. Auburn was a bad call away from being in the final.
The injury situation for both teams makes this an even more difficult
call than usual.Opening games between 2 highly ranked teams is tough
to predict if both teams are at 100%
I think tempo is the key to the game.If we can get into a transition game
the big green meanies will have a difficult time keeping up with us.If they can force a half court game we may not have the patience and discipline (yet) to play that game.We don't know what we will get from the new guys when the real big lights go on.If Hagans and Quickley are as ready as they have looked so far they will give Mich St problems.
Where will our points come from? I think that is the biggest question we will have to answer.I expect a close game with the outcome still in doubt at the 5 minute mark.
call than usual.Opening games between 2 highly ranked teams is tough
to predict if both teams are at 100%
I think tempo is the key to the game.If we can get into a transition game
the big green meanies will have a difficult time keeping up with us.If they can force a half court game we may not have the patience and discipline (yet) to play that game.We don't know what we will get from the new guys when the real big lights go on.If Hagans and Quickley are as ready as they have looked so far they will give Mich St problems.
Where will our points come from? I think that is the biggest question we will have to answer.I expect a close game with the outcome still in doubt at the 5 minute mark.
"I think tempo is the key to the game.If we can get into a transition game
the big green meanies will have a difficult time keeping up with us.If they can force a half court game we may not have the patience and discipline (yet) to play that game."
Man, I feel like it's been 15 years or so, and we still can't shake this perception of being some plodding half court team lol. The fact is, MSU likes to push the ball and get out in transition as much as anybody these days. We will look to run as much as possible off of misses AND makes. We push the ball on made free throws even. We can play a half court game too but we do get bogged down and stagnant at times in the half court, especially against teams with length on the perimeter. Right now we don't really have a proven low post scorer like we normally have. Tillman is a guy who can clean stuff up around the rim but he doesn't really have great post moves or a great finish around the rim. He always seems to manufacture his 15-20 points though somehow.
I'm hearing Kyle Ahrens is good to go for tomorrow's game, which is good news for us. He is a guy who has been plagued with injuries his whole career, but when healthy, is a valuable role player who brings a ton of effort. I liken him to a poor man's Matt McQuaid, who was a senior on last year's team.
I have no clue what to expect in this game. We have a history of slow starts as Izzo likes to tinker with lineups. Seems to be the case with Kentucky too, usually takes Cal a couple months to get his team gelling and they are usually a totally different team come March.
the big green meanies will have a difficult time keeping up with us.If they can force a half court game we may not have the patience and discipline (yet) to play that game."
Man, I feel like it's been 15 years or so, and we still can't shake this perception of being some plodding half court team lol. The fact is, MSU likes to push the ball and get out in transition as much as anybody these days. We will look to run as much as possible off of misses AND makes. We push the ball on made free throws even. We can play a half court game too but we do get bogged down and stagnant at times in the half court, especially against teams with length on the perimeter. Right now we don't really have a proven low post scorer like we normally have. Tillman is a guy who can clean stuff up around the rim but he doesn't really have great post moves or a great finish around the rim. He always seems to manufacture his 15-20 points though somehow.
I'm hearing Kyle Ahrens is good to go for tomorrow's game, which is good news for us. He is a guy who has been plagued with injuries his whole career, but when healthy, is a valuable role player who brings a ton of effort. I liken him to a poor man's Matt McQuaid, who was a senior on last year's team.
I have no clue what to expect in this game. We have a history of slow starts as Izzo likes to tinker with lineups. Seems to be the case with Kentucky too, usually takes Cal a couple months to get his team gelling and they are usually a totally different team come March.
Those saying UK isn't a top team or doesn't have the talent to compete obviously haven't watched other teams play. I've watched several teams so far, and the only two that stand above the rest right now are Kansas and Florida, and I don't know how good their opponents were. The other top teams looked no better than UK or worse.
It’s too early to make season long predictions, but with Nick out, Hagan’s being our best player right now, and EJ still not impacting games in any real positive way, I’m not very confident going into the game tomorrow.
Agree. Cal has never had to PGs return as sophomores. Just those two guys along with the talented frosh Maxey will keep us in most games.
Could one of you please summarize what you think your strengths & weaknesses will be headed into this game? TIA. I don't mean specifically vs MSU, just in general.
I have no idea who's going to win the game. But I expect there's going to be multiple instances where Thomas Kithier has uncontested layups and you're going to look over at your wife and say, "How the **** does he keep getting left wide open?"
Both of those statements can't be true. Because if Thomas Kithier is scoring at will, we all know who is going to win the game.
Strengths- Depth and talent at the guard positions
On ball defensive pressure
Ball movement
Multiple shooters
Weaknesses- Rebounding
Proven interior scorer
Thin at the 4 and 5
Maybe overall toughness,we could struggle with physical play.
We have a real chance to be very,very good but it will take come time to figure out who we are as a team
That's an interesting thought process. However, Kithier could have three layups (which qualifies as multiple) for six points and MSU loses by 10+. No one said Kithier was going to "Score at will."
Last edited:
Gotta run and can't look it up, but doesn't this team have substantially more experience in actual rotation players than those other "good not great" teams?
Also, one of Montgomery or Richards is going to end up at least 3rd team all conference level by March.
Remember I said it.
I think we end up a 2-3 seed trending up towards a 1 late season. Bold prediction for Cal, I know.
Attitude! This team is loaded with a can do attitude and self confidence that I've not seen this early in the season in a while. Leadership from our dominant frontcourt players will guide us. Nick needs to play significant minutes for us to win.
a fan a team that starts kyle ahrens should be the last to talk about a lack of talent
I hate to say it because this is becoming a theme year in and year out and no one wants to hear this on the eve of the 1st game but year in and year out since 2012 Kentucky has always been 1 player short from winning a championship. In 2010, 2012 and 2015 they had the players to win it all they had all the pieces but only won 1 championship in those 3 years. Every other year they were always 1 player short. In 2014 maybe if WCS does not get injured they pull off the 8 seed title. Every other year they needed 1 guy to come back that didn't. This year I think that guy is Herro. I never dreamed he would be one and done when he first got here. Was really hoping he would come back 1 more year.
Ah well maybe this is the year I am wrong and we can win it all even with all the departures.
Ah well maybe this is the year I am wrong and we can win it all even with all the departures.
I’m expecting a loss, but hopefully it will be a close game.
I feel like Winston on the perimeter and Tillman inside will be the difference.
I feel like Winston on the perimeter and Tillman inside will be the difference.