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MSU game/ expectations

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Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,715
0
To be up front, I expect a loss.

Izzo's teams are known for being physical and tough. Two areas that UK looks behind in right now.

If Richards doesn't play, (I don't think he will) I expect MSU to feed the post all night. Now, I do think UK can use their wings and Sestina on the offensive end to move MSU away from the basket a little and open the game up more.

MSU though has a long history of grown men down low that bang and eat the glass, I think that could be the case Tuesday. Haven't seen enough of Brooks to know if he can be physical enough with MSU.

If the game is a little more free flowing and up tempo, UK could sneak away with a win, but I think MSU will grind the game and test the young cats and their willingness to fight and battle. Jmo.
 
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M

mandb20199

All-Conference
Apr 29, 2019
2,675
2,348
0
MSU will want to run like crazy; the proverbial word is they slow the game down. They are not a low post team as some times in the past.

As long as they have a PG like WInston they want to rebound and run.

So it should be a fun game in that respect as it seems Kentucky wants to run as well.
 
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bbnkat02

bbnkat02

Heisman
Nov 14, 2017
47,616
70,831
113
There’s only one game a year I nearly always pencil in as a loss. And that’s playing UT at Knoxville. Why? Because Cal and team never do well down there.

with that being said, I fully expect us to win every game we play. Tuesday will be a thought game for every team. I love the fact we start off this way. I also hate it. Because two of the four decent teams will walk away with an L right off the bat.

If we come out and play like we did at the end of the first half tonight, we will beat a LOT of good teams this year. Our defense looks good in spots already. Arc defense is going to take adjustments from all teams this year due to the increased distance.

I think we handle MSU. But it’s not going to be a definitive win. It will be close all game.

The good news is even if we lose, it’s to No. 1 as No. 2. The season will continue onward.
 
R

Rideordiewildcat

Heisman
Jan 30, 2018
16,155
24,635
0
I like our backcourt to slow Winston down, but I would like to see Ashton, Maxey and Quickly out there together for a game like that. I think Sestina will need to play 38 or so mins for us to have a chance. My biggest concern is how do we stop Tillman. I feel like he will be able to bully us inside. We really are short a big and if Nick can't go I'm even more concerned. EJ looks no different from last year which is really surprising. People said it's just the blue-white game and then it's just the first exhibition, but at what point do you start to see he isn't very different from last year. He doesn't seem to have more confidence even though there is no one to really push for his time. Whitney and Juzang looked to settle in tonight, but EJ is really disappointing and I almost think I would prefer to have Nick over EJ. Maybe he gets it at some point, but dam he's been here for a year plus now and I don't see it.

Cal is going to have to accept the small ball and play our 5 best players. With Allen not back yet and Nick up in the air with an injury, it almost feels like we are in a 7 man rotation. Ashton, Maxey, and Sestina are going to have to stay out there a long time each game with Quickly probably being the next guy minutes wise. If he isn't going to start the main 3 guards together it has to be Ashton, Maxey, Whitney/Juzang/Brooks and EJ (I guess we have no choice and Sestina. We are going to struggle to outrebound teams this year and we will probably live and die by the 3 a lot of games. I like our shooters thank God.

I just want to be competitive against Mich St. I hope somehow Nick can go because EJ makes me nervous. Sestina will have to be like RT and out there almost the entire game. For people who laughed at him starting earlier in the ear and thought he would struggle to make the adjustment to the higher competition maybe they now see he is going to be one of our most important players. A leader, rebounder and good scorer. I just hope he can play D and if so Cal is going to find it hard to take him out. I'm not going to panic yet, but being down 2 guys right now and what I have seen from Ej it's concerning.

I would give us a 35% to 65% chance to beat Mich St. If we can knock down our shots and cause havoc in the backcourt then I think we could be there in the end. Cal has to let the guys who can play be out there for the majority of it. If EJ comes out soft and isn't rebounding he can't play in a game like that. We can't spot them 10 early. I prefer to have the returning guards and the guys who seem to get it and play hard. So Ashton, Maxey, Quickly, and Sestina for large minutes with Juzang, Whitney and Brooks sprinkled in. Hopefully, EJ can just play competently. But he worries me the most and he's one of the guys we needed the most.
 
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Blueisbest

All-American
Mar 22, 2003
24,628
5,325
0
Michigan State will try to out-muscle us. We can't get our bigs in early foul trouble trying to defend them. Other than Winston we have a distinct advantage in the back court. We need to slow Winston down and make somebody else beat us.

I say Cats by 6.
 
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X

Xception

Heisman
Apr 17, 2007
26,407
22,344
0
I don’t expect anything, just getting an idea of how far we have to go. But it’s one game and that tells you very little sometimes, I’m going to enjoy the game and not be concerned with the outcome.
 
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revcort

revcort

Heisman
Feb 20, 2003
32,522
30,904
113
I think we are a bit gun shy after last season. I don't know what to expect, but I think we have a good shot to win it. We may struggle stopping them in the paint, but I think they will have significant trouble with our defense and getting into their half court sets. If we play with great defensive intensity, we will be able to create some easy opportunities. In the open floor, I think we have the edge. In the half court, they have a bit of an edge.

Sestina and Montgomery will need to play well in that game. Sestina is critical if we don't have Richards, and that is looking to be the case.

Regardless of what happens, it will be a good measuring stick for the team to see where we are. I'm looking forward to the game.
 
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T

tmuck

All-Conference
Oct 2, 2009
10,982
3,849
0
10 point Michigan St win. Would be more if they had Langford. I just can't get overly excited about this team. You can tell we're missing a couple of pieces and flawed. Reminds me of the Ulis, Murray and Knox, Gilgeous Alexander teams. Montgomery and Richards just aren't very good, which makes this a good not great team with a Sweet 16 ceiling.
 
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Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
0
MSU is generally a slow starter. We return several players and I think we will be ready to play. We hit a lot of threes we win. If we can get quickley, sestina, maxey, juzang, etc get these guys going and MSU will be the team to want to slow it down.
 
M

medic930

Freshman
Mar 29, 2015
35
50
0
Everyone gets so up in arms over exhibitions lol. No matter what our guys say they cant come out as prepared to play Kentucky State as they will be Michigan State. Think about whatever it is your good at and your in a competition are you really going to be that hyped and prepared to play someone who you know doesnt even belong in the same building with you? But if your opponent is someone you know is every bit as good as you are if not better you can count on it you will be at your best. It's all about perception. Michigan State got smoked by Gonzaga and you better believe they were hyped for that scrimmage exhibition whatever you want to call it. So I think they will struggle till they get all their players healthy and look out come March. Remember all the post about Whitney and how bad he was going to be this year till he showed everyone what he was made of tonight? Same is going to happen with EJ and the rest UK by 12
 
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C

CrazyCat74

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2018
1,413
2,442
0
Dont let Winston go off and make 5-7 threes or control the tempo of the game. Frustrate him in the half court sets.

Freshman need to fight off first game jitters in a huge atmosphere.

Returning players need to step up early and be leaders.

I'd like to see UK play fast myself. Hagans looks like hes seeing the floor well and is ready to speed it up.

Get Brooks in there early and often to get rebounds and loose balls. Nine boards in 25 mins vs KenState was pretty good.

Hit free throws at a better clip. I know their game legs arent under them yet. Better conditioning will help there.

Play with an attitude and UK wins.

75-68
 
C

CrazyCat74

All-Conference
Nov 7, 2018
1,413
2,442
0
MdWIldcat55 said:
I just woke up from a long dream in which the whole game played out in my head. True story. Michigan State pounded the ball inside. Kentucky couldn’t get a rebound and MSU scored on second and third attempts. The game was a slow grinder. UK was forced to take late in the shot clock 3s and couldn’t buy a make. The Cats lost badly.

My dreams about basketball games are never accurate.
Click to expand...
:weary::thumbsdown:
Go back to sleep and try again!
:)
 
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S

SophiesDad

Heisman
Mar 23, 2018
6,384
20,886
0
JesusCal91 said:
The way last season ended with a loss to pathetic auburn and began with beatdown to cheating duke makes me sick
Click to expand...
How was Auburn pathetic last year? They won the SEC tourney. They waxed UNC in the sweet 16 and if not for that questionable foul on a 3 would have been playing for a National Championship. They lived and died by the 3 and got hot at the right time. They had great guard play. Sometimes that’s all it takes in the tournament to make a run
 
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wcc31

wcc31

Heisman
Mar 18, 2002
26,928
88,351
98
I’d pick Michigan State but two key points:

1. Izzo’s squads are typically slow out of the gate.

2. This isn’t a vintage Izzo team. Their best lineup is four out, not rough-and-tumble inside.
 
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sluggercatfan

Heisman
Aug 17, 2004
35,953
29,631
0
Cawood86 said:
To be up front, I expect a loss.

Izzo's teams are known for being physical and tough. Two areas that UK looks behind in right now.

If Richards doesn't play, (I don't think he will) I expect MSU to feed the post all night. Now, I do think UK can use their wings and Sestina on the offensive end to move MSU away from the basket a little and open the game up more.

MSU though has a long history of grown men down low that bang and eat the glass, I think that could be the case Tuesday. Haven't seen enough of Brooks to know if he can be physical enough with MSU.

If the game is a little more free flowing and up tempo, UK could sneak away with a win, but I think MSU will grind the game and test the young cats and their willingness to fight and battle. Jmo.
Click to expand...
MSU +10
 
S

SkyPrince1

All-Conference
Aug 17, 2004
4,793
3,764
0
Haven't figured out Maxey yet.
Doesn't seem like a Murray/Monk type that can take over games.
He's a combo but right now I'm seeing more point skills than shooting/scoring skills.
To me he looks like Dearron Fox playing 2 guard.
I know he's one of the big reasons why expectations are high for this team.
Just have to wait and see what he will bring to table but IQ has been our best guard in pre-season.
 
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FinancialPlannerZac

All-Conference
May 30, 2019
1,027
1,700
0
Feel like some people on this thread will secretly be happy with a UK loss to MSU, just so they can say, "See, I told you we just don't have enough pieces this year!" Guys, we lost by 34 in the opening game last year, and still had a title contender. A couple more bounces our way and we could've hung a banner. So many prisoners of the moment. Do you guys remember looking like national champs in the Bahamas last year, only to look really mediocre against Transy! It is November 2nd. We have the pieces. Sure it may not be with the deepest frontcourt in the nation, but we have the pieces.

I could see this going either way, but I will guarantee we don't lose by more than ten. Not that I'm anything special, but I've had a feeling for awhile now that we're going to come out and win this game. Feel like it's one of those where Maxey will put his name on the map in a hurry. But even if they lose, our non conference schedule sets up well to build plenty of confidence before ramping up in December ahead of conference play. Hang in there, everybody. We gon' be alright!
 
S

STL_Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2011
64,878
57,614
98
LineSkiCat14 said:
Hagans disrupting Winston is being seriously underplayed. If he does that.. it could be a disaster for MSU, who is not only injured, but really doesn't have great talent or experience on that team.
Click to expand...

it’s being seriously underplayed because it’s highly unlikely to happen
 
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STL_Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2011
64,878
57,614
98
LineSkiCat14 said:
I wouldnt say its highly unlikely. He did it to several guards in his freshman year.
Click to expand...

I’ll just disagree. He did it to Coby White and it was awesome. If he could do that all year he’s next level. I felt like his on the ball defense for the majority of the year was highly overrated. He got torched quite a bit. There were some games I thought IQ did a better job keeping the opposing team’s PG in front of him than Hagans did.
 
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