Observation, not criticism

[FrankUnderwood]

Honestly though, we all should have expected this. This is a SUPER green team with no SUPER “all star” (Wall, Fox, Towns, etc )

Still excited for the season, still trust in Cal and i still think this team will be ready for a FF run come March.

That being said , with the way other teams are jumping on board the one and done train we MUST have at least semi solid contributors return (I know it’s early but it looks like even Willis and Hawkins would have been better to have this year than Gabriel and SKJ)

However I see 2-4 of our guys to return next year setting us up for an AWESOME and legit team next year.

Just my opinion of course

 

[qwesley]

They look better for right now but almost all of Cal's teams have more difficulty adjusting to his system than others. Remember, we're playing without Vanderbilt who is a big loss.

This team needs JVs energy and driving ability, and will allow Gabriel to sit.

 

[Ben101er]

Point 1 Just because a team is unranked does not mean they cannot win see Gardner Webb .
Point 2 I am certain one of their players will get a good look at the Nba
Point 3 Mid majors can beat you
point 4 If we had let WQ pull it all the way out women would have fainted .
Point 5 You can't spell we without my WEinie .
Point 6 I see a good team now not great but good enough .
Point 7 After Tuesday night comes Wednesday then Thursday then March madness let the whole season determine the sum of all the efforts .

And their two best players sat out a majority of the 1st half. I am the first to say that we will be totally different, in March, and really good, but, I am saying nobody should get their hopes up for Tuesday, because as of now, we are not on the same level as the other 3 teams in the Champions Classic.

 

[BoxterS]

Give them time, and I say that as someone who will have a harder time accepting that than most.

You're watching a good bit of roster that just walked off of an AAU / high school gym floor. Cal wants youth, and he makes millions to get them ready. This is a pivotal season for him. They fail before the sweet 16 and he'll be forced forced to answer some
Tough questions. (Please save the hot seat talk).

This team was a huge fear of mine, from 2 years ago. 10-35 range kids, no upperclassman. The myth that you can win big with this kind of roster is close to false. Cal will most definitely earn his paycheck this season if it plays out positive. The weird thing is this team feels like it's capable of going deep. We might just need them to become "sophomores" and grow into march.

The recruitments of guys like Herro are proof to me that Cal understands there's got to be an adjustment. Cool down and ride the wave.

Interested to know what you mean by the recruitment of guys like Herro demonstrating Cal is making an adjustment. Thanks in advance

 

[fisherscat]

Nine years into Cal's tenure, the goal should be national title or bust. Especially since he only has one and we have squandered opportunities to win multiple championships. The question isn't whether this team will improve (of course they will), the question is can they compete for a title. Watching this group grow and mature and learn how to be a team is fun and all, but we should be past that. Gotta win another title.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

And their two best players sat out a majority of the 1st half. I am the first to say that we will be totally different, in March, and really good, but, I am saying nobody should get their hopes up for Tuesday, because as of now, we are not on the same level as the other 3 teams in the Champions Classic.

Why play the game just save the travel money . Man you are naive to believe
there is no chance for Ky to win

 

[BoxterS]

Honestly though, we all should have expected this. This is a SUPER green team with no SUPER “all star” (Wall, Fox, Towns, etc )

Still excited for the season, still trust in Cal and i still think this team will be ready for a FF run come March.

That being said , with the way other teams are jumping on board the one and done train we MUST have at least semi solid contributors return (I know it’s early but it looks like even Willis and Hawkins would have been better to have this year than Gabriel and SKJ)

However I see 2-4 of our guys to return next year setting us up for an AWESOME and legit team next year.

Just my opinion of course

Looks like you are finally coming around. Monkey see monkey do

 

[KyFaninNC]

KU has shooters that will hit as many if not more than Vermont, plus they are better athletes than Vermont. It could get ugly, unless they figure out how to stop drive and dish.

 

[ThwKentuckyKid]

Maybe we can win the NIT.

If you get Bowen back maybe.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

Looks like you are finally coming around. Monkey see monkey do

That makes absolutely no sense, but I’m flattered I’m still so much in your head. Rent free of course.

 

[4UK]

Dukes Freshmen are on a different level than ours I'm afraid. They don't look like freshmen at all. Ours look timid, sloppy, confused. This year will test my patience and already has. They will improve, sure, but they aren't elite players at all. We need Vanderbilt in a bad way.

Vanderbilt isn't "elite" either. He's good, not great, like everyone else on this team. This team isn't terrible, and people should quit acting like it is. At the same time, the ceiling is not nearly as high as many make it out to be. Making the second week of the tournament will be a monumental task for this team.

You win in college basketball with a bunch of good, veteran players, or with elite talent, regardless of age. But you don't win with a bunch of good young players. Sometimes you can catch lightning in a bottle in a down year like we did in 2014 when an 8 and 7 seed played in the title game, but that's very rare.

 

[westerncat]

As Cal told us a couple of weeks ago we just need patience. I saw some improvement from the 1st game. It will take a few games before the offense & defense gets better. Cal will get these young players playing together. You have to remember these kids have not been playing together but just a few months.
As another poster pointed out over Christmas break you will see a lot of improvement, Vanderbilt will help this team a lot.

 

[FrankUnderwood]

Vanderbilt isn't "elite" either. He's good, not great, like everyone else on this team. This team isn't terrible, and people should quit acting like it is. At the same time, the ceiling is not nearly as high as many make it out to be. Making the second week of the tournament will be a monumental task for this team.

You win in college basketball with a bunch of good, veteran players, or with elite talent, regardless of age. But you don't win with a bunch of good young players. Sometimes you can catch lightning in a bottle in a down year like we did in 2014 when an 8 and 7 seed played in the title game, but that's very rare.

So, literally only winning the 1st game of the tourney would be a “monumental task?” Hyperbole...

 

[BoxterS]

That makes absolutely no sense, but I’m flattered I’m still so much in your head. Rent free of course.

You just demonstrated the point of my post perfectly. You have zero original thoughts, posts, or ideas on this board. Everything you post is simple regurgitation of someone else's thoughts or ideas. I am the one who originally said "rent free" in reference to living in your head, and you just repeated it back to me.

A number of posters have recently been discussing the importance of returning some players to have some experience on our team due to not getting the top 1 or 2 players in the class. You've never discussed that point yourself until recently. Hmmm. Again, monkey see monkey do. You follow the masses on here and consistently post what everyone else has already said. I imagine you have always been a follower.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

Kansas will mop the floor with us I'm afraid.

why be afraid if you get yer butt whipped at least learn to fight from it .

 

[emmcat]

They will surprise people against Kansas. Cal will be coaching his *** off. He hates to lose more than anyone. I expect either a win, or a very tight game.

One strength of this team is depth. We have two or tree of everything and lots of interchangeability creating mis- matches. KU is not deep. If we play hard and drive the basket we will get them in foul trouble. The common mistake we see now ( driving into a crowd and flipping up a wild shot) will start to disappear, One other encouraging thought, very few turnovers.

 

[Bluegrassking]

Nine years into Cal's tenure, the goal should be national title or bust. Especially since he only has one and we have squandered opportunities to win multiple championships. The question isn't whether this team will improve (of course they will), the question is can they compete for a title. Watching this group grow and mature and learn how to be a team is fun and all, but we should be past that. Gotta win another title.

It could be 59 years in and it doesn't make such a perspective less than absurd in context of a one and done format, the degree of parity in the game, as well as the history of sport in general. You have set a bar in your mind that makes every team and every coach a bust.

Good gracious. Wooden won ten straight and still lost more often than he won in his career. "Failures" like Rupp, K, and Knight can't even touch that and everyone else should hang their heads in shame.

What would you do if your kid brought home a C, but them in stocks, flog them, or do you cut something off?

How awesome you must be at all you do!

 

[brianpoe]

You just demonstrated the point of my post perfectly. You have zero original thoughts, posts, or ideas on this board. Everything you post is simple regurgitation of someone else's thoughts or ideas. I am the one who originally said "rent free" in reference to living in your head, and you just repeated it back to me.

A number of posters have recently been discussing the importance of returning some players to have some experience on our team due to not getting the top 1 or 2 players in the class. You've never discussed that point yourself until recently. Hmmm. Again, monkey see monkey do. You follow the masses on here and consistently post what everyone else has already said. I imagine you have always been a follower.

As a UL fan who just joined the board a few months ago, you wouldn't know that we all want players to stay as long as possible.

As a UL fan you think Cal pushes every kid to the NBA ready or not, which is a total lie, but not unexpected coming from you.

As a UL fan we understand that your school has taken a beating, but I'm not sure why you believe therapy for your sorrow exists here at Rafters?

 

[jameslee32]

Maybe we can win the NIT.

Interested to know what you mean by the recruitment of guys like Herro demonstrating Cal is making an adjustment. Thanks in advance

Troll invasion!

 

[FrankUnderwood]

Troll invasion!

Here in full force

 

[FrankUnderwood]

As a UL fan who just joined the board a few months ago, you wouldn't know that we all want players to stay as long as possible.

As a UL fan you think Cal pushes every kid to the NBA ready or not, which is a total lie, but not unexpected coming from you.

As a UL fan we understand that your school has taken a beating, but I'm not sure why you believe therapy for your sorrow exists here at Rafters?

Yeah, 43’s trollness is starting to become more and more apparent.

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

As my title says, I am not criticizing this team, but as an observation, we are just not very good, right now. They don't guard the 3, they can't stop straight line drives, and the offense is a little disjointed. I am confident that this bunch is so young, that they are going to be much improved by March, because I believe they are all good kids, and want to be coached, but as of today, we may be top 50. I look for KU to throttle us, on Tuesday. This team will benefit from Christmas break more than any other team that Cal has had. First, we should have Vanderbilt back, and then the unlimited practice time will be invaluable. Come tournament time, we will be a totally different team, but right now, we are going to take some lumps.

You forgot to mention how this has happened several years at the start of the year and most all fans forget this and only remember the end of the year. Said it before, in 09 UK had to hit a buzzer beater to beat a Miami OH team that finished the year 12-15..werent a tournament team like Vermont, and that UK team also has experience with patterson, miller, liggins, etc. They'e doomed! Every.damn.year....fans never learn.

 

[kyups01]

Can't disagree but this was to be expected with such a young team. I recall Al McGuire stating that you cannot teach team defense in three months, and that's a lot of what we're seeing. Given the length of this team I expect them to be a better defensive team come March.

Im so tired of hearing the young team excuse. Cal chooses to play this way. WE ALWAYS HAVE A YOUNG TEAM!!!!!

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

As my title says, I am not criticizing this team, but as an observation, we are just not very good, right now. They don't guard the 3, they can't stop straight line drives, and the offense is a little disjointed. I am confident that this bunch is so young, that they are going to be much improved by March, because I believe they are all good kids, and want to be coached, but as of today, we may be top 50. I look for KU to throttle us, on Tuesday. This team will benefit from Christmas break more than any other team that Cal has had. First, we should have Vanderbilt back, and then the unlimited practice time will be invaluable. Come tournament time, we will be a totally different team, but right now, we are going to take some lumps.

Solid post

 

[brianpoe]

Im so tired of hearing the young team excuse. Cal chooses to play this way. WE ALWAYS HAVE A YOUNG TEAM!!!!!

Is it an excuse or is it a fact?

Should Cal recruit some Juniors and Seniors from other teams?

Recruit 3 stars instead of 5 stars? Because 4 stars are not coming - they are big fish at other schools and would not risk being recruited over.

The collateral effect of Cal's strategy has been that too many have left early that should not have and were advised to stay.

We are kind of deep in it with what we have. We should be solid next season experience-wise.

 

[bluebornwildcat]

We struggled against Miami Ohio back in 2009-2010. Took a John Wall last seconds shot to put us ahead.

I am cautiously optimistic. That being said, these boys better tighten up or it won't look good vs. Kansas.

 

[Cats192]

I'm not making any conclusions yet.

2nd game--they've got to learn to bring it and how to play together.

I think it's easy to take Vermont lightly--surely they'll get up for Kansas. Result may still not go our way.

We dont guard the 3 at all. We see this often early on. Gotta fix it though.

Letting guards get by us--we're too athletic for that.

 

[morgousky]

Interested to know what you mean by the recruitment of guys like Herro demonstrating Cal is making an adjustment. Thanks in advance

Because Calipari wouldn’t have offered Herro in 2011, not imo anyway. He’s not defensively good enough or skilled enough in the lane.

Calipari has held multiple philosophies during his coaching tenure. He’s excelled at both, there’s no reason at this time to go all in when you don’t have to anymore. There was a time when most assumed you can’t get Davis, MGK, Barret, Wiggins etc if you’ve got a roster lit up
With upperclassman. Today it’s not only not true, it seems to be the opposite. I fully believe Cal didn’t believe he’d slip with those guys, and wanted to make the scene as OAD friendly as possible.

What I’m hoping is that we get a bulk of these guys back, add some kids like Herro for 3/4 years, and hit the top 5 jackpot for a perfect storm. If Cal wants a top heavy OAD team fine, but why save scholarships? Why turn shooters away? Why not adapt to the reality around CBB? The vision Cal has for his program in 2008 is no longer possible.

Look back at Memphis 2008. Dorsey, Antonio Anderson, CDR, Dozier.....not one 5 Star in that bunch. Mostly low ranked 4’s and 3’s. Add Rose into
It, it became a title team over night. As in, the next day.

I’m not advocating recruiting that same way. Cal can’t go back to that. The OAD serves Cal particularly well. But I just don’t think the talent is high enough anymore to depend on his 2009 model today, and we must have some juniors and seniors who are sold Kentucky (that he hand picked by need) because they’re not necessarily interested in immediate NBA pitches.

 

[anon_q409idbs5m40a]

Im so tired of hearing the young team excuse. Cal chooses to play this way. WE ALWAYS HAVE A YOUNG TEAM!!!!!

Not an excuse rather an observation. You don't like hearing it don't visit the site.

 

[morgousky]

Is it an excuse or is it a fact?

Should Cal recruit some Juniors and Seniors from other teams?

Recruit 3 stars instead of 5 stars? Because 4 stars are not coming - they are big fish at other schools and would not risk being recruited over.

The collateral effect of Cal's strategy has been that too many have left early that should not have and were advised to stay.

We are kind of deep in it with what we have. We should be solid next season experience-wise.

I happen to think that there’s plenty of talented 4’s who would join Kentucky,
but a lot of those guys feel Kentucky isn’t interested in them. And if we are, it must be because we missed other targets, and then they feel they will be recruited over the following year.

A few other programs have been able to get those 4’s and OAD’s. I think what makes that hard for us is the negative recruiting because Cal has sold to the OAD and shown nothing else.

As an example, Duke. Recruits can look back and see K retaining guys, and even if they become slightly recruited over, they’re still huge parts to the team. Quinn Cook, Amile Jefferson, Grace Allen etc. He’s mixed it so well that it’s hard to recruit against him with any type, OAD or not.


We just don’t have that same feel. And right now, OAD’s don’t have to have Kentucky, and Kentucky desperately needs some returnees. I think we walked into a storm.

It’s not uncommon for coaches to make philosophical adjustments into their strategies. Self has done it 2-3 times since 09, K has done it, Miller has done it, Roy Williams has. I think it’s harder for Cal because he had the scene by the balls, and he should get credit for the current way other coaches have adapted. It’s because of him, but we should as well, and I personally believe we are.

 

[TankedCat]

here is the thing for me, and I expect to get some heat for saying this

Maybe we beat Kansas, maybe we don't - but don't tell me we are young, don't tell me we are going to lose some games to good teams because we aren't good enough. The mantra was I'll take talent over experience. Don't use inexperience as an excuse.

 

[brianpoe]

I happen to think that there’s plenty of talented 4’s who would join Kentucky,
but a lot of those guys feel Kentucky isn’t interested in them. And if we are, it must be because we missed other targets, and then they feel they will be recruited over the following year.

A few other programs have been able to get those 4’s and OAD’s. I think what makes that hard for us is the negative recruiting because Cal has sold to the OAD and shown nothing else.

As an example, Duke. Recruits can look back and see K retaining guys, and even if they become slightly recruited over, they’re still huge parts to the team. Quinn Cook, Amile Jefferson, Grace Allen etc. He’s mixed it so well that it’s hard to recruit against him with any type, OAD or not.


We just don’t have that same feel. And right now, OAD’s don’t have to have Kentucky, and Kentucky desperately needs some returnees. I think we walked into a storm.

It’s not uncommon for coaches to make philosophical adjustments into their strategies. Self has done it 2-3 times since 09, K has done it, Miller has done it, Roy Williams has. I think it’s harder for Cal because he had the scene by the balls, and he should get credit for the current way other coaches have adapted. It’s because of him, but we should as well, and I personally believe we are.

Then it goes back to the same question, which 5 stars would you not have recruited to get these 4 stars?

 

[brianpoe]

here is the thing for me, and I expect to get some heat for saying this

Maybe we beat Kansas, maybe we don't - but don't tell me we are young, don't tell me we are going to lose some games to good teams because we aren't good enough. The mantra was I'll take talent over experience. Don't use inexperience as an excuse.

I don't care if the sky is blue damn it. Do not tell me the sky is blue!!!!!

 

[morgousky]

Then it goes back to the same question, which 5 stars would you not have recruited to get these 4 stars?

Tough question. Not sure there’s an answer today, because the scene was changed so drastically throughout the last 10 years. We’d have to know exactly who was really interested and chose to look away from UK over the staunch position of the OAD.

If I’m right to begin with. Might not be.

 

[morgousky]

I don't care if the sky is blue damn it. Do not tell me the sky is blue!!!!!

I think what they’re saying is....

I’m going to promise you the sky will turn blue at 7:15, and then when it turns blue at 7:15, you complain that the sky isn’t pink.

I’m havin a few....it makes sense in this moment.

 

[TankedCat]

I don't care if the sky is blue damn it. Do not tell me the sky is blue!!!!!

its more like "the sky is blue" and the response is - "yea we know.....it was blue the last 7 times you told us too".

 

[kyups01]

Not an excuse rather an observation. You don't like hearing it don't visit the site.

lol.

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

You just demonstrated the point of my post perfectly. You have zero original thoughts, posts, or ideas on this board. Everything you post is simple regurgitation of someone else's thoughts or ideas. I am the one who originally said "rent free" in reference to living in your head, and you just repeated it back to me.

A number of posters have recently been discussing the importance of returning some players to have some experience on our team due to not getting the top 1 or 2 players in the class. You've never discussed that point yourself until recently. Hmmm. Again, monkey see monkey do. You follow the masses on here and consistently post what everyone else has already said. I imagine you have always been a follower.

If you're so original, why change your name from Cut-Nets? Seems to me, that's the antithesis of originality?

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

here is the thing for me, and I expect to get some heat for saying this

Maybe we beat Kansas, maybe we don't - but don't tell me we are young, don't tell me we are going to lose some games to good teams because we aren't good enough. The mantra was I'll take talent over experience. Don't use inexperience as an excuse.

What explanation are you looking for? We ARE inexperienced whether you want to hear it or not. And, the "talent over experienced" argument doesn't belong in the conversation, unless of course you want to revert back to Ten Loss Tubby's days of recruiting 4 year superstars.

 

[Wall2Boogie]

As my title says, I am not criticizing this team, but as an observation, we are just not very good, right now. They don't guard the 3, they can't stop straight line drives, and the offense is a little disjointed. I am confident that this bunch is so young, that they are going to be much improved by March, because I believe they are all good kids, and want to be coached, but as of today, we may be top 50. I look for KU to throttle us, on Tuesday. This team will benefit from Christmas break more than any other team that Cal has had. First, we should have Vanderbilt back, and then the unlimited practice time will be invaluable. Come tournament time, we will be a totally different team, but right now, we are going to take some lumps.

Don't tell douceintally he will take it the wrong way for your opinion she is one of the worst posters here