Where do you stand on this team?

[Graves51]

should be another option. How many just don't really care anymore and are tired of the one and done prima donnas? One or two but not 4-7, good grief! Who really gives a crap about the NBA?

 

[AllBall]

We have some who are incapable of playing good defense and others who are unwilling. There is no good excuse for players with the quickness and athleticism some of ours have to constantly to be beaten off the dribble and our help defense is nonexistent. This might be the worst defensive team Cal has had here.

It is the worst defensive team under Cal or just about any coach in KY history. Okay so we don't have a shot blocker/eraser in the middle. In that case, stay in front of your man and keep em out of the lane.

 

[WeWant9]

Honestly, I'm not sure where I stand. Our lack of defense and rebounding is concerning, and were in the final stretch. Cal has gotten teams to peak at the right time before, so that gives a bit of hope. However, this team doesn't seem to be wanting it that bad, and only they can pull themselves back up.

If the NCAAT started today I'd say our ceiling is the S16. I fear our lack of defense and cold shooting stretches could lead to a first round upset. On the flip side, I could see us getting hot and making a run. It's up to our guys to buy back into the team concept.

 

[John Henry]

I am bewildered. It was stunning to watch the last minutes of last night's game. That was one of the worse performances I have witnessed in a long, long time. So my expectations post season are low. I see no way we get past the first week and would probably drop the first game. Of course, unless we improved we will be fortunate to make the NCAA . I think we would flame out in the NIT also. Unless we change and change now.

 

[larry the cable guy]

I voted #3 and here's why. Cal always talks about how the rising tide lifts all boats (or something like that). Basically, when guys do well on the floor, it helps their stock and it helps the team.

With the 2011 team, Brandon Knight put them on his shoulders. At this point in the season, there were real questions about his NBA stock, particularly whether he could play PG. He knew he had to turn it up to reach his dreams and he did.

Same with the 2014 team. Randle was a lock. But the Harrisons and James Young certainly weren't. Again, they had to pick it up to improve their individual stock, and they did, with Aaron Harrison going on an epic run.

But what's the motivation for Fox and Monk? They are lottery picks almost no matter what. The only thing that could stop that now would be an injury. Fox hasn't been the same player since he turned his ankle. Is he still hurt or is he playing it safe? Monk hasn't had a rebound in two games. Rebounds don't get you drafted as a guard, but they could get you hurt. This team is only going to go as far as those two guys take them, and I'm not sure they have the motivation to do that at this point. I hope I'm wrong.

Not rebounding and playing defense will cost them a lot of money. The NBA guys want to know you will give effort not just score the ball and both of those things are about effort. You can see from how they have dropped in the past 2-3 weeks on draft boards that it is hurting them.

 

[trinity45_rivals378029]

I'm torn between option 2 and option 3. Coach Cal has pulled miracles before..but this one is a mind ****.

I am lost, not sure what is needed, looks like the talent it there but maybe not the want to. Maybe being mostly freshmen they have hit the wall so to speak. If Cal can figure this one out his is the mad hatter.

 

[kydmb99_rivals103809]

I'm probably in the minority but I think the overall level of talent on this team is overstated. Athletic? Definitely. Talented at basketball? Not as much. Also, after our top 3-4 guys, the talent level falls off a cliff.

 

[Catlanta98]

I'm probably in the minority but I think the overall level of talent on this team is overstated. Athletic? Definitely. Talented at basketball? Not as much. Also, after our top 3-4 guys, the talent level falls off a cliff.

I agree with that. I think we were so much more athletic than other teams in the beginning of the season that we looked like a great team. As we are now playing teams with higher levels of athleticism, our lack of skills (especially other than Fox and Monk) is starting to show through. Our bench is deep but not extremely talented and skilled. Bam can do some amazing things but lacks fundamentals in rebounding, defense, and low post offense. Briscoe is a tough rebounder but not a great ball handler or decision maker, and he seems to have lost the ability to finish in the lane.

Having said all that I think we are more talented than we have been showing the last few games and it seems that the team's effort, confidence, discipline, desire, etc are not where it needs to be.

 

[westerncat]

I voted for #2 but watching us blow a 20 point lead last night make me wonder if this team has any pride in playing defense. The game at Fla. was a total embarrassment on playing CBB defense. Unless this team makes a big improvement on playing defense they will not go far in the NCAAT. Can Cal get through to them only time will tell. The game this Sat. at Alabama concerns me.

 

[PokerCat72]

I voted 2......just can't give up yet. Cal has proven he's able to turn teams around in short time and I'll just have to see.

 

[WeepNoMore]

Curious about your thoughts

Unlikely that Coach Cal will be able to change this team's AAU mentality--try to outscore opponents, me-first, little to no defense!!!

A potentially great team that either can't understand or refuses to adopt a championship approach!!!

 

[1BadCat]

I voted #3. I'm just hanging on the side of the wagon right now. If I do finally let go and try to climb back on somewhere down the trail you all better kick my *** right back off lol.