UK @ Bama

[HALLGATOR]

Originally Posted by dailydoublecat

Hall is it just me or is Goodwin out for himself??

Sorry Jeff I missed your question. I didn't get to see the whole game but he appears to have trouble turning loose of the ball at times. His stat line sure doesn't look good with 3 TOs to 1 assist. He did have 7 rebounds though and that's a good stat.

[born2beagator]

Originally Posted by JohnC1908

My thoughts as well. They are better than me, no way could I take the slamming of UF they receive here. Both DD and REM do an excellent job of weeding through trash talk and talking hoops.

I wouldn't expect any less If I were constantly talking up my program on another's website

[JohnC1908]

Originally Posted by born2beagator

I wouldn't expect any less If I were constantly talking up my program on another's website

I don't think that's the intent either have on this site. This wouldn't exactly be the best time to be talking up UK hoops and both of them are on this thread.

[tupacbiff]

Uk needs to look on the bright side. No matter what happens this year they will still have a criminal on staff next year who should be in prison.

[dadx4]

Originally Posted by born2beagator

He and WWW didn't do their homework on character and the complete package before hiring this group of mercs.

I am thinking that Cal and WWW are going to want a refund now. I know the checks have already cleared but they are not playing to the level they got paid for.

[gatorbogey]

shoot, i actually fell asleep and missed the good parts of the game


one thing you learn - have to - when you post on rival's boards is to wade thru the snipes to get to the good discussion points. during my days of playing the 'ambassador' i learned that on the vols and gamecock and other boards (still couldn't get that far on warchant...i don't think there's intelligent life there) (but did meet a good nole fan - ex nole pitcher - on the espn boards back in the day who was really a good guy and perhaps the most articulate poster).

it's good to have some rivals participate on the threads. they can dispell some of the mis-information on their club and program. i know i did alot of that on the other rival boards.

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

Sorry Jeff I missed your question. I didn't get to see the whole game but he appears to have trouble turning loose of the ball at times. His stat line sure doesn't look good with 3 TOs to 1 assist. He did have 7 rebounds though and that's a good stat.

The thing that ticks me off is MULTIPLE times this year there have been 2 on 1, or even 3 on 1 and he refuses to pass--last night Poythress was open and he didnt pass the ball. I HATE when you dont play team ball--its one of the reasons I envy your team this year!

Jeff

[DuPontGator]

Originally Posted by dailydoublecat

The thing that ticks me off is MULTIPLE times this year there have been 2 on 1, or even 3 on 1 and he refuses to pass--last night Poythress was open and he didnt pass the ball. I HATE when you dont play team ball--its one of the reasons I envy your team this year!

Jeff

Not so positive this year lol

[ETGator1]

I wanted UK to win - don't like bama since 2005 and rammer jammer. I shut it down at the half thinking game over only to check the scores later and see the loss.

Honestly, I'm not impressed with bama so it must be UK is worse off than I could have imagined. Still, the talent is at UK, but zero chemistry/team play gets you beat.

It's January and 5 games deep into SEC 3-2 play for UK. Calipari won't stand for anymore of the non-team play. There will be some good players riding the pine until they can show much improved team play. UK will be better off for it and a tougher matchup later for UF.

[BEH]

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

Sorry Jeff I missed your question. I didn't get to see the whole game but he appears to have trouble turning loose of the ball at times. His stat line sure doesn't look good with 3 TOs to 1 assist. He did have 7 rebounds though and that's a good stat.

Goodwin last night was out for himself. He made a turnover in the first half when he could have an easy assist with Noel under the basket unguarded.

I guess the word is selfish or a shellfish or something like that.

[ih8danoles]

does UK have any seniors leaving? Noel and Wiltjer (maybe) have NBA talent but there should be several mediocre at best players returning to this team next season. Can't wait to see how Calimari handles this.

[REM08]

I hesitate to bash Archie too much. I do think he plays selfishly, there's no denying that. Bert pointed out the play that pissed me off most - Noel parked under the basket for an easy lob but Archie wanted to score I guess.

The only reason I hesitate in the Archie bashing, or the bashing of the team in general is because they all appear to be good kids. Great grades and no off the court issues so far. I think some UK fans (not on this site) take bashing of players to a personal level. This is very off-putting to me because I don't see on the court play as being something we can attribute to ones character. If I were a player on this team, I would resent some of the things fans are saying about them.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Archie is a freshmen. Cal paints himself into a corner on this, so we can't use it as an excuse, but a lot of programs bank on this kind of play from freshmen and view a mature freshmen contributor as an exception. I have no doubt Archie could develop into a great 2 guard by his junior year in college (aka his sophomore year in the NBA).

UK's issue this year is that, unlike the first 3 years, we only returned Kyle Wiltjer. That being the case, we REALLY needed this years freshmen class to come in playing like sophomores or juniors (which isn't out of the question considering the last few classes). This hasn't happened outside of Noel. Add to it the lack of chemistry and the presence of selfishness.

Last thing I see worth pointing out is how bad UK is defensively. Some of you aptly pointed this out already, but all of you will see it when we play Florida. The last few UK teams defended every position to the point where it made it stressful on the opposing player. This year, not only is it not stressful, we have several players who cant' even guard their position. At one point last night we had Wiltjer, Harrow, Mays and Polson on the floor at the same time. That means only one player on the opposing team is being guarded by someone that can, you know, actually guard them. The last 3 UK teams rarely had an inferior athlete or defender at 1 single position. This team has it at multiple positions at a time, as a norm, and sometimes more positions than not.

[REM08]

Originally Posted by ih8danoles

does UK have any seniors leaving? Noel and Wiltjer (maybe) have NBA talent but there should be several mediocre at best players returning to this team next season. Can't wait to see how Calimari handles this.

Noel and probably 1 or 2 other underclassmen will leave IMO, along with seniors Mays and Beckham. We could have much better returning players next year depending on Wiltjer, WCS, Poythress and Harrow - or we could have a similarly poor returning class like this year.

What makes next year different is the recruiting class coming in. Its really the kind of class we needed this year and should be able to take care of alot of the problems we're seeing on the floor right now. Obviously nothing is a sure thing and they'll have to live up to the hype and "buy in" to have success. My expectations weren't high this year, but they weren't the NIT either...

[Go2gtr]

Originally Posted by dailydoublecat

Oville yes I was. They had just played a nice half of team ball and then they reverted back to me ball!

How can they play team ball like they mean it when all the are thinking about is the association with precious few games to audition? Giving up the ball doesn't do them any good personally. They are not there to lift the banner of KY basketball higher. They are at KY for a cup of coffee and on to the league.

This is the price to pay for the Calipari system. And frankly it should happen every year. KY was fortunate to have some upperclassmen last year. It looks likely you will have some again next year.

[SwampFox]

uk losing makes me happy. simple as that. Any team exploiting the one and done rule deserves their just reward. Next year some of these UK kids head to the NBA, immature both personally and professionally and you, the fans, get to pay for that. Maybe Cal will refund the gate price for you.

The kids remaining in school to improve their skills will languish on the bench because one and done means one and done, and the new crew owes Cal a NC.

What a total joke. So, may losses continue to rain down on UK, relentlessly, is my hope. T'is good for college baskeball.

[REM08]

Originally Posted by Go2gtr

How can they play team ball like they mean it when all the are thinking about is the association with precious few games to audition? Giving up the ball doesn't do them any good personally. They are not there to lift the banner of KY basketball higher. They are at KY for a cup of coffee and on to the league.

This is the price to pay for the Calipari system. And frankly it should happen every year. KY was fortunate to have some upperclassmen last year. It looks likely you will have some again next year.

Trying to think of a tactful way to say that you're wrong. Just can't think of one. Maybe I can just say I disagree.

Its gotten annoying how often Cal points out that Davis and MKG took the 5th and 4th most shots on last years team. Its annoying but true. Archie is doing NOTHING but hurting his draft stock. When you're in college only one year, its actually possible to hide some of your flaws, but give scouts a glimpse of your strengths.

Yes, UK was fortunate to have returning players the last few years, but UK also had mature, unselfish freshmen each of those years.

I don't actually believe that returning players are necessary for a team to win a title. I think last years team wins a title with a freshmen Jones, Lamb and maybe another MKG instead of Miller. Those closest to the team last year will tell you that MKG was actually the leader and that Jones/Lamb were always last to practice and first to leave.

I loath (or is it loathe?) the one and done rule and miss getting to see a majority of players progress over a number of years. However, I think many are too quick to diminish what is possible with the right mix of freshmen. If enough current UK players are lured into this years very weak draft, then next year might be a good case study fro this.

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by dadx4

I am thinking that Cal and WWW are going to want a refund now. I know the checks have already cleared but they are not playing to the level they got paid for.

Cal might (and probably) deserves a "refund." OTOH, WWW gets exactly what he wants. The four who will most likely head to the NBA will net he and his associates a lot of money in commissions. They will leave UK better players than they were when they got there, provided they listen to their coach and improve.

Sadly (not really), Cal got the worst end of this deal. Although, most coaches relish a challenge, so maybe he's secretly enjoying this season.

[REM08]

Originally Posted by SwampFox

uk losing makes me happy. simple as that. Any team exploiting the one and done rule deserves their just reward. Next year some of these UK kids head to the NBA, immature both personally and professionally and you, the fans, get to pay for that. Maybe Cal will refund the gate price for you.

The kids remaining in school to improve their skills will languish on the bench because one and done means one and done, and the new crew owes Cal a NC.

What a total joke. So, may losses continue to rain down on UK, relentlessly, is my hope. T'is good for college baskeball.

I took the time to bold the parts of your post that make sense. The rest is an opinion - some of it hypocritical, but all of it based on emotion.

You do realize, right, that your coach (a coach I'm a big fan of) wanted to land 4 one and done players for next year? Potentially at least. You must not think he'd accept 4 more the next year also? Guys like Karl Towns? You appear unable or unwilling to look at the implications of the broad brush you're painting with here. Do tell me, what is moral about one and dones? You imply this by mentioning justice. However, its odd then that you point to exploitation. So maybe the rule is okay, but only to the point where message board posters can point to the exploitation of it? The fact that you don't prefer something isn't actually enough to make it sinful or illicit.

Also, maybe I'm just being defensive here, but isn't it a little early to be talking about losses raining down on UK? Elite eight, final four, national title... Really, even if UK loses every remaining game this year and gets turned down by the CBI, might not we wait a few more years before deciding something doesn't work?

I'm not trying to be naive here and pretend like people should like UK. I've said before I wouldn't were I not a fan. I actually think its good for the sport for polarizing teams to be relevant because it gives everyone a rooting interest. I just dont' get when the hate has to become based around reasons that are manufactured.

[tommyuf21]

Originally Posted by HALLGATOR

Sorry Jeff I missed your question. I didn't get to see the whole game but he appears to have trouble turning loose of the ball at times. His stat line sure doesn't look good with 3 TOs to 1 assist. He did have 7 rebounds though and that's a good stat.

From what I saw, Poythress really looked lost out there. When he fouled out, you could see the frustration in him. He knew it was his fifth and was really mad at himself. I think Alex's problem is he doesn't know what to do with himself out there. It's a problem that many first timers have, but amplified with all of those freshman struggling through the same problem and noone to guide them.

I still think this team gets it together, but they won't do what Brandon Knight's team did. They'll make it to tourney and to Sweet 16, but then they'll run into a good and experienced team and lose.

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by DuPontGator

Not so positive this year lol

Im positive when I can be positive and negative when I need to be negative. I do not sugar coat anything, Im pissed!!!

Jeff