Gator Country

MichaelJoeWilliamson · 03-07-2013, 09:57 PM

Hard to say. After losing to UGA, I am not sure UK makes it to the NCAA-T unless they win the SEC-T. So what do they have to play for Saturday?

That said, those guys will not want to star the SEC-T with two losses.

themistocles · 03-07-2013, 10:26 PM

Well, if the Gators play the way they have been recently, and Ky plays well, which they have been doing at home, then we may see a Gator loss come Saturday.

You simply never know what is going to happen with basketball.

SwampFox · 03-07-2013, 10:31 PM

ALL the pressure is on the kittens....and I just do not see that team handling it successfully.

I see UF by 15 in this one......going away..

NorthCaptivaGator · 03-07-2013, 10:35 PM

I just don't see this group of seniors allowing this ragtag group of freshman at UK to beat us in our final regular-season game. These guys want to prove to that teamwork is greater than talent.that Billy D is > Cal I really think we will win going away

**outbackjack** · 03-07-2013, 11:30 PM

Kentucky losses are always good. I want recruits to see the in and out built on sticks program Cali is creating.

Keep losing.

Let all those 5 stars go to an NIT program.

Now let's SPANK them on Saturday!!!!!

gatordavisl · 03-08-2013, 12:33 AM

This is a really intriguing game. The Gators have been underwhelming on the road. The Kats are underwhelming in general. They REALLY need this win for their tourney hopes. We really need this win to demonstrate that we can win a game against a team with a pulse away from home (not to mention seeding). Hard to imagine the refs giving us a fair shake. Wish I could make a prediction, but I could see this going either way.

gatorich · 03-08-2013, 07:05 AM

nm

GatorRade · 03-08-2013, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorich

Are we conceding a loss Saturday???? I'm sure not.
I just don't see our guys not being up for this game....damn the refs and Rupp!!

He means the UK loss to Georgia last night.

And to answer your question, MJW, I have stopped trying to come up with axioms for the crazy world of college sports. I wouldn't be shocked by almost any outcome on Saturday, but I still like us as the favorites.

jmoliver · 03-08-2013, 07:35 AM

First team to 20 points wins

**mrgator** · 03-08-2013, 07:51 AM

I agree with another poster...getting up for UK at Rupp will be no problem for these Gators. I see them putting the pressure on early in a close game but pulling away late in the first half and a bit more in the second. 15 point win for the Gators.

And the loss is good and bad. Good because it is always good to see the Cats lose and bad because it will probably get them fired up more for his game.

Bryan85 · 03-08-2013, 08:02 AM

The UK loss helps UF. College Basketball requires confidence. A loss to a poor/average team robs confidence of a team that is already shaky .

**GothamGator** · 03-08-2013, 08:31 AM

We were going to get Kentucky's best game either way. Remember, it will be Freshman Day* at Rupp, and the Cats are always highly fired up on Freshman Day. Add to it that they need to beat us for their tournament resume, and you realize what we will be up against.

* - Note: prior to Kentucky hiring Calipari, it was referred to as Senior Day.

oneatatime · 03-08-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampFox

ALL the pressure is on the kittens....and I just do not see that team handling it successfully.

I see UF by 15 in this one......going away..

From an RPI or NCAA seeding perspective, I really don't think the Kentucky-Georgia game matters much.

That said, I like putting some more self doubt in the Kentucky players and thus far this season, they haven't handled that pressure well.

bposs · 03-08-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan85

The UK loss helps UF. College Basketball requires confidence. A loss to a poor/average team robs confidence of a team that is already shaky .

I would rather see UK doing well. It helps our conference, and the SEC needs all the help it can get in Basketball.

**pnotine** · 03-08-2013, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GothamGator

We were going to get Kentucky's best game either way. Remember, it will be Freshman Day* at Rupp, and the Cats are always highly fired up on Freshman Day. Add to it that they need to beat us for their tournament resume, and you realize what we will be up against.

* - Note: prior to Kentucky hiring Calipari, it was referred to as Senior Day.

LOVE Freshman Day!

REM08 · 03-08-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneatatime

From an RPI or NCAA seeding perspective, I really don't think the Kentucky-Georgia game matters much.

That said, I like putting some more self doubt in the Kentucky players and thus far this season, they haven't handled that pressure well.

I agree with this.

Also, something that was talked about a little in another thread is the deteriorating cohesion of the Kentucky team. Slightly more info is circulating now than was last night. One of the Kentucky media people (who usually DOES know what he's talking about) said that "if it looks as if the wheels fell off about a week ago, there's a reason for that." He said he's not going to discuss it until after the season, but that it will make perfect sense once the info is out. As far as I can tell, its something with Harrow. He's been unhappy all year (if you remember him almost leaving the team early in the year) but it sounds like something more significant is going on now. The same media person saying this stuff defended Cal (when a post game show caller was blaming Cal) by suggesting that we'd all have more sympathy for him if we knew what he was dealing with.

Time will tell I guess, but from the looks of things lately and the sound of this, you won't be seeing the same Kentucky team that you already handled once.

themistocles · 03-08-2013, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REM08

I agree with this.

Also, something that was talked about a little in another thread is the deteriorating cohesion of the Kentucky team. Slightly more info is circulating now than was last night. One of the Kentucky media people (who usually DOES know what he's talking about) said that "if it looks as if the wheels fell off about a week ago, there's a reason for that." He said he's not going to discuss it until after the season, but that it will make perfect sense once the info is out. As far as I can tell, its something with Harrow. He's been unhappy all year (if you remember him almost leaving the team early in the year) but it sounds like something more significant is going on now. The same media person saying this stuff defended Cal (when a post game show caller was blaming Cal) by suggesting that we'd all have more sympathy for him if we knew what he was dealing with.

Time will tell I guess, but from the looks of things lately and the sound of this, you won't be seeing the same Kentucky team that you already handled once.

Yes REM - this morning I caught Cali's comment regarding this being the FIRST TIME EVER that his teams were not cohesive at this time of the year.

There is no question he is an outstanding coach, even being highly successful against National competition when at Memphis where he wasn't pulling in #1, #2 and #4 every year.

I think this makes a lot of sense given the inconsistency with history.

Nonetheless, you simply can't predict in a sport like basketball - too many factors at play. Although, a strong Defensive team like these Gators tends to exhibit greater consistency than one that is primarily dependent on offense.

I too like the Gators as a favorite - even against a Cohesive Ky team, at least this year.

TampaGatorFan · 03-08-2013, 01:50 PM

If they had Noel healthy, it would be tough, but with him out, we should win comfortably.

Oh, yeah...we're winning the SEC Tourney, too.

**MJGator8104** · 03-08-2013, 01:59 PM

I have to admit that it would give me a certain amount of satisfaction to no longer be the only member of the "They didn't make the tourney after winning the NC the previous year" club...

**GothamGator** · 03-08-2013, 02:01 PM

No doubt that Kentucky's team has not pulled together well all season. Last year was a team with terrific chemistry. This year is the other extreme.

Still, nothing will pull a team together faster than a key game against an arch-rival on Freshman day at home.