Kentucky Wildcats - Saturday - 5pm - ESPN
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Famous Kentuckians
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Lexington and surrounding area
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@wrwlumpy that kiss so gross
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I like playing this game this time of year, I know some people don’t but I think it’s a good reset to the conference season. The boys can just go have fun, the game has little meaning. Dedric is going to have to get some guys in foul trouble for us to have a good chance of winning. ESPNs BPI gives UK nearly a 70% chance of winning which really isn’t surprising looking at our road struggle this season and UK being prob the best road team we have faced thus far. I feel like we are going to have to mud up the game a bit and keep them outta transition.
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It should come as no surprise to see Charles Manson is a UK alum.
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A KU win here does have some meaning as far as seeding goes. A road victory against a Top 10 team that’s trending up, yes please.
There are matchup issues for KU everywhere. This is a game where Doke is needed badly.
Dotson vs Hagans is probably the matchup that can alter the course of this game the most. Hagans is on par or better a defender then our own Marcus Garrett. He puts a ton of pressure on point guards. Dotson’s turnover numbers on the road are very concerning. He’s going to have to play smart with the ball.
As a team, I think the difference in this game could come down to fouls/free throw shooting. If KU gets in early foul trouble or has starters sitting that’s where the advantage in this game heavily favors UK. I see Kentucky putting a ton of pressure on our lack of a rim protector. I know Self loves man to man but this would be a perfect game to show a mix of some zone. Herro and Johnson are good from deep but I think it would be easier for KU to guard Hagans in a zone then it would be M2M. Just some thoughts. Would love to see the guys play free and play with energy and passion on the road, something that has really been lacking
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@BeddieKU23 I think this is a game where KU will be in some serious trouble on the inside. - - I’m just really afraid Kentucky has great length over us on the interior mainly though numbers wise.
This is a game where I can see Dedric in for a long day, afraid Reid can pretty much have his way Dedric just not have the bulk to match up with Reid - I’m afraid it could be just a steady diet of Reid backing him down more or less bullying himself into Dedric - -Then you have PJ Washington - -who is going to match up with him? -Then you always have Richards for them a very legit rim protector I can just see Dedric trying to make some of the moves he makes and Richards just swatting them away like it was nothing with Dedric’s vertical. - I just think we are gonna have major mis matches
I think Garret will match up on Herro - - - Dotson on Haggins - -and it will almost have to be D Lawson on Reid - - I guess then either Vick or Obaji on Keldon Johnson - just don’t like the match ups - -who is going to guard PJ ? - - Grimes? - -lord help us. I know for what it’s worth take it with a grain of salt I reckon - - but the ESPN basketball power index doesn’t give us much of a chance it is like 68.6 - -to 31.4 in favor of Kentucky - - was over on the Kentucky boards and most there figuring predicting pretty much to where I have it figured anywhere from a 7-9-10 Kentucky - that’s about where I had it figured anywhere from 8-10 - - hope I’m wrong - it’s just that we haven’t played a complete game all year - - Now Doke is out - -that’s huge in more ways then one - -Kentucky on the up swing - -just doesn’t look good -sorry for being a negative Nellie . - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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@jayballer73 After reading this, I’m wondering if it’s too late to cancel the game! In so many games against better competition this season, we seem to be at a disadvantage in numerous positions, but the guys figure out ways to win. They may not be “pretty” doing it, but they certainly seem to be effective.
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colohawks said:
@jayballer73 After reading this, I’m wondering if it’s too late to cancel the game! In so many games against better competition this season, we seem to be at a disadvantage in numerous positions, but the guys figure out ways to win. They may not be “pretty” doing it, but they certainly seem to be effective.
true they do get it done - - it’s just a possibility just like any other game just a little more realistic - -lots of length - - the big one is Reid - He could very easily get Dedric in serious trouble - then who you putting in that can help get him shut down or even in control his bulk is going to cause major issues - we have had trouble with him before. - -If Doke was here wouldn’t be an issue - BUT
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BeddieKU23 said:
A KU win here does have some meaning as far as seeding goes. A road victory against a Top 10 team that’s trending up, yes please.
There are matchup issues for KU everywhere. This is a game where Doke is needed badly.
Dotson vs Hagans is probably the matchup that can alter the course of this game the most. Hagans is on par or better a defender then our own Marcus Garrett. He puts a ton of pressure on point guards. Dotson’s turnover numbers on the road are very concerning. He’s going to have to play smart with the ball.
As a team, I think the difference in this game could come down to fouls/free throw shooting. If KU gets in early foul trouble or has starters sitting that’s where the advantage in this game heavily favors UK. I see Kentucky putting a ton of pressure on our lack of a rim protector. I know Self loves man to man but this would be a perfect game to show a mix of some zone. Herro and Johnson are good from deep but I think it would be easier for KU to guard Hagans in a zone then it would be M2M. Just some thoughts. Would love to see the guys play free and play with energy and passion on the road, something that has really been lacking
To add to it:
KU desperately needs Ochai to play well without fouling this game. This lets Garrett guard Johnson or Herro. I think PJ eats KJ’s lunch, so we can’t let that happen.
I think Dedric is a better player than Travis and should be able to effectively guard and score on him.
Calipari has tightened his rotation quite a bit these last few games, but still has a much deeper bench in the post. I’m concerned with how we deal with Manuel and Richards. Either of them could have a career day against us if we stay small.
Long story short, there is one key to this game. Control the pace. If we don’t turn it over, keep them from getting in transition, and keep our best 5 on the floor, we can win this game.
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Hey got a question , kind of curious. - -Why hasn’t Missouri taken part in any of these Big 12/ Sec challenges ?
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@jayballer73 I believe it’s because they have been atrocious. Bottom four don’t get to participate for two years basically. So depending on how they do in the SEC this season determines the next two years. At least that is how I think it works.
As of right now, it looks very likely they will miss the cut again.
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All good points you added.
Just looking at the matchup we look a bit overmatched but I doubt it plays out that way. I’m surprised how good they are playing right now but I’m also not convinced teams such as Auburn or Miss St are that good anyway having watched their games against UK. Kenpom has Kentucky’s offense 7 spots better but the defenses are around the same. I’m interested to see how Dotson responds to being guarded by Hagans who is among the best defenders in the country. He really has a knack for steals and putting pressure on point guards. If he had a shot he’d be a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft
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BeddieKU23 said:
All good points you added.
Just looking at the matchup we look a bit overmatched but I doubt it plays out that way. I’m surprised how good they are playing right now but I’m also not convinced teams such as Auburn or Miss St are that good anyway having watched their games against UK. Kenpom has Kentucky’s offense 7 spots better but the defenses are around the same. I’m interested to see how Dotson responds to being guarded by Hagans who is among the best defenders in the country. He really has a knack for steals and putting pressure on point guards. If he had a shot he’d be a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft
I would have someone else bring the ball up other than Dotson just to neutralize Hagans. Maybe even stick Dotson in the corner a few times to frustrate Hagans and hope he gets overly aggressive trying to make a play and end up leaving Dotson for a wide open 3 or kick out that lets Dotson get an easy drive.
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Forgot the cheerleaders
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@wrwlumpy Nice work … obviously your preferred pose and vantage point. I will stop talking now.
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Man I wish Tyler Herro had stayed with Wisconsin.
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ESPN milking this for every dollar. KU not expected to win at all. In fact, we might as well just stay in Lawrence the way the “analysts” have it figured. I just hope we get out of Lexington healthy. I don’t even care if we win or lose at this point. Just stupid conference bragging rights at the expense of the players.
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wrwlumpy said:
Good gawd…that is the nastiest pic ever in college bball. Vitale is enjoying that a little too much. Judd is actually pulling away.
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I don’t understand how they come up with who plays in the challenge. Some of the better SEC teams like LSU, Auburn and Mississippi State aren’t playing while Texas and KSU both have gimmies. I understand that WV was preseason ranked and that was a good match up with Tennessee when this was released but only 2 games look good to me, ISU vs Ole Miss and KU vs UK. Arkansas maybe able to keep it close with Tech but I wouldn’t bet on it.
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A few things I’ll be watching for is Devon’s play (which he will still be thinking about that WVU loss and his 7 TOs). Also… Dedric’s fouls are a concern because UK will feed the post with hopes to foul him out.
I’m hopeful Q will come ready and show us something. If he doesn’t, then I hope he at least stays away from making huge mistakes.
Pace will be a key. If we get the right pace and we get into a groove, we can win this game. If we don’t, it could get ugly.
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@wrwlumpy Hey thanks a lot, I just blew my breakfast when I saw the kiss pic. That may be a memory burn image I can never get out of my mind. Gag me with a pitch fork!!!
Now to a better memory. In junior high, I went to the first every basketball camp at William Jewell back when the Chiefs were still holding training camp there. It was the summer of 1980, I believe, when temps hit over 100, 17 days in a row; we were melting. And they gave all the air conditioned dorms to the NFL players and not the campers for some reason. Anywho…my buddy and I went into the indoor pool to try to cool off and there was this massive mountain of a man sitting in the corner watching his little kids play. It was Art Still. My gosh he was humongous. His little brother was a forward for Jewell who was helping run the camp. Art must have been tired from training camp because he just sat there, but boy was he intimidating!
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@Fightsongwriter 6’7 253? Huge!
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kjayhawks said:
I don’t understand how they come up with who plays in the challenge. Some of the better SEC teams like LSU, Auburn and Mississippi State aren’t playing while Texas and KSU both have gimmies. I understand that WV was preseason ranked and that was a good match up with Tennessee when this was released but only 2 games look good to me, ISU vs Ole Miss and KU vs UK. Arkansas maybe able to keep it close with Tech but I wouldn’t bet on it.
They’re doing it two years out now. So those teams sucked at the time. Bottom 4 SEC teams this year will be out for two years.
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Sec Sec Sec!
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@wrwlumpy JLaw needs to replace AJudd
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@truehawk93 Jlaw is a Louisville fan
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@Kcmatt7 Maybe then need to change it to where it’s is set closer to when the game are actually going to be played.
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kjayhawks said:
@Kcmatt7 Maybe then need to change it to where it’s is set closer to when the game are actually going to be played.
Coaches didn’t like that when they were doing that before so they changed it.
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@kjayhawks Shows how much I follow all things Kentucky. So JLaw should be all about the Yum Center? Hmm…might work.
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@Kcmatt7 I don’t think the coaches like anything lol, both Self and Cal have complained about this game as well as saying the champions classic is too early. The only reason this thing has been successful is the KU vs UK match up. ESPN saw dollar signs and took it.
