A few thoughts on Kentucky

[iu-dl 1,422]

Let me get some pre-post facts out of the way.  1.  I do not like John Calipari.  2.  I do not like the type of players he recruits (for the most part).  3.  I would not want them at IU (for the most part).  4.  My hatred for UK runs deep.  In all honesty, I love the Harrison twins.  No idea what they're doing in Lexington.  Everyone else with a good head on their shoulders already transferred.  Well, except the kids that couldn't make grades and headed for the NBA.  I'm sure Nerlens Noel would have been an academic all american had he not gone pro!  Jab, jab, jab.  I feel better.

 

Now that you know I'm impartial, here are a few thoughts that run through my mind, yet continuously slip the minds of all commentators, the selection committee, and everyone else gushing about the team of compensated D-Leaguers in Lexington:

What if Kentucky played in an actual competitive basketball conference, and played competition beyond November?  For example, what if they had to play at IU/MSU/Wisky/Iowa/OSU/Maryland/UM each year?  I know, playing at Alabama and at Auburn is quite a task.  Or someone as tough as Arkansas or Vanderbilt!  WHOA!  So, what if they had to play a B1G conference schedule instead of a weak SEC in a down year?  OK, forget the B1G bias.  What if they had to play at Louisville/Duke/UNC/ND/Virginia, and then again take on all 5 at home?  No way, and I mean NO way UK is undefeated if they weren't practicing against joke teams in the SEC for the last 3 months.

 

UK is great.  They're stacked.  But seriously - they haven't played anyone since conference play started.  I hope ND, WSU or KS (or, in a dream world, IU) crushes their little cheating hearts in the regional bracket.  Heck, I hope the boilers step on their throats.  Hard.

[Hovadipo 53,421]

They might've lost a few by now...but it wouldn't really matter. They'd still be the best team in the nation with one of the easiest roads to the final four. Watching them toy with a solid Arkansas team yesterday proved to me that this is the best college basketball team these eyes have seen.

[theriverpilot 5,589]

They might've lost a few by now...but it wouldn't really matter. They'd still be the best team in the nation with one of the easiest roads to the final four. Watching them toy with a solid Arkansas team yesterday proved to me that this is the best college basketball team these eyes have seen.

 

I think we might have to redefine "college basketball team"

[Hovadipo 53,421]

I think we might have to redefine "college basketball team"

How about best team to play college basketball?

[theriverpilot 5,589]

There you go, Hova!  Sadly, I agree with you.  I think they'll win it all   :(

[biteoftheapple 4,115]

One thing I have noticed from Kentucky, is they always bring the defense and rebounding. That alone can keep you in most games.

[iu-dl 1,422]

A loss would matter (to me) as it pertains to being undefeated and them being the team everyone talks about going forward.  Not the 1976 IU team.  Plus, UK and their fans relentless reminders of BBN...in general.

[theriverpilot 5,589]

There's a lot of pressure to go undefeated.  Ask the Patriots.  And lose now, and you're done.  (oh please, oh please, oh please....)

[Scooter D 928]

I try not to think about Kentucky this much, but agree that if they played in the Big Ten, the ACC or maybe even the Big 12, odds are they would not still be undefeated.

I am not going to think about them the rest of the day.

[GloryDays 5,906]

   If they win I'll always consider the runner up the champion unless of coarse it happens to be Kansas.

Then it'll be a forfeit in my own little world.

There's got to be someone who can have a perfect game and stop this travesty.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Kentucky is insanely good. I actually think what Calipari has done with them is incredible. He got a group of highly talented individuals, to sacrifice personal stats and time for the common goal of winning games. I think Jay Bilas said it best this morning, you may not want to believe it, but this UK team is honestly everything you look for in college athletics and a college team. They are playing the game for the name on the front, and sacrificing for the greater good.

I don't like it, but he's right... Say what you want about them, but you have to respect the team and how good they are. I think to beat them you'll need to hit 12+ 3's and shoot 85% from the foul line. It's possible, but highly doubtful.

[TrueHoosier62 1,592]

41, I'll offer up a different perspective. 

 

The fact that Kentucky is undefeated, having played what most observers would say is a "soft" schedule, will do them no favors. Yes, they'll have a favorable path to the final four, but unless there's a helluva lot of Cinderella upsets, someone larger, and more complete than anything they've met to date, will await them once they get to the elite eight. And that assumes they get to the elite eight. Winning 34 consecutive games does involve a bit of luck, (even for the great teams), and sometimes lady luck shuts the door in your face when you least expect it.

[HoosierCoop 3,831]

I have the badgers knocking them out in the FF.

 

A guy can wish right?

[Alford Bailey 12,292]

One thing I have noticed from Kentucky, is they always bring the defense and rebounding. That alone can keep you in most games.

Agree. The fact that Cal got these stars to buy in on D is simply amazing. They can go into a drought on offense which gives me hope somebody will have a chance to beat them.

[bnkepner 1,509]

I respect that Cal has gotten these guys to buy into playing D and his sub patterns and his system but Im still not a believer. They have played a soft schedule and I think the reason I can't stand them because ESPN and the media has built them up so much and they act like playing Missouri, Arkansas, and Alabama is some great accomplishment. I can't wait to see them actually play someone in the tournament. I think they got very lucky with the seeding and the bracket that they are in. Kansas is the weakest #2 seed in my opinion

[Bryan Medema 1,488]

UK is a Known Unknown- We know they are talented but the SEC's weakness hasn't provided us with an opportunity to see what UK's true ceiling is. They may very well be as far ahead of the field as some people suspect, but they could just as easily be right in line with the other top contenders. In spite of their relatively easy schedule, UK was still tested multiple times by significantly inferior opponents. Their weakness of offense will probably be their undoing; someone will take advantage of a UK drought and go for the throat. While UK is tough to match in a gritty defensive game, teams that can consistently score could find success.

 

Teams that Could...

 

-Purdue's interior duo would be the most size UK has seen all year. UK's post players are so used to being lightyears ahead of their opponents that Purdue's strength inside could shake them. Doubtful, but if Hammons/Haas play to their ceilings, it could happen.

 

-Notre Dame has size, experience (both in seniority and from ACC play), and ability to score. If they can make it that far, Notre Dame might have the tools to win. If they can hold with UK, force a drought, and go for the throat, ND could move on.

 

-Wisconsin. Same reasons as Notre Dame, just a better product. Kaminsky would put on a clinic in the post.

 

-UVA/Duke. UVA has the defensive tools and Duke can score.

[HoosierHoops1 5,024]

They might've lost a few by now...but it wouldn't really matter. They'd still be the best team in the nation with one of the easiest roads to the final four. Watching them toy with a solid Arkansas team yesterday proved to me that this is the best college basketball team these eyes have seen.

I'm sorry that you havn't seen better basketball. 

 

Let me paraphrase in regards to the state of college basketball.  "I've already forgotten about more good teams, than you'll ever see"

[BGleas 7,880]

Agree. This UK team is a great team, but IMO they're not that close to the best team I've ever seen. First, this is a "down" year for college basketball in general IMO. Second, the SEC is terrible. I think UK probably would have won any conference in the country this year, but they would have had a couple losses in a good conference, at least one.

Finally, in terms of the greatest teams historically, we need to remember that the teams of the past were stacked with juniors and seniors, and not the juniors and seniors of today that are only still there because they aren't good enough to go to the NBA yet, juniors/seniors that went on to be NBA All-Stars and HOF'ers.

I would take the Carolina teams with Jordan, Perkins, Worthy over this team. I'd take the Christian Laettner Duke teams, and the '90 UNLV team too. I'd like to see Karl Anthony-Townes defend an upperclassmen Patrick Ewing on the good Georgetown teams, etc. The list could go on. I'd maybe take the '96 UK team over this one. I could name more.

Great team? Yes. Greatest of all time or even recent memory? No way, IMO.

I'm sorry that you havn't seen better basketball. 
 
Let me paraphrase in regards to the state of college basketball.  "I've already forgotten about more good teams, than you'll ever see"

[Alford Bailey 12,292]

A hot Kansas or ND could beat them imo.

[Hovadipo 53,421]

I'm sorry that you havn't seen better basketball.

Let me paraphrase in regards to the state of college basketball. "I've already forgotten about more good teams, than you'll ever see"

Watching college basketball for probably 8-10 years and seriously watching it for 4-5, I can't think of a team more talented than this one. Maybe the Ant Davis UK team, but we kinda beat them so eff them. But yeah, I'm young so not much I can do about that.