A few thoughts on Kentucky

[HoosierAloha 30,077]

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.

- I believe LSU has a couple of first round picks in their starting frontcourt.  PU doesn't really have size outside of their 5 spot.

 

- Notre Dame doesn't really have a lot of size.  They have a point in Jackson and a big in Auguste, maybe 6-10 or 6-11, with everyone else between 6-4 to 6-8.  Their backup 5 is like 6-5, I can't imagine that going too well against several legit 6-10/11 ky players.  They do have spurtability though.

 

- Wisconsin has legit size with Kaminsky, Dekker, and Hayes all being 6-9ish or above.  They invert their offense well neutralizing ky's bigs for offensive rebounding.  If Wisky is hitting from outside they have a chance.

[OliviaPope40 6,638]

They are the team that everybody either hates or envies because they have it all and as much as it pains me to state this but you have to admit Calipari is a good coach and people may hate him but gives results.

[HoosierSadaseci 2,258]

I don't see anyone beating Kentucky...sad to say.

[ou812dude 3,326]

I've got a theory on UK this season...

they overachieved to the hilt last season, in the tournament..

so they are due for a major letdown this year...

 

in all seriousness...the state of Kentucky has absolutely dominated the NCAA tournament the last four years, and I'm pretty much up to me (yes, I said me...the Irish coming out) ears with Cat/Card babble...

 

it's effing time for the state of Indiana and B1G to go on a 20 year tear in the post season to shut the Bluegrass up for once!!!

[HoosierHoops1 5,024]

I think this UK team is prime for an upset. It's Championship or bust, they havn't had to string 2 good games together in a row. They had some scares to some unscary teams and when the "pucker" hits late in a game against a good team, do these Cats still buy in?

[FortWayneHoosier 6,246]

I think this UK team is prime for an upset. It's Championship or bust, they havn't had to string 2 good games together in a row. They had some scares to some unscary teams and when the "pucker" hits late in a game against a good team, do these Cats still buy in?

Even though they have had an easy schedule i just dont see them losing at all..........lets hope not because my bracket would be a huge bust lol!!!

[drewheck 749]

I have the badgers knocking them out in the FF.

A guy can wish right?

hell in one of my brackets I've got Purdue beating them in the round of 32 as much as I hate it I also think Notre Dame will beat them in the elite 8

[Kilroy 271]

In my Coin Flip bracket, Kentucky loses in the first round. Of course the same bracket has a 15 seed and 16 seed meet in the final 4.

[IUsafety 2,775]

In my Coin Flip bracket, Kentucky loses in the first round. Of course the same bracket has a 15 seed and 16 seed meet in the final 4.

I thought I was the only one that did this.

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

In my Coin Flip bracket, Kentucky loses in the first round. Of course the same bracket has a 15 seed and 16 seed meet in the final 4.

Hah that's funny. May have to try it this year.

[Kilroy 271]

I thought I was the only one that did this.

 

Since ESPN gives you 10 brackets, I always create a few control groups. One that has the favorites winning every game, one that has B1G winning every time, one that picks based on team dynasty, and usually a coin flip or completely random clicks with my eyes closed until the bracket is full. Always interesting to see how it plays out.

[Bryan Medema 1,488]

I think the irony might kill me

[johnsoniu 6,622]

In my Coin Flip bracket, Kentucky loses in the first round. Of course the same bracket has a 15 seed and 16 seed meet in the final 4.

 

I did this with a college FB bowl pool once. Results were not good, not good at all.

[Townie 138]

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

Yeah. KU doesn't even get to play cliff alexandar (sp?), not sure if they can even get past ND.

[Townie 138]

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.  UK has actually played against more talented size than PU in Texas and LSU.

 

-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.

I think Purdue can't hang with their depth and perimeter. Most of UK's bigs are just as good as hammons/haas, and they have more of them.

 

I disagree on ND having the size to match up, but they definitely have the shooting and guard play in Grant & co in the back court.

 

Totally agree with wiscy having a legit shot at knocking UK off. Especially if UK is having an off-night on the offense end, the badgers can put up enough points to outscore them.

 

Duke is similar to Wiscy... imo Duke has more offensive power and less defense than the badgers tho.

 

I think UVA isn't the same team they were for the first half of the season ever since justin anderson's injury. the dude can't shoot or dribble anymore, it's a damn shame.

[Townie 138]

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.

I'm 24 and I've watched only slightly more than you and I think what's definitely safe to say is... this is by far the deepest team in recent memory. They don't have one absolutely insane superstar like Anthony Davis this year, but their depth is absurd.  People tend to forget that they lost a beast of an athlete in Alex Poythress midway through the season too.

 

One other extremely talented team that comes to mind is the UNC team that beat Illinois for the championship. Right around that time, UCONN had some pretty talented teams as well.

[IUsafety 2,775]

Since ESPN gives you 10 brackets, I always create a few control groups. One that has the favorites winning every game, one that has B1G winning every time, one that picks based on team dynasty, and usually a coin flip or completely random clicks with my eyes closed until the bracket is full. Always interesting to see how it plays out.

I also fill one out based on BPI, another on RPI and use KENPOM to fill one out. I fill out a bunch but then again I would play Monopoly by myself when I was a kid.

[Kilroy 271]

I also fill one out based on BPI, another on RPI and use KENPOM to fill one out. I fill out a bunch but then again I would play Monopoly by myself when I was a kid.

 

Any end up being the most reliable?

[IUsafety 2,775]

Any end up being the most reliable?

RPI usually sucks. BPI and KENPOM have been successful on occasions.

[bnkepner 1,509]

I think the irony might kill me

I don't even see how Kansas is allowed to keep playing with this whole situation going on?!