[Sewok15Participant]

Baylor just handed UK their 2nd loss this year. I wasn’t shocked that a stellar and experienced MSU team beat Kentucky early on but this loss to Baylor on a neutral court was surprising. This team which is supposed to be bringing NBA talent off the bench only got 2 points and 6 boards off the bench.

Poythress has been non-existent this season and hardly saw any action tonight. The Harrison twins have been underwhelming as I had thought they would be. Kenny Cherry from Baylor looked like the best guard on the court by far. They got killed on the boards by Jefferson and Rico Geathers had 14 boards off the bench including 5 offensive rebounds.

They missed almost half their foul shots (as did Baylor) which was also a big reason they lost the MSU game. They didn’t play with much urgency and the way they are playing they don’t look like a national title contender….I know they will get much better as the season goes on and they find their identity but they don’t even look like the best team in the SEC right now.

As someone who bought into the best recruiting class ever and the 40-0 talk I am not impressed with them at all. Randle Young and WCS all have done pretty much what I expected but I just thought the other guys would step up more than they have.

[llperez]

Harrison twins look like 4 year players for sure.

[llperez]

Harrison twins look like 4 year players for sure.

[Mad MaxParticipant]

 

[Mad MaxParticipant]

 

[qDizzle32Participant]

 Go ahead and neg me cuz I could really care less, but if they both come out, I’d take Tyler Ennis over Andrew Harrison in a heartbeat

[qDizzle32Participant]

 Go ahead and neg me cuz I could really care less, but if they both come out, I’d take Tyler Ennis over Andrew Harrison in a heartbeat

[machu46Participant]

 I definitely think Ennis is the better player by a good margin right now, and I love Ennis and never bought into the hype with either of the Harrisons, but I’m actually not sure I’d do that.  It’s hard to envision Ennis ever being more than a guard off the bench in the NBA, so I don’t know if it’s really worth it to pick him over Harrison, who isn’t playing well right now, and I still have my doubts about, but some think he could end up being a starting caliber player at some point.

Regardless, Ennis has without a doubt been the better freshman PG so far.  His overall stats aren’t that great, but his last three games, he’s been sensational.  Hope it continues tonight against Binghamton, and for the rest of the season (I’m a Cuse student).

 

[machu46Participant]

 I definitely think Ennis is the better player by a good margin right now, and I love Ennis and never bought into the hype with either of the Harrisons, but I’m actually not sure I’d do that.  It’s hard to envision Ennis ever being more than a guard off the bench in the NBA, so I don’t know if it’s really worth it to pick him over Harrison, who isn’t playing well right now, and I still have my doubts about, but some think he could end up being a starting caliber player at some point.

Regardless, Ennis has without a doubt been the better freshman PG so far.  His overall stats aren’t that great, but his last three games, he’s been sensational.  Hope it continues tonight against Binghamton, and for the rest of the season (I’m a Cuse student).

 

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I don’t think anybody thought this was a 40-0 team.  People just thought this was the best set of freshman to play together.  Not exactly the best team ever.

Also, I thought Alex Poythress was playing very well this season.  5 PPG and 7RPG in 18 MPG is actually pretty good.  You give the guy 30 MPG and he’ll probably serve up 8 PPG and 12 RPG.  Not bad for the guy that’s the 5th option when he’s on the floor.

Cut Baylor some slack, they’re 8-1, ranked #20 in the nation, and have a nice set of "veteran" guys.  They’re starting a couple of seniors and two juniors.  It’s not like they lost to a garbage team.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I don’t think anybody thought this was a 40-0 team.  People just thought this was the best set of freshman to play together.  Not exactly the best team ever.

Also, I thought Alex Poythress was playing very well this season.  5 PPG and 7RPG in 18 MPG is actually pretty good.  You give the guy 30 MPG and he’ll probably serve up 8 PPG and 12 RPG.  Not bad for the guy that’s the 5th option when he’s on the floor.

Cut Baylor some slack, they’re 8-1, ranked #20 in the nation, and have a nice set of "veteran" guys.  They’re starting a couple of seniors and two juniors.  It’s not like they lost to a garbage team.

[SiggyParticipant]

 I always laughed when I read or heard stuff about them going 40-0.  It was never a legit possiblity, not with that many freshmen being key components of their team.  These kids are still learning how to play roles and function within a team that is not built around them.  How many of these freshmen have experience being role players on a super talented team in a more organized setting (aka not AAU or all-star comps)? Dakari at Montverde? Thats about it.

[SiggyParticipant]

 I always laughed when I read or heard stuff about them going 40-0.  It was never a legit possiblity, not with that many freshmen being key components of their team.  These kids are still learning how to play roles and function within a team that is not built around them.  How many of these freshmen have experience being role players on a super talented team in a more organized setting (aka not AAU or all-star comps)? Dakari at Montverde? Thats about it.

[SiggyParticipant]

 I don’t know why Cal isn’t trying to speed the game up more, pressing and trying to get these kids out in the open court.  It’s not like they’re lacking depth or athleticism.  Slow the game down and these kids don’t know how to execute on either end. Their halfcourt defense was poor tonight.  Randle’s PnR defense in particular was atrocious, WCS didn’t help either. If I was coaching a team facing UK in the near future, I’d involve Randle’s man in as many ball screens as possible. 

[SiggyParticipant]

 I don’t know why Cal isn’t trying to speed the game up more, pressing and trying to get these kids out in the open court.  It’s not like they’re lacking depth or athleticism.  Slow the game down and these kids don’t know how to execute on either end. Their halfcourt defense was poor tonight.  Randle’s PnR defense in particular was atrocious, WCS didn’t help either. If I was coaching a team facing UK in the near future, I’d involve Randle’s man in as many ball screens as possible. 

[hbomb3300Participant]

They should be doing more full court press, fast breaking…  but I’ve seen Cal’s teams look pretty bad early in the season then make a deep tournament run.  Nothing to worry about really, Baylor is a solid group.

[hbomb3300Participant]

They should be doing more full court press, fast breaking…  but I’ve seen Cal’s teams look pretty bad early in the season then make a deep tournament run.  Nothing to worry about really, Baylor is a solid group.

[machu46Participant]

 I agree with the guy above me that said Calipari teams tend to look much better by the end of the year, but I think you also highlight one of Calipari’s issues as a coach.

He has a tendency to just try to recruit the best players without thinking about how they fit into his style or the team concept.  That’s why I was so down on their team last year.  They had a lot of talent, but the great teams that Calipari has had were predicated on spacing the floor, getting dribble penetration, and playing good defense.  Last year’s team didn’t really have the ability to stretch the floor, and they didn’t have a guard that could penetrate and both finish and pass.

 

[machu46Participant]

 I agree with the guy above me that said Calipari teams tend to look much better by the end of the year, but I think you also highlight one of Calipari’s issues as a coach.

He has a tendency to just try to recruit the best players without thinking about how they fit into his style or the team concept.  That’s why I was so down on their team last year.  They had a lot of talent, but the great teams that Calipari has had were predicated on spacing the floor, getting dribble penetration, and playing good defense.  Last year’s team didn’t really have the ability to stretch the floor, and they didn’t have a guard that could penetrate and both finish and pass.

 

[RigelzParticipant]

They are so young and have a lot of pressure… they are a very good team but experience is experience…. if they were playing together 3 or 4 years they really could become a 40-0 team. Anyway Harrison twins expose some problems… may be only a sort of "rookie wall"… may be.  

[RigelzParticipant]

They are so young and have a lot of pressure… they are a very good team but experience is experience…. if they were playing together 3 or 4 years they really could become a 40-0 team. Anyway Harrison twins expose some problems… may be only a sort of "rookie wall"… may be.  

[klangParticipant]

Season is long… give Cal time to work…

[klangParticipant]

Season is long… give Cal time to work…

[ph90702]

 They shouldn’t have been a top three team coming into the game.  They didn’t get penalized enough for losing to Michigan State.  I think they should be in the twenty to twenty-five range.  

[ph90702]

 They shouldn’t have been a top three team coming into the game.  They didn’t get penalized enough for losing to Michigan State.  I think they should be in the twenty to twenty-five range.  

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I’m not sure I agree.  Dominating in the half court against the best team in the country (at that time) doesn’t seem grounds for being punished.  Kentucky has a lot of issues, and is not nearly as talented as they were two years ago, but that loss wasn’t a bad one, considering it showed how dominant Randle was.  They played really bad in the first half, but their second half, while not exactly pretty basketball, was very good.  

Kentucky seems to me to be a team that can beat anybody, but it is probably not done losing one the season.  If they can move the ball and play as a team, like they did against Robert Morris, than they can be very dangerous, but they don’t have as big a margin of error as the preseason hype would suggest.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I’m not sure I agree.  Dominating in the half court against the best team in the country (at that time) doesn’t seem grounds for being punished.  Kentucky has a lot of issues, and is not nearly as talented as they were two years ago, but that loss wasn’t a bad one, considering it showed how dominant Randle was.  They played really bad in the first half, but their second half, while not exactly pretty basketball, was very good.  

Kentucky seems to me to be a team that can beat anybody, but it is probably not done losing one the season.  If they can move the ball and play as a team, like they did against Robert Morris, than they can be very dangerous, but they don’t have as big a margin of error as the preseason hype would suggest.

[ph90702]

 Any team can play as a team when they play a team they’re 100 times more talented then.  They’re in the top five due to reputation only.  Boise State will be playing them later this month.  Don’t be surprised if they lose to Boise State. 

[ph90702]

 Any team can play as a team when they play a team they’re 100 times more talented then.  They’re in the top five due to reputation only.  Boise State will be playing them later this month.  Don’t be surprised if they lose to Boise State. 

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I am not trying to hype UK up.  I specifically said in my post that I expect more losses from them.  I’m just saying that losing by 4 points in a game where they opened up almost shell-shocked and couldn’t make free throws against the top team in the country is not a reason to downgrade them in the rankings.  Their struggles against lesser teams, such as Cleveland State, and overall inconsistency are more concerning to me.

[ph90702]

My problem is that they have these polls before the season even begins.  Why not just wait until January when conference play begins?

[ph90702]

My problem is that they have these polls before the season even begins.  Why not just wait until January when conference play begins?

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I am not trying to hype UK up.  I specifically said in my post that I expect more losses from them.  I’m just saying that losing by 4 points in a game where they opened up almost shell-shocked and couldn’t make free throws against the top team in the country is not a reason to downgrade them in the rankings.  Their struggles against lesser teams, such as Cleveland State, and overall inconsistency are more concerning to me.

[qDizzle32Participant]

 The Harrisons definitely need another year of college, neither of them are ready for the NBA. They would definitely start over Booker and Ulis. However, I’m not sure if they would be patient enough to stay another year in school. 

[qDizzle32Participant]

 The Harrisons definitely need another year of college, neither of them are ready for the NBA. They would definitely start over Booker and Ulis. However, I’m not sure if they would be patient enough to stay another year in school. 

[Da1potParticipant]

As a team they take poor shots, play mediocre defense, and can’t make free throws. They have great individual talent but need to put it all together to realize their potential.

Kentucky has also lost to the only two "good" teams that they have played thus far. Their next opponent, Boise State, is no pushover either. They are currently 8-0 and are 2nd in NCAA Division 1 scoring right now at just under 92 points per game.

 

[Da1potParticipant]

As a team they take poor shots, play mediocre defense, and can’t make free throws. They have great individual talent but need to put it all together to realize their potential.

Kentucky has also lost to the only two "good" teams that they have played thus far. Their next opponent, Boise State, is no pushover either. They are currently 8-0 and are 2nd in NCAA Division 1 scoring right now at just under 92 points per game.

 

[blood]

 they have too much starpower,every player in their lineup needs ball to be effective(say what you want but this is true).And I was never Harrisons fan but they arent even first rounders so far in my eyes(way overhyped)

[Sewok15Participant]

I would argue that all their players outside of WCS need the ball to be effective.

[Sewok15Participant]

I would argue that all their players outside of WCS need the ball to be effective.

[blood]

 they have too much starpower,every player in their lineup needs ball to be effective(say what you want but this is true).And I was never Harrisons fan but they arent even first rounders so far in my eyes(way overhyped)

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Boise State is 1 of the most underrated team in the country..I wouldnt surprise me at all if they beat Kentucky…They return all 5 starters,they rank 2nd in the nation in scoring,rank 25th in Field Goal pct…They have 5 players averaging double figures in scoring,Watkins is averaging a double double and they have 1 of the best backcourts in the country in Derrick Marks & Anthony Drmic..They’re the type of veteran laden team that can surprise people come Tourney Time….

But i agree with some of the suggestions mentioned above like this team needs time to jell..Come late february,hopefully they’ll start better defensively and maybe Randle wont be the only freshmen that’s playing consistently…….

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Boise State is 1 of the most underrated team in the country..I wouldnt surprise me at all if they beat Kentucky…They return all 5 starters,they rank 2nd in the nation in scoring,rank 25th in Field Goal pct…They have 5 players averaging double figures in scoring,Watkins is averaging a double double and they have 1 of the best backcourts in the country in Derrick Marks & Anthony Drmic..They’re the type of veteran laden team that can surprise people come Tourney Time….

But i agree with some of the suggestions mentioned above like this team needs time to jell..Come late february,hopefully they’ll start better defensively and maybe Randle wont be the only freshmen that’s playing consistently…….

[3aglesParticipant]

Got no problem with what Cal is doing conceptually, they actually played pretty well, but they out played physically inside by Jefferson, Gathers and Austin(somehow), and no defense whatsoever pregame scouting said Chery was an assassin from 17ft pulling up, he got that shot off whenever he wanted, too vs the twins. They weren’t bodying up inside just trying to out jump people, lost on most of the 50-50 balls, missed key freethrows late in the game, James Young looked good, twins looked so-so, WCS has improved showed some game with his back to the basket, Randle was decent but didn’t deal well with Baylor’s length and strength. I think if the Twins can get it together defensively UK has a shot at the chip if not well then…those chances go down. But I will say this inspite of all their shortcomings thus far, their margin of defeat is 4pts or so, that’s two plays here or there and Kentucky is an undefeated #1 team of all freshman.

[3aglesParticipant]

Got no problem with what Cal is doing conceptually, they actually played pretty well, but they out played physically inside by Jefferson, Gathers and Austin(somehow), and no defense whatsoever pregame scouting said Chery was an assassin from 17ft pulling up, he got that shot off whenever he wanted, too vs the twins. They weren’t bodying up inside just trying to out jump people, lost on most of the 50-50 balls, missed key freethrows late in the game, James Young looked good, twins looked so-so, WCS has improved showed some game with his back to the basket, Randle was decent but didn’t deal well with Baylor’s length and strength. I think if the Twins can get it together defensively UK has a shot at the chip if not well then…those chances go down. But I will say this inspite of all their shortcomings thus far, their margin of defeat is 4pts or so, that’s two plays here or there and Kentucky is an undefeated #1 team of all freshman.

[Yandyhere2Participant]

 James Young is by far their best perimeter player. And thats not a diss to him at all. I just didnt know how good he was as he didnt get as much hype as the other freshmen.

[Yandyhere2Participant]

 James Young is by far their best perimeter player. And thats not a diss to him at all. I just didnt know how good he was as he didnt get as much hype as the other freshmen.

[Author]

Posts