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Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 12-09-2024, 12:30 PM:

Duke moves past Kentucky in the rankings even though they have 1 more loss and Kentucky beat them head to head on neutral site.

Posted by FairfieldCat (Member # 2897) on 12-09-2024, 02:16 PM:

I'm more concerned about injuries than rankings

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 12-09-2024, 04:23 PM:

AP Poll Duke #4 and Kentucky #5.....LOL.

Coaches Poll Kentucky #5 and Duke #6

[ 12-09-2024, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by GA Cat (Member # 642) on 12-09-2024, 04:43 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Trey Ball:
Duke moves past Kentucky in the rankings even though they have 1 more loss and Kentucky beat them head to head on neutral site.

Trey,

That was too easy.

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 12-09-2024, 05:52 PM:

I thought duke would jump us in the polls.

Posted by GA Cat (Member # 642) on 12-09-2024, 07:53 PM:

To some degree, I get it. They did beat the #2 team in the country and the team that is the Vegas odds on favorite to win it all.

Posted by GA Cat (Member # 642) on 12-17-2024, 09:04 AM:

Color me shocked!! We jumped over Duke in this weeks rankings!!

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-17-2024, 01:18 PM:

We are looking good and the only thng that can stop us is the 3 point shot. We do need to clean up those misses on lay ups. The defense is going to get better as we get into SEC play. I was afraid of Kriisa making too many mistakes but now that he is not available I miss him.

[ 12-17-2024, 01:33 PM: Message edited by: Bama Cat ]

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 12-17-2024, 08:15 PM:

I really like watching us play. I'm still cautious to get too hyped up with expectations. I'll still be thrilled to watch this team improve as the season goes and win a game in the tournament. The SEC schedule is going to be brutal. I can see us losing 7-8 games in SEC play. There are just no easy games.

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 12-18-2024, 06:57 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by ukman:
I'm still cautious to get too hyped up with expectations.

Ukman, I have been thinking the exact same way, but then I tell myself "we did beat two top-ten teams." The more I think about it, the more I believe we have just as good a chance of winning as any other team.

But you are correct - the SEC may be brutal. I just think we could get thru it with just 3 losses rather than 8. Or it could be 10!! Who knows? At last we'll be watching good, fun basketball. I think we all agree on that.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 12-18-2024, 04:35 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Bama Cat:
The defense is going to get better as we get into SEC play.

I actually think the defense has been getting worse with each passing game and I think the metrics prove that. UK is ranked in the 50's on defensive efficiency which is better than last years team, but no where close to good enough to win a conference championship or NCAA Championship.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-18-2024, 07:04 PM:

I said long ago that this team was going to surprise a lot of people and that is just what has happened. The 3 point shot is what makes the team go, they make them and they win handily. Miss them and its tough to win but they have managed a couple of them. But they have to clean up those lay ups they are missing.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 12-19-2024, 08:07 AM:

I can only say that this team is starting from a much better place than almost all of Cal's teams, and certainly better than those of the last 7-8 years. We all expected improvement in Cal's teams, and I expect improvement in this one too.

I think we end up a very formidable opponent by March. Our inside game is working far better than I would have predicted, so we are not 100% reliant upon the 3-point shot. Defensively, these guys are experienced enough to pull together and put in the effort.

The SEC is brutal indeed, 6 teams in top 15. But, I ain't skeered. [Smile]

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-19-2024, 09:15 PM:

I don't think they are either. [Big Grin]

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 12-20-2024, 08:19 AM:

Don't get me wrong. I am very impressed by this team and I love how they play. I think we do have a chance to make a deep run in the tournament. My only worries right now are the lack of a true inside scorer that can get us a basket when we desperately need one, the fact that we don't do great at just beating our guy sometimes when it might be needed, and a little bit about our defense.

I think Carr could be the inside answer, I think Butler and Oweh can be the guys to get their own shots, not sure about the defense. I feel we will really find out about our defense when we play Florida at home and Tennessee on the road.

I do have faith in Pope to figure it out and find the best answers to what we need in any situation. Can't say I've had that confidence with UK basketball in a long, long time.