Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
At 10-5 Kentucky’s resume is anything but stellar and the team finds themselves in desperate need of some momentum. The schedule is wide open and should allow the Cats to build a little win streak before they go to Gainesville in a month. So far this year we have only been able to string together a streak of four games when we faced the group of cupcakes in December. A five game win streak right now could certainly help bring out the best of this group and here’s how these games will shake out:
Tennessee Vols
Tuesday’s game against the Vols marks the third game in five days for the Cats. Hopefully Camp Cal went a long way towards getting these guys conditioned or fatigue could certainly play a factor in this one. Tennessee has been pretty bad this year so they sit at 8-6 with an 0-2 mark in the SEC. Kentucky should have no problem with these guys but as we’ve seen you never know what this team is going to do next. They could show up and dominate the Vols or they could let Stokes and his stretching show up and give them a game. Hopefully we get the former rather than the latter.
@ Auburn Tigers
Next Saturday the Cats are back on the road as they head down to Auburn to take on the tigers. Auburn is riding some momentum as they have started league play 2-0 and only lost by 2 points to Illinois. Still their record is 8-7 and that includes some horrible losses to teams like Rhode Island and Winthrop. We’ve struggled on the road so far this year but we should have no problem taking care of the Tigers.
@ Alabama Crimson Tide
The Cats then stick around in Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide a week from Tuesday. Alabama started the year off with six wins but I guess attention shifted completely to football and they have gone 3-6 since then. That’s a record of 9-6 and they started of 1-1 in the SEC. Alabama still features Trevor Lacey and Travis Releford so they have the weapons to give the Cats a game. Kentucky is still the better team and should have no problem leaving Tuscaloosa with a win.
LSU Tigers
Okay let’s not mince word here, LSU is bad. Yeah they may have a record of 9-4 but they have played nothing but girl scouts and future rec league all stars. They’ve started the SEC with losses to Auburn and Florida so when they come to Lexington the Cats ought to be looking for their fourth win in a row. LSU is lead by KY Mr. Basketball Anthony Hickey who seems to be in an on again off again relationship with his team. That could be one of the factors in the Tigers losing 4 of their last 7 and I expect that number to grow before they arrive in Lexington.
@ Ole Miss Rebels
Don’t look now but Ole Miss is the surprise of the SEC. Last night the Rebs took Missouri behind the woodshed to the tune of 65-49. That puts Mississippi at 2-o in the league and 13-2 overall. Their two losses come by a combined 5 points which is impressive even if they have played literally no one. The win over Mizzou proves that the Rebels may be legit and the team will most likely be ranked when the Wildcats make the trip to Oxford. The game offers a chance to pick up a nice win which the Cats desperately need.
So what do you think? Will the Cats be able to build some needed momentum and reel off five straight? Or will the team continue to struggle and slide closer and closer to the bubble’s edge.
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January 13th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
At this point I have no confidence we will beat any of those teams. We should beat them but this group is pretty bad as a “team”.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Andrew….is there any way that you pundits can look at the history books to see if there has ever been a #1 recruiting class that sits at 10-5 at this point in the season??
January 13th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
sec basketball=sunbelt football
January 13th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Best case scenario we’re coming out of this 3-2. Dropping either one of the games in the state of Alabama and most certainly against Ole Miss.
Worst case scenario? I think we all know.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
I don’t see how we as UK fans can honestly and realistically say that ANY game “should be no problem”. With the losses to Baylor and Texas A&M, it’s glaringly obvious that we can’t assume anything with this bunch.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
1 I agree however I stil like my team….
January 13th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Well Alabama and ole miss are the two best teams in the conference I believe, after watching there games so far. Big physical and athletic, that’s what has always beat call teams. Cal let’s me down when it comes to those type games. How do you teach toughness, you can’t, you must recruit it!!!
January 13th, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Yea, “and I like my team” wow that’s about it!
January 13th, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Based on your predictions that we blow out Vandy and A&M
I says we go 0-5, maybe 1-4
at best.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Supposedly Vanderbilt, the laughing stock of the SEC so far this season, was supposed to be an easy win. We nearly threw that one away and probably should have lost. None of these games are “guaranteed wins”.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
@2 that info’s pretty easy to dig up. Here are the top-ranked recruiting classes (based on ESPN’s rankings) since 2007 and that team’s record through their first 15 games. I’m listing UCLA as the top recruiting class of 2012 just as a reference.
2012
UCLA 12-3
2011
UK 14-1
2010
UK 12-3
2009
UK 15-0
2008
UCLA 13-2
2007
Florida 13-2
…so, yeah, a 10-5 start is the worst among top-ranked recruiting classes since 2007.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:37 pm
as a coach, I’ve watched the films closely. offensive and defensive fundamentals are very poor, along with effort. The only player I see putting forth a consistent effort is Noel. unless this changes, it’s going to be a short season.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Vandy dropped 33 points on a pathetic Arkansas team yesterday. You rubes should be 9-6. Next time you think the refs cost you a game, just remember they handed you the vandy game. You have two wins against teams ranked better than 215 in the RPI. Hearing Drake and Uncle Wes are now being fitted for their NIT rings. Cards 2013 champs and will do it with 3 and 4 year pplayers that were legally recruited.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Can we all just agree this team is awful? I love Cal and I think he is a top 5 coach but only because recruiting is part of it…. Honestly I truly believe their are some coaches that would have this team playing much better than this, example: doubling a guy who lit you up for 20+ in the first half and surly if he has four fouls go at him and try to foul him out.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
To all the UL and IU fans on this site, Matt Jones would like to thank you for your mouse clicks. It makes the Benz payments for him.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Highly doubtful we beat UT. Cats play tight at home–knowing we are all disappointed with them-they feel the pressure.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
@ #13 “1986″”
January 13th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
I have a different take on this. Our 10-5 record shows that we can beat really bad non BCS schools with the exception of Maryland. Now we are in league play and as bad as the SEC is, you have to remember these are DIV I players and a lot of the games will be on the road. Our team does not understand how much effort is needed to win these kind of games. The first two SEC games should show us that unless all 5 guys start exerting themselves like Noel, we will be lucky to finish 9-9 in the SEC. If you remember, even the Anthony Davis team had to struggle to pull away to beat a bad Auburn team last year. What makes you think that a game at Auburn this year will be an automatic win. This could be like the Billy Gillispie team that imploded a few years back. Too much youth, bad chemistry and some of these 5 stars guys are a bit overrated. Noel, is a stud. WIthout him, this team would be lucky to win 10 games this year.
January 13th, 2013 at 1:50 pm
Who knows. Cal has really really spoiled us the last 3 years. This group is unbelievably frustrating. “Poythress is suppose to be this and that” they say. Yet we see alot of charges, and still playing with no emotion. I saw a post on here yesterday where they were getting excited about his 12 points against A&M? Really? And if I see one more post on here about how BAD a team is that we are playing again I think I’m gonna throw up. “Vandy is not good”….really? How about “Vandy is not good BUT could play well against us”. “Texas A&M is not good”….really could have fooled me. Any team that that plays us is gonna be good. They are playing US. Youbalways hear in the game against Cupcake University “this kid hasn’t hit a 3 all year” but he’s 8 of 10 against us? I get we get everybody’s best game. Just wish Cal would get the memo to this team. It’s weird when I check this site more now for football recruiting which I thought I’d NEVER say than I do for basketball. Just frustrated damn it….
January 13th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
@15 – I was just thinking about that the other day! The irony of it all! Although, in truth, it’s the same thing that many sports writers do. Write an article trashing Calipari and/or Kentucky and between all the UK fans flocking to defend the program and all the haters and trolls going there to jump on the bandwagon, it’s easy money.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
We lose at AL and at Miss period.
Here is the only problem I got with Cal. If you look at last year’s team, there are 3 players, at least 2 players, that should still be on this current team. Lamb, without question, should still be in college. He got drafted in the second round AND he is in the D League. Teague, was almost a second round pick and barely made the 1st round. If Teague comes back he could have easily played his way into the lottery. I can make a case that even Jones should have come back. Jones missed the lottery and has floated in and out of the D league. With this upcoming draft being so weak, Jones could have easily been a lottery pick along with Teague. I’m all for Cal and his “Players First Program” but he may be taking it too far with pushing some of these kids out the door that should have stayed like Lamb and Teague and possibly Jones. Eventually, you will run into a situation, like we are in now, where the freshman aren’t as mature and as good as the hype and when you don’t have any upperclassman who are talented and experienced, you will have a year like we are having now. This is Cal’s youngest team since he has been at UK. The only guy I see on this team who even needs to be thinking of going pro is Noel and maybe, maybe Stein and that’s a huge maybe.
If we lose the other two in Poly and Goodwin and we don’t have shit except a sucky season to show for it, then Cal deserves the heat he will receive from the National Media because if he is going to push these kids out the door then he better win and win big while he has them or otherwise it’s pointless. We need to start keeping some of these kids who arent guaranteed lottery picks.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
We is regrettin’ what we had said about commin’ tuh Kentucky Universary.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:05 pm
And to prove my point, we won National Title last year because of Jones, Lamb, and Miller all uperclassman with experience. Year before we went to final four with having Miller, Liggin and Jorts all uperclassman with experience and talent. The Wall year we had Patterson.
Teague and Lamb should still be on this team and if they were think of how different our team would be with those two players on our current team…
January 13th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Did you guys hear James from Wildcat Blue Nation Podcast call in to the Matt Jones spin zone tonight? I’d know that ignorant voice anywhere. He said Gorgui Dieng would be a non-factor against Kentucky, then he laid a double-double on your backsides. What a pathetic d.o.u.c.h.e!
January 13th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
I itch. I guess Matt went and gave me the crabbipoos again.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
LOL! Keep a kid who’s going to make 2 mil so your racist program can grab another banner? That’s gonna happen. Cal doesn’t care about banners or records. He cares about kickbacks and endorsement deals. Get used to it. Players first!
January 13th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
I’ll drop 40 on yall booties any day.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
11. NEWMAN….Good work and very interesting…thx much.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Hey guys, my name’s Paul Jordan, and I have this terrible podcast called Wildcat Blue Nation. I’m not a real journalist, but I pretend I am. I’m even worse than Matt Jones because at least he’s kind of funny with a modicum of intelligence and objectivity. But I’m terrible, and it sounds like I’m a big fat retard when I talk on my ridiculous podcast.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
You guys are probably going to the NIT. No shame in that. Plenty of great teams go to the NIT. Like, um, er, uh, well someone anyway. Oh, and no one cares about your four banners proudly gathering dust from a time before the advent of the three-pointer, shotclock, and admission of African Americans to the game. Seriosly, you all critique your coaches to death. You were pissed at Coach P after getting runner-up to AZ in 97 after having the greatest team in history the year before. So he left. Before that you drove Sutton to the bottle. Really, what have you had, like five coaches since Coach K started at Duke? No one wants to stay behind the Blue Curtain. Cal won’t get fired. He’ll just get fed up in about three-five years and move to UNLV where he’ll develop a gambling/hooker problem and have his whole career vacated.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Who in their right mind would ever say UK has some easy wins coming up. Have they not seen this team this year. This is a mediocre team at best and have no wins against anyone of importance. There is a very real possibility of a losing SEC record. The Cats are what they are and that is anything but good. Kudos to Noel and Harrow who play their butts off but cannot win by themselves.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
Just like to welcome the UK Men’s basketball team. Glad to have you here.
January 13th, 2013 at 2:50 pm
Step away from the bridge UK fans…
January 13th, 2013 at 2:56 pm
1986
January 13th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Do you like my posts? I am pretty funny, eh? I have a comedy act that I hope you appreciate. I consider myself intelligent and witty. I’ll be here all week. Donations are appreciated as I am living out of my suitcase at the moment…
January 13th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
We have come up with names for each year for our teams. With what has gone on this year, the name for this bunch will most likely be THE FORGETABLES…..
January 13th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
hey number 11 i think last years team had 3 guys starting at times that were not freshmen. and that team just wasnt freshman.some you people make me sick.This team is young and im all for what cal wants to do. and you ul trolls need to look up in your bird center and tells us how many championship banners are hanging there. just saying
January 13th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
hey number 30 that thing you call a coach blew our game when he could of played anderson he was ok and drs ok it. but he didnt but when ging dong had broke wrist he sure didnt care to get his butt out there cant wait till ul losses again and you guys can look at those 2 banners.Dont fool yuour self trollsssssss you are not gonna win a championship this year. thats funny if you think you are lollll
January 13th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT NIT
January 13th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@38 Your spelling, my God!
January 13th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
@38 – Why don’t you tell Cameron Mills that he blew the championship for you the next time you see him helping the homeless, working with kids, or any of the other multitude of activities he does which make him an exemplary college basketball alum. Anderson chose not to play, Mills said it in a recent interview. He was complaining about his knee hurting and didn’t want to risk his pro career.
January 13th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Yeah UK Fan, that’s right, those banners from the forties when there was no shot clock really matter a lot. LOL! North Carolina won an NC with a legally blind starter. You guys are cute. Your most legendary coach was a known racist. In 66, he said Texas Western were playing n*gg*ball and looked like monkeys. He said “the problem with the ABA is that there’s too many n**g*s playing in it.” You all should be really proud of that guy. After they close down Rupp arena, they’re opening the Hitlerdome.
January 13th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Hey guys, where can I get some crack? Oh, and a good defense attorney.
January 13th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Hey guys, where do yall keep your guns when you visit schools? I don’t want to get busted again. Also, @Jules, you wanna go in on a defense attorney together?
January 13th, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Seriously, I know all yall UK fans gots guns. Gimme summa yalls gats! They’s gonna take mine.
January 14th, 2013 at 12:32 am
4-1 losing at Ole Miss. We are not good right now but luckily the other 4 teams in this group are horrible. Still a bubble for tourney after this stretch. Will prolly need to beat UF here and not have any bad losses to get in Ncaa tourney. I say this as I don’t think we have a shot to win the SEC tourney.
January 14th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
A 13-2 record would be pretty impressive if Ole Miss had played “literally” no one.