Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
“Playing not to lose” is a phrase we’re not used to hearing around these parts these days. But, that’s exactly what Cal said the Cats did tonight in the second half against Alabama:
“(Alabama) fought and had great confidence and played to win. We played not to lose, which young guys do on the road at times. …This is a young team, I’m trying to be patient, I am. At some point you buy in.”
For the past two weeks, Cal has preached the importance of “buying in” for this squad. He says the first step is individual players buying in to the way they have to play to be successful, and once they’ve done that, the team coming together as one. Several players failed at the former tonight, namely Archie Goodwin, Ryan Harrow, and according to Cal, Nerlens Noel. Cal said that Nerlens reverted back to bad habits, coming off his feet during shot fakes. In order for the him to be successful, Cal said it is critical for Nerlens to stay down. A defeated Nerlens admitted the lapse as well: “I should have stayed on my feet and stayed disciplined. I definitely owed that to my team.”
Seven blocks helps make up for it.
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January 23rd, 2013 at 12:17 am
Sure didn’t play to win…
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:18 am
And why in the hell would you criticize your only player given 110% in Nerlens???? I’m baffled….just baffled.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:21 am
Boy we arent very good, we dont deserve to be a ncaa tourny team, nit here we come. When does football season start?
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:21 am
If it wasn’t for Noel we’d have last by 20 kid is the only bright spot. Someone tell me why Cal played Archie for 35min???? For those of you thinking next will be diff wake up. I’ve seen both the twins and Wiggins and I’m not impressed.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:22 am
Cal needs to send Polson packing…that kid doesn’t have to talent to play for UK. He got absolutely abused defensively. Beaten off the dribble at will, and gave up a huge three in the second half that he wasn;t physically able to defend. He is outclassed every time he takes the floor…can anyone say michael porter
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:22 am
It’s a catch-22 really. A lot of people have been saying over the past few years how they hate the “one and dones” and how they should all stay a few years. Now we get a group of guys (besides Nerlens) that aren’t good enough to go pro this year and everyone is mad. Can’t have it both ways folks.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:23 am
Cal did take Memphis to the NIT four times
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:24 am
I agree. Also seemed like Noel had more than 7 blocks. He bails others out all the time on defense. If he’s not in tonight they lose by 20. The officials were terrible, and harrow and Goodwin played for themselves and not the team. Poythress plays like he doesn’t want to get injured. Just tough to watch. When they play together its great and they’re dangerous. Wish they could see that.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:29 am
#4. We’ll see. One thing I do know is wiggins and the twins can finish at the hoop. They also have more moves. They won’t be bullied like harrow, can shoot better than Goodwin, and are more competitive than poythress. Assuming wiggins even chooses uk.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:35 am
it didn’t work! we lost!
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:37 am
I’m “buying in” to a disappointing and mediocre season culminating in a NIT appearance.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:40 am
I want this team to do good and I think the players want this team to do good. But Archie wants Archie to do good. If I see Noel ready for the lob one more time and Archie throws up an air ball I’m gonna puke. I’m not making excuses for poythress but he’s just not as good as what people thought but Archie deliberately says to him I’m gonna get mine screw the team and that is what kills us.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:41 am
Not like last season. No sure we can still hope for it being like 2 seasons ago. Nerlens can play and seems to improve at a steady rate not certain what Goodwin is doing at all. The others can not lead a team into the tourny.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:41 am
The reason we suck is because we do not have enough players. Normally we could bench poythress and goodwin until they buy in…but how do we do that now? With Willie hurt what is the bench??
Malone, Hood, Polson, Beckman?? We can only use Hood and Polson sparingly. Goodwin and Poythress get their minutes no matter how they play because we really have no bench.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:42 am
I am more disappointed about our fans than the loss. Go cheer for Louisville if you don’t like this team. WE DON’T NEED YOU!
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:45 am
#4. Are you retarded? What do you mean “I’m not impressed”? Next year you’ll be saying “I told you they were awesome!!”. Who are you anyway? Jim Bob the recruiting extraordinaire? Did you go to Wiggins’ games, sit there with your arms crossed while Wiggins’ was posterizing fools and say “I am not impressed”. I don’t think there are many people out there (unless they’re unbelievable athletes themselves) besides you with the gall to say something as ridiculous as that. Same thing goes for the twins, there is a reason why every team in the nation would love to have these players. So for you to sit there and say “I’m not impressed” just proves you’re an idiot.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:47 am
The comments I have read here tonight makes me question being a UK fan for 30 years and running. Thanks to everyone of the BBN for making this the best and worst program to play for. I cannot believe an 18 or 19 year old kid would ever make a mistake. Please show your support in good times and bad.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:47 am
People will say I’m crazy and that’s fine we all have opinions but I would love to see Archie sit for about 12-15 minutes and put hood on the floor for an extended period. We don’t need a superstar we need somebody who won’t throw the ball away on almost every posession when he gets it.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:48 am
#17-My thoughts exactly.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:52 am
Here’s the good news: Wiltjer is back. He is a force offensively. Even when they knew he was the only option, his passing ability made Alabama squirm. Even if Alex doesn’t emerge into the force he can be, we’ll be alright when WCS gets back. Today we had 6 rotation players, and one fouled out.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:54 am
Wow, mad about what? We arent very good, so u are mad at the fans? We are a nit team and facts are facts.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:58 am
I played basketball my whole life. In high school I was the next big thing where I was from. I averaged 29 per game my senior year and I always dreamed of playing at UK. I couldn’t went to a smaller D-1 school. I will never forget the feeling about 6-7 games in when I realized I wasn’t as good as I thought I was. I was crushed to a level that most people will never understand. I think Archie and Alex are dealing with that a little right now and they are not sure how to handle it. They will hopefully be fine. They can work through it and if they do watch out. DON’T GIVE UP DON’T EVER GIVE UP. By the way I played four years in college averaged 14and 9 my senior year they can get there.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:03 am
It did seem he was thinking what we should call a “Nerlens Triple Double” because the chances of seeing that in the way hell get it. 10points , 10rebounds, 10 blocks, a much more rare triple double. The Nerlens triple double coming soon. They deffinately showed their youth tonight against a tall quick team, that could barely score. Oh well it is what it is. Archie needs to figure it out. I feel he cost us 10 points tonight, he will agree if he really watches the tape. Guess what he’s a freshmen that really doesn’t have anyone behind him that can do his things. He’s just gotta finish or throw the pass.other than our youth we don’t have depth really. Luckily we stil got Nerlens. He had another awesome dunk tonight, and put a blocked shot clinic out there. That Nerlens is awesome. Not bound? Maybe. Still got SEC tournament. This is one of those slow processing team. It still can happen for this team I believe. God bless the cats!!
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:07 am
Hey Joe…go back and read most of the comments about the players mainly in posts right after the game. Realizing we are not very good and bashing young basketball players are two completely different things. I am more pissed at our fans than I am losing to Alabama.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:10 am
For those of you calling out the “fans”. There have been numerous tard trolls on here lately and without registration it seems unlikely to get better soon.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:15 am
17. If you think fans are just going to sit back and watch a UK basketball team and certain players not give effort and play with no heart, you are crazy. I played ball in many sports when i was younger than these guys.. and I gave effort and listened to my coach. I didnt play for me, I played for the team. Im sick of hearing about how 18 and 19′s are bound to make silly mistakes so therefore we should just give them a break because they are young. What I saw tonite was not a team effort; it was selfish effort (if you want to call that effort). If they had given 110% and listened to the coach, I wouldve been fine with it.. If you are questioning whether you are a UK fan, then just please move on to the next team. You obviously dont show any passion either.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:16 am
5. Yeah, you posted that on the other thread already. At least he plays hard and doesn’t disappear like Poythress. He knows how to pass the ball, unlike Goodwin, who probably couldn’t pass gas. Nerlens played great, but he HAS to score more. There ain’t a guy on this team that can finish around the rim if it ain’t lobbed to them. Goodwin has NO handles, Poythress has NO heart and Wiltjer has NO speed, and he still played better offensively than Goodwin. Some of this HAS to be on Cal, because when you got a guy who finishes the game 2-12 taking shots in the last 2 minutes of the game, that’s coaching. Aarghchie is just here to get his. I’ll be glad when he’s gone.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:19 am
Anyone else notice how dejected Nerlens looked in that press conference? Really have to feel for this team and the struggles they’re going through trying to become consistent. Nerlens can put this team on his back, but he can’t do it alone. Lebron couldn’t, Shaq couldn’t, Jordan couldn’t (maybe)…but they’ve got to stay close and continue to fight. They also need the full support of the BBN; they’re scrutinized enough already. Lets not add insult to injury and be “those” types of fans. BBN = family. Treat them like your kids-after all, that’s what they are.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:19 am
Anyone have a link to the post game press confrence?
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:21 am
DLN, I know many parents who would whip their kids asses after a performance like that. We are treating them like our kids in a way.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:30 am
Everyone needs to quit getting so down on Poythress. Hell, what kid could play with confidence if he is pulled out of the game every two minutes if he makes one mistake. Hell, if Coach Cal pulled Goodwin out for half of the mistakes he makes, he would only play 8-10 minutes/game. Maybe if Poythress was left in a game for longer than 4 minutes at a time we would see what this kid that is shooting 62% in SEC play could do. He has no time to get in a groove, much less the game.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:57 am
31) Poythress went to the bench tonight bc he is constantly in foul trouble. He fouled out.
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:00 am
Not sure if you all are true fans or not. I just purchased tickets to see the CATS at GA. Stand by the CATS thru probation, domination, and determination.
January 23rd, 2013 at 2:05 am
If you look back he goes to the bench whether he’s in foul trouble or not every single game. We have to give this kid a chance. I bet he scores at least 20 the next time he’s in the game for more than 8 consecutive minutes each half.
January 23rd, 2013 at 7:03 am
Nerlens! Sit straight, head up! You da man!
January 23rd, 2013 at 7:12 am
Time to grow a set and earn your paycheck Cal. It’s time to show Archie some serious bench time when he continues to charge into the lane and flop as soon as there is any contact. Archie has not “bought in” at all and for whatever reason you have given him a pass all season. But then you felt you needed to have Noel share the blame for this loss. Late in the game he did revert to leaving his feet. But if it were not for Noel you would have been down double digits at the half and lost by 20 plus. And where’s your ownership of the offense (or lack of) you ran in the second half? Why were you not forcing more touches for Wiltjer and Noel? It has become very obvious this team does not have the skills or mentality to be successful with the dribble drive offense. It results in passing the ball around the perimeter for 25 – 30 seconds with no real threat of scoring.
January 23rd, 2013 at 7:16 am
How in the world Cal can say one negative word about Noel is beyond me. On defense, it was one against five. Many more years like this one, and Cal will have to recruit instead of players lining up at his doorstep. Being an old man, I’ve set up late my last time to watch this team. I’ll record it, and only watch it IF they win. I love my Cat’s, but I hate this team.
January 23rd, 2013 at 8:25 am
26 – With that logic, we should NEVER lose a game.
January 23rd, 2013 at 8:33 am
Nerlens looks so defeated in that picture. Can’t believe Cal would call him out. Dude plays his a$$ off every game. I can take a loss if the effort is there. I feel sorry for Nerlens having to play with these selfish guards. Kyle, keep your chin up. You played well last night as well. Probably would’ve won the game had the selfish guard with the initials AG found you instead of making stupid decisions.
January 23rd, 2013 at 8:40 am
Noel is a freaking beast. To put any part of the blame on him is just wrong. That kid played his ass off. He is a legit star and #1 pick. He is the only player living up to expectations.
January 23rd, 2013 at 8:41 am
Stay positive with these guys, nothing we say or do helps. The worst criticism these guys get is that they put on there own shoulder. Nothing negative WE say is going to help these guys and if anything it might hurt.. Just keep yourself in check and let the players and coaches do there job.
There is a reason were sitting behind a computer and not the ones out on the court, leave it to the coaches and players, they dont need any of us the same way I dont want Joe Blow sitting at house drawing a check telling me how to do my job.
January 23rd, 2013 at 9:29 am
Can someone show me these mythical NBA scouts who claim Goodwin and Poythress are NBA players?
Goodwin can’t shoot, has horrible shot selection, average defense, turnover prone AND poor mechanics on FT’s as was finally discussed during the game
Poythress has no effort, weak defense, turnover prone, no aggression, and is highly prone to fouls, and also has FT issues.
NBA ?!?!?!? These two would get SMOKED at the NBA level. Do they have the physical gifts? Absolutely. Are they NBA ready? Not even CLOSE !!
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:41 pm
42. While I agree with everything you said, if there is for whatever reason an nba scout reading this stuff…they’re the greatest players. Take them early, you won’t regret it.