Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Time to prepare for this?
The votes are in from the NCAA mock selection committee and the Cats did NOT make the tournament. The last spot came down to Kentucky or Villanova, and the Cats lost the tie-breaker vote. Keep in mind, this is before they’ve played any games without Nerlens Noel.
The main reason? No marquee wins. Matt said that who you beat is much more important than who you lose to, and the Cats not beating any teams the committee projected to be in the tournament killed their resume.
As Jerry Tipton would say, this does not bode well.
A reminder: The mock selection committee is made up of media members, including our own Matt Jones.
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
9 queries. 0.376 seconds
February 15th, 2013 at 11:32 am
This sucks
February 15th, 2013 at 11:35 am
How could you not take the team that is in 2nd place in the SEC? You know at least 3 conference teams will make the tourney, if not 4.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:37 am
If they don’t beat Florida and Missouri they don’t deserve to go and the NIT is the appropriate result. If they do beat those two team, they are in and will have earned it. Its up to them.. they control their own destiny.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:38 am
I’m preying they make it. It would be ashame if they didnt.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:40 am
There is always the SEC tournament with the weak SEC. Possibly 3 shots at Florida. You have to win at least one of them.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:40 am
as much as I hate to say this… and I’m one of the biggest fans out there… But we suck, there is nothing else to say about this team. They just arent that good!
February 15th, 2013 at 11:40 am
The hits keep comin’ This one stings.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:41 am
is ole miss not projected to be in?
February 15th, 2013 at 11:42 am
This team trying to assert themselves as a top seed in the NIT right now. With a little luck, they may secure home court for the tourney.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:43 am
Ole Miss will be in all day, urday.
We beat them away.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:43 am
Time to brush up on the selection process:
http://www.ncaa.com/selection-101
February 15th, 2013 at 11:46 am
But let me guess, they have UNC in
February 15th, 2013 at 11:46 am
Why is this surprising? We don’t have a single marquee win to our name, and no, Ole Miss doesn’t count. We still have the opportunity to play our way in, but TO DATE, there is no way this UK team is worthy of an NCAA spot.
Bear in mind that this UK team WITH Nerlens Noel couldn’t knock off Duke, Baylor, Louisville, etc. He was all we had going for us – a game changing defensive presence. We have no consistent lights-out shooter, no single player that can take over a game, no evidence of consistent team chemistry, no team ability to hit enough free throws to win tight games…the list goes on. Unless we see something totally foreign in the post-Noel era, this team deserves what they’ve got: Nothing.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:50 am
That sounds correct as of now. As of now we are not a tournament team. Let’s see if the team can win a few games without Noel carrying them. As of now they are not a tournament team and do not deserve to be in the tournament.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:52 am
How could we just be ranked 25th in one of the polls and not make the tourney?
February 15th, 2013 at 11:54 am
Not the REAL selection committe,
the mockers include, this sites, Matt Jones:
http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/index.ssf/2013/02/the_members_of_the_ncaas_mock.html
February 15th, 2013 at 11:56 am
from the link above:
Matt Jones (KySportsRadio) and Jim Sukup (The RPI Report), representing Judy MacLeod (C-USA Associate Commissioner). America East, Colonial, SWAC.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:56 am
So this “committee” only selected 2 SEC teams? That’s not happening. Either Mississippi or Kentucky is getting in. That’s just the way it is.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Tyler, you need to detail how the committee is made up of a bunch of people who have ZERO to do with the actual selection. Also that they were given the hypothetical conference tournament championships and prefilled like half the bracket before the mock committee even started selection. this means little to nothing.
February 15th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Why are you guys worried? We don’t get upset when we have an NIT season anymore because that makes us selfish, remember? We aren’t allowed to say anything negative or we are being disloyal. Love Cal, he’s a great Coach and I appreciate what he has done for the program in a very short time. However, an NIT season is NEVER acceptable here – last year’s Champions or not. Well, it didn’t used to be, anyway. No Coach or Player is bigger than the program (or is that also the way it used to be before the one year wonders?) I’m not hating…one and dones last year made one of the best teams I’ve seen. But the plan does have holes in it, as we can all see now.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
I guess that’s what happens to a team with too many pussies and not much basketball IQ!
February 15th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
20 — You are a jackass.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
This is reality folks. Its only a matter of time before the accurate “MOCK” drafts are released with Archie and Alex at the bottom looking up.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:04 pm
This is a garbage, “fantasy” game played by a bunch of bloggers and journalists. This is NOT indicative of how the REAL NCAA Selection Committee will perform, people. Nothing to see here, move on.
Repeat: Nothing to see here. Keep moving.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
I think this is pretty good news overall though. Considering we are right on the cut-off line shows we still have a real opportunity and control our own destiny. It won’t be easy but it can be done.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
How can we be in the top 25 and not be in a tournament of 64 teams?
February 15th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
We’re probably in today but could see us falling out without Nerlens down the stretch. It’s all good. Would hate to miss the tourney but chances of us making a good run are pretty low at this point. Those using this as an opportunity to bash Cal are completely out of line. There is no system that guarantees you have a final four team every year….especially with injuries. *See UNC Still love watching our CATS and seeing these guys develop. We’re restocking in a big way next year and I’m hopeful we see continued improvement in this young group going into the SEC Tourney. Not giving up hope yet but its gonna be alright either way!
February 15th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
22 – of course I am. Like I said, Cal is awesome, but this set up is not perfect. Case in point – Hello NIT unless something surprising happens. Additional case in point – In no way was I degrading Calipari or what he has done here, just pointing out that shoving everyone out the door to be drafted can really leave holes in the program. It is happening this year, you see it too, yet i am a jackass for pointing it out. Once again, things have changed in this fan base. NIT = not acceptable. I’m not pissed or dogging our coach – why would I? But he could tweak this system a little to avoid this again…
February 15th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
All of this speculation by ESPN, various pundits, and now this faux committee are just filler with no meaning. Last time I looked, there were still a number of regular season games to play, along with the SEC tournament thereafter. Whether or not this team gets in the NCAA tournament will be determined in those games. Let’s play it out before worrying about it.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
12:
Cyclone Basketball @CycloneMBB
NCAA Mock Selection results: Last 3 teams in- Cal, Virginia, Iowa State. Last 4 teams out- North Carolina, Charlotte, Villanova, Kentucky.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
These mock selections are a joke. Pay no attention to them. Right now we are in. Whether we stay in will depend on the rest of the season. This is silly.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Win Sat and they will be in. Just beat Tenn.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
If its who you beat and not who you lost to then how does the cards get in, they havent beaten a team in the top 25 but have lost to several.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
I think that it would be better for UK to win some games in the NIT, and possibly make the Final Four in NYC, than it would be make the NCAA and get bounced out in the first weekend or in the very first game. This young team needs to keep playing and practicing as long as possible. Besides, the NIT is no disgrace. In the early years it was the national championship of college basketball, more important than the NCAA Tournament. NIT Championships hang in the rafters of Rupp Arena. 1st round losses in the NCAA tournament do not.
February 15th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
I understand Villanova beat both UofL and Syracuse at home, but they have 10 losses and looking at their schedule, I would expect at least 3 more losses from them this season. I think we’ll be in if we can win the rest of our SEC games besides FL and Mizzou. There still is the SEC tourney too, we still have a chance to pick up a couple of quality wins there. UNC and UCLA also picked up losses this week so they could end up more on the bubble than us at the end of the season.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
I am in total shock that any Kentucky fan would be happy with and even want a F____ NIT bid vs NCAA.I would take a 1st round lose to a NIT Title any day of the week. Cannot wait for us to hang that NIT banner! Lets party in the streets!We are UK… if this years team will not play with hart to get into the NCAA what kind of effort will they give in the NIT? 1st round lose in the NIT would be embarrassing for UK for years to come.How can you say a NIT bid is no disgrace? We still have 7 games and we will win 5 or 6 of those games and at least 3 games in SEC tournament and go to the NCAA’s.No way there are 68 teams better then us now or at the end of SEC tournament. WE’re in! Now I’m going to go have a drink of Bourbon! lol Go CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 15th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
I had been under the impression from earlier posts that this was something the real selection committee did to show media members how the process works. Not that the media members were actually the ones making the selections. Honestly, how many games that don’t include the team they cover do you think these media members actually watch. Also, with the huge amount of UK haters out there some of that bias has to be present with these media members. This means about as much as Flener’s bachelor posts do to UK’s tourney chances.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
Chill out guys. Lunardi still has us in his latest bracket that is out today. meow.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Why doesnt this team reach down between thier legs and make sure they still got a pair and start playing ball like the number one recruiting class they were supposed to have been and win the rest of the regular season games and the SEC tournament and not rely on some committee to go to the NCAA tournament. Thet are the defending champions after all. Do it for Nerlens if for no other reason , after all he carried the team this far by himself
February 15th, 2013 at 1:13 pm
Sorry and no offense to MJ or anyone else who went to this exercise in futility… but while things APPEAR to be borderline for the Cats… let’s support the team and hope for the best… and most of all stop chasing would be expert’s opinions. Geez – there are tons of games yet to be played by many teams that impact all of this. We have the chance to respond to the challenge. Let’s see how this plays out.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
Let’s just see what this team has. For those of you who are nOT trolls and just blowing ca ca out of proportion, get a life. Stuff happens in this world and things like what happened To Noel is just that…..It happens. I have a feeling this team will rally like no one’s business, and maybe just one more loss before the SEC tourny. If you don’t like it, go root for the Tards or Loosiers!!!!!! GO CATS!
February 15th, 2013 at 1:15 pm
28 – Going to disagree with you… first for the “pushing them out the door” comment. Cal doesn’t push them out the door, he just doesn’t lie to them and tell them to stay when they have a chance to make millions. Secondly, no one ever said this system was perfect. If it was, every team would do it and some team besides our team last year would have won the title with so little experience. Lastly, we have had exceedingly young teams the last 4 years (especially when you consider starting lineups) and yet we still have been to an elite 8, final 4, and national title. This team, to me at least, is not a lot like our team two years ago… and if you would have taken out Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, or Brandon Knight I think we’d be in much the same position as this team without Noel.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
42 – pretty much agree except with the statement that if this system was perfect every team would do it. Cal is the only one who CAN do it. This systems works as well as any at winning championships and we get to watch a whole bunch of talent become a part of the BBN.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
42 – thank you for disagreeing without fighting. I understand what you’re saying with my “pushing them out the door comment”. Let me clarify by saying that I do think that, while I could have phrased that in better fashion, the Draft is Cal’s #1 recruiting tool and he uses it to the fullest extent. This year, while unintended, it was to the detriment of the program. I do believe Terrence Jones had the talent to be a top 5 pick, but not the attitude. Had he stayed and continued to grow mentally and emotionally, it may well have been better for him. However, I will say that I would have gone, as well. I do disagree with one of your points regarding losing Brandon Knight, etc. in that that team would have been – at worst – a solid lower seed tourney team without Jones or Knight. I certainly hope to be surprised, but I don’t see any top level basketball players on this team outside of Noel. If not for the push to play the talented Frosh here, Poythress would get Polson minutes and Goodwin wouldn’t start for any team in the country because he’s too wild, selfish, and immature. Obviously, both of these kids have elite athleticism…they just don’t play elite basketball. Not even good basketball, IMO. Not as Freshman. Poythress reminds of T. Jones’ inability to engage mentally, and Goodwin reminds me of a 6th grader that is heads above everyone on the floor athleticism-wise but can’t be coached. I do see your point, however.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
F that
February 15th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
yeah lol @ 22…since when does someone have to “push” a kid to make millions pursuing their dream? Pretty sure the boys were running out the door to sign their contracts.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
I wouldn’t be shocked if they didn’t make it, but based on Lunardi’s track record, I think I’ll use him as a source for this information.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
I can’t help but think that there is a little bit of, if we wish it, maybe it will come true and we will all have an easy story to write about one and done players going on in that room. If quality of wins and how a team is playing right now is so important, how could you justify Louisville as a 3 seed? They are 4-4 in their last 8 and have at most 2 quality wins all year, perhaps 1 more than Kentucky.
February 15th, 2013 at 1:58 pm
@46 – lol all you want, but prior to Cal’s dominance in the realm of one and done players, lots of kids stayed in school to become better prepared for – not just the game of NBA basketball – but how to handle the press, money and fame. Sometimes, short term gain = long term loss.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
you mean, like Antoine Walker? He stayed 3 years. Didn’t see him adjust too well to the money and fame. Its personality and smarts, not the number of years in school. Thats why Cal pushed Cousins out the door. He knew he was going to be Demarcus regardless of how many years he stayed in school. He’s in his third year and it doesn’t appear that he’s handling adversity any better than he did when he was a freshman.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
I’m interested to know if Matt voted UK in or out of the tournament. I know he attempts to be as unbiased as they come, but honestly, Villanova’s resume probably looks better than ours right now.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Kentucky isn’t out yet.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
@ 50 – I agree…Antoine Walker was going to wind up in the same boat no matter how long he stayed. Just his personality. Same for Big Cuz (who I love no matter what he does in the NBA). I also agree with your statement about personality and smarts being a major factor. I will also agree with what you forgot to say, and that’s the fact that some of these kids receive more positive guidance from Coaches like Cal in a year or two than in their previous years combined. Sorry… getting paid sooner rather than later is not always a good thing for some people. Not saying that every kid can’t handle it, but not every kid can. Just like not every UK fan can admit that some things aren’t perfect about whoever happens to be coaching, and some can. Read my previous posts and you’ll see I’m not bashing Cal, but I’m not putting him above the program, either. In this case, I do believe that Cal has become bigger than the program and I do not like that. I’m from Kentucky, and will be here long after he’s gone. Some people need to remember that. There was a time when you couldn’t point out obvious issues with Tubby or BCG, as well, so I don’t take offense or expect anything different… but there are holes in the system. If there weren’t, we wouldn’t be staring the NIT straight in the face this year. Can anyone argue that point, other than those who say they are okay with the NIT since we got #8 last year? Those people are not UK fans, they are Calipari fans. UK fans despise seasons like this, and used to demand better. Once again, I love what he’s done, last year’s team was historically great, and it is a welcome change from Tubby Ball and that last loser Barnhart hired…but the NIT is not something I ever thought I would hear a UK fan say was acceptable back when the program was more important than the coach.
February 15th, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Breaking news every team in the big east will be in the NCAA tourney.
February 15th, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Maybe don’t take 12 teams from the Big East and 9 from the Big 10…???
Ridiculousness!!!
February 15th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Don’t get too worked up…that why they call it a “Mock” selection – because it means nothing.
February 15th, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Does ANYBODY on here think that maybe UK doesn’t deserve to go to the tourney? It will become more clear to you after they lose tomorrow. Don’t hate on me for being realistic
February 15th, 2013 at 4:45 pm
Don’t really understand the reasoning given: “The main reason? No marquee wins. Matt said that who you beat is much more important than who you lose to, and the Cats not beating any teams the committee projected to be in the tournament killed their resume. ”
What are the marquee wins for Alabama or Cincinnati? I know Alabama beat us, which is not a marquee win, but they just lost to Auburn by double digits!
It’s all crazy anyway, it will be about what they do over their next 7 games and the SEC tournament. Go 4-3 win a game or two in the SEC tournament and they’ll be 12-6 in the SEC and 22 or 23 and 11 or 12 and they’re in!
February 15th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
I’m praying that girl learns how to spell……..
February 15th, 2013 at 7:20 pm
Thanks 16 for that link. Hmmm, 3 media members from Indianapolis, 1 from the Louisville CJ, 1 from Knoxville, 1 from Kansas, 1 from Syracuse. 7 of the 20 people attending this mock selection committee are from areas that have schools that hate or are rivals with KY. I can’t help but feel that may have had some bearing on the outcome of their selections. Fortunately this was only a mock exercise and the team has the opportunity to erase all doubt and play their way into the tournament. Hopefully they will rise to the occasion. It will be an interesting show on Monday when Matt will probably discuss the selection process in detail. I am very interested to hear about it.