Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Here were the 4 major themes that I think came from this weekend:
1. How in the hell did Butler make the Final Four AGAIN?
2. How in the hell did UCONN make the Final Four with just 1 player?
3. How in the hell did VCU make the Final Four by beating Kansas by 10?
4. How in the hell did Kentucky make the Final Four with their draw?
Whether or not it has been the best NCAA Tournament in history is up for debate. But, there can be no dispute about it being the most improbable tournament in history. Never has there been a Final 4 with no 1 or 2 seeds. It is the highest cumulative seed total for any Final Four in history. And as amazing as this seems, none of the Final 4 participants won their conference in the regular season. But, even though Kentucky is the betting favorite in Houston, their run might be the most improbable, when you consider the opponents.
For comparisons sake, compare some of these past Final 4 teams to the 2011 version (since the tourney expanded in 1985):
COMBINED SEEDS BEATEN TO REACH THE FINAL FOUR
2011: 21 (13, 5, 1, 2)
1997: 30 (16, 8, 4, 2)
1996: 31 (16, 9, 4, 2)
1993: 32 (16, 8, 5, 3)
1998: 32 (15, 10, 6, 1)
COMBINED MARGIN OF VICTORY TO REACH FINAL FOUR
2011: 19 points
1998: 70 points
1997: 72 points
1996: 113 points
1993: 124 points
-Kentucky had NEVER even reached the Elite 8 as anything worse than a 3-seed since the tournament expanded in 1985.
-Kentucky had NEVER reached the Final Four as anything worse than a 2-seed since seeding began in 1979.
-Kentucky had NEVER won an NCAA Tournament game with a basket inside of 10 seconds. They have done it twice in 2011.
-Kentucky had NEVER beaten Ohio State or North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, a total of 7 losses.
And despite all of that above being against the Cats, and they overcame it, the most improbable statement of them all is this:
KENTUCKY IS FAVORED TO WIN THE TITLE!!!
Personally, I like “The Improbables” for this team. I know “The Avengers” has gained some steam, but if this team wins it all, IMPROBABLE is the most accurate word to describe them.
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March 28th, 2011 at 9:03 am
Is there a 1 seed this year?
March 28th, 2011 at 9:05 am
What is going on with the math?
March 28th, 2011 at 9:06 am
This post makes no sense.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:07 am
“The Improbables” sorta sounds a little disrespectful to the players. It’s accurate, but a nickname that sounds like we did not have faith in there abilities seems like one we could do without.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:07 am
May want to proof read BTI
March 28th, 2011 at 9:07 am
Your numbers for the seeds do not support the claim in the paragraph above it and 3 times you have 16 seeds in the final four………you suck
March 28th, 2011 at 9:07 am
I think BTI was drinking when he came up with the seeding thing. Not accurate.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:11 am
BTI, your Kenpom research on what ‘ratings’ a final four team needs.. was full of it.
Here’s some numbers for you.
3+4/2,000.43*43.33*2(15/88.43)/65,002.29-1+6=BTI sucks.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:11 am
A 16 seed has never beaten a 1 seed, but 3 of them made the Final Four…impressive!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:11 am
Never would have thunk it, but we may actually see Jorts’ jersey hanging in Rupp
March 28th, 2011 at 9:12 am
Yeah, there is a 26 total seed number for the FF this year.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:13 am
It says seeds BEATEN to reach Final Four. What is confusing about this?
March 28th, 2011 at 9:13 am
ummmm you complainers are misreading bti’s post
March 28th, 2011 at 9:14 am
SO your Saying that ’96 KY was NOT a #1 seed….dude…
March 28th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Listened to the post game yesterday online. BTI sounds like a big dork. GO CATS!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:14 am
He is listing the combined seeds that were beaten on UK’s Final Four teams, not the combined seeds that made the Final Four. This year they beat a 13, 5, 1 and 2 seed.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Understand the numbers BTI the combined seeds are the seeds UK had to beat in order to get to the Final 4, this year compared to other years UK basically got the shafted and still won.
There’s too many names we can call this team but I’m only happy with one, NCAA CHAMPIONS!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Understand the numbers BTI the combined seeds are the seeds UK had to beat in order to get to the Final 4, this year compared to other years UK basically got the shafted and still won.
There’s too many names we can call this team but I’m only happy with one, NCAA CHAMPIONS!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:15 am
13 for 2010
March 28th, 2011 at 9:15 am
*why did it post twice?? fml
March 28th, 2011 at 9:16 am
I like the label “unbelieveables” myself.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:16 am
22 in 2000
March 28th, 2011 at 9:16 am
“Jigga’s Jort’s Cat’s” FTMFW
March 28th, 2011 at 9:16 am
13 in 92
March 28th, 2011 at 9:17 am
He is giving the seeds that we have beaten this year to make the final 4, compared to previous tourney runs
March 28th, 2011 at 9:17 am
apologies BTI…….just glanced at the stats cause I normally can’t bear to read your entire submissions
March 28th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Reading comprehension is fun!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:18 am
15 in 86; BTI’s point is well-taken. As far as the numbers go, only 200 was even close, really, to having the underdog factor that this year has…. maybe it was a typing error…
March 28th, 2011 at 9:19 am
26) I can barely stand to WRITE some of my drivel, so I understand not reading it. Haha.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:19 am
the rematch cats
March 28th, 2011 at 9:22 am
Less BTI articles, more celebration videos.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:23 am
15 in 86; BTI’s point is well-taken. As far as the numbers go, only 2000 was even close, really, to having the underdog factor that this year has…. maybe it was a typing error…
March 28th, 2011 at 9:24 am
That was the seeds we beat fellas. Was that hard to understand? I forgive u. We all blue in this biach.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:24 am
the “i’m comin after ur momma” cats
March 28th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Wonder if Trevor watched the games this past weekend. If Cal comes knocking–you should sign on the dotted line NOW.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Best Josh Video ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1nP_u1sDOY&feature=youtube_gdata_player
March 28th, 2011 at 9:25 am
I don’t think the “Improbables” would be how this team would want to be remembered. Sure, it might represent them in some way, but I think the “Redeem Team” represents them better and has a much more positive connotation.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:26 am
Gotta give you credit BTI on keeping your cool for the most part. People get on here and completely misread your post and call you an idiot.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:27 am
TEAM REDEMPTION!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:28 am
I’m thinking “The Undeniables”
March 28th, 2011 at 9:29 am
good post B…i agree on the name “The Improbables”
March 28th, 2011 at 9:30 am
THE REDEEM TEAM
March 28th, 2011 at 9:32 am
actually our team should be called “Avenged Sevenfold” (Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Vandy, West Virginia, UNC, UConn) god damn you Ole Miss for making it 8
March 28th, 2011 at 9:32 am
PAYBACK CATS
March 28th, 2011 at 9:33 am
All UK team don’t have to have a nickname just to be having one. If it’s forced it’s not the same as one just sticking with a team. I go with #18 on this nickname thing, NCAA CHAMPIONS!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:33 am
I’m glad everybody decided to chill out and see what BTI was trying to do. Good post BTI. This team has earned everything in this tourney. No free passes, no cake walks. Let the haters hate, the Cats have had to beat the best to get to Houston. Now they have to face the best player in the country to move on. It’s not about the best player, it’s about the best team!
Go Cats!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:33 am
43) We beat Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament. But, Arkansas is the team they have no chance to avenge.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:34 am
@34, maybe we could alter it a bit for more of a deandre lean: “don’t do it cats”
March 28th, 2011 at 9:35 am
I like “THE REDEEM TEAM”
March 28th, 2011 at 9:35 am
If we cut down the nets in Houston, how ’bout The Unstoppables?
March 28th, 2011 at 9:36 am
I’m with 49 – THE REDEEM TEAM!!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Who ever posted “The Redeem Team” or Team redeem I like that! I still can’t believe it. This has been one badass team!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:38 am
What about “The Believers”? I mean we may think of them as the “Improbables” but they had to believe in themselves and their coaches.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:39 am
That’s because we were seeded wrong by the selection committee.
Call them whatever in the heck you want I plan on calling them Champions
March 28th, 2011 at 9:39 am
I like “The Unstoppables”…. went through more road blocks than any team in UK history to reach this point…
March 28th, 2011 at 9:40 am
the improbables sounds too impersonal. like you’re just stating a mathematical fact about the team’s low odds of making it this far. in other words its just way too “BTI”, and no one wants to be remembered that way.
I’m not good at nicknames but i like any of the others better than that. i mean seriously – the improbables – that’s what you come up with?? do us all a favor and please remove yourself from having any input on the nickname.
otherwise good post!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:40 am
I think what has stood out the most for me these past few games has been the resiliency of our guys in the last minute or few seconds of the game, I’m calling them “THE CLUTCH CATS”.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:42 am
2010-2001 NCAA Champions has a nice ring to it.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Cal’s Cardiac Cats.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:43 am
i misspelled a number….fml—-2010-2011
March 28th, 2011 at 9:45 am
Nice post BTI….I prefer the Avengers though. It makes them sound like superheroes.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:47 am
i don’t think you even worry about the team nickname unless they win the tourney
March 28th, 2011 at 9:48 am
I say the Savy Six.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I know the shtick on this site is to flame BTI for anything and everything he posts, but I think he does a good job quantifying what we have all been feeling about this team’s special run.
Plus he is doing a fabulous job on the radio show. Maybe it’s time to get off his back a little?
March 28th, 2011 at 9:51 am
The better nickname for this team: The Undeniables. These guys simply will not be denied!
March 28th, 2011 at 9:53 am
I think that we need to identify the coaching staff on this one…what about Cal’s Incredibles?
March 28th, 2011 at 9:54 am
The Sensational Six
March 28th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Uconn does not just have one player. Jeremy Lamb is a first round pick. Saying that we are still gonna win.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:56 am
How about…”2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Champions” that’s my personal favorite.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Bellarmine and Pikeville are champions, UK is in the final four. The state of Kentucky is once again at the center of the basketball universe, just as I planned.
March 28th, 2011 at 9:59 am
The Eunuchs – because they did it without an Enes.
Couldn’t resist. I like the Redeem Team suggestion.
March 28th, 2011 at 10:02 am
A friend of mine who is a UNC grad texted me after the game to say congratulations, and commented that the “payback tour” continues in Houston, which I thought was very funny. So, my choice of a nickname would be the “Payback Cats.”
March 28th, 2011 at 10:02 am
The Irreplaceables
The Unbreakables
March 28th, 2011 at 10:02 am
can we just take another teams name?? Team USA was the redeem team, we need something that when someone says it in conversation you don’t have to ask, “which one?”
March 28th, 2011 at 10:04 am
right now lets just hope we are calling them National Champions next monday night. Ill go with that
March 28th, 2011 at 10:20 am
I like “The Unstoppables”, but my preference would be
“Lil’ Josh and the Miracles”
March 28th, 2011 at 10:22 am
I think we should be called “TEAM REDEMPTION.” I mean not only did we avenge the loss to WVU from last year, but we have also beat 5 of the 8 teams that we have lost to this year, and a chance to make UCONN #6. On top of that, the teams that we have beat in UNC and Ohio St., typically in the past have gave us problems. Not to mention the GROWN A** Man that Jorts has turned into when everyone including myself doubted him. This team has more then exceeded expectations, and made people like myself who doubted them early in the year, “TRUE BELIEVERS.” The legend of JORTS continues……. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:22 am
I like the “Redeem Team” or “the Avengers”
March 28th, 2011 at 10:22 am
I think we should be called “TEAM REDEMPTION.” I mean not only did we avenge the loss to WVU from last year, but we have also beat 5 of the 8 teams that we have lost to this year, and a chance to make UCONN #6. On top of that, the teams that we have beat in UNC and Ohio St., typically in the past have gave us problems. Not to mention the GROWN A** Man that Jorts has turned into when everyone including myself doubted him. This team has more then exceeded expectations, and made people like myself who doubted them early in the year, “TRUE BELIEVERS.” The legend of JORTS continues……. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:22 am
I think we should be called “TEAM REDEMPTION.” I mean not only did we avenge the loss to WVU from last year, but we have also beat 5 of the 8 teams that we have lost to this year, and a chance to make UCONN #6. On top of that, the teams that we have beat in UNC and Ohio St., typically in the past have gave us problems. Not to mention the GROWN A** Man that Jorts has turned into when everyone including myself doubted him. This team has more then exceeded expectations, and made people like myself who doubted them early in the year, “TRUE BELIEVERS.” The legend of JORTS continues……. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:23 am
what an amazing run!!! Hope all the UK fans who were bashing this team a month ago are hiding in a corner somewhere, all those who commented on the one and dones, all those saying Cal is a good recruiter but not a good coach. Hows that crow tasting now? You really don’t deserve to enjoy what this team has done, but never the less I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. Go CAts!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:24 am
When I looked outside this morning it was snowing, BUT I knew it was spring time because there were 5 cardinals sitting on a fence watching the CATS play!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:25 am
my bad… maybe i misread this originally…
March 28th, 2011 at 10:26 am
I like “Payback Cats” also. Also, I don’t understand why some of you guys are always given BTI such a hard time. It is obvious he listed those seeds in the order the games were played. You may not like every post but looking for a reason to @itch is just silly. FINAL FOUR–GO CATS!!
March 28th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Undeniables
March 28th, 2011 at 10:38 am
This team has been winning by sheer deterination.
There is no adjective/noun/adverb that describes them
better than “Determinators.”
March 28th, 2011 at 10:40 am
This team has won by sheer determination.
And, there is no better adjective/noun/adverb
that better describes them than “Determinators.”
March 28th, 2011 at 10:43 am
I like “The Avengers.” With the exception of Arkansas because they only played them once this year, this team has avenged every loss from this year and now will do the same with UCONN. Plus, they avenged the loss to WVU last year. Having never beaten OSU and UNC in the tournament, they also avenged all of those previous losses, not to mention the loss to UNC earlier this year.
March 28th, 2011 at 10:49 am
I want credit for this name if it sticks: The Undeniables
March 28th, 2011 at 10:49 am
The Payback Cats
March 28th, 2011 at 10:50 am
How about the revengers, culminated this Saturday Night
March 28th, 2011 at 10:50 am
redeam team
March 28th, 2011 at 10:57 am
Payback Cats have my vote. WVU (loss last year in tourney), OSU (5 losses in tourney), UNC (2 losses in tourney & regular season), UCONN (loss in regular season, knocked KY out in 2006).
March 28th, 2011 at 11:01 am
THE UNDENIABLES!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:01 am
THE UNDENIABLES!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:16 am
Payback Cats…The Avengers are superheros and the Redeem Team was Team USA…I want to have our own name that is special to just UK and this team!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:24 am
I think I can grow myself in a weeks time…
March 28th, 2011 at 11:24 am
The THEY WANT TO BE US CATS…….they is really NO other option. Anengers, undeniable…(by the way im sick of UN). It’s the They Want To Be Us Cats. /endthread
March 28th, 2011 at 11:25 am
The They Want To Be Us Cats
March 28th, 2011 at 11:26 am
#98 I’m down with The They Want To Be Us Cats. Sweet name.
March 28th, 2011 at 11:27 am
The Improbables, although true, seems slightly disrespectful; but what has this team become? A group of individuals who have faced adversity and become heros of BIG BLUE NATION. What is more fitting than naming this dynamic group of heros THE AVENGERS?!
Coach Cal or Darius Miller if you prefer a player-CAPTAIN AMERICA
Josh Harrellson-THE INCREDIBLE HULK
Brandon Knight-IRON MAN
Deandre Liggins-THOR
GO CATS!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:42 am
Dub thee:
No question… It’s between UNDENIABLES and REDEEMABLES!
Next Kemba Walker CAN’T WAIT!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:43 am
This is too easy. The Bounceback Cats!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:43 am
The Improbables, although true, seems slightly disrespectful to the team, but I digress. This team has become a group of individuals who have faced adversity time and time again and have risen to the challenges, becoming victorious when everything is on the line. Essentially, they have become heros to the BIG BLUE NATION!!! What better way to describe their heriocs than by naming them after a group of superheros, while also describing what they have done all tournament long in both the SEC tournament and the NCAA tournament (avenged previous short-comings)? THE AVENGERS…
CAPTAIN AMERICA-DARIUS MILLER
THE INCREDIBLE HULK-JOSH “JORTS/LET’S PLAY DODGEBALL” HARRELLSON
IRON MAN-BRANDON KNIGHT
THOR-DEANDRE LIGGINS
GOOOO CATS!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:44 am
haha I like the Cal one of They want to be us cats. So true.
March 28th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Sorry about the double post, didn’t see my original comment pop up.
March 28th, 2011 at 11:47 am
I still like the name “Undeniables” Think about all they have overcome and they will not be denied their/UK’s title: NCAA Champions! They tried & succeeded to take Kanter away from us (insert numerous examples where this was not even an issue in other schools), the refs always hate us-always and just the fact that we have only 6 players basically, among other obstacles we have overcome….yes, Undeniables is very nice indeed…
March 28th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Once upon a time, Mako asked Arnold Schwarzenegger “Conan, what is best in life?” The answer, of course, was “To defeat your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.”
Well, out Cats took care of the first two, but you can all enjoy the lamentation of the small red village by checking out *any* of the Tardinal boards. They are crying so hard, and their tears taste so sweet!
Suggestions like “change the NCAA rules so crappy teams [I guess like Morehead] don’t get in” and “fire Pitino and hire Brad Stevens!” It is amazing and delicious gravy on top of this amazing run by our CATS!
Congrats Cats I love you guys!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:56 am
Unbreakables?
March 28th, 2011 at 11:58 am
PLEASE! Anything other than a UN to start it.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
When does the first “When will they have to give this one back?” appear?
March 28th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
the “Undeniables” is the best term that decscribes this team.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
OK.. When we beat UCONN… ugh CAN’T WAIT
It’s without a doubt… THE REDEEMABLES…
Tolerablezz or whatever is not catchy…
Undeniables is great as well.
Trust me I’m a Musician…
March 28th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Sensational Six
March 28th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Why do we feel the need to name teams? If it naturally happens, then ok. But otherwise, it is emarrassing as a Cat fan.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Would someone please get Liggins off that kid’s head.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Well I just used this concept to look at this years fianl four and only one team, Butler has had a tougher road as far as seeds than UK. UConns is 27, we’re tied with VCU at 20 counting four ganes each and not the play in game and Butler is 16. I realize VCU has played one more game and it was against another 11 seed.
March 28th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
“The Redeem Team”
March 28th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
BTI – if you’re saying that UConn only has one player, you clearly didn’t watch any of their games the last 3 weekends. Kemba makes the big plays in crunch time, but Napier and Lamb can drain the 3, Oriaki is a good athletic big man, and they play solid D.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
I say we call them the “Payback Cats”.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
“Un” names are lame and PLAYED OUT. “The Avengers” have avenged almost every lost, and beaten every team they’ve played this year.
So when that gay Florida fan talk sh*t about how we got lucky, you can remember that the Avengers beat everybody they faced.
March 28th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
Still like The UnFourSeedables
March 28th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
How unexpected, which makes this so much sweeter!
March 28th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
For shiz and gigs. I dub thee
The Charlie Sheens , b/c we are Winners DUH!!!
March 28th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
UNDENIABLES IT’S GOTTA BE….
March 29th, 2011 at 1:31 am
The Unforseeables! 122 was close….!
March 29th, 2011 at 9:11 am
126. That’s what makes UnFourSeedable great. The NCAA thought we were a four seed and we proved them wrong. Nobody dreamed this team would go this far, hence unforseeable. The UnFourSeedables is a perfect morphed name.