Vermont @ Kentucky - Game Thread

[Blue Heaven]

I think we have more talent top to bottom than Kansas, but their experience and guard play will be too much for us. Expect it to be one of those we're-down-ten-the-entire-game-and-never-really-threaten borefests.

Yeah but two seasons ago with Murray we looked shaky out the gate and went on to SPANK dUKe. Anything's possible.

[George]

I like Green. I think he's shown to be a steady leader who can make plays offensively. Defensively, however, he's a nightmare. And it's because he lacks that explosive quickness that some of our past point guards have had.

That’s 50% of the game. The PG has to be able to play defense. That’s what worries me the most about Green.

[KevinHall]

I only saw the last 8 minutes. Hopefully I can watch it all soon as it is on my DVR. First off, Vermont is a good team. They have four starters back from an undefeated, in conference, team of last season. They will be in the NCAA"s and could beat a good team or two along the way.
Knox's three near the end was huge. I believe he will be the go to guy this season. Nice game for PJ Washington as he had a double-double.
Playing and winning these close games should pay some dividends on down the road. As long as they win these game they should gain confidence to make the plays in close games in the SEC and tournament play. So it isn't a bad thing to be playing these teams close.
When you look at the stats they aren't bad at all for UK. More assists than turnovers, they out rebounded Vermont by 10,they held Vermont to 36% from the three's which is about average. UK shot a nice percentage from the foul line too. This team will come around but its going to take time. Just have to hang with them through some rough games early.
Speaking of rough games, Kansas is next. I still expect a big time beat down. This team is in no way, shape or form ready for a team like Kansas. I don't know what Cal's biggest loss at UK is but this game will probably surpass it. This is the price you pay some seasons by playing in this Champions Classic. Kansas did a couple of years ago when they lost to UK by 32.

[catfaninin]

You would think Kansas is the 95 Bulls by reading some of this. Of course they have some good players. Graham's good. Mykha however you spell his name is good. But they dont have Superman. And let's not annoint Azubuike and Vick as the new Jordan - Pippen duo quite yet. But UK doesn't exactly have chopped liver either. I expect the young guys to play much better and give a very good account of themselves.

[catfaninin]

I only saw the last 8 minutes. Hopefully I can watch it all soon as it is on my DVR. First off, Vermont is a good team. They have four starters back from an undefeated, in conference, team of last season. They will be in the NCAA"s and could beat a good team or two along the way.
Knox's three near the end was huge. I believe he will be the go to guy this season. Nice game for PJ Washington as he had a double-double.
Playing and winning these close games should pay some dividends on down the road. As long as they win these game they should gain confidence to make the plays in close games in the SEC and tournament play. So it isn't a bad thing to be playing these teams close.
When you look at the stats they aren't bad at all for UK. More assists than turnovers, they out rebounded Vermont by 10,they held Vermont to 36% from the three's which is about average. UK shot a nice percentage from the foul line too. This team will come around but its going to take time. Just have to hang with them through some rough games early.
Speaking of rough games, Kansas is next. I still expect a big time beat down. This team is in no way, shape or form ready for a team like Kansas. I don't know what Cal's biggest loss at UK is but this game will probably surpass it. This is the price you pay some seasons by playing in this Champions Classic. Kansas did a couple of years ago when they lost to UK by 32.

What makes you think this? The name Kansas? They lost Mason, Jackson, Lucas and Bragg from last years team. I think people are giving them way too much respect based on the past.

[George]

You would think Kansas is the 95 Bulls by reading some of this. Of course they have some good players. Graham's good. Mykha however you spell his name is good. But they dont have Superman. And let's not annoint Azubuike and Vick as the new Jordan - Pippen duo quite yet. But UK doesn't exactly have chopped liver either. I expect the young guys to play much better and give a very good account of themselves.

Maybe you do. The rest of us are just realistic.

I swear, man. Between this and the football forum, it's nearly impossible to express concern or criticism around here.

[George]

What makes you think this? The name Kansas? They lost Mason, Jackson, Lucas and Bragg from last years team. I think people are giving them way too much respect based on the past.

And they kept Graham, Mykhailiuk, and Vick, plus they've got a high-level transfer in Malik Newman, a guy built like Shrek at center, and an absolute stud freshmen in Billy Preston.

We may hold our own. We may even put together a great game and come away with the win. But I doubt it - and that's less of a knock on us than it is simple respect for what's probably a really good team. Their guards are no joke; ours are incredibly young, obviously raw, and one of them can't play a lick of defense.

Simple logic.

[Joneslab]

We'll have to play way above what we've seen so far to hang in with Kansas.

Kentucky's building. We've got kids who don't know how to play at this level yet. For this team to be any type of contender we have to have significant growth from all these guys and we have to have all hands on deck. Get Vanderbilt back and then work for March.

Along the way there are going to be some games that are difficult to watch. Tuesday night might be one of them.

However, it should be a "nothing to lose" situation for Kentucky. They're not at full strength, they're hellishly young, and they won't be favored. They'll be significant dogs I would imagine.

That might take some pressure off of them. But if I had to bet I'd say Kansas by 14 or 15.

[KevinHall]

Maybe you do. The rest of us are just realistic.

I swear, man. Between this and the football forum, it's nearly impossible to express concern or criticism around here.

Ain't that the truth. I don't really think anyone is being over critical either. It's just being realistic. Some people just like to live in a fantasy world I guess.

[catfaninin]

Maybe you do. The rest of us are just realistic.

I swear, man. Between this and the football forum, it's nearly impossible to express concern or criticism around here.

I'm totally realistic. I see a Kansas team that lost the biggest part of their team.

There's nothing wrong with concern or criticism. Though I will readily admit I don't obsess with searching out the bad points of everything.

[George]

Back to Preston for a minute: he and P.J. Washington might get into a fight during the game.

P.J. has already established the fact that he won't take crap and doesn't shy away from physical play. Meanwhile, Preston's entire game is sort of defined by his mean streak. Watch his highlight videos and you'll see numerous examples of him looking for fights.

Won't surprise me if things get chippy, starting with them.

[George]

I'm totally realistic. I see a Kansas team that lost the biggest part of their team.

There's nothing wrong with concern or criticism. Though I will readily admit I don't obsess with searching out the bad points of everything.

You don't have to search. Just watch the games. The problems are clear.

And I'm not saying we're a team that should be defined by our problems. There will be games when we look fantastic and we'll all feel good about our tournament chances. We have some excellent players, and we're going to win a lot of games.

But given the standard to which we've all grown accustomed, it would behoove us to acknowledge our deficiencies, else we lose our minds when, at times, we look totally inept. Because that's going to happen, too. We could easily lose double-digit games this season.

[Joneslab]

I always thought Billy Preston looked 42 years old.

[George]

I always thought Billy Preston looked 42 years old.

He does. Plays rough, too.

[KevinHall]

I always thought Billy Preston looked 42 years old.

Wasn't he considered the 5th Beatle?