How Do We Combat Duke?

[Joneslab]

What happens after the second year is just as problematic. The two-and-done hurt us badly this past season with Briscoe and Humphries. We should also have Charles Matthews, who would be good for this team. So there are guys that could really help who weren't one-and-dones.

Wenyen and Sacha are guys to watch after this season. Obviously they aren't pros but they could decide that they can make some money in Europe.

That's a situation that can't happen. But because of all these promises that I think the staff gives these kids when they recruit them about getting them out to the League ASAP, it's easy to get burned by players who don't have any desire to play at Kentucky for four years.

[ralph helm]

Is it in my misguided thinking or is it every game we lose it is to a team with experienced upper class players?

[J.Jennings]

What happens after the second year is just as problematic. The two-and-done hurt us badly this past season with Briscoe and Humphries. We should also have Charles Matthews, who would be good for this team. So there are guys that could really help who weren't one-and-dones.

Wenyen and Sacha are guys to watch after this season. Obviously they aren't pros but they could decide that they can make some money in Europe.

That's a situation that can't happen. But because of all these promises that I think the staff gives these kids when they recruit them about getting them out to the League ASAP, it's easy to get burned by players who don't have any desire to play at Kentucky for four years.

Of course, Briscoe, Humprhies and Matthews would have completely changed this team and taken pressure off these youngsters. I also believe that Wynyard is/can actually be a serviceable role playin PF/C in the college game but we will never get a chance to see it, just blows my mind sometimes....

My biggest hope in the offseason for Cal, RE RECRUIT what we already have and keep them here for another year, this whole thing could look completely different next season.......

[J.Jennings]

Is it in my misguided thinking or is it every game we lose it is to a team with experienced upper class players?

That are bigger and stronger than bony freshman. Cal has always been about bully ball but the the rabbitt has the gun, older teams are punishing us physically..............

[Catatonic]

Is it in my misguided thinking or is it every game we lose it is to a team with experienced upper class players?

Sure. Every team we beat is also older and more experienced.

[Joneslab]

Is it in my misguided thinking or is it every game we lose it is to a team with experienced upper class players?

Oh yeah.

Older SEC, younger Kentucky. Definitely a men v. boys situation a lot of nights.

Where Kentucky fans get this wrong is when they say "One-and-dones will never win!!!!1" Look, that's false. You can offset experience with talented youth. A lot of these super-talented players are super-talented because their bodies are way more mature than they should be. MKG was 17 when he came in here. He probably had the strength of a grown man. Terrence Jones was brute strong. A lot of these kids are just tough...and they're also very skilled at playing the game.

These kids are not. No freaks in this group. So the youth is just kind of exposed, night after night.

[justford]

Our starting players would be good players off the bench on others teams or even our team if we had some upper class men to take the pressure off them.

[Jload]

I wonder how folks are worried about Duke when we can’t beat Tennessee lost 3 of last 4 or Florida will be 3 of last 4 very soon.UK is in a downward spiral, and frankly we are talking about possible NIT bids, Ill tell you guys UNC , Duke Villanova and many others are not having that conversation, haven’t in a WHILE. Duke is not our problem, best look within if you want .to see what’s ailing UK basketball

[Joneslab]

I wonder how folks are worried about Duke when we can’t beat Tennessee lost 3 of last 4 or Florida will be 3 of last 4 very soon.UK is in a downward spiral, and frankly we are talking about possible NIT bids, Ill tell you guys UNC , Duke Villanova and many others are not having that conversation, haven’t in a WHILE. Duke is not our problem, best look within if you want .to see what’s ailing UK basketball

I'm not sure I'm ready to call it a downward spiral, lol.

Last year's team won 30+ games and had a good tournament run. One-year dips don't constitute a spiral.

If we're back here next year I'll grant you your point, but this feels reactionary to me. This team's rough but I don't think the program is in shambles or anything. No need to exaggerate to try and make your point.

[boomdaddy]

How to beat what Duke is doing, you get a few guys to drop of suit cases of cash like a certain school is doing who happens to just now be getting the top one and dones. Grear risk yeaids great rewards, as long as nobody gets pissed off and tell what is going on. Some schools have always been lucky to keep it quiet. Is it worth the risk? The more desperate the player and his family are to be paid, the greater risk that they will blab about it, later on. There are a few teflon schools that seem to get away with everything.

[George]

How to beat what Duke is doing, you get a few guys to drop of suit cases of cash like a certain school is doing who happens to just now be getting the top one and dones. Grear risk yeaids great rewards, as long as nobody gets pissed off and tell what is going on. Some schools have always been lucky to keep it quiet. Is it worth the risk? The more desperate the player and his family are to be paid, the greater risk that they will blab about it, later on. There are a few teflon schools that seem to get away with everything.

Please.

How many people said the same of us over the last few years? Never heard you levy these accusations at Cal.

[surveyor]

Please.

How many people said the same of us over the last few years? Never heard you levy these accusations at Cal.

I recall prior to hiring Gillispie, some hereon wanted Cal and many hereon did not want him because they thought he was dirty - until he arrived.

Reminiscent of many hereon who derided players on other teams as thugs for wearing headbands and tattoos - until Ramael Bradley and others came along.

[Joneslab]

I never really understood the headband = thug argument.

Seems like a headband is the least threatening basketball attire a person can wear. Or maybe second to the ol' Bike knee pad.

[KCKUKFan]

I never really understood the headband = thug argument.

Seems like a headband is the least threatening basketball attire a person can wear. Or maybe second to the ol' Bike knee pad.

RecSpecs, man. RecSpecs.

[surveyor]

I never really understood the headband = thug argument.

Seems like a headband is the least threatening basketball attire a person can wear. Or maybe second to the ol' Bike knee pad.

I seem to recall it was based on who was wearing it. I believe Kenyon Martin at UC wore a headband and he was criticized by people hereon as well as UofL fans as a rough player and became labeled a thug. Wayne Chism and JaJuan Smith at UT - likely had as much or more to do with the fact that they were UT players than anything.