Kentucky @ Tennessee Game Thread

[Joneslab]

If we win out we get a one seed.
If we win the next 4 but lose SEC tourney champ game we likely still get a one seed.
If we win the next two, we get a two seed.
We won't get lower than a two unless we lose our next 3 games.

I think most of this depends on what others do. We could win the SEC but Virginia and Duke both win out to meet in the ACC championship game, and Michigan can win the Big 10, and we still miss it.

Still too many left to play for all the teams who are in the mix for a 1.

Gonzaga losing in their conference tournament would be good for us. Duke losing to Carolina would be good and then Carolina turning around and losing early in the ACC Tournament would be good. Virginia losing tonight at Syracuse would be good. Michigan losing at Michigan St. would be good.

And then of course we have to win. The most important thing for Kentucky is not seed but simply that we start to play well enough to show that we could win six games against tough competition. The recent problems have been somewhat about Travis but as a team we don't look as sharp as we did two weeks ago or so.

[CATHYnKY]

We'd have to lose our last two regular season games and our only conference tournament game by 40 points to get a 4.

A 3 is possible but we'd probably have to go 1-2 in those games.

A 1 will depend on both what we do and what others do obviously. Honestly we probably ruined our chances for a 1 seed with the Seton Hall and Alabama games. But I'm not sure it necessarily matters because there isn't much of a difference.

The only thing about a 2 is it opens up the possibility of being in Duke's region, but we're liable to play them anyway. Might as well face them in the Elite 8 if it has to happen.

I know you were talking The Big Dance, but the way I am seeing the SEC tourney, no matter what happens this week, The Cats are a 3 seed in Nashville

[Joneslab]

I know you were talking The Big Dance, but the way I am seeing the SEC tourney, no matter what happens this week, The Cats are a 3 seed in Nashville

Well, probably.

If we win both our last two and Tennessee loses one, then we're tied. At that point it would go to a coin flip because we're 1-1 against each other and we've both lost to LSU.

[lilproUK98]

I think most of this depends on what others do. We could win the SEC but Virginia and Duke both win out to meet in the ACC championship game, and Michigan can win the Big 10, and we still miss it.

Still too many left to play for all the teams who are in the mix for a 1.

Gonzaga losing in their conference tournament would be good for us. Duke losing to Carolina would be good and then Carolina turning around and losing early in the ACC Tournament would be good. Virginia losing tonight at Syracuse would be good. Michigan losing at Michigan St. would be good.

And then of course we have to win. The most important thing for Kentucky is not seed but simply that we start to play well enough to show that we could win six games against tough competition. The recent problems have been somewhat about Travis but as a team we don't look as sharp as we did two weeks ago or so.

Unless they totally collapse, Gonzaga, Duke, Virginia are locks for one seeds. That leaves UNC, UK, and Tennessee for the last one IMO. I don't think the Michigan schools are in the running as long as UK UT or UNC finish strong. So, the scenario I laid out applies.

[lilproUK98]

Well, probably.

If we win both our last two and Tennessee loses one, then we're tied. At that point it would go to a coin flip because we're 1-1 against each other and we've both lost to LSU.

They go with record against next teams in standings. So if we win next two and Auburn beats Tennessee, we'll be the two.

[Joneslab]

They go with record against next teams in standings. So if we win next two and Auburn beats Tennessee, we'll be the two.

You're right. I misread the rule.

[Joneslab]

Unless they totally collapse, Gonzaga, Duke, Virginia are locks for one seeds. That leaves UNC, UK, and Tennessee for the last one IMO. I don't think the Michigan schools are in the running as long as UK UT or UNC finish strong. So, the scenario I laid out applies.

Tennessee is a highly interesting team.

They really only have two solid wins all year, and one of them was this weekend's game against us when we weren't at full roster. They got a pretty soft run through the SEC and didn't do much in the out-of-conference.

They're highly susceptible to being knocked down to a 2. If you look at the Sagarin, they're a shocking 2-3 against the top 25. For the sake of comparison Kentucky has a nation's-best 7 wins against the top 25.

I like Michigan much better than Tennessee if I'm putting the field together. But if Tennessee can run through to the championship game of the SEC Tournament they might get the final 1 by default.

By that same token, Gonzaga hasn't done a whole lot but that win against Duke in Maui is going to carry a ton of weight. It's their only win against the Sagarin top 25.

[40bill]

current top 25 has Gonzaga and Virginia one and two. I just don't see either of those making it to the title. Could be fooled, I suppose......but if someone jumps on Virginia I just don't think they have the style to catch up if behind double digits in the second half.....and like has been said Gonzaga simply doesn't play anyone.

[Joneslab]

Saw where Rick Pitino tweeted that to him Virginia was the only "lock" in the nation to get to the Final Four.

Virginia does have an absolute star in Hunter. I think that's a difference in them this year and previous years. They are a sort of team's team, but Hunter takes them up a notch IMO. So I think they're legit.

But as we've discussed a thousand times I just think you're playing with fire with that style. It's not only hard to catch up, it's hard to space leads out on teams. Anytime in March that you let teams hang around you're prone to having them hit a couple of threes late and nip you at the very end.

[Lighthouse]

Saw where Rick Pitino tweeted that to him Virginia was the only "lock" in the nation to get to the Final Four.

Virginia does have an absolute star in Hunter. I think that's a difference in them this year and previous years. They are a sort of team's team, but Hunter takes them up a notch IMO. So I think they're legit.

But as we've discussed a thousand times I just think you're playing with fire with that style. It's not only hard to catch up, it's hard to space leads out on teams. Anytime in March that you let teams hang around you're prone to having them hit a couple of threes late and nip you at the very end.

And that's one reason a team like LSU can make a deep run. They have a PG, size and athleticism. Of course, when we're playing our best, we can make that run too.

[justford]

Saw where Rick Pitino tweeted that to him Virginia was the only "lock" in the nation to get to the Final Four.

Virginia does have an absolute star in Hunter. I think that's a difference in them this year and previous years. They are a sort of team's team, but Hunter takes them up a notch IMO. So I think they're legit.

But as we've discussed a thousand times I just think you're playing with fire with that style. It's not only hard to catch up, it's hard to space leads out on teams. Anytime in March that you let teams hang around you're prone to having them hit a couple of threes late and nip you at the very end.

I think Syracuse would disagree with you lol.

[Joneslab]

I think Syracuse would disagree with you lol.

You ain't kidding. That was crazy.

I wouldn't run the Calzone out if we play Virginia.

Generally Virginia plays games really close to the vest and then clamps down late. I've watched them 10 times this year probably and 9 of the 10 times they played the game the same way: probe, probe, slow it, defend, slow it some more, probe a little more, grind for a few minutes...and then have the two guards hit three or four late threes and get three stops and you win by 12.

It's basically attempting to win games by slowly demoralizing your opponent.

[TrueblueCATfan]

OMG...Watched Virginia-Syracuse last night.....Virginia hit like 18 3 pointers.....

[85 Fly]

When we played Tenn at home I was just hoping for a split, so us losing at Rocky Top I'm not that mad and both teams whooped each other on home court.
We have to finish our last two games with the 'W' going into SEC play with momentum.