Notre Dame Preview

[GOCAT15]

The only worry is that if we can't hit shots. If you can't hit shots they'll outpace you, because even as good as our offense is they're going to go on a couple of decent runs. They are going to score points. Way too good and skilled.

The worry with that kind of team is if you go 2-15 from three or something like that. But Kentucky hasn't had a lot of those games in the last two months or so. We could even overcome 2-15, but you'd have to have Towns playing way better than he was.

Basically a lot of things could go wrong and Kentucky still win. Really big margin for error.

It was kind of overlooked last night because we made all of our first few three's, but we shot 4-15 from three last night, that's not awful, but it's far from great. I don't think we hardly hit a three after the first 5 minutes of the game. But when you shoot 48% from the field, it covers up that stat. Like has been said before we can't get into a three point shooting contest. We need to go after their big guy and get him in foul trouble and then get a bunch of points off of offensive rebounds.

Last night Notre Dame shot 9-19 from three, and 55% from the field. I think if we hold them to 9 threes our inside dominance should take care of business, I would hope our length and defense would keep them from shooting anywhere close to 55% from the field.

I have a feeling the game could be like the Sweet 16 Indiana game in 2012, if we end up just wanting to run and gun with them. No way their 6 players can keep up with our 9 going end to end for 40 minutes straight.

[JFCats22]

T.J. Beisner ‏@Beisner_cn2
Notre Dame's Zach Auguste says he hasn't seen many post moves out of Willie Cauley-Stein, so he's more focused on Karl Towns.

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ
ND's Auguste: "If we're on fire, it's going to be trouble for them."

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats
Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey: "We are America's team tomorrow. There's no doubt about it."

Brett Dawson ‏@BDawsonRivals
Mike Brey asked if Notre Dame is the more battle-tested and ready team for tomorrow says "There's no question about it."

Brett Dawson ‏@BDawsonRivals 8m8 minutes ago
For context, question to Brey included that ND is 8-1 vs. Sweet 16 teams, UK 4-0.

[JFCats22]

It was kind of overlooked last night because we made all of our first few three's, but we shot 4-15 from three last night, that's not awful, but it's far from great. I don't think we hardly hit a three after the first 5 minutes of the game. But when you shoot 48% from the field, it covers up that stat. Like has been said before we can't get into a three point shooting contest. We need to go after their big guy and get him in foul trouble and then get a bunch of points off of offensive rebounds.

Last night Notre Dame shot 9-19 from three, and 55% from the field. I think if we hold them to 9 threes our inside dominance should take care of business, I would hope our length and defense would keep them from shooting anywhere close to 55% from the field.

I have a feeling the game could be like the Sweet 16 Indiana game in 2012, if we end up just wanting to run and gun with them. No way their 6 players can keep up with our 9 going end to end for 40 minutes straight.

UK started 4/6 from three and then missed 9 straight. I agree, it can't be a 3 point shooting contest or we will lose.

ND is very confident in their press conference today.

[surveyor]

^^^

I imagine another swift response....................

[DA#23]

T.J. Beisner ‏@Beisner_cn2
Notre Dame's Zach Auguste says he hasn't seen many post moves out of Willie Cauley-Stein, so he's more focused on Karl Towns.
Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ
ND's Auguste: "If we're on fire, it's going to be trouble for them."
Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats
Notre Dame Coach Mike Brey: "We are America's team tomorrow. There's no doubt about it."
Brett Dawson ‏@BDawsonRivals
Mike Brey asked if Notre Dame is the more battle-tested and ready team for tomorrow says "There's no question about it."
Brett Dawson ‏@BDawsonRivals 8m8 minutes ago
For context, question to Brey included that ND is 8-1 vs. Sweet 16 teams, UK 4-0.

Yes, Yes, and YES! Keep it coming, let's get FARDUP!

[SBCatMan]

I think I am just rambling now, even contradicting myself, because I am soooo nervous. Yes, ND has had some impressive wins. No doubt about it. But, they lost at home to Syracuse just a few weeks ago. they should have lost the tourney opener to Northeastern. Northeastern had the ball with 30 seconds to play and a chance to win. They screwed around until 2 seconds remained and then lost the ball. Butler should have beaten them in round 2. Butler had three shots in the last 20 seconds of a tie game and never even hit the rim. One of those three shots was from about 3 feet out. But see, that is just what happens to teams when they play ND.

Aaaaagggghhhhhhhhhh .........

[JFCats22]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ
Grant: "Coach Bray has confidence in us to say the right thing, and if we do talk some trash, he’s prepared for us to back it up."

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_CJ
ND's Grant: "We don’t feel like they’ve played an offensive team like us."

[Westtncat]

I understand having confidence but this is the best team we have played all year long. Some of our victories early in the year were decent but Notre Dame has beaten some of the same teams we have. Beat Duke twice! Some of the disadvantages listed here have been fairly easily overcome. They shoot, they score a lot. I think our defense will slow them down some but they are still gonna score. This is a Notre Dame team capable of winning it all. That being said, guarding the three point line is a must. If we do that we win. Let the bigs handle the inside just guard the 3 point line.

[Joneslab]

I understand having confidence but this is the best team we have played all year long. Some of our victories early in the year were decent but Notre Dame has beaten some of the same teams we have. Beat Duke twice! Some of the disadvantages listed here have been fairly easily overcome. They shoot, they score a lot. I think our defense will slow them down some but they are still gonna score. This is a Notre Dame team capable of winning it all. That being said, guarding the three point line is a must. If we do that we win. Let the bigs handle the inside just guard the 3 point line.

The impressive thing about this season isn't necessarily who we've beaten. It's the incredible way in which we've beaten some of these teams.

I think Notre Dame is probably the best team we've played, but basketball is about match-ups as much as it is about teams simply being good. Notre Dame's not a great match-up for us because of the way they're built. Doesn't mean they can't win, but it's going to be tough. Kentucky's not the team you want to play if you have one legitimate big man and your power forward is basically a guard.

[Joneslab]

The Auguste's kid's confidence wouldn't be a big deal at all had we not just come out of the Arkans...er, I mean West Virginia game. It's kind of stupid given what happened last night.

But Mike Brey's comments are interesting. Not that they're wrong; God knows everybody is going to be rooting against UK hard tomorrow.

But they've done that all year. And Brey's mention of the texts he's received isn't something I would've said. Cal loves that kind of thing and will use it.

[Westtncat]

The impressive thing about this season isn't necessarily who we've beaten. It's the incredible way in which we've beaten some of these teams.

I think Notre Dame is probably the best team we've played, but basketball is about match-ups as much as it is about teams simply being good. Notre Dame's not a great match-up for us because of the way they're built. Doesn't mean they can't win, but it's going to be tough. Kentucky's not the team you want to play if you have one legitimate big man and your power forward is basically a guard.

Will I agree about us being a bad match up. My only concern is if we go on one of those scoring droughts we have been prone to do this year. I hope I am wrong but I think Notre Dame scores 60-70 points. We have to score too. I will be happy to be wrong about the score.

[Westtncat]

Notre Dame taking on the Americas team thing is a bunch of bull. Not saying lots of people wont be pulling for an upset. I have been reading other fan forums. The cheater Cal, paying players, ruining college basketball talk is beyond old to me.

[Joneslab]

My only concern is if we go on one of those scoring droughts we have been prone to do this year.

Notre Dame doesn't have the defense to force us into significant droughts, IMO.

Poor defensive team mostly because of their size.

[Westtncat]

Notre Dame doesn't have the defense to force us into significant droughts, IMO.

Poor defensive team mostly because of their size.

Against the same teams we have performed pretty close. We beat UL by 8, they beat them by 12, we beat UNC by 14 they won by 1 point but it was at Chapel Hill.

[Joneslab]

Against the same teams we have performed pretty close. We beat UL by 8, they beat them by 12, we beat UNC by 14 they won by 1 point but it was at Chapel Hill.

And LSU beat West Virginia by 1, we beat LSU by 2, which meant the WVU game should've been close.

Comparing scores in this sport doesn't really tell you much.