Kentucky vs St Peter's Game Thread.

[Joneslab]

But then again we've seen even his very good teams with physical specimens get blown by and pushed back on their heels many times. Joe Mazzulla just raised his glass to us both.

(Oh, and Mazzulla is currently an assistant coach with the Celtics)

I remember early in the Wall/Cousins year when we could guard nobody. Remember the Miami (Ohio) game. Remember the game that (IIRC) Texas Arlington came in and hit something like 15 threes.

That team figured it out. But it took them awhile.

Cal's had other teams to come into the season and look godawful defensively. Remember Bubba Parham at VMI. Remember teams like Utah Valley tearing up the Quickley/Richards team.

Those issues were early in the season and we always chalked it up to youth.

What's interesting is that (1) this team was super old and (2) the stuff didn't happen early but happened late. But when you watched it, what happened against St. Peter's was very similar to the horrendous defensive runs that we hit way back in the Miami (Ohio) days.

It suggests that Cal has trouble figuring stuff out when teams start hitting us with it.

[DA#23]

This might sound out there , but... I think Cal's been different since he had his hip replaced. He admitted that during the 2016 season he had some use some pain meds and that he didn't tolerate those well. I swear I don't think he's been the same since the operation, though.

Hope I'm wrong. Regardless, at this point Givony's article rings painfully true and is a slap to the face that carries weight nationally. BTI, to a lesser extent, also had a post today that hurts to read. I think there's no other choice but to reboot at this point and I hate to say that.

[Joneslab]

When we are making shots and running on bad defensive teams... fine Cal, do whatever you want but everyone with a pulse shut us down toward the end of the year when it mattered.

In total fairness to Cal he was putting Grady in some stuff early that he was putting him in late. Grady just fell into complete disrepair for whatever reason in the last few games.

TyTy went into a tailspin at the same time as well. Those tough twos TyTy hit for us this year just dried up there at the end.

Both those guys looked dazed. And, honestly, a little scared. Then Wheeler collapsed when they put the zone in.

That's all three of your guards. Recipe for disaster.

All that said, we're not in that situation if we can guard them at all. We scored 37 in the first half. That should have built us a double-digit lead against that bunch.

[Spiritof96]

In total fairness to Cal he was putting Grady in some stuff early that he was putting him in late. Grady just fell into complete disrepair for whatever reason in the last few games.

TyTy went into a tailspin at the same time as well. Those tough twos TyTy hit for us this year just dried up there at the end.

Both those guys looked dazed. And, honestly, a little scared. Then Wheeler collapsed when they put the zone in.

That's all three of your guards. Recipe for disaster.

All that said, we're not in that situation if we can guard them at all. We scored 37 in the first half. That should have built us a double-digit lead against that bunch.

I agree with you.

I also think Cal's basic offensive philosophy is sub-optimal at best. If players struggle, you want them in the best situation possible, not trying to succeed in spite of Cal's choices.

[largebluej]

I think Mitch Barnhart has been a great AD but that contract…

Matt Jones was talking about them this morning and the relationship between Cal and Mitch is not super chummy.

Even assuming Mitch was in favor of that deal, no AD would push for it unless he knew he had the support of the holders of powered. I'd like to know who exactly signed off on that deal on the UK side. And I mean besides the "official" chain of command that includes formal approval by the UKAA and Board of Trustees. I've got to think Prez Eli would have had input before a vote was taken. The Trustee chairman and other influential members of that group and the UKAA probably would have as well. And Joe Craft would probably have to give his blessing.

[PadCatFan]

I think Mitch Barnhart has been a great AD but that contract…

Matt Jones was talking about them this morning and the relationship between Cal and Mitch is not super chummy.

I can't listen to Matt Jones. Does he have to yell all of the time?

[PadCatFan]

Hate to say it, but even though I've been listening to the Cats since Issel days and went to UK during the Robey/Givens days, the last little drop of care I give to Cal and his teams went down the drain with Thursday's loss. I'm sure I'll still sign on here occasionally to see what's transpiring up there in the Bluegrass State, but life is too short to keep dragging out year to year hoping that this is the year they win it all again. Hope I can somehow gain my "fandom" back, but doubt I ever will under Cal. Love this site and have been signing into it for a LONG time to keep abreast with happenings. Thanks for everyone who keeps it going.

I lived and worked in Nashville and Knoxville for almost ten years. I can still have friends thinking every year that they were going to beat Alabama and win it all every year in football. I've always been a Kentucky fan, but I don't think they'll win it every year. I have Gonzaga winning it all in my bracket. I had Ky losing in the sweet 16.

[Joneslab]

I lived and worked in Nashville and Knoxville for almost ten years. I can still have friends thinking every year that they were going to beat Alabama and win it all every year in football. I've always been a Kentucky fan, but I don't think they'll win it every year. I have Gonzaga winning it all in my bracket. I had Ky losing in the sweet 16.

Football is a different animal. You can build a program in football in one of these juggernaut conferences and start to compete for titles every year, as Saban has shown. It's become almost surprising if Alabama doesn't win.

That isn't "easier" than college basketball. But it is different.

In college football you might have just a handful of teams who are going to compete for the title in a given year. Because of the one-game-and-done scenario of the NCAA Tournament, it's a lot more weird in basketball. Parity is a beast in this sport, IMO way more than it is in any other major American game.

[lribookend]

It certainly helps in either sport if you can recruit the majority of 5* and 4* athletes.