UK vs Arkansas Game Thread.

[SBCatMan]

Here’s a thought. Despite their mediocre record, that was a GOOD Arkansas team. They are long, lean and athletic. They play hard, they rebound, they make shots. Other than Wallace, who do we have that starts on that team? Last year’s Oscar? Of course. This year’s Oscar, I am not so sure.

[Joneslab]

Here’s a thought. Despite their mediocre record, that was a GOOD Arkansas team. They are long, lean and athletic. They play hard, they rebound, they make shots. Other than Wallace, who do we have that starts on that team? Last year’s Oscar? Of course. This year’s Oscar, I am not so sure.

Yeah, this is no joke. This right here is a major issue.

As much as their personnel, you noticed that Arkansas was playing free. Loose. We were too in the first half. Offensively.

Then we came out flat in the second and never got it back together. Shows that the team panics, and stuff like that always comes back to the head coach. Too fragile, too soft, too moody--after the disaster two years ago, the collapse last year, and now this you have to believe that what we're seeing is a breakdown of the culture.

[DA#23]

^ I had this thought earlier. At this point no one on our roster is experienced in winning. We’re developing a culture of losing where we no longer expect to win each game, we now view some games as auto L’s or at least likely losses, we approach things as being hard rather than chomping at the bit to kick some rear or avenge prior losses, and our coach ducks out of media responsibilities so he can run home to pet the dogs.

Sports Illustrated had a rather unflattering write up on Pitino back in the day, “A Man Possessed”. John Calipari hasn’t approached the program like that for a few years now and this is where we are. It’s a shame…and a sham.

[Joneslab]

^ I had this thought earlier. At this point no one on our roster is experienced in winning. We’re developing a culture of losing where we no longer expect to win each game, we now view some games as auto L’s or at least likely losses, we approach things as being hard rather than chomping at the bit to kick some rear or avenge prior losses, and our coach ducks out of media responsibilities so he can run home to pet the dogs.

Sports Illustrated had a rather unflattering write up on Pitino back in the day, “A Man Possessed”. John Calipari hasn’t approached the program like that for a few years now and this is where we are. It’s a shame…and a sham.

Preach.

I posted back in one of Tubby Smith's last two years that we had lost the winning culture. It's obviously happened again.

It's really swell though that the guy in charge of sending it that way is richer'n god. Just awesome.

[CATHYnKY]

I am making plans like wewill be playing Thursday and hope to get surprised. Something, or someone, needs to wake this team up. They can win out. But have to want to

[justford]

Where are the wins we need to get in the tournament going to come from? Just don’t see it happening.

[Joneslab]

Where are the wins we need to get in the tournament going to come from? Just don’t see it happening.

Kentucky dropped to 41st in the NET last night. That's definitely out of the tournament as of now.

Obviously have to win Saturday but that won't do anything for them. Then they have to beat Mississippi St. on the road next week. That will be a monumental task and I can't in any universe see them doing it...but if they did they could negate last night and they'd probably be back in.

In short: we're in serious trouble.

[Los Gatos]

Going on with defense...

Last night, for instance, they started in that 2-3. He clearly had an idea. One possession is all they stayed in it. Never saw it again.

I missed the first few minutes due to the N Carolina game. A 2-3 zone? Think that what Syracuse plays.

[Joneslab]

I missed the first few minutes due to the N Carolina game. A 2-3 zone? Think that what Syracuse plays.

Came out, forced a miss, couldn't rebound, Arkansas swung it, guy hit a three. Never saw the zone again.

It's basically the coaching strategy of throwing stuff against the wall and seeing if it works. No cohesive ideology.

[Lighthouse]

I think it also suggests a coach that isn’t able to reach his team. They’re not focused like they need to be and they aren’t buying into the coaching.

Oscar sure isn't. He's playing like he made a mistake returning. Afraid of getting in foul trouble is in his head, especially after getting his second. Cal has his attention on the officials instead of his team. Of course Terry Oglesby deserved what he got from Cal and the crowd with that phantom charge call on Collins, and the missed walk when Cal earned his T. Cal is being out coached on a regular basis now.

[KCKUKFan]

Came out, forced a miss, couldn't rebound, Arkansas swung it, guy hit a three. Never saw the zone again.

It's basically the coaching strategy of throwing stuff against the wall and seeing if it works. No cohesive ideology.

They fell into a zone again for two plays in the second half, but I think k Daimion Collins got burned for an and one.

Zones are useless if the players aren't drilled on them properly. And you know Cal isn't using practice time on it.

[justford]

I read on another board that all the players on this year’s team are eligible to return next year. Can any of you confirm this?

[justford]

Kentucky dropped to 41st in the NET last night. That's definitely out of the tournament as of now.

Obviously have to win Saturday but that won't do anything for them. Then they have to beat Mississippi St. on the road next week. That will be a monumental task and I can't in any universe see them doing it...but if they did they could negate last night and they'd probably be back in.

In short: we're in serious trouble.

I agree. Vandy will have their big guy back, Mississippi St has a big that is averaging a double double so it is not looking good. Not to mention UF, Arkansas and UT.

[Joneslab]

I read on another board that all the players on this year’s team are eligible to return next year. Can any of you confirm this?

It's true.

Chances of it happening: 0%.

I'd say we'll be lucky to return three or four. And obviously the problem is there isn't a whole lot of talent so the ones who return might not be the right players. As we've seen players who come back just because don't always help you.

[Ratt]

It's true.

Chances of it happening: 0%.

I'd say we'll be lucky to return three or four. And obviously the problem is there isn't a whole lot of talent so the ones who return might not be the right players. As we've seen players who come back just because don't always help you.

Speaking of this - I'm not sure who in the top 10 of the roster stays... Oscar, Wheeler, Toppin, CJ, Reeves, Wallace --- All of these I personally think are gone. Livingston is on the fence. He would really benefit with one more year in college. Collins or Ware - I think one of these guys transfers. My guess is that it would be Collins. Just my opinion.