Kentucky v Loyola game thread

[Jaxcat]

Not impressed with Garrison. He does not seem to have improved over last season. His offensive 'game' is limited, to be nice (basically, one move and he's not fluid with that one). Still a good defender and, at times, rebounder. But, he's a zero offensively if he's not dunking.

Loyola was so overmatched, it's hard to really get a good read on the team from a game like this. Good to get back in the win column and maybe iron out some of the defense lapses, but, geez, that wasn't much competition.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I never thought I would see the day when we only have 15 posts on a basketball thread
what happened to Everyone

[KentuckyWild2020]

Maybe Moreno starting will get Garrison playing better. Jelevic needs more playing time.

Agreed, AJ needs more time, don't understand why he's not playing more to be honest...

[KentuckyWild2020]

Is it just me or did the team look and play better without Dioubate??

In my opinion, Dioubate is a undersized PF who can't shoot the 3 ball..

[Pete Hogwallop]

Is it just me or did the team look and play better without Dioubate??

In my opinion, Dioubate is a undersized PF who can't shoot the 3 ball..

No way. Dioubate has been the top player so far this year if you ask me. He shouldn't need to shoot many 3s. And he plays much bigger than his size. He doesn't need to score. He does so many other things.

[Matt Dillon]

I never thought I would see the day when we only have 15 posts on a basketball thread
what happened to Everyone

Probably a combination of fans being down after the Louisville and Mich. State losses plus last night's game wasn't exactly a marquee matchup. I expect things will pick up for the No. Car. and Gonzaga games.

[Pete Hogwallop]

I never thought I would see the day when we only have 15 posts on a basketball thread
what happened to Everyone

I was at a high school football playoff game last night and didn't watch the UK game. I don't like how we now have so many Friday night games early in the season.

[thughes]

I never thought I would see the day when we only have 15 posts on a basketball thread
what happened to Everyone

My twin granddaughters were at the house. Family always first, specialty the grandkids.

[SportsFan]

Is it just me or did the team look and play better without Dioubate??

In my opinion, Dioubate is a undersized PF who can't shoot the 3 ball..

I've noticed that too. Diabate strikes me as the ultimate complimentary piece (which is what he was at Alabama) who thrives as a "part" of the program...but saw an opportunity to come to Kentucky to be more of a focal piece, which is what he views himself but he really isn't. I definitely agree about Jelavic as well.... and last night would have been the perfect opportunity for him to get more run, but he didn't...so I'd like to know what's up with that.

[South jones]

Sorry I can't post and watch the game at the same time.LOL
due to the quality of competition last nite its difficult to gauge if there was any improvement in overall play.

[SportsFan]

No way. Dioubate has been the top player so far this year if you ask me. He shouldn't need to shoot many 3s. And he plays much bigger than his size. He doesn't need to score. He does so many other things.

The problem is, he WANTS to score!

I'd agree with you if he would concentrate on defense and rebounding and being a good teammate, doing all the little things that don't show up in the box score...but instead, he wants to launch threes. And I don't know what kind of passer he is because I haven't seen him do it.

Bottom line - he could be such a great role player that contributes in so many ways if he wanted...but the points column in the stats sheet seems to take a priority.

[CrimsonCats]

Is it just me or did the team look and play better without Dioubate??

In my opinion, Dioubate is a undersized PF who can't shoot the 3 ball..

It was a little hard for me to tell. Kam had a really good game, and I am intrigued by him getting some time at the 4 because that should help our spacing on offense. Loyola doesn’t have much size though, and is a very bad team in general, ranked 295th on Kenpom as of today. We probably would have rolled them no matter what lineup we used, so it’s hard to say yet if he’s capable of playing that position well against anyone who’s actually a threat.

[Pete Hogwallop]

The problem is, he WANTS to score!

I'd agree with you if he would concentrate on defense and rebounding and being a good teammate, doing all the little things that don't show up in the box score...but instead, he wants to launch threes. And I don't know what kind of passer he is because I haven't seen him do it.

Bottom line - he could be such a great role player that contributes in so many ways if he wanted...but the points column in the stats sheet seems to take a priority.

I think he got frustrated with his teammates and tried to do too much in some of those games. When they are actually playing well, he'll focus on those intangibles.

[KentuckyWild2020]

The problem is, he WANTS to score!

I'd agree with you if he would concentrate on defense and rebounding and being a good teammate, doing all the little things that don't show up in the box score...but instead, he wants to launch threes. And I don't know what kind of passer he is because I haven't seen him do it.

Bottom line - he could be such a great role player that contributes in so many ways if he wanted...but the points column in the stats sheet seems to take a priority.

That's my problem with Dioubate, he wants to be a scorer and he's not, just a trash man.

He's a 6'7 undersized PF who cant shoot from the outside and to small and unskilled to post, he's not Winston Bennett.

Im not knocking Dioubate but he's a role player who's job should be long rebounds and defense in my opinion.

With AJ, he can shoot pass and dribble, not sure why he's not playing that Point center on offense at the top of the key. Williams could not shoot so defenses lagged, AJ can shoot.

I don't know about team chaos behind closed doors but if the problem is Dioubate thinking he was brought here to be a scoring option, that's a problem itself.

Looking at the plus minus for both Dioubate and AJ, both comparable but personality is just see more potential in AJ in a 3 point offense more than I do Dioubate.

It's all good, Kam Williams may keep them both on the bench, he's coming around and actually does more on both ends then I thought.