Nc Central Game Thread

[Helix]

Imagine how worse this situation gets if JQ is ready soon and Dioubate is back with minutes, this could explode..

Could find himself the odd man out. Don't think he's a bad dude at all, just doesn't seem to be a driven individual. But what do I know.

[Jload]

Chandler had a great game IMO. Lowe also changed the offense when he was in. JJ played well. Amazing how much different teams and players look when they are making shots as opposed to missing. Oweh looked like last years version. Maybe his turf toe which kept him in a boot all summer until week practice started is finally healed. Of course that would run contrary to the lunatic part of fan base that created the " he's a cancer on the team" bs all over the internet.
Finally Rupp crowd was really bad tonight. Had the energy of a 30 watt light bulb.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Uconn Florida, now we about to see how bad we really are lol lol lol..

It's still about matchups, right now I only trust one (Oweh) to match up with any other guard/sf in the nation, that's the problem lol lol

[thughes]

Shame, with the right attitude and that body, he could wreck havoc down low. Just doesn't seem driven, and it might cost him much more money than he's getting now.

I feel that he doesn't want to play basketball but feels as if he has no choice. He has talent but he just seems like he doesn't want to be there.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Finally Rupp crowd was really bad tonight. Had the energy of a 30 watt light bulb.

In all fairness to Rupp crowd, they was in observation mode tonight after that Gonzaga shalackin lol lol..

It's not rough and rowdy like others but it's very well aware of what's going on,almost to smart lol lol

I haven't been in while but in big games against worthy opponents, crowd will run you out the gym, ear piercing.

Still, old money with a 6 pack of red bull would go along way..

[KentuckyWild2020]

I feel that he doesn't want to play basketball but feels as if he has no choice. He has talent but he just seems like he doesn't want to be there.

Dude got that child to worry about. I bet the pressure of it all is overwhelming.

It wouldn't hurt my feelings if we saw last years Maglore version, mean and nasty,

[Pobilly]

DId not watch. Did watch rapid reaction, did watch Pope Presser. Read here your thoughts.

I will only say this.

KSR Rapid reaction said point blank nothing tonight lead them to believe that UK has a chance against IU.
Pope Presser: was down. He said a couple of good things but mostly small warning statements.

Those 2 things right there tell me we are probably in for more bad this weekend. I do believe there is at least one cancer on this team and maybe more. I believe some of the players (Oweh for sure) has figured out how that cancer has hurt the team. Pope said Chandler was really good tonight, said Noah was really good tonight (but knows he has limitation) and said Oweh was good. Also said that defense was still not good. He was very low tonight. You all get ready for more hurting this weekend. That is the feeling I got.

If Noah and Chandler are our best with Oweh we are in trouble against good talent. Noah will have issues guarding, Chandler will have a harder time as well. Oweh is better but can get lost against good talent. Look what Mo did to him 3 times last year.

[Catsrock]

Like how all the players including Garrison are standing around Oweh while he was being interviewed.

That’s an OKC Thunder thing and I feel sure they were coached to do it. With the way they’re being questioned from coast to coast they better at least start LOOKING like they like each other. But still—good to see it.

[SportsFan]

I feel that he doesn't want to play basketball but feels as if he has no choice. He has talent but he just seems like he doesn't want to be there.

That's pretty much exactly how I've felt as well. He strikes me as a guy who has the size and the talent to play it at this level...but not the drive, desire, and love for the game to play it at the next level.

[Catsrock]

Whether it’s lack of ability or lack of desire BG sure isn’t getting it done. And Pope has taken note. BG got the 10th most minutes tonight. And that’s with no JQ or Mo. At this point Brandon is nothing but our best 3pt shooter. Joking.

[Pete Hogwallop]

I actually thought I saw a fair amount of improvement last night. I know the competition was bad, but I was watching the execution, organization and effort very closely and we were mostly better. I'm no expert, though.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Im glad we got the blow out win...still not sold on this team yet
They beat IU and St John's and I will change my mind
Hopefully Garrison got the message last night

[KentuckyWild2020]

Based off last night's game, it looks to be a starting 5 of Aberdeen, Oweh, Chandler, Noah, Moreno with AJ, Jasper, and Lowe off the bench followed by Williams, Garrison.

Again, I am looking for the solid 5 with the next 3 maybe 4 off the bench. It just feels like a simpler rotation of fewer players could help get this team in some kind of rhythm moving forward but that's just me.

Assuming JQ debuts soon. Starting 5 of Aberdeen, Oweh, Chandler, Noah (still prefer AJ personally) and JQ. I think that is a good solid 5 to start with Jasper,Moreno,Lowe, Noah or AJ off the bench.

Williams and Dioubate will need to find a role, same with Garrison. If not, they can sit and watch. I feel the more players he plays moving forward the more screwed up this thing gets, just my opinion...

This isn't 96 Kentucky basketball with 98 Kentucky coming off the bench, it's just not...

[Pete Hogwallop]

Lowe is likely going to be a starter....provided he stays healthy. And I'm not sure Noah keeps the starting spot either.

[SportsFan]

Based off last night's game, it looks to be a starting 5 of Aberdeen, Oweh, Chandler, Noah, Moreno with AJ, Jasper, and Lowe off the bench followed by Williams, Garrison.

Again, I am looking for the solid 5 with the next 3 maybe 4 off the bench. It just feels like a simpler rotation of fewer players could help get this team in some kind of rhythm moving forward but that's just me.

Assuming JQ debuts soon. Starting 5 of Aberdeen, Oweh, Chandler, Noah (still prefer AJ personally) and JQ. I think that is a good solid 5 to start with Jasper,Moreno,Lowe, Noah or AJ off the bench.

Williams and Dioubate will need to find a role, same with Garrison. If not, they can sit and watch. I feel the more players he plays moving forward the more screwed up this thing gets, just my opinion...

This isn't 96 Kentucky basketball with 98 Kentucky coming off the bench, it's just not...

I thought before the season began that we would be looking at a starting lineup of

PG - Lowe
SG - Aberdeen
SF. - Oweh
PF - Dioubate
C - Garrison

And a starting lineup of

PG - Lowe
SG - Oweh
SF. - Williams
PF - Jelavic
C - Quaintence

By season's end. But now...I think a starting lineup of

PG - Lowe
SG - Chandler
SF. - Oweh
PF - Jelavic
C - Quaintence

Looks better and might make more sense. Unless...Moreno and Quaintence play together much better than my wildest imagination....and then move Quaintence to PF and Jelavic to the bench. If Jelavic was a better 3 point shooter I'd like to see him start and get more minutes...but unfortunately, he's not.

I'd like to see Aberdeen and Jasper off the bench for instant offense and Dioubate off the bench for rebounding, defense and interior toughness. Jelavic and Noah can compete for minutes with whichever is needed (Jelavic for size and rebounding...Noah for guarding smaller players and shooting) getting the minutes. Garrison and Williams are (unfortunately) kind of odd men out at this point.

I'm basing this off the assumption that Lowe's health improves and his game picks up. Otherwise, he's looking at serious bench time and Aberdeen's role changes dramatically.

The only reason I've liked and still don't mind a larger substitution pattern is because I still don't think we've completely figured out who excels at what and who should be getting the most minutes.