Evan Miya Post

[bucsrule8872]

If you don’t know, this guy is a statistics guru. it’s not his opinion, it’s based on stats.

Posted on X that the squad should be ranked somewhere between 8-13 in the preseason based on statistics.

Also said it would be rated 10-16 offensively and 8-13 defensively.

The defensive rating is a little surprising to me.

I think this should be very encouraging. Especially the defensive part, since most of us were concerned about our defense with this roster.

[Pobilly]

If stats could play the game. Anyway, this is one of those things where you bring 14 people together, try to teach them how to play a sport to the best of their abilities and while doing so also try to bring out the best in each one. Some will shine, some will fall in the shadows. We need the teachers to be at their best on and off the court. We need to have all of these personalities meld together and believe in their journey. If we get all of this they will possibly be able to live up to the statics.

[bucsrule8872]

If stats could play the game. Anyway, this is one of those things where you bring 14 people together, try to teach them how to play a sport to the best of their abilities and while doing so also try to bring out the best in each one. Some will shine, some will fall in the shadows. We need the teachers to be at their best on and off the court. We need to have all of these personalities meld together and believe in their journey. If we get all of this they will possibly be able to live up to the statics.

So basically you are saying that basketball is played on the court and not on paper.

Got it.

[Pobilly]

So basically you are saying that basketball is played on the court and not on paper.

Got it.

I guess or you could say basketball is in itself a living entity. Something that nurtured the right way can grow and become something larger that the world it lives in. We have seen that 8 times at UK, actually quite a bit more. But the thing is as we have seen over the past few years that the world is a cruel place and we deal with injuries and issues on these teams. But yeah it is played on a court.

[bucsrule8872]

I guess or you could say basketball is in itself a living entity. Something that nurtured the right way can grow and become something larger that the world it lives in. We have seen that 8 times at UK, actually quite a bit more. But the thing is as we have seen over the past few years that the world is a cruel place and we deal with injuries and issues on these teams. But yeah it is played on a court.

I usually love your posts, but I think you got a little too philosophical even for me (and I was really close to being a religion and philosophy major in college) in this thread.

All I was saying is that the stats are showing us to be a much better team (on paper) than I had thought.

It’s the offseason, all we can do is talk about the team on paper. Can’t really dwell on whether the team will mesh or not, who might get injured, who might steal who’s girlfriend, who might get busted with weed, etc.

Analytically, the numbers look pretty good. Much better than I anticipated, especially defensively speaking.

I just thought you guys would like to look at the info as well. I thought it was very interesting. I like positive and encouraging info.

[Catsrock]

I don’t know how accurate Evan has been in the past about predicting a season based on individual’s past performances. But it is certainly interesting. And surprising on the defensive side—as you said.

Pope’s year one I was excited in preseason. And it proved they were worth the excitement—until the injuries started.
Year 2 I was excited, drank the Kool-Aid. And injuries hurt, but I don’t think the chemistry was there to be good anyway.
Year 3…I CHOOSE to have hope until proven otherwise. Evan’s numbers feed that hope, but could prove to be fool’s gold.

[WeWant9]

I can talk myself into those offensive numbers, but honestly, having a hard time buying the defensive ranking. I think defensive strategy is not one of Pope's strengths, so I will need to see it to believe it. If this team can mesh and stay healthy, I do think they can be a dangerous team going into March.

[Pobilly]

I usually love your posts, but I think you got a little too philosophical even for me (and I was really close to being a religion and philosophy major in college) in this thread.

All I was saying is that the stats are showing us to be a much better team (on paper) than I had thought.

It’s the offseason, all we can do is talk about the team on paper. Can’t really dwell on whether the team will mesh or not, who might get injured, who might steal who’s girlfriend, who might get busted with weed, etc.

Analytically, the numbers look pretty good. Much better than I anticipated, especially defensively speaking.

I just thought you guys would like to look at the info as well. I thought it was very interesting. I like positive and encouraging info.

Love the analytics. But I have given Pope some grief on analytics and such if he is using for this player rotations. I do like what you posted. I am just trying to keep my expectations low and wait on the proof of the on paper turning into the living breathing animal we might be able to show.

[EKYCat]

I guess or you could say basketball is in itself a living entity. Something that nurtured the right way can grow and become something larger that the world it lives in. We have seen that 8 times at UK, actually quite a bit more. But the thing is as we have seen over the past few years that the world is a cruel place and we deal with injuries and issues on these teams. But yeah it is played on a court.

I'd argue that the 8 times it has happened at UK, they were talented and statistically as good or better than anybody in the country. You can foster whatever culture you want, but you got to have players who are better than the other team, usually.

[Pobilly]

I'd argue that the 8 times it has happened at UK, they were talented and statistically as good or better than anybody in the country. You can foster whatever culture you want, but you got to have players who are better than the other team, usually.

Agree 95% of the time. There are those teams (unforgettables) that transcend the wins and losses, just like there are groups that almost did great things. Not just at UK. Larry Bird at Indiana State, Hank Gathers at Loyola. 1975 Cats (my favorite all time favorite group). I love the sport. I love the moments in time in the sport (Vern Hatton shot) things like that. I actually love college basketball. I am a UK fan first and foremost, I love the game and the stories. Not every winner won it all, in fact many winners back in the day did not even make it to the dance as the dance was much smaller group. Love HI-C Carter and Duran Rudy Macklin from LSU with Pete, Love Charles Barkley at Auburn (but loved him crying more). Loved Joe Barry Carroll (center for Purdue) back in the day. I also love to dislike a player as well. Christian L at Duke, Hurley at Duke, Ernie and Bernie at UT things like that.

[EKYCat]

Agree 95% of the time. There are those teams (unforgettables) that transcend the wins and losses, just like there are groups that almost did great things. Not just at UK. Larry Bird at Indiana State, Hank Gathers at Loyola. 1975 Cats (my favorite all time favorite group). I love the sport. I love the moments in time in the sport (Vern Hatton shot) things like that. I actually love college basketball. I am a UK fan first and foremost, I love the game and the stories. Not every winner won it all, in fact many winners back in the day did not even make it to the dance as the dance was much smaller group. Love HI-C Carter and Duran Rudy Macklin from LSU with Pete, Love Charles Barkley at Auburn (but loved him crying more). Loved Joe Barry Carroll (center for Purdue) back in the day. I also love to dislike a player as well. Christian L at Duke, Hurley at Duke, Ernie and Bernie at UT things like that.

Totally! The beauty of this deal too is the tournament is a one and done scenario. So, one bad night from a talented team can spell disaster against lesser competition.