TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: Three reasons to believe!

This is topic Three reasons to believe! in forum UK / NCAA Basketball at TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://www.thecatsdomain.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=027285

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 10-23-2012, 02:11 PM:

This article also gives reasons to worry...

REASONS TO BELIEVE

Defense. Presuming the Wildcats get a full dose of freshman center Nerlens Noel, Kentucky’s disruptive defense will not retreat. Noel is different from Anthony Davis—more of a control-the-lane shot blocker than Davis’ anytime-anywhere approach—but in some ways, Noel’s constant interior presence will make the Wildcats harder to score against.

The wings. Freshmen Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress will make for a more athletically dynamic set of wings than the Wildcats had last season. Neither is at the level of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but Darius Miller and Doron Lamb were not as physically gifted.

Cal can adapt. John Calipari won at UMass, Memphis and with the Dominican Republic, for goodness’ sake, and up until he won the 2012 NCAA Tournament there still were people questioning his coaching acumen. Folks, nobody ever has changed teams as rapidly or effectively. Since 2006, Calipari has averaged 34 wins per season. In that period, he has had 18 players leave early for the NBA. This is not the greatest run for a coach in NCAA history, but it certainly is unparalleled.

REASONS TO WORRY

It ain’t easy being green. This is a less experienced team than the one that represented UK last season—which also featured three freshman starters. These Wildcats have one player (Ryan Harrow) who was a starter for a mediocre N.C. State team and one 12-minute player (power forward Kyle Wiltjer) who isn’t incredibly athletic.

A comparative lack of talent. The Wildcats will be more talented than most of their opponents, but they won’t be as talented as the 2010 or 2012 Kentucky teams. They might rise to the level of the 2011 team, which reached the Final Four—but only after earning a No. 4 seed. It’s likely this team will put together something approximating the success of the past three teams. But it won’t be automatic.

Link

Posted by Cat Fan In The Mill (Member # 2756) on 10-24-2012, 07:16 AM:

I stated on another post that early on this team will be working to find their identity but by the end of February and the beginning of March, they will be a seasoned team and a definite threat in the tournament.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 10-24-2012, 08:05 AM:

Your right on CFITM, there is a learning curve and some tough opposition early but that is only going to help make this team better. The second half of the season is going to be a good time for the Cats.