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Topic: Lunardi thinks Cats "ordinary".
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 03-12-2014 07:22 PM
We have the talent and if Cal finds the key to make this team play to their capabilities we could surprise not only Lunardi but a whole lot of other people.
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi thinks Kentucky is more likely to hurt its NCAA tournament seeding than help it during the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Kentucky (22-9) plays either LSU or Alabama in Friday’s quarterfinals and if UK won twice it likely would meet No. 1 Florida, which was unbeaten in SEC play, in the conference title game Sunday.
“Kentucky could best help itself by starting the season over,” said Lunardi Wednesday. “I don’t mean to be snarky, but last time I looked they were 1-7 against the top 50. They could only play one team that can help (NCAA seeding) in Florida and they have not shown an ability to compete with Florida.
“They are in the 6-7 (seed) range at the moment. Short of beating Florida, that’s where they are going to stay. The real risk is a loss to a team below them and falling to the 7-8 range which is more what their profile would suggest. So, no, I don’t think they’re likely to help themselves. And they’re more likely in fact to go the other way.”
Lunardi irritated Kentucky fans a few weeks ago when he said UK had been “ordinary” this season — and that was before UK lost to Arkansas and South Carolina.
“I am used to taking heat from fans, particularly in places where the sport is taken seriously,” Lunardi said. “Take the name off the jersey and this team is very ordinary by Kentucky standards. They are allowed to be border-line good instead of a NBA team.
“My lesson from this is what happened two years ago (when UK started three freshmen and won the national title) was the exception and the last two years are maybe more likely when you try to make a high level Division I team out of some incredibly talented but non fit-together pieces that are highly rated and have never been a team.
“I respect Cal (John Calipari) for what he is trying to do that and doing it two years ago but he had a No. 1 draft pick (Anthony Davis) and Olympian and a lottery pick (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist). Maybe building a whole new team every year with all-stars is harder than we thought.”
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Posts: 186359 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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AshTuckyUKfan
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Member # 3065
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posted 03-12-2014 07:41 PM
I didn't see anything out of place there, UK is very ordinary, nothing stand out at this point. Beating a few unranked SEC teams in the conference tournament won't help anything.
Posts: 369 | From: Ashland KY | Registered: Mar 2009
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Ol' Blue
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Member # 2317
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posted 03-12-2014 07:56 PM
It depends on how we beat them. If we blow them out and dominate, it would make a huge change in the perception of the team.
If we squeak by with overtime wins then I agree, won't matter.
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Number nine will be divine!!
A man needs something to believe in.........I believe I'll have another beer!
Posts: 2274 | From: Roanoke, TX | Registered: Jan 2005
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SCWC
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Member # 2464
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posted 03-13-2014 03:45 AM
I agree with Lunardi, this team have just not meshed and are just an average team at best.
Posts: 17777 | From: Myrtle Beach, SC | Registered: Jun 2005
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Bama Cat
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Member # 153
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posted 03-13-2014 10:47 AM
Anyone that doesn't see this is only fooling themselves. When you have this many supposed top high school athletes and they all need improvement to really make an NBA roster where else could you rate them but ordinary. If they want to change their brand they would need to not only win the SEC but do it in an outstanding manner. We could end up around a 7-9 seed unless this new twist Cal has makes a big change in them.
Posts: 14142 | From: berea, ky, usa | Registered: Sep 1999
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rupps runt65
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Member # 1286
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posted 03-13-2014 10:47 AM
Totally agree, nothing special bout them and they do nothing very well except for rebounding.
Posts: 860 | From: jacksonville, fl. u.s.a. | Registered: Mar 2001
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handycat
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Member # 2323
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posted 03-13-2014 11:03 AM
I still can't give completely up on them. I think they may still come together and pull a couple of upsets. I guess according to their preseason ranking, that will still make them rather ordinary.
Posts: 5394 | From: decatur ill. | Registered: Feb 2005
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Cat Fan In The Mill
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Member # 2756
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posted 03-13-2014 01:13 PM
Hard to argue against what Lunardi says.
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"On, On, U of K....We are right for the fight today......"
Posts: 1341 | From: Northern Kentucky | Registered: Feb 2007
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Ol' Blue
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Member # 2317
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posted 03-13-2014 03:39 PM
They have Kentucky across the front of their uniforms, that's special enough for me.
Lunardi is an espn tool. Sure he gets the teams in mostly right, but 90% of BBN could do that. The seeds and match-ups not so much.
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Number nine will be divine!!
A man needs something to believe in.........I believe I'll have another beer!
Posts: 2274 | From: Roanoke, TX | Registered: Jan 2005
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WildcatFanatic
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Member # 2932
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posted 03-13-2014 03:48 PM
Ordinary could, just could, evolve into "extra-ordinary". One never knows. It ain't over 'til that fat lady sings. Go Cats!!
Posts: 1531 | From: Lexington, Ky | Registered: Jan 2008
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m hamilton
Player
Member # 127
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posted 03-13-2014 09:25 PM
This is the same Lunardi who has Villanova as a number 1 seed too!
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The potus is planning 1st major tax hike since '93 in next economic package!
I still can't believe some people believed that LIAR!!!
Your whole life is determined(by) 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you handle it!!!
Posts: 123971 | From: vevay, IN USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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TheUKFan
Recruit
Member # 12628
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posted 03-13-2014 09:29 PM
I disagree with the almighty Lunardi in that I think this tournament could really help them with momentum. SEC tournament could give them that extra confidence they need to make a deep run in to the tournament. Yes I realize it's March, but I still believe in the Cats.....they have too much talent and ability to bail now.
Posts: 2 | Registered: Mar 2014
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m hamilton
Player
Member # 127
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posted 03-13-2014 09:35 PM
The Cats are going to have to play their best defensive game of the season tomorrow night in order to win this one!
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The potus is planning 1st major tax hike since '93 in next economic package!
I still can't believe some people believed that LIAR!!!
Your whole life is determined(by) 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you handle it!!!
Posts: 123971 | From: vevay, IN USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 03-13-2014 09:44 PM
Whoever wins will have to have some breaks as there are just to many teams that seem to be equal.
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http://www.ukfightsong.com/
Posts: 186359 | From: st. augustine florida 32092 | Registered: Mar 2001
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