TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: Tonight Is One of the Best Conference Games of Calipari Era

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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 01-12-2021, 11:54 AM:

It may seem super early in the conference season to call tonight’s game against Alabama one of the best conference matchups under Calipari but the reality is that what we will see hasn’t happened very much under Cal. Bama comes in at 4-0 in SEC play with the Cats sitting at 3-0. That combined 7-0 record for a conference matchup is the latest in conference play that UK has played another undefeated team in conference play. In fact, only FOUR times under Cal have the Cats and their opponent lost a combined 1 game or less coming into the matchup with the teams having played at least 7 combined games:

2017: Kentucky (5-0) at Mississippi State (3-1)
RESULT: Kentucky 88, Mississippi State 81

2017: South Carolina (5-0) at Kentucky (6-0)
RESULT: Kentucky 85, South Carolina 69

2012: Florida (7-1) at Kentucky (9-0)
RESULT: Kentucky 78, Florida 58

2010: Vanderbilt (5-0) at Kentucky (4-1)
RESULT: Kentucky 85, Vanderbilt 72

Yes, it’s an obscure stat but the point is that for front half conference schedule, this might be the best matchup of the Calipari era, at least by record. This will be the first conference team very likely headed to the NCAA Tournament and UK gets them at home. The Cats are riding high after Florida but Alabama is another level of opponent and they will have to refocus really quick or they will walk out with a loss. But it’s kinda great that UK is even playing big games still after that non-conference debacle.

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Posted by WildcatFanatic (Member # 2932) on 01-12-2021, 07:41 PM:

Can't wait to watch this one. Hopefully they keep their focus and play like the team they showed they could be vs. Florida. Go Cats!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 01-13-2021, 01:38 PM:

Ugly game played by the Cats the only stat that looked good was our offensive rebounding but that was partially due to all the shots we missed 21-61 for 34.4%.