TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: KY vs S. Carolina in Columbia, in game chat

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Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 06:14 PM:

The Cats area a 5.5 favorite against a team the has only lost 3 games this season in their home arena.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 06:17 PM:

Meechie Johnson leads the Cocks at 16.7/ game

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 06:18 PM:

KB Barnett Byron Jarrett and Ron Groover will officiate tonight's game

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 06:40 PM:

Johnson hit 6 three's against us last year in Rupp. We definitely need to keep a hand up on him all night long!

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 06:44 PM:

Naturally, USCs having a blackout tonight, plus they gave out towels on the backs of the chairs for this evenings game

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 06:48 PM:

KY averages almost 20 more points a game that the Cocks

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:03 PM:

Reeves draws 1st blood

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:06 PM:

Bradshaw picks up KY's 1st foul

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:07 PM:

Reeves called for KY's 2nd foul

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:08 PM:

4-2 @ 1st media timeout.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:16 PM:

10-9 USCs lead at 2nd media timeout. Usc gas hit 2 three's so far. They really want KY to slow the game down

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:24 PM:

Dillingham is the leading scorer with 9 so far

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:27 PM:

We're tied at 21 at the under 8 minute timeout

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:36 PM:

Don't look like the same team we saw on Sat. We can't find the basket right now

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:37 PM:

KY shooting 38% from the floor early

Posted by shoe (Member # 1830) on 01-23-2024, 07:39 PM:

looks like just going though the motion

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:45 PM:

We're shooting 34% from the floor

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:46 PM:

KY trails 33-25 at the half. We've got a big hill to climb in the 2nd half

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:48 PM:

Usc shoo6-12 from 3 at the half, I don't have to say anything else. While KY hitting 2-10

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:51 PM:

Dillingham with 12 points Bradshaw next leading scorer with 4

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:52 PM:

KY shooting 33% from floor, 20% from three

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 07:55 PM:

KY starters with a total of 11 points in the 1st half

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 07:59 PM:

Well, that was a bad half for sure. They look like they thought they would come out and just win because they have more talent. SC is a very good defensive team, but we aren't ready to play. This is going to be one of those games where you may have to count on your defense to win because your offense is having an off night. Not so sure our defense is good enough to do that yet. I guess we'll find out. We better get off to a good start.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 08:06 PM:

Seems like we're playing 8-5 on the floor

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 08:10 PM:

We've played 4 minutes and uscyet to have a foul called on them

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 08:11 PM:

Strange how a team can play that physical and not get called for fouls

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 08:20 PM:

We are giving them WIDE open looks from 3. They shoot 33% on the season and 44% tonight. We have to do better at keeping the ball in front. We don't do that, help has to slide over and leaves guys wide open from the 3. Our rotation is not good enough.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 08:20 PM:

There's no way in the world we can win this game tonight. Not only are the officials not calling fouls, they aren't calling flagrant fouls, that are obvious.

Posted by shoe (Member # 1830) on 01-23-2024, 08:21 PM:

so if you have the ball and someone is guarding you just elbow them in the face

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 08:22 PM:

They're outscoring us by 15 from the 3. Another wide open look.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 08:23 PM:

We can't hit anything

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 08:25 PM:

We better start to make a run right now. On the road to a solid defensive team, down 10 with 11 to go, and shooting like crap. The guys better wake up after this time out. The energy just isn't there.

Posted by ProBlue (Member # 2944) on 01-23-2024, 08:26 PM:

ZONE ZONE ZONE !! he can't coach if his team is not playing good !!!

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 08:26 PM:

That call where they not only don't call the flagrant foul, but don't call a foul on them period is reason enough to say there's no way usc can lose tonight.

Posted by ProBlue (Member # 2944) on 01-23-2024, 08:27 PM:

they are 10 for 19

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 08:30 PM:

If we can't just beat guys off the dribble we have no answer offensively.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 08:31 PM:

What about a set to get Try the ball in the post. Maybe run an actual set to get a specific look. Just dribble drive and hope we beat someone off the dribble.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 08:32 PM:

Can we get Unbelievable how bad our defense is. If we don't score 80+ we don't win. This is embarrassing. I was worried the way we played against UGA the other night. Fun to watch on offense, but man our defense sucked. Just like tonight.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-23-2024, 08:33 PM:

It's officially an A_ _ kicking.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 08:35 PM:

This one's over but the final score

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 08:44 PM:

We've outscored by 21 points from 3 pt land tonight.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 08:46 PM:

KY trails by 15 at the under 4 minute timeout 68-53.

We've scored 53 points in 36 minutes tonight.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 09:01 PM:

Really going some when officiating allows fans to run out on the floor with 5 seconds to play. Wonder where USCs coach is taking them for supper tonight?

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 01-23-2024, 09:04 PM:

Even the SEC network is so elated that they won't go to the second game. Wow!!!

I guess they should just cancel the MO A&M game tonight.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-23-2024, 09:55 PM:

I get fed up with it when the stupid SEC announcers go crazy. They are so far out of it they are giving USC all the credit for beating UK tonight. If they knew anything about BB they could see what happened in front of them tonight. But they were so busy running their moth during the game with so much superfuless information they have no clue. It wasn't so much USC stopping UK as it was UK stopping themselves by not finding any offense for about the whole game. It was Reeves and Dillingham that were the only ones to show up. We couldn't have hit the ocean with either hand standing in the surf. This is a perfect example of what happens just like the second half of the Q-final game in 1984 NCAA when we hit 3-33 in the second half. Only problem here is we arrived and we departed and never found our game all night. They are freshmen and it will probably happen more than once more. If we can put 6 top notch games together at the end it will be a miracle.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 01-23-2024, 10:36 PM:

USC just has Cal’s and UK number recently. Just chalk this one up as a bad performance and move on. The only thing I do not understand about tonight is the lack of minutes for Reed. He is your best player and all of the metrics support that opinion. Sure he got off to a bad start but other than Dilly so did everyone else.

USC got back in transition and the refs allowed mugging on both sides tonight which is not to UK’s advantage.

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 01-24-2024, 07:24 AM:

I am completed stunned by the amount of minutes Edwards plays and the fact that he starts every game. Calipari is a complete moron for playing him as much as he does.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-24-2024, 01:08 PM:

I don't know why Edwards starts or sees the floor more then 7 minutes, unless he is hot. He really doesn't bring much to the table right now on either end of the floor. Reed should have played much more than 15 minutes. Remember, this is Cal. We know how he tends to forget about players when the game gets difficult. Last night was an example of how we are only going to win if we just flat out play better than the other team. What I mean by that is if we can't beat guys off the dribble in our DDO or high screen game there will be no adjustment. Mitchell was dominating for a 4 possession stretch in the 2nd half, and then we didn't go back to it. Why? Reed is one of your best defenders, and smartest players. You would think you would be giving him alot of minutes in a game like last night. When things are difficult Cal tends to not know what to do to adjust. We've seen it before and we will see it again. I give him all the credit in the world for allowing the guys to play more free and shoot more threes, but I am still worried he will struggle in close games when we need the coach to adjust or come up with a change to help the team. Why not try zone last night? I know they were hitting threes, but it was because they constantly beat us off the dribble and then kick out to a wide open shooter after help came. Maybe a zone could have stopped that some, maybe not. But I sure as heck would try something different if nothing is working, and at least give them another look to think about. This team is fun to watch, but man our defense stinks. It's not a coincidence that everyone shoots better against us. It's because we are bad on defense. If we don't fix that we are not going to go far this season unless we continue to score 90 points a game against everyone.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 01-24-2024, 08:59 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by PaulCat:
I am completed stunned by the amount of minutes Edwards plays and the fact that he starts every game. Calipari is a complete moron for playing him as much as he does.

For this team it may not say much, but Edwards is the best on ball defender on the team. He is also probably the best offensive rebounder on the team as well.

I think Cal has to figure out how to use him differently.

What can’t happen is having DJ and Dilly on the floor together. They give up buckets left and right and when they are on the floor together it is impossible for the other 3 UK players to cover for them.

Dilly was the best offensive option last night and he scored 16, but I think he gave up 34 to the players he was assigned to guard. He just is clueless on the defensive end.

DJ will play good defense for 10 or 15 seconds and then gets lost. Both of those guys should he very good on ball defenders and they are statistically the two worst on ball defenders in the SEC. Wagners guy scored 70% of the time and Dilly was at 68% going into last night. Dilly may have overtaken him with his performance. Contrast that with Chuck Hayes and Darius Miller. The guys they guarded scored 8% of the time. Two great defensive players.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 01-24-2024, 09:01 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by PaulCat:
I am completed stunned by the amount of minutes Edwards plays and the fact that he starts every game. Calipari is a complete moron for playing him as much as he does.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 01-24-2024, 09:02 PM:

That all being said. I like this team and Cal has time to get the defensive end of the court to improve.

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-24-2024, 09:33 PM:

I think mwe know how to play defense and play it well against some teams. But most of the time it isn't steady for 40 mins. We especially forget the defense in the last 10 minutes of the games.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-25-2024, 09:53 AM:

Trey, where do you find those stats? Those type of stats would be real interesting to see.

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 01-25-2024, 11:27 AM:

In my opinion, Edwards would have to average 10 offensive rebounds a game to be an asset. And since he only averages 4 total rebounds game, I think his time is best spent sitting on the bench.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 01-25-2024, 04:18 PM:

Here are my thoughts; I think we can all agree on the first three at least.

1. This team is an absolute joy to watch when the offense is clicking.

2. This team really needs to lock in on defense. It isn't capability, it is defensive focus and maybe even IQ.

3. Sheppard needs to be on the floor more than any other player. He is the best shooter, the best defender (among the guards), and he has a calming effect on the team. Not sure why Cal can't see what the stats say, and what we can all see. My only thought is he is playing his higher potential lottery picks.

4. Besides improving defense, we need to have our bigs play a lot better, especially in regards to rebounding. Those three seven-footers are not showing up as seven-footers on the stat sheet.

5. February (sometimes late February!) is when Cal's teams traditionally figure things out and hit a nice groove. The groove for this team could be truly awesome.

[ 01-25-2024, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 01-25-2024, 09:07 PM:

I have to agree on mot of your post, however I can comment onsome of it.

Sheppard in the last several games has started making a frew bad decisions, passing and slow movements causing him to lose the ball or make turnovers. Very quickly Cal gets him out, thus less PT. I have to agree that Sheppard is as good a PG as Wagner

Our big men are going to be iffy until they can rebounding, making layups, and stop making fouls. Our croatian trys to play ball like the europians do and has not fully understanding the differences of that and US type rules. They never found him in the USC game for any shots.
Ugonna is looking better but he is still going to be the slowest of the three.

Right5 now they need to concentrate on their games and try to get better. Right now they tend to take up space.

Posted by ukman (Member # 3032) on 01-26-2024, 12:41 PM:

Shepherd has made a few mistakes lately, but certainly still lower than most every player. He needs to get 30+ minutes a game.

Onyensu seems to be the best rebounder of the 3, and best shot blocker. Big Z seems to be the best shooter and we haven't seen enough to really say what he is. Bradshaw is a little bit of a mix, but I don't feel he is better than the other two at any one aspect. Who plays the most should be determined by the match-up and who if one gets hot, or is dominating the boards.

Rebounding and defense is going to determine how our season goes. If we improve in those areas then the sky is the limit. If we don't, then we could be gone in the first weekend once again.

Also, Cal has to play Edwards less. It feels like he feels like he has to make sure he lives up to his draft projection from the beginning of the year. If Edwards doesn't, it's like Cal thinks it makes him look bad. I'm sure that's not true, but I can't figure out why he plays so much. When Thiero gets back, if that ever happens, he should get Edwards minutes imo.

The team will have plenty of games where SEC teams are gonna play physical, slow us down, and make us have to win with defense and rebounding. Hoping we make that a focus and the guys really by into that part of the game the most. The scoring will still come most of the time. We will also need Cal to help them at times with set plays to get the right guy a good shot or match-up, and maybe even play a little zone if we can't keep the ball in front of us. At least enough to maybe keep the other team from getting so comfortable on the offensive end.

This has all the potential to turn out to be an amazing season. The pieces are certainly all there.

Posted by ProBlue (Member # 2944) on 01-26-2024, 01:51 PM:

We rank 110 in Division 1 on defense, TN.ranks 10, Auburn 15 . That's a big problem. We don't solve this problem we will be lucky to get pass round 32 in March.