Friday night's UK game

[blonthang]

One of 4 things happen, in order of likelihood (by my non-expert opinion), in lowest to highest likelihood:

1. Texas blows out UK (12+ points)

2. UK blows out Texas (12+ points)

3. Texas wins close-to-modest one (1-12 points)

4. UK wins a close-to-modest one(1-12 points)

Consequences of above:

4. Texas looks okay to those that matter. Following a 7-0 start, including road wins over Iowa, Cal, and UConn, loses a close one to EVERYONE'S favorite to win it all this year, at UK. No black mark here.

1. Texas blows out UK --- well, not going to happen, so no discussion here.

2. UK blows out Texas. Missing Taylor, hurt Felix, still winning, maybe a big head going on for team (though doesn't show at this point), or maybe UK is just that good at home. Nation may raise a few eyebrows but not much harm done considering. Would depend greatly on team returning to form after Taylor's return in conference play.

3. Texas wins a close one. Don't know what to say about this. The Big XII is nasty this year, so Texas is likely to lose a few, but such a win as this would be huge for this year and the next few to come (e.g., recruiting, national image, etc.).

 

[caryhorn]

I just don't see how we score enough to win. K's inside defense is too tough, and our perimeter shooting is inconsistent. We had a hard time scoring against UConn and it will only be harder against the wildcats.

If we can keep it close that will be a decent showing. Then when we get all hands on deck (Taylor) there could be a different story. The kid can be a difference maker.

 

[yelladawgdem]

The Big 12 is indeed tough this year, with a lot of tough places to play. Ames, Stillwater, Norman, Lawernce, WVU, etc. The FEC needs to be on that list for opponents that are coming in here.

 

[NBHorn7]

1. No way
2. Could happen
3. Maybe, but doubtful without Taylor, probably even with
Taylor at Lexington
4. Most likely

 

[NorthernNJHorn]

I think it's between 2 and 3. I'd love to have 3, but the realist in me says 2. 3 will happen if Felix catches fire and drains half a dozen from behind the arc.

 

[dalhorn1]

if Kentucky were without their top scorer and team leader, would there be a noticeable difference in outcome?

 

[ProdigalHorn]

If we keep this game within single digits I will do a jig. The good thing about a game like this is we're playing with house money. Kansas did us the service of getting depantsed by them already, so it's not like people are going to change their opinions of us after a similar loss.

I think we'll play good enough defense to hang around. If guys can bring their "A" shooting game, then we have a legitimate chance.

 

[NBHorn7]

Kentucky has a team loaded with guys headed to the NBA.
They beat Kansas by 32 points on a neutral floor because they were focused and ready to play in a game like that. It would have been worse if they hadn't backed off in the second half.

They will be ready to play again and this time the game is in Lexington. If they lost one player, they have multiple replacements ready to go. They probably won't go undefeated because they will not be ready to play in some games. Honestly I don't think there has been a more talented team with this type of size to go with it since the old UCLA days or maybe tlhat one UNLV team.

Only one NBA team is bigger in overall size than Kentucky.
They are just scary when they want to really play. We will have to shoot lights out to stay in the game most likely.

I think we can hang around for awhile if we don't get rattled like we did at UConn. We play like we did there and we lose by 20 or more.

 

[Horns11]

It's going to be a blowout. Our forwards are an 8 while theirs are a 10. Our guards (without Taylor) are basically a 4 while theirs are a 9. I'd be surprised if we kept it within 20.

A win would all but guarantee that we'd go up to #2 (maybe even #1 in some polls). But the moment we lose, it'd be back down to #10. And like a #5 seed in the NCAA tourney, based on how much the committee likes Texas since Barnes has been around.

 

[caryhorn]

I don't see how being ranked # 10 makes us a five seed. Seems like that would be a # 3.

However, if KU is all that, then getting beat by 20 is going to be what happens to most teams who play them this year. So we may be in top 5 by end of the year if we can stay healthy.

I watched Duke play Wisconsin this week and was not blown away by either. The 7 footer playing for Wis. is slow and not that agile. Duke may be the only challenger to KU.

I would take Turner over the Wis 7 footer (he's a senior) right now and not look back.

I think we can play with most of the top ten teams with Taylor in the lineup. KU seems like a different animal though. I'm not optimistic for tonight's game.

 

[blonthang]

I assume you mean UK. Not to be too picky, convention is to refer to Kansas as KU and Kentucky as UK.

It's not an aggy thing with UT initials, Kansas and Kentucky seemed to have set that themselves.

 

[Htown77]

This Kentucky team is starting to sound better than the 2005 USC Trojan football team, if that is even possible.

 

[22 HORN]

12 points win by this KYteam considered a blowout?????

 

[sblazer]

I mean the oddsmakers have Kentucky by 12.5 right now.

 

[majorwhiteapples]

Give Caliperi a few days and he will beat anybody!!!!

 

[georgecostanza]

We look much better without Felix on the floor trying to do too much.

Also, these fouls are getting ridiculous.

 

[georgecostanza]

******** flagrant foul against Holmes leads to 6 quick Kentucky points to tie it up.

 

[WorsterMan]

George mentioned it... refs called this much too tight tonight. The flagrant foul on Holmes woke them up - 6 or 8 points swing and they took the momentum after that. With so many fouls and key guys on the bench we could not overcome the 2nd half surge when their bench kicked in.

Valiant effort on the road in a hostile environment,,, maybe we get them again in MM when we have Taylor back.

 

[ProdigalHorn]

It was a good effort, that definitely showed Texas' limits as a team. Aside from Holmes and Taylor, there is very little ability to consistently create offense on the team. Shooting is better but still unreliable, and this team really needs Ridley to figure out whatever is going on with him.

All the same, really good effort and there's no reason not to be really excited about the rest of the season - especially when/if Taylor returns. I like that this team blinked, but recovered and fought back. The best Rick Barnes teams have always been hard-scrapping teams that are not afraid to play physical, and these guys are clearly that.

 

[blonthang]

I also liked Barnes post-game comments and demeanor. Big smile, losing late by 12 to a very, very good UK team AT UK,i missing Isaiah, "big boy game".

I read UK fan comments on an ESPN wrap up story this morning. All very impressed with Texas and really want to see a game at a neutral site with a healthy Isaiah.

Me too, say early April.

 

[caryhorn]

I think we can stay with UK on a neutral floor with Taylor back. UK seems to have less outside scoring than we do.

We really needed Taylor's slashing to the hoop and dishing to the open shooter; or his scoop to the hoop.

I saw no UK guard play that was better (or as good) as Taylor. Also, UK is not as good as us shooting free throws, except for Ibeh's terrible ft's.