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Day After: Ranting After a Horrible Game

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4 years ago

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I thought about writing last night, because I was pissed and ready to go off. I decided to wait until today so that way I would be calmer, well-rested, and clear-minded. The only bad thing is, other than well-rested, I’m not really any of those things.

Kentucky was only a seven point favorite yesterday, but on paper, they were lightyears better than Georgia Tech, a team that had just lost in OT to Georgia State and lost by ten to Mercer. They should’ve beat them, by at least twenty. Instead, they got ran off the court in embarrassing fashion.

I don’t remember the Billy years at all, thanks the Lord and my parents, but if this feels this bad, I can’t even imagine what those two horrible years felt like.

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The Cats are 1-3 for the first time since I don’t know when because Wikipedia doesn’t go back farther than 2001. But the only time I could think of the Cats coming close to being 1-3 bad would be Pitino’s first year, which was 1990 or somewhere around there.

I need to address a few points, rant about them, and then I’ll be outta here so you can go about your day.

Cal cut his post-game press-conference short

I love John Calipari, but he isn’t above criticism. In fact, he deserves a ton of it. I don’t want to say he dodges the media, but he did last night, which you can’t do when you’re at Kentucky. He showed up to the press-conference, I rushed to my laptop to watch. He answered I think three questions before saying, “Alright guys, I gotta get outta here and catch the bus.”

*Deep breaths* What!? You can’t do that. Cal dodged the media, which is something that isn’t right for any coach to do after a loss of that magnitude. The fans, the media, everyone needs to hear from Cal in that situation. But no, he “had to catch the bus” and dipped out before the tough questions.

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Davion Mintz was up next and gave some really honest answers. “We have to look ourselves in the mirror right now and realize we’re not really that good. I promise we’ll get it fixed though. We’ll be alright.”

Simply unacceptable.

Devin Askew cannot play

I can’t and will not put all the blame on a freshman that really should be a senior in high school. But, Devin Askew can’t run the point and play meaningful minutes right now. If Kentucky wants to win, he just can’t. In 27 minutes, he had three points and two turnovers.

Kentucky is getting nothing from their PG right now, which has to change. Who do you replace him with? I suggest either Davion Mintz, or really shake things up and put Terrence Clarke there right now.

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I know Mintz isn’t as good and Clarke is a turnover machine, but Askew is essentially a ghost out there right now. In my opinion, both of those options are better than Askew. You at least have to try it.

This is rock-bottom

Starting a season 1-3 and getting blowout by Georgia Tech with this much talent is rock-bottom for this program. Yes, the 2013 team lost to Robert Morris in the NIT, but let’s be honest, that team wasn’t good and didn’t have Nerlens. This is far below that.

What now?

Well a good place to start would be just beating someone and the next chance Kentucky will have at that is Notre Dame this Saturday. The Cats play them, Detroit Mercy, UCLA, Louisville, and then start SEC play. You have to be 5-3 going into SEC play. If you aren’t, you have 4+ losses and are on extremely thin ice. If you stink up SEC play, you’re starring a 7-8 seed in the face with missing the tournament not far behind.

Just beat Notre Dame, please.

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Men's Basketball

ESPN’s Jay Williams Gives Message to Kentucky Fans, “You’re Not Going to Like It…”

Published

17 hours ago

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November 15, 2024

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ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Williams gives a message to Kentucky fans after the Wildcats win over Duke. "You won't like it."
ESPN

Back in April, opposing fanbases like Duke, told Kentucky fans to “cope with Pope” following the hire of Mark Pope and the corresponding initial shock. On Tuesday, those same fanbases had to watch as Mark Pope outcoached Jon Scheyer and Duke in the final minutes of the Champion’s Classic to get his first marque win in just his third game at Kentucky.

Of course, shortly after the game, Duke fans began to rationalize the loss by highlighting their team’s youth. While true, it sounded like an echo chamber of what Kentucky fans said for years under John Calipari. One notable example was former Blue Devil Jay Williams.

At halftime, while Duke was leading 46-37, Williams called this year’s Duke team the most talented since the 2001 team that he was a part of at halftime. To his credit, he complimented Kentucky on the comeback victory, specifically on their offense and maturity, but then 36 hours later he posted a message to Kentucky fans on social media.

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“Let me put you on to something,” Williams started. “Whether you like it or not, networks are going to sell Cooper Flagg. He’s going to be the number one pick in the draft. You’re going to talk about whether he won the or whether he lost the game, regardless of the outcome.”

“You’re not going to like it. There should be more kudos to Mark Pope and Kentucky,” Williams continued. “Regardless of whether you won the game or not, they’re still going to sell Cooper Flagg because he is selling the sport. Sorry.”

William’s statement is true. That said, it comes off as ‘sour grapes’ about losing. Cooper Flagg is a great talent and will likely be the first pick in the NBA Draft, but most Kentucky fans would say they would much rather have the win than the marketing.

Futhermore, Kentucky and its ‘brand’ has raised the level of multiple players and coaches, and will continue to do so. A deeper impact than Cooper Flagg will have on Duke in just one season.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball Receiving High Praise in Power Rankings, High as No. 2 According to One Analyst

Published

2 days ago

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November 14, 2024

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The Kentucky Wildcats are the early surprise of the college basketball season, receiving high praise after a big win over Duke.
Chet White | UK Athletics

It was different to see Kentucky ranked 23rd in the preseason AP Poll, their lowest since the 2008 season. However, a week and a half into the season, they are already climbing the rankings.

Jumping to No. 19 in the AP Poll and No. 18 in the Coaches poll this week, the Wildcats will take another good jump when the updated polls are released Monday, after defeating sixth-ranked Duke in the Champion’s Classic 77-72. They will likely fall in the 11-14 range.

That said, some analysts believe Kentucky is a top 10 team, including one from CBS that has them ranked as the SECOND best team in the country.

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Let’s take a look.

CBS

2. Kentucky Wildcats (3-0)

It took all of three games for Mark Pope to capture a signature victory at Kentucky. UK outlasted No. 6 Duke on Tuesday in the Champions Classic, nailing 10 3s in the win and downing Duke despite a huge game from Blue Devils freshman phenom Cooper Flagg.

ESPN

8. Kentucky Wildcats (3-0)
Preseason ranking: 23

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At halftime during the Champions Classic, it was fair to question whether Kentucky could consistently get points in a half-court setting against a strong opponent. Duke was keeping the Wildcats out of transition, and after an early barrage of 3s, the team’s attack had dried up. Then Mark Pope made some smart tweaks offensively, using Amari Williams and Brandon Garrison as playmakers in the middle of the floor, and Andrew Carr created matchup problems. The Wildcats answered a lot of questions with their second-half showing.

If the Wildcats are able to maintain this momentum and keep themselves high in the rankings, they will truly be one of the best stories of this college basketball season. A storied program, with a new coach and an entirely new roster.

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Men's Basketball

ESPN Anchor Discredits Kentucky After Win Over Duke, “They’ve Already Peaked”

Published

2 days ago

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November 14, 2024

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An ESPN anchor is discrediting Kentucky after their big win against Duke. "Where does Kentucky go from here? They’ve already peaked."
Chet White | UK Athletics

The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off of a statement win against Duke. However, many of the national stories shortly after the game were about Duke and Cooper Flagg. Now one SportsCenter Host, Shae Peppler, is even discrediting the Wildcats, suggesting they’ve already peaked.

“It’s only their third game of the season,” Peppler said. “You talk about how he [Pope] totally rebuilt this roster from scratch and did it in such a short time. Now where does Kentucky go from here? They’ve already peaked, it feels like.”

To his credit, former Duke guard Jay Williams took up for the Cats quickly after they defeated his alma mater the night before. “No, no, they’re not peaking. You have a team full of veterans that know how to play.”

Mark Pope said postgame that he will be keeping the team off of social media, to prevent them from getting too high or low. This is a perfect example of why.

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In just a few weeks, the Wildcats will have another big test as they take on the fourth-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs in Seattle. They will look to prove themselves right, and prove the doubters wrong, again.

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