Formula for succes against KU?

[UFWildcat]

Well...It's time to start digging out of the hole that the regular season left us in. This is the second season in a row where we have to face a number one seed. I was proud of our effort last year, can we rise up this year.

This Kansas team is out right athletic and quick. I watched them beat UF earlier this year and they were very impressive.

Tubby is going to have to come up with a serious game plan to take down the Jayhawks.

Morris has to bring his best game of his career, we have to hit a good amount of threes, tenacious defense, and Smith has to out coach Self. I think we have to slow the game down. (which shouldn't be a problem for Smith) It will have to be a similar game plan to the UNC game earlier this year.

I've had faith all year long only to have reality slapped back in my face

I will watch the game with my full intensity but I'm going to reserve my expectations. I give UK about a 35% chance to win. (Crunched the numbers all last night) :ggrin:

Were going up against a Giant.

Go Wildcats, Stomp on the Hawks

[RP_McMurphy]

Keep it in the 60's to 80's range. Plus keep it close at the end. Self is under alot of pressure at Kansas. He has more pressure than Tubby in this one believe it or not.

[Will Lavender]

1. Get back in transition.

2. Rebound.

3. Protect the basketball.

4. Contain Robinson, Chalmers, Rush and Collins off the dribble.

[I. Melvin]

Yeah, I'd rather be playing any other #1 Seed. Seems to me Kansas is our worst nightmare when they're motivated.

Long, athletic, can score inside and out, love to push the pace ...

nccoach mentioned a few days ago that he liked the UK / KU matchup. Coach, if you're around, can you tell us what you see that might work in our favor? Thanks!

[Mr. T]

I really think it comes down to two things:

1) play inside out. Get Morris involved early and the open3's will be there instead of contested 3's. It always seems to be much harder to go to the inside late in the game if you don't establish the presence early.

2) Play in control and value the basketball. Sloppy with the basketball = second round loss. Go hard after loose balls.

I think in most of our losses we didn't do one of the above. Do them both and we havea good chance at winning.

[BamaCat86]

UFWildcat wrote: Were going up against a Giant.

Well as Coach Taylor said..."we need to prepare for rain".

[macdon]

Difficult matchups work both ways.

KU is a difficult match for UK but,

UK is a difficult match for KU.

We don't want to play the way they do and they don't like our style.

Whose will get imposed on the game?

I like having Tubby Smith on our side.

[dj4cats]

KEYS AGAINST Kansas as I see them:

just like the Villanova game, Morris must be the focus of the offense every time down the court. that means using shot clock and not rushing up 3s. if ball comes back out, be ready to shoot them then but give Morris the first chance to shoot.

meeks must be on the court 30 to 35 mins.

morris cannot afford 1 cheap foul 20 feet away from basket like he got against Villanova. remember how quickly he went from 1 to 4 fouls. there is no reason for him or orb to go out past free throw line until oppent's center prove they can hit that shot.

point guard must be aware of how Kansas likes to run out early, they must be back and everyone else must sprint back or Kansas will make the Cats pay.

everybody on team except for Morris must not give up cheap points, foul hard and often if needed. must avoid the runs of Kansas which means contolling temp and slowing game down.

[DCWildcat]

This game is, in my opinion, a nightmare scenario for us. I personally believe that Self rides his recruiting to mask his horrible coaching, but he damn sure can teach defense. This feels to me like Memphis, only worse. I'm trying to be as optimistic as I can, but I can't give us >20% to win this no matter how hard I try.

[Deep Blue]

As much as I hate to say it, I don't see this game even being close. Even if we execute our gameplan to perfection, we simply don't have the horses to run with KU. Its going to be plowhorses against thoroughbreds out there. This game was lost four years ago when we recruited our current senior class. Jayhawks by 20+ Hope I'mwrong, but right now this is how I see it. :?

[Cincy110]

Kentucky was able to control the tempo against UNC this year, just couldn't make shots. UK needs to PROTECT THE BALL first and foremost tomorrow. Limit turnovers, knock down a couple of 3's and watch Bill Self start sweating.

GO CATS!!!