I Had a Thought This Morning That Rings True

[Craig the Blueheart]

If Gardner Webb and San Diego can beat UK at Rupp, then UK can beat UT at home without Patrick Patterson.

On days when a team is clearly over-matched on paper, it only takes supperior effort and great shooting, while the more athletic team has an off day. Folks, this scenario CAN happen today. In this day and age, there is very little difference in mid-major players and major players, and the above scenario happens often, thus creating an upset.

[SamKat]

Good one, Craig and very true.

But I think the coach has been talking recently about better practices and I think he means the entire team. He brought along a stronger bench, in my opinion, through those early bad losses and Khoury, Stevenson, Harris, Porter, and others have given fine minutes on the floor. I just want this team, even without those injured, to be better than TN today. I have the deepest hope that Carter, Stewart, Williams and all others can take advantage of their floor time today.

[Craig the Blueheart]

Good one, Craig and very true.

But I think the coach has been talking recently about better practices and I think he means the entire team. He brought along a stronger bench, in my opinion, through those early bad losses and Khoury, Stevenson, Harris, Porter, and others have given fine minutes on the floor. I just want this team, even without those injured, to be better than TN today. I have the deepest hope that Carter, Stewart, Williams and all others can take advantage of their floor time today.

I don't want to bust your bubble, but this team is not, nor will it be this year, better than UT. Can we play a superior game and beat UT on an off day? You bet we can. Our bench is actually a weakness, while UT has great depth.

[bluebayou]

I think we are missing something CBC said about the players on this team. He said "you play your best players all the time" or something to that effect. I think what he means by that is that he believes in playing his best players as much as possible to enhance our chances at winning. Doesn't mean that he doesn't have hope in or believe in the ones on the bench. They just aren't as good or talented as the ones that see the floor. So, We may very well see that we have players that can compete and give us quality minutes and put us in a situation to win. But they don't give us the best chance that others do. Have faith in the team. Remember, they been practicing against the likes of PP and the others. It's bound to have made them better.

[Craig the Blueheart]

I think we are missing something CBC said about the players on this team. He said "you play your best players all the time" or something to that effect. I think what he means by that is that he believes in playing his best players as much as possible to enhance our chances at winning. Doesn't mean that he doesn't have hope in or believe in the ones on the bench. They just aren't as good or talented as the ones that see the floor. So, We may very well see that we have players that can compete and give us quality minutes and put us in a situation to win. But they don't give us the best chance that others do. Have faith in the team. Remember, they been practicing against the likes of PP and the others. It's bound to have made them better.

I hope that you are right, but if we had people who could have produced, they would have been out there already. With that said, I am not dumb enough to think that there may not be surprises lingering. In addition, a unknown player can come out of nowhere and provide a career game for us. You never can tell. At this point in the season, however, you have to call a spade a spade. BG somewhat knows what his bench players can do, and he hasn't had the confidence in them to play them. Only time will tell...

[Will Lavender]

It's time to temper expectations -- if that's humanly possible for Kentucky fans.

I do not expect to win today. But I do expect us to play hard and to fight until the final buzzer. I'm also interested in seeing what AJ Stewart and Ramon Harris can do with extra minutes and more necessary offesive roles.

[poodoo]

If Gardner Webb and San Diego can beat UK at Rupp, then UK can beat UT at home without Patrick Patterson.

On days when a team is clearly over-matched on paper, it only takes supperior effort and great shooting, while the more athletic team has an off day. Folks, this scenario CAN happen today. In this day and age, there is very little difference in mid-major players and major players, and the above scenario happens often, thus creating an upset.

I LOVE the thought you have had, Craig. :) You are SO right! On "ANY GIVEN SUNDAY," :big_grin: a HUGE upset can occur. Further, now that Patrick is not playing, that's exactly what a UK win over still number-one ranked UT would be. We badly lose on paper, but, thankfully, that is not where the game will be played. :icon_mrgreen:

It CAN happen. Yes, the Cats' effort would have to surpass even what we've already seen, particularly on the boards. The Cats would also need to shoot a high percentage from the perimeter, while UT might also need to have an "off day" in that regard, as you mention, and even a subpar performance at the line might be helpful.

YET, it definitely CAN happen. I have no doubt an inspired effort will be there, due particularly to the efforts of our coach, Ramel, and Patrick the cheerleader. :big_grin: IF the Cats get hot from outside, that effort will surely go up to an even higher level. May it happen! :big_grin: GO CATS! BEAT UT!

[Tom Blevins]

Thumbs up to each and every one of you for maintaining a positive attitude. We still have two great clutch players in Bradly and Crawford, and a fantastic coach in Billy Gillispie. He will come up with a gameplan good enough to beat Tennessee today. If the players execute that gameplan well enough, we'll win. OK, I admit that's a HUGE if, but I believe in our Cats and I believe in our coach. tody could be our day to shine. Go Big Blue!!!!!!!!

[poodoo]

Thumbs up to each and every one of you for maintaining a positive attitude. We still have two great clutch players in Bradly and Crawford, and a fantastic coach in Billy Gillispie. He will come up with a gameplan good enough to beat Tennessee today. If the players execute that gameplan well enough, we'll win. OK, I admit that's a HUGE if, but I believe in our Cats and I believe in our coach. tody could be our day to shine. Go Big Blue!!!!!!!!

Good post, Tom.

Too, Coach G did indeed come up with a gameplan good enough to beat UT, no doubt. Too, the players executed that gameplan well enough to win the game. Unfortunately, we missed some free opportunities at the line (and UT made more of theirs) and barely fell short.

Regardless, the players most obviously BELIEVED they could win without Patrick, and they came SO CLOSE to pulling it off, even without being especially hot from the field. WHAT AN EFFORT it was by our Cats, who make us fans so proud!