Game Thread: #4 Kansas vs #7 Kentucky | 9:30 EST | ESPN

[DJ Fieri]

KU is -2 favorite.

Grayson Allen had a really nice game in the Duke-MSU game.

 

[DJ Fieri]

No OT!!!

 

[ManuForever]

Few notes from what I saw tonight:

Kentucky looked the worst I've ever seen an early season UK team look under Cal in the first half, then turned it around. I'm happy they kept it close, cause I was expecting a blowout. A big one. Nick Richards is flat out terrible, 3 games in. Swap his minutes with Killeya-Jones', and I think things will get a lot better there.

Hamidou Diallo and Kevin Knox seem to be the two guys who will lead the charge offensively this season, and I am completely okay with that as long as Knox remains the #1 option.

Overall, LOTS of improvements need to be made. Defense, turnovers, REBOUNDING, the likes. I wouldn't say I expect the team to be "great" by March, but they will be really, really good by then. Here's hoping at least.

 

[Ottermatic]

Calipari needs to work on trust, chemistry, and team building with his guys. They're not a team yet, just a collection of players, it seems to me

 

[ManuForever]

Calipari needs to work on trust, chemistry, and team building with his guys. They're not a team yet, just a collection of players, it seems to me

Agreed. They don't pass the ball very well, and don't seem to trust each other. Knox and Diallo are the only real aggressors I've seen so far this season that have been consistent. Killeya-Jones is up there as well.

 

[UKnation87]

Calipari needs to work on trust, chemistry, and team building with his guys. They're not a team yet, just a collection of players, it seems to me

I couldn't agree more...

That alone gives me a lot of hope for this team because KU is a great team with an excellent mix of talent and experience.

UK fought hard and had a chance to win the game. I don't say this often because I hate to see them get beat but I believe a loss last night will more helpful than had they won the game. Just my opinion.

 

[Ottermatic]

Michigan State got an unlucky draw this year, because from what I saw, they were clearly the second best team in the champions classic this year. Both Kansas and Kentucky have a lot of work to do.

No doubt, UK and KU are some of the most likely squads in the country to improve, but Duke and Michigan State played final four level basketball last night, and have just as much time to improve.

As of right now, based on the performances I saw last night, i'd estimate about a sweet sixteen year for both UK and KU.