Tourney Teams Not Respected

[TrollyMcTroller]

It is true. Uk has issues with smart, disciplined teams. Only interesting fact is WSU relies on rebounding. That is one thing UK excels at

I think that's only part of the issue.

UK has trouble with athletic, up tempo teams that score in transition and play pressure defense. Having a solid big in the paint seems to help too. (Don't believe me, look at all of UK's losses)

Confession: I haven't watched WSU play much this season. I did have one of their games on, but I was making dinner at the time, and wasn't paying a great deal of attention. But from what I've seen I think UK is a bad matchup for them. If they meet in the Ro32, I'd probably pick UK.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I think what is great about teams like Wichita St and for example Butler when they made back-to-back tourney runs. They know how to survive and they are great at taking it one game at a time and just scraping out games to win.

The only teams I see having a chance to beat WSU is an experienced and smart team like for say Michigan St or Louisville. Athletic only takes you so far when you are playing good defensive squad that limits mistakes and plays a halfcourt battle.

 

[Codaxx]

I think that's only part of the issue.

UK has trouble with athletic, up tempo teams that score in transition and play pressure defense. Having a solid big in the paint seems to help too. (Don't believe me, look at all of UK's losses)

Confession: I haven't watched WSU play much this season. I did have one of their games on, but I was making dinner at the time, and wasn't paying a great deal of attention. But from what I've seen I think UK is a bad matchup for them. If they meet in the Ro32, I'd probably pick UK.

-
They have issues with pressure teams. Guard play was horrendous for much of the year. Recently it seems that guard play is developing into a strength. There are still lapses of judgement, but not the long periods of incompetence based turnovers. UK's chances are all about the Harrison twins.

 

[jonvi]

I think UK is playing exactly as expected. A team stacked with future NBA players that happen to be 4 freshman and 1 soph.

If the fab 5 proved anything it's that a team like this has potential, but is going to have an up and down season. It's hard to win 6 in a row that way.

 

[Runeman]

-
They have issues with pressure teams. Guard play was horrendous for much of the year. Recently it seems that guard play is developing into a strength. There are still lapses of judgement, but not the long periods of incompetence based turnovers. UK's chances are all about the Harrison twins.

They have had issues with pressure defense and after playing Florida 3 times they seem to handle it a lot better. In addition, they now play inside defense better. Can't tell you how many times the Gators drove the lane only to have the shot blocked. Also, their big men are finally able to run the floor without getting gassed. Had Dakari Johnson played any kind of a game at all, Kentucky probably beats Florida the other day. Right now, I'm seeing a Kentucky team that has recently elevated their game and a team that WILL beat Wichita St.

 

[phantomfoul88]

Kentucky has the best athletes and if they ever learn how to play together, they win. Consider how many future NBA players are on that team.

Big "IF" but I doubt we'll ever see it since all are probably gone this year.

 

[jontaejones]

I think UK is playing exactly as expected. A team stacked with future NBA players that happen to be 4 freshman and 1 soph.

If the fab 5 proved anything it's that a team like this has potential, but is going to have an up and down season. It's hard to win 6 in a row that way.

In retrospect though, I think that class was overrated.

Randle is good, but is more in Juwan Howard's class. They don't have a Webber or Rose caliber player

 

[Shanemansj13]

They have had issues with pressure defense and after playing Florida 3 times they seem to handle it a lot better. In addition, they now play inside defense better. Can't tell you how many times the Gators drove the lane only to have the shot blocked. Also, their big men are finally able to run the floor without getting gassed. Had Dakari Johnson played any kind of a game at all, Kentucky probably beats Florida the other day. Right now, I'm seeing a Kentucky team that has recently elevated their game and a team that WILL beat Wichita St.

So you have UK beating Wichita St?? They haven't played a better team all year, no offense to Florida but WSU has the experience that really few have.

 

[Runeman]

So you have UK beating Wichita St?? They haven't played a better team all year, no offense to Florida but WSU has the experience that really few have.

I'm OK with that point of view, however believe that there are several teams that play better than Wichita St. IMO, there are about 10 teams that are in position to win the NC; Florida being one and Wichita not in that group. I guess what I'm saying is that Wichita St. is not a NR1 caliber team and Kentucky is now peaking and quite capable of winning that game.

 

[Codaxx]

So you have UK beating Wichita St?? They haven't played a better team all year, no offense to Florida but WSU has the experience that really few have.

Florida starts 3 seniors with extensive experience. I am not sure that WSU has much more to offer in that regard.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Florida starts 3 seniors with extensive experience. I am not sure that WSU has much more to offer in that regard.

They have tourney experience and winning in the tourney. They might have been playing weak teams but they have been dominating them. I just think they will get past UK, they just aren't as smart, experienced. An upset could happen, but I will take my chances with a team that has been there and done that against a team that has NO tourney experience. I still think WSU gets puts out early but not this early.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I'm OK with that point of view, however believe that there are several teams that play better than Wichita St. IMO, there are about 10 teams that are in position to win the NC; Florida being one and Wichita not in that group. I guess what I'm saying is that Wichita St. is not a NR1 caliber team and Kentucky is now peaking and quite capable of winning that game.

Why is WSU not a number 1?? What evidence because they haven't played anyone. Because last year I saw them beat a top 3 defense in the nation in the elite eight, and barely and I mean barely lost to Louisville who dominated in the tourney. And this team is better than last years.

I think if they get past UK and fight out a win against Louisville they get to another Final Four and everyones bracket is fucked.

 

[gordontrue]

Why is WSU not a number 1?? What evidence because they haven't played anyone. Because last year I saw them beat a top 3 defense in the nation in the elite eight, and barely and I mean barely lost to Louisville who dominated in the tourney. And this team is better than last years.

I think if they get past UK and fight out a win against Louisville they get to another Final Four and everyones bracket is fucked.

One difference, for me, is that last year's team was actually much more tested and prepared.

People forget that their conference was actually pretty good last year. They had something like 7 top-100 teams. This year, only Wichita St has been a top-100 team all year long (I think a couple snuck into the top-100 in the last couple weeks).

The added pressure of being an undefeated and a #1 + having to play their toughest opponent of the entire season in the 2nd round = scary situation for any team.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Florida starts 3 seniors with extensive experience. I am not sure that WSU has much more to offer in that regard.

Wichita has several Sr's that play, as well as a mix of Jr's and Sophs....they went to the final 4 last year, losing to eventual champion Louisville by 4 points. The year before they won 27 games, and fell victim to the 12/5 seed against VCU.

The year before that they won 29 games, despite landing in the NIT...so, some of these kids have experience, and have experience going deep into the NCAA, as they did last year, and I believe they returned everyone from that FF run.

They have plenty to offer outside of playing in a conference that is not very good.

 

[Shanemansj13]

One difference, for me, is that last year's team was actually much more tested and prepared.

People forget that their conference was actually pretty good last year. They had something like 7 top-100 teams. This year, only Wichita St has been a top-100 team all year long (I think a couple snuck into the top-100 in the last couple weeks).

The added pressure of being an undefeated and a #1 + having to play their toughest opponent of the entire season in the 2nd round = scary situation for any team.

I agree with you as well, that's why come March it is so hard to pick games. I try to not competely focus on that and focus more on matchups, strengths, and weaknesses of a team but it is hard not to look at only playing like one top-100 team.

I am not saying WSU wins easy or they are guaranteed a win, but I don't want to discount a team on just one really big thing, schedule.

 

[dcZONAfan]

Wichita has several Sr's that play, as well as a mix of Jr's and Sophs....they went to the final 4 last year, losing to eventual champion Louisville by 4 points. The year before they won 27 games, and fell victim to the 12/5 seed against VCU.

The year before that they won 29 games, despite landing in the NIT...so, some of these kids have experience, and have experience going deep into the NCAA, as they did last year, and I believe they returned everyone from that FF run.

They have plenty to offer outside of playing in a conference that is not very good.

I'm pretty sure last year their PG was a guy named armistead, and he graduated, paving the way for, you guessed it, the best player on their team (Van Vleet) to take the reins. Complete addition by subtraction. THIS is why they are much better than last year, and why people who say they don't have a shot don't get it. I don't think they will win it all, but I will not be surprised at all if they make it to the FF. To be honest I think the Kentucky matchup is worse for them than a potential Louisville game, considering they played louisville last year and won't be surprised by anything that gets thrown at them.

Look at it this way. Louisville won by 4 last year. They got worse, WSU got better.

Also, wouldn't it be fun if Nick Wiggins got further than his lil bro Andrew??

 

[Shanemansj13]

I know how to judge this game.

UK beat Tennessee by 8 points.
WSU beat Tennessee by 9 points.

WSU wins by 1.

 

[dcZONAfan]

I know how to judge this game.

UK beat Tennessee by 8 points.
WSU beat Tennessee by 9 points.

WSU wins by 1.

Perfect formula! This is how I base ALL of my picks

 

[Shanemansj13]

Perfect formula! This is how I base ALL of my picks

 

[Codaxx]

Wichita has several Sr's that play, as well as a mix of Jr's and Sophs....they went to the final 4 last year, losing to eventual champion Louisville by 4 points. The year before they won 27 games, and fell victim to the 12/5 seed against VCU.

The year before that they won 29 games, despite landing in the NIT...so, some of these kids have experience, and have experience going deep into the NCAA, as they did last year, and I believe they returned everyone from that FF run.

They have plenty to offer outside of playing in a conference that is not very good.

Those Florida seniors have been to 3 straight regional finals. They are a battled scarred group. My comparison was between Florida and WSU experience. I believe WSU has a new starter at PG. I think it is hard to say WSU brings in a team that is vastly more experienced than anything UK has seen, which was the original post I was commenting on.