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Basketball savvy
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Posted: 12/29/2012 7:29 PM
Basketball savvy
Is it just me or does anybody else feel that this group as a whole lacks basketball intelligence? I don't mean they are dumb, I mean they don't seem to know where to be on floor, when to drive the basket or how to make just simple passes without throwing it to the other team. Last year's group was highly intelligent in that area and it kept them from looking like real freshmen most of the time. I think Ryan was good today but he isn't going to take over the game for us like past PGs. Alex, Archie, and Willie are the main culprits, but even Kyle and Mays make decisions that just boogles the mind sometimes. Plus you can't play Willie, until he can make free throws, he was 0-4 but was actually 0-6, because of lane violations. Alex was almost as bad. The officiating was again terrible but it was on both sides. Make up calls were abundant today but its never going to get better, in fact officials in any major sport has gotten terrible, its hard to watch.
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Posted: 12/29/2012 7:58 PM
Re: Basketball savvy
Armchair quarterbacking is always easy, so here I go! I think the team grew up today!Overall I'm impressed with our progress, but again so many little mistakes throughout the game that cost us in the end (not seeing our open 3-point shooters on offense; failing to step towards the pass and turning your body so the defender is forced to foul you in going for the steal, turning your back to the ball (on defense) giving you no chance to defend against the cutter). I know this is nit-picking, but I saw these errors made multiple times tonight, resulting in easy baskets for U of L. I have every confidence that these errors (and the FT shooting) will be corrected by March. |
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Posted: 12/29/2012 8:20 PM
Re: Basketball savvy
I think they tend to panic under the press. This will pass as they become more confident in their play as well as that of their teammates. They are young and todays game at the bucket was intense and a very hostile enviroment. Louisville did a good job of clogging the lane forcing us to pass more and take longer shots. How could you not play Willie he gave it his all today. Without him Noel would have been worn out by the end of the game. The team looked like they were getting tired. Louisvilles bench allowed them to pressure more than our team has seen so far. Overall I think this team fought hard and long. They have a tremendous upside be patient and give them time to grow. Go Big Blue!!!
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Posted: 12/29/2012 8:55 PM
Re: Basketball savvy
This all starts with the point guard, Harrow's confidence level before the last to games were very bad and can make very poor passes still at times. When he get to where he wants the ball in his hands to make the big plays we will be fine. This years team is just taking baby steps as last years team took leaps and bounds, have said before if we get passed sweet 16 will be happy anything past this will be super happy with the season. Each player still looking for thier role on this team ONCE a clear cut leader steps up we will be fine. They have in NO way gelled as a team yet, just taking long than expected. This team could fool alot of us come the end of the year upside of this team as yet to be reached...
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Posted: 12/29/2012 10:10 PM
Re: Basketball savvy
UKrepresents wrote: I think they tend to panic under the press. This will pass as they become more confident in their play as well as that of their teammates. They are young and todays game at the bucket was intense and a very hostile enviroment. Louisville did a good job of clogging the lane forcing us to pass more and take longer shots. How could you not play Willie he gave it his all today. Without him Noel would have been worn out by the end of the game. The team looked like they were getting tired. Louisvilles bench allowed them to pressure more than our team has seen so far. Overall I think this team fought hard and long. They have a tremendous upside be patient and give them time to grow. Go Big Blue!!! Late in the game if I am the coach of the other team, I tell my kids to foul Willie whenever he tries to shoot the ball. 0 for 4, actually 0-6, since there were two land violations, and a continued 40% ft shooting will not get us a victory. Like the movie said, his best wasn't good enough tonight, he has to make at least half his free throws especially late in the game. I like his motor but he is also out of position on defense alot, he needs to listen to CAL like Archie and Alex. We came along way tonight, Archie actually made headway but in the end he is still out of control. I like this team but we need to be more intelligent on the floor. Actually I thought ul got panicked in the last 5 minutes more then we did, we just missed free throws. |
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Posted: 12/29/2012 10:15 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
40 or so years ago they would have been the Kittens playing other freshmen. Imagine how that would have been.
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Posted: 12/30/2012 12:28 AM
Re: Basketball savvy
I wish someone would tell Poythress not to throw anymore cross court passes the rest of the season. He has had a turnover on cross court passes in just about every game including the UL game. When Goodwin gets in the lane he needs to focus more on simply trying to make the shot, and less on trying to draw fouls. No need to make shot attempt anymore difficult then it needs to be.
Last edited 12/30/2012 12:28 AM by RONDORAMA
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Posted: 12/30/2012 2:03 AM
Re: Basketball savvy
Goodwin at time has savvy. Noel shows a lot of maturity for a freshman, but he is not going to touch the ball a ton until the half court offense is set, he gets an offensive rebound or is used as a pressure release getting the ball up the court. Mays has a little savvy. Beyond that, I think the team needs more hoops acumen. I do think Alex P. getting 7 points and 5 boards in 15 forgettable minutes is a good sign if he can start to put things together. The kid is talented, but he looks lost.
Last edited 12/30/2012 12:09 PM by UKdan1975
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- HHLou
- Freshman
- 143 posts this site
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Posted: 12/30/2012 9:00 AM
Re: Basketball savvy
I rarely post, but this conversation needs to be addressed. First of all, this is not last year's team. They are very talented, but slow to learn what really gets you there. Harrow is turning into a Cal type point guard, but still isn't there yet. Coley-Stein is a work in progress, but has a huge upside. Polytress does not stay focused enough. He has the potential to be a great player, but has to work harder on it. Goodwin is a scorer, but is a bit wild at times. Noel is a beast, he is a first rounder, maybe the only one we have on this team. Mays plays as solid as anyone, but does little until he breaks out of the scoring slump. Wiltjer is the Darius Miller of this team. He will be here for four years.
I am 68 years old and have some health poroblems, so I don't know if I will be around to watch next year's team, but rest assured, I will be watching from the best seat in the house.
Please folks, stop comparing every team to last year's bunch, they were special, thank god you got to see them and give the rest a chance to make it on their own merits.
That's the end of my sermon, take from it what ever you can. |
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Posted: 12/30/2012 9:23 AM
Re: Basketball savvy
I don't think people are so much comparing to last year, we just always want our teams to be good, regardless of the previous year. Of course, teams like we had last year does tend to spoil us a bit. I think the media does most of the comparing, but of course the fans get accused of it.
Now I know why people hate UK. |
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Posted: 12/30/2012 10:13 AM
RE: Basketball savvy
I agree with the OP that the bball IQ as a whole is lower than previous seasons. This one is shaping up like the Jorts squad and that is fine with me. Personally I enjoy watching the development of a team over the course of a season. This one still has a lot of questions left to answer, but in my book, they seem to get better each game and that is what you want to see. No shame losing at #3 on the road or to #1 in a neutral site game.
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Posted: 12/30/2012 11:40 AM
RE: Basketball savvy
The difference is that these men do not have the experience that the others have had. Patterson was on the first team and Jorts on the second. Here, our most experienced person is Kyle. There were several stretches were it looked like no one wanted to shoot the ball. Evidenced by the way Kyle responded, he handled the pressure of the game rather well.
I saw the look in Poy's eyes when he came in the game, and they were large. I don't think that he is/was ready for the big lights. This makes sense when considering that he shot up the rankings his senior year. Coming from Clarksville, I question whether he was playing huge games a lot.
As for the remainder of the team, the experience of a game like that (where the intensity was high the entire game) should be something that can be built upon.
Not happy we lost, but wasn't as pissed as I was by the egg Joker laid during the ul football game.
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Posted: 12/30/2012 12:16 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
I think if we can get Alex P. performing at a higher level things will be onward and upward for the team. Savvy is not there yet as a collective unit, but it may be developing. Noel played good basketball for the entire game. Harrow is growing into his role. Goodwin showed in the 2nd half what he can do. Kyle W. has a niche as putting the ball in the basket is a big deal. Willie Cauley-Stein is playing well. Mays did not shoot well, but he played steady and physical ball. That leaves Alex as the last piece of the puzzle. This may be a glass is half full moment, but I think they can gel and make a lot of strides.
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Posted: 12/30/2012 1:23 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
As long as we don't have Archie trying to break a press I think we will be okay. He panics and picks up his dribble or throws it away.
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Posted: 12/30/2012 5:49 PM
Re: Basketball savvy
UKlaw82 wrote: Make up calls were abundant today but its never going to get better, in fact officials in any major sport has gotten terrible, its hard to watch. Agree. And I'm not saying UK got screwed or anything like that. Both teams had an abundance of calls for and against them that made no sense. In no other sport does officiating completely change the way the game is played like basketball. It's the one fatal flaw of an otherwise great game. You don't see out/safe calls change in baseball based on where the game is played or how much noise there is. You don't see the strike zone favor home/away, although it may differ from ump to ump. You don't see holding called or not called in football based on where the game is played. Pass interference is pretty much pass interference whether you're at home or on the road. Basketball? Completely different story, both at college and pro level. -----Jeff Drummond
Publisher
FOX Sports-KentuckyScoutJDrumUK@gmail.com Twitter: JDrumUK 
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Posted: 12/30/2012 10:17 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
Poythress and Goodwin both have very little basketball iq
"ALL IN"
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Posted: 12/31/2012 12:37 AM
RE: Basketball savvy
MikeR111 wrote: Poythress and Goodwin both have very little basketball iq Well Mike, you put it bluntly but like I said before, its the little things that you learn at a younger age. When to make a bounce pass and when not to. Switching men is actually hard for these young men, either because they never done it or they are still not communicating. I mean early, we lost rebounds because we were fighting with our own players for the ball. These are things that by high school you just know. How many people on here when they played were told by your coach, do NOT make that long cross court pass? We ALL were told but Alex makes that mistake almost once every game. And folks, I know this is not last year's team, anybody thinking that is silly. AND, I am not bashing the guys, I for one, thought we would get killed Saturday and it didn't happen because the players who were on the floor reached way down and raised their game up. I was actually proud that they came back but then you begin to think, wow if we only made our free throws or man, if Archie would have set up on his last turnover instead of being out of control. The good part is we have some parts, now we need the rest of the parts to work together with the parts that are finally getting it, and then the parts become a team and then we get to see the real work of art, a Calipari team that is ready to win games. I know this will happen and when it does, people will fear us. |
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Posted: 12/31/2012 3:25 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
I don't think it's "savvy" or basketball IQ or whatever. I think it's just a matter of learning how to play "ugly" basketball. Check out this picture from the Courier-Journal of two players going for a loose ball. See the difference? Once we learn to fight back we'll be fine.  Don't panic
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Posted: 12/31/2012 3:38 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
CatFansince73 wrote: I don't think it's "savvy" or basketball IQ or whatever. I think it's just a matter of learning how to play "ugly" basketball. Check out this picture from the Courier-Journal of two players going for a loose ball. See the difference? Once we learn to fight back we'll be fine.
Yeah, fighting back is good but knowing how to switch men when you get picked is savvy. Knowing how to block out your man after a shot is the same. Cal is teaching all of this, they just need to listen. |
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Posted: 12/31/2012 4:04 PM
Re: Basketball savvy
Just read an interview with Harrow. I was extremely impressed with the way he answered the questions and it tells me our point guard gets it. He made a great point about the new players. Most of the guys are high school all-americans who have probably never had a coach yell at them the way Cal does. Harrow said he told Poythress not to worry about how coach Cal is communicating (yelling) but to listen to what he is saying. Harrow admitted he had trouble with that at first.
Cal's been working one-on-one with Poythress for the last few days. Hopefully Poythress will take Harrow's advice and listen to what is said, not how it is said. If Cal can get through to Poythress and release the beast, look out!
I believe our patience is about to be rewarded fellow Big Blue fans!
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Posted: 12/31/2012 4:37 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
Oh don't get me wrong. This team is getting better without a doubt but Goodwin is completely and entirely out of control at least half the time. I find myself cringing every time he gets the ball. Alex just simply seems lost and uncomfortable. He doesn't seem to know when to pass, shoot or drive. He has the body and ability to just take games over and he doesn't do it. I actually put some of that on Cal because I never see offensive sets run for Alex. The offense should run through him. --------------------------------------------- --- UKlaw82 wrote: MikeR111 wrote: Poythress and Goodwin both have very little basketball iq Well Mike, you put it bluntly but like I said before, its the little things that you learn at a younger age. When to make a bounce pass and when not to. Switching men is actually hard for these young men, either because they never done it or they are still not communicating. I mean early, we lost rebounds because we were fighting with our own players for the ball. These are things that by high school you just know. How many people on here when they played were told by your coach, do NOT make that long cross court pass? We ALL were told but Alex makes that mistake almost once every game. And folks, I know this is not last year's team, anybody thinking that is silly. AND, I am not bashing the guys, I for one, thought we would get killed Saturday and it didn't happen because the players who were on the floor reached way down and raised their game up. I was actually proud that they came back but then you begin to think, wow if we only made our free throws or man, if Archie would have set up on his last turnover instead of being out of control. The good part is we have some parts, now we need the rest of the parts to work together with the parts that are finally getting it, and then the parts become a team and then we get to see the real work of art, a Calipari team that is ready to win games. I know this will happen and when it does, people will fear us. --------------------------------------------- "ALL IN"
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Posted: 12/31/2012 8:20 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
Mental toughness is over looked way to much, I think Harrow may be coming around. Anyone that watched the Duke game knows that Poythress has monster game and can play with anyone, but like many kids today are pampered way to much Cal has burst his bubble just needs to find a way to build him back up again. He will soon be fine and get it AGAIN...
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Posted: 12/31/2012 10:02 PM
RE: Basketball savvy
bleedbluetwo wrote: Mental toughness is over looked way to much, I think Harrow may be coming around. Anyone that watched the Duke game knows that Poythress has monster game and can play with anyone, but like many kids today are pampered way to much Cal has burst his bubble just needs to find a way to build him back up again. He will soon be fine and get it AGAIN... Harrow said he watched film on an opponent(ul) for the first time, he said it really helped. Duh. I would have hoped he would have been doing it but if its making him better now, hopefully he continues to do so. He should invite the rest of the team. lol |
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