[-STAT-]

Neutral site game apart of the "Battle in Seattle", definitely will be a pro Gonzaga crowd but I'm sure blue will get in as well. Another tough test for UK coming off the Clemson loss. 

Gonzaga has had our number the last few years, coming into Rupp last year and winning. 

Betting lines haven't been released yet, but I'm sure they'll be moving quite a bit whenever they are. 

Another late tip-off, this time at 10pm on ESPN2. At least this one is on Saturday, but I can't handle these late games! 

What's everyone's thoughts on this one?

[Bluecat]

Of this big stretch I felt this was the game we would drop. Wasn't thinking we would lose to Clemson but that was a tough one. Another tough road game that is only going to help this team get ready for SEC play. Look for it to be another physical type game that will depend on how well we are shooting it again. We knew we was going to live and die by the 3. We need to work on rebounding and our god awful FT shooting lol. Our defense will be better this game than the Clemson game because I feel Pope will adjust that.

[-STAT-]

Of this big stretch I felt this was the game we would drop. Wasn't thinking we would lose to Clemson but that was a tough one. Another tough road game that is only going to help this team get ready for SEC play. Look for it to be another physical type game that will depend on how well we are shooting it again. We knew we was going to live and die by the 3. We need to work on rebounding and our god awful FT shooting lol. Our defense will be better this game than the Clemson game because I feel Pope will adjust that.

Agree with everything you said here, have complete confidence Pope and his staff will make the necessary adjustments. 

Few things you can't coach or adjust tho is toughness, Clemson was by far the tougher and more physical team the other night, players have to figure out what it's going to take to play tougher and more consistent. Coaches can do everything they can to have their players mentally & physically prepared, but it's up to the players on the floor to leave it all out there. Like you said free throws & rebounding killed us against Clemson and they didn't have the size that Kentucky has, Gonzaga does, so they'll definitely need to be in position to crash the boards especially on long misses. This will be a tough game, neutral environment but will be a lot of Zag fans, better take a midday nap for the 10pm tip-off!

[Bluecat]

One can tell a lot about a team after a loss. Against Duke, the Cats fell behind and battled back. They lost a tough one the other night. We will know a lot about this group with how they come out against the Zags. Win or lose, their energy and intensity after a loss will tell us a lot.

[Old School Hound]

"Two - Loss Pope " ?

[-STAT-]

One can tell a lot about a team after a loss. Against Duke, the Cats fell behind and battled back. They lost a tough one the other night. We will know a lot about this group with how they come out against the Zags. Win or lose, their energy and intensity after a loss will tell us a lot.

@Bluecat that is true as well. 

One good thing about a veteran laden team is that they will be more than prepared, and will play with a better sense of urgency.

[-STAT-]

"Two - Loss Pope " ?

Heaven forbid if that happens! Those fair-weather fans will be ready to "pony up" for a buyout!

[Old School Hound]

I don't agree with Plant Guy that UK will be lucky to be a .500 team by season's end but there are most certainly several losses still to come. He could still become "Ten-Loss Pope." Let's hope it's more like Six or seven Loss Pope by tourney time.

[King Kong]

I think the Cat's battle till the end in this one.  Just like the Duke and Clemson games.  I think we give ourselves a chance to win at the end.   

This game being close to Gonzaga,  we stand a good chance of playing in another hostile environment. 

Speaking of free throws.  My dad's in his 80s.  He still shakes his head every time someone misses their free throws.  He showed me some stats year's back.  He said look how many free throws this team missed.  Now look at the final score.  If they'd made most of their free throws,  they win,  or at least gave themselves a better chance at the end. 

You can look at free throw stats for many games,  and that's true a lot for the losing team.  Especially in close games.  

This game will be another good test and experience for us.

[Cactus Jack]

We could be hurting if Butler is not fully healthy.

Kriisa, Robinson, and Brea can score but if they're playing lots of minutes at the 1 and 2, it's going to be a long night defensively.

We may outscore them, but we'll probably have to do just that.

[Old School Hound]

We could be hurting if Butler is not fully healthy.

Kriisa, Robinson, and Brea can score but if they're playing lots of minutes at the 1 and 2, it's going to be a long night defensively.

We may outscore them, but we'll probably have to do just that.

Butler is my favorite player. He stirs the drink. They're in trouble if he's not healthy. He reminds me of Wayne Turner in how he can weave his magic and get to the basket, except I like his shot better than Turner.

[Cactus Jack]

Butler is my favorite player. He stirs the drink. They're in trouble if he's not healthy. He reminds me of Wayne Turner in how he can weave his magic and get to the basket, except I like his shot better than Turner.

He and Oweh are my favorites on this team. Amari Williams is up there too.

I'm also the type that if I coached my team might not score 70 because I tend to favor defenders.

[Old School Hound]

Butler is my favorite player. He stirs the drink. They're in trouble if he's not healthy. He reminds me of Wayne Turner in how he can weave his magic and get to the basket, except I like his shot better than Turner.

He and Oweh are my favorites on this team. Amari Williams is up there too.

I'm also the type that if I coached my team might not score 70 because I tend to favor defenders.

Butler's an all-around good basketball player. Great defender. Has a solid game.

[sstack]

Tol people they moved UK up too quick in the poles. The are weak on defense, jack up too many bad shots, no guard play when butler out, very lazy on rebounding. Zags making them look silly!

[Old School Hound]

Tol people they moved UK up too quick in the poles. The are weak on defense, jack up too many bad shots, no guard play when butler out,  very lazy on rebounding. Zags making them look silly!

That post aged well...   

[sstack]

Still think overrated but fun to see coach use half time to make adjustments! Excited to see what he can do after couple years recruiting

[jetpilot]

Best game I've watched in years. Not just because they won, but very exciting and looked like a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 tournament game. There will be bumps in the road but this is going to be a fun year...

[Old School Hound]

Still think overrated but fun to see coach use half time to make adjustments!  Excited to see what he can do after couple years recruiting

Adjustments are fun. Yeah, probably overrated but they earned that ranking tonight. They ran from contact in the first half. Way too soft. I thought it was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir out there. Second half, they were much tougher. Carr is a man.  Robinson looked great running the point. 

Zags had been 175-0 when leading by 10 or more at the half. Now they're  175-1 . Zags did what Zags do--- epic collapse. Mark(Pope) will go home and do his devotions. Mark(Few) will go home and drink like a fish.

[rookie57]

All these players you guys have mentioned I really like as well, but I think Carr is the heart of this team