[-STAT-]

Might as well get the talk started about this one. Tip-off at high noon at Rupp. 

Elite offensive units on both sides led by great young coaches in Pope & Oats. 

Both very similar styles of play, a lot of 3's. Bama plays with a physical style, something Kentucky will have to adjust to, but they've really picked up the intensity the last few games so hopefully that will carry over. Sears is the catalyst for this Alabama offense, and they have so many great pieces around him who can score, and be effective on the defensive end as well with their size. Plus coming off a 10-point home loss to Ole Miss, they will be hungry to steal a victory at Rupp. No doubt that Nate Oats will have his team prepared. 

Haven't seen any sort of injury report or news on Lamont Butler, he got beat up pretty rough in the A&M game the other night, concerning that he was lobbying that same shoulder different times during that game, plus looked liked he tweaked an ankle or a knee as well. Have to give credit to Carr for gutting it out with the back issues he's been having, these few days off between games has benefited him well I'm sure, rest and therapy. 

Consistency is key with this team, getting off to a good start and not having to play catch-up. Hopefully Robinson can keep up his stellar play and can turn into the guy who can go get a bucket in clutch time if needed.

Think this one turns into a shootout like most are expecting and Kentucky holds serve at home. 

Kentucky-92
Alabama-89

[Granny Bear]

I agree with your synopsis!!

Poor Butler. That young'un got beat up in that game!! Add all those injuries plus a kick in the face. I know nobody wants to hear me bitch and gripe about the officials, so I'll just say that I hope we have good quality officiating tomorrow. I'm telling you, I have felt like Kentucky has gotten the short end of the officiating stick way too often here lately.

Nate Oats is a great coach, and he does well at making adjustments. Plus his team is loaded with talent. Hopefully, being a home game with give Kentucky a slight edge, but I still see this game as a 4 point difference at the end!! This calls for a pot of chili!!!

[Old School Hound]

I agree with your synopsis!!

Poor Butler.  That young'un got beat up in that game!!  Add all those injuries plus a kick in the face.  I know nobody wants to hear me bitch and gripe about the officials, so I'll just say that I hope we have good quality officiating tomorrow.  I'm telling you, I have felt like Kentucky has gotten the short end of the officiating stick way too often here lately.

Nate Oats is a great coach, and he does well at making adjustments.  Plus his team is loaded with talent.  Hopefully, being a home game with give Kentucky a slight edge, but I still see this game as a 4 point difference at the end!!  This calls for a pot of chili!!!

Oh my gosh, homemade chili and UK basketball... that's a hard to beat combination!!!

Cats better be on the top of their game if they want to win this one. I could see this one going either way.

[-STAT-]

I agree with your synopsis!!

Poor Butler.  That young'un got beat up in that game!!  Add all those injuries plus a kick in the face.  I know nobody wants to hear me bitch and gripe about the officials, so I'll just say that I hope we have good quality officiating tomorrow.  I'm telling you, I have felt like Kentucky has gotten the short end of the officiating stick way too often here lately.

Nate Oats is a great coach, and he does well at making adjustments.  Plus his team is loaded with talent.  Hopefully, being a home game with give Kentucky a slight edge, but I still see this game as a 4 point difference at the end!!  This calls for a pot of chili!!!

@Granny Bear you had me at pot of chili. I could go for a big jethro bowl of some right now!

[Granny Bear]

I have been used to cooking for a family of football players. We had six boys playing at one time, and the only girl in our grandchildren could eat as much as any of the boys!!! It is so incredibly difficult for me to cook for one. It's much harder to cook for one that it is for 20! For me anyway.

[King Kong]

Gotta continue protecting our home court in this one.  Need to make the most of that advantage everytime we got it.  The schedule continues to get no easier and there are no off games. 

By the time the SEC tournament is over,  we're going to have some of the most battle tested team's in the country.  In the history of sports maybe.  Idk that I've ever seen competition this fierce from one game to the next.

[Old School Hound]

I have been used to cooking for a family of football players.  We had six boys playing at one time, and the only girl in our grandchildren could eat as much as any of the boys!!!  It is so incredibly difficult for me to cook for one.  It's much harder to cook for one that it is for 20!  For me anyway.

I love making chili. Even if I'm making it for just me, I'll make a big pot and eat on it all week.. LOL
I know it sounds weird but I like a peanut butter sandwich to eat with my chili. I like dipping the sandwich in the chili. Something about peanut butter and chili. It really does work !

[rookie57]

Ky gonna have their hands full, better be ready to get with it, sad thing is, we don’t seem to get the home cooking some of these teams do so we better be ready for a brawl

[Granny Bear]

I have been used to cooking for a family of football players.  We had six boys playing at one time, and the only girl in our grandchildren could eat as much as any of the boys!!!  It is so incredibly difficult for me to cook for one.  It's much harder to cook for one that it is for 20!  For me anyway.

I love making chili. Even if I'm making it for just me, I'll make a big pot and eat on it all week.. LOL
I know it sounds weird but I like a peanut butter sandwich to eat with my chili. I like dipping the sandwich in the chili. Something about peanut butter and chili. It really does work !

Grilled cheese for me!!

[Old School Hound]

I have been used to cooking for a family of football players.  We had six boys playing at one time, and the only girl in our grandchildren could eat as much as any of the boys!!!  It is so incredibly difficult for me to cook for one.  It's much harder to cook for one that it is for 20!  For me anyway.

I love making chili. Even if I'm making it for just me, I'll make a big pot and eat on it all week.. LOL
I know it sounds weird but I like a peanut butter sandwich to eat with my chili. I like dipping the sandwich in the chili. Something about peanut butter and chili. It really does work !

Grilled cheese for me!!

Oh yes! That, too. 

[Cactus Jack]

I think Alabama wins. Too many of their players will remember and be motivated by getting embarrassed in Rupp late last season.

They're also coming off of an upset to Ole Miss but were playing well going into that one.

Wouldn't be surprised if this one isn't in the high 80s/low 90s for each team. Can see at least one, if not both, teams trying to throw a curve, even if it's only for a short period.

Kentucky has played a stronger conference schedule so far, and they've probably played a stronger non-conference schedule at the top (Duke & Gonzaga vs. Houston & Illinois), but the meat of Alabama's non-conference schedule is tougher. They had your typical early season and Christmas break cupcakes along with Arkansas State, McNeese, at Purdue, vs. Houston, vs. Illinois, vs. Rutgers, vs. Oregon, at North Carolina, and Creighton. All of those games were in succession and while the first two schools don't jump out to casuals, but McNeese is a tournament team coached by Will "Strong Ass Offer" Wade and Arkansas State has beaten Memphis and should win the Sun Belt. KenPom currently has the rating of the Tide's opponents at 1, 1, and 4 overall in terms of NetRtg (SOS), AdjOE (off. eff.), and AdjDE (def. eff.). Despite this, their average PPG and PAPG are in line with Kentucky's.

Stats aside, I have questions about who'll check Sears with Butler banged up. If Oweh has to spend much time on Sears, Philon could cut us up. Also don't have to squint too hard to see a sore Carr struggling with Nelson. If we burn Amari on Nelson, then Omoruyi may outrebound us himself.


I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst and think that the Crimson Tide hand Kentucky their first of what is hopefully one of their two or three home L's.

[Old School Hound]

I think Alabama wins. Too many of their players will remember and be motivated by getting embarrassed in Rupp late last season.

They're also coming off of an upset to Ole Miss but were playing well going into that one.

Wouldn't be surprised if this one isn't in the high 80s/low 90s for each team. Can see at least one, if not both, teams trying to throw a curve, even if it's only for a short period.

Kentucky has played a stronger conference schedule so far, and they've probably played a stronger non-conference schedule at the top (Duke & Gonzaga vs. Houston & Illinois), but the meat of Alabama's non-conference schedule is tougher. They had your typical early season and Christmas break cupcakes along with Arkansas State, McNeese, at Purdue, vs. Houston, vs. Illinois, vs. Rutgers, vs. Oregon, at North Carolina, and Creighton. All of those games were in succession and while the first two schools don't jump out to casuals, but McNeese is a tournament team coached by Will "Strong Ass Offer" Wade and Arkansas State has beaten Memphis and should win the Sun Belt. KenPom currently has the rating of the Tide's opponents at 1, 1, and 4 overall in terms of NetRtg (SOS), AdjOE (off. eff.), and AdjDE (def. eff.). Despite this, their average PPG and PAPG are in line with Kentucky's.

Stats aside, I have questions about who'll check Sears with Butler banged up. If Oweh has to spend much time on Sears, Philon could cut us up. Also don't have to squint too hard to see a sore Carr struggling with Nelson. If we burn Amari on Nelson, then Omoruyi may outrebound us himself.


I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst and think that the Crimson Tide hand Kentucky their first of what is hopefully one of their two or three home L's.

Cacti,  you probably watched the Alabama-Ole Miss game. Did the Rebels give future Alabama opponents a blueprint on how to beat 'Bama or did the Crimson Tide just play bad?  I was thinking maybe they were looking ahead to Kentucky. Sometimes that happens. How did Ole Miss have success in Tuscaloosa?

[jetpilot]

I agree with your synopsis!!

Poor Butler.  That young'un got beat up in that game!!  Add all those injuries plus a kick in the face.  I know nobody wants to hear me bitch and gripe about the officials, so I'll just say that I hope we have good quality officiating tomorrow.  I'm telling you, I have felt like Kentucky has gotten the short end of the officiating stick way too often here lately.

Nate Oats is a great coach, and he does well at making adjustments.  Plus his team is loaded with talent.  Hopefully, being a home game with give Kentucky a slight edge, but I still see this game as a 4 point difference at the end!!  This calls for a pot of chili!!!

Please share your recipe so I can save $100 and not watch it in Wild Wings or Drake's in Pikeville. I'm trying to get the chili right but have failed.

[jetpilot]

Tried this and was kind of meh twice

https://lilluna.com/spaghetti-chili/

[Cactus Jack]

Cacti,  you probably watched the Alabama-Ole Miss game. Did the Rebels give future Alabama opponents a blueprint on how to beat 'Bama or did the Crimson Tide just play bad?  I was thinking maybe they were looking ahead to Kentucky. Sometimes that happens. How did Ole Miss have success in Tuscaloosa?

Alabama didn't play well. Ole Miss had a good game plan, but I don't know how well they could replicate it if they had to use it to beat them two more times, especially with Alabama having more time to adjust. Moreover, I don't know that there are more than a handful of teams basically built to be able to count on throwing sand in the gears of that type of offense.

Beard primarily plays "No Middle". After Texas Tech and Baylor went to back-to-back (excluding COVID) Championship games in 2019 and 2021, it got really popular. Tons of high schools run it now. There's ways to beat it, and teams have adapted more now that some of the concepts those teams have reincorporated aren't as novel and everyone sees it more at earlier levels.

At it's best, it's really anticipatory, strong help-defense that banks on your rotations and ability to close-out. If you (have the time to) prep well, or if you just have players who excel at blow-bys, it's going to be much easier; same for if you are above-average at prep or have physical guards who can play through contact and get to the cup or kick to shooters who know how to find space (depending on what's open). Same if the officials don't let your defenders get very physical or if you can pass through their first rotation and get their bigs out of position while yours get and-ones.

If you are playing against it as Alabama, it's going to be a problem when you play Nelson (who is primarily going to spot up, pull up, or pass (in that order) before he tries to go all the way to the rim, especially against help, and he finishes with 9 points and 5 turnovers.

Unless we're going to give big minutes to Butler, Oweh, Williams, Garrison, and a defender I've not seen on our roster, I don't know that the Alabama/Ole Miss game is going to be a good comparison though. I'd say it's more likely that Pope has to play a line-up where he's stealing minutes and/or uses some "punches", but I doubt we're ripping more than that from the tape.

For Ole Miss, Dia played really well, but I don't know that Kentucky has a 6'9, 250 big-4/undersized 5 that's going to go for 23 and 19. He was the only Ole Miss starter who didn't have three steals-- most of those steals turned into points-- literally stealing possessions in what they hoped to be a game full of low margins and high leverage possessions.

Kentucky just isn't going to turn Alabama over 21 times (at least like the school who still hasn't changed their overtly racist mascot did); if we see 21 Tide turnovers, the game will be in the 110's. Also, if the 'Cats can count on holding Sears to 11, I'd think fans will jump for joy. I really liked Philon most of their games I've watched, but he definitely didn't have his best outing in this one either-- he's not the kind of player that's going to get enough credit for what he actually brings to the team.

All that to say, Ole Miss did have a blueprint, but it's not one that many teams can replicate and even running it perfectly, their personnel still depended on Alabama not winning the 3 point lottery or hitting some 8-0 or 10-2 runs that could take them out of what they were trying to do. Basically, Ole Miss played Final Four level defense and counted on not being burnt by what's probably first weekend offense. If I'm Auburn, Houston, UConn, Gonzaga, or Illinois, there's probably more that I can take from that one than if I'm a Kentucky, Duke, or Michigan.

[-STAT-]

I have been used to cooking for a family of football players.  We had six boys playing at one time, and the only girl in our grandchildren could eat as much as any of the boys!!!  It is so incredibly difficult for me to cook for one.  It's much harder to cook for one that it is for 20!  For me anyway.

I love making chili. Even if I'm making it for just me, I'll make a big pot and eat on it all week.. LOL
I know it sounds weird but I like a peanut butter sandwich to eat with my chili. I like dipping the sandwich in the chili. Something about peanut butter and chili. It really does work !

OSH, not weird at all! I do the exact same thing, I've had grilled cheese in a pinch before but the go to move has always been peanut butter sammich, and dip it in the chili. I normally just eat it peanut butter only, but sometimes do peanut butter & syrup (or serp for us sophisticated folk).

I also can eat a pot of it for days, it's always better a day or two after you fix it anyways. Great minds think alike on this issue. 

GO CATS!

[Granny Bear]

Anything "soupy" will get better with age. Like soup beans, chilli, beef stew, etc. When it's left over, the broth tends to thicken.
I'm getting hungry.

[Old School Hound]

Tried this and was kind of meh twice

https://lilluna.com/spaghetti-chili/

I love spaghetti in chili. Pawpaw put spaghetti in his and sometimes when I've made it, I'll add some spaghetti, as well. Love it!

[Old School Hound]

I have been used to cooking for a family of football players.  We had six boys playing at one time, and the only girl in our grandchildren could eat as much as any of the boys!!!  It is so incredibly difficult for me to cook for one.  It's much harder to cook for one that it is for 20!  For me anyway.

I love making chili. Even if I'm making it for just me, I'll make a big pot and eat on it all week.. LOL
I know it sounds weird but I like a peanut butter sandwich to eat with my chili. I like dipping the sandwich in the chili. Something about peanut butter and chili. It really does work !

OSH, not weird at all! I do the exact same thing, I've had grilled cheese in a pinch before but the go to move has always been peanut butter sammich, and dip it in the chili. I normally just eat it peanut butter only, but sometimes do peanut butter & syrup (or serp for us sophisticated folk).

I also can eat a pot of it for days, it's always better a day or two after you fix it anyways. Great minds think alike on this issue. 

GO CATS!

Yep, chili and soup is awesome a day or  two after it's made.

[jetpilot]

I have been used to cooking for a family of football players.  We had six boys playing at one time, and the only girl in our grandchildren could eat as much as any of the boys!!!  It is so incredibly difficult for me to cook for one.  It's much harder to cook for one that it is for 20!  For me anyway.

I love making chili. Even if I'm making it for just me, I'll make a big pot and eat on it all week.. LOL
I know it sounds weird but I like a peanut butter sandwich to eat with my chili. I like dipping the sandwich in the chili. Something about peanut butter and chili. It really does work !

Grilled cheese for me!!

Same here! With an ice cold glass of milk.

[-STAT-]

I have been used to cooking for a family of football players.  We had six boys playing at one time, and the only girl in our grandchildren could eat as much as any of the boys!!!  It is so incredibly difficult for me to cook for one.  It's much harder to cook for one that it is for 20!  For me anyway.

I love making chili. Even if I'm making it for just me, I'll make a big pot and eat on it all week.. LOL
I know it sounds weird but I like a peanut butter sandwich to eat with my chili. I like dipping the sandwich in the chili. Something about peanut butter and chili. It really does work !

Grilled cheese for me!!

Same here! With an ice cold glass of milk.

I'll second that on the milk! Folks we're gonna have to have a BGR potluck for a Kentucky basketball game!

[Granny Bear]

Sometimes, I'll add elbow macaroni to my chili...if it's too watery. I'm not the most graceful person, and spaghetti in chili is just asking for a mess with me!!!

[rookie57]

Wow this thread really went off on a rabbit trail

[Old School Hound]

This game is certainly worrisome. Gotta feel like Bama goes all out to keep from losing two straight. As dangerous as I feel this one is, something tells me KY finds a way to win it. Hope we make Oatmeal out of Mr Oates' team. I'm a bigger fan of oatmeal than I am Oates.