[outdoorsman43]

Yes, i see a difference. The difference is Noel is gone, and if Cauley gets into fould trouble, we aree absoloutly screwed with Wiljer trying to play in the paint.

Im as big of a fan as anyone, but im a realist, and as of right now IMO, this team does not deserve to be in the tourney. As ive said many times, im waiting for next year, I already know this years a bust and have since early January.

Come on now. Anyone can root a team on during the good times. I'm not saying we'll win a championship, or even make the tourney. I agree that they are not a tournament team right now (especially with Ole Miss's embarrassing loss to South Carolina and Baylor losing to Iowa State last night). I also agree that if they lose any more games in the regular season (except Florida), then they are probably done. But how can you give up on this team after the fight they showed last night?

They showed more emotion than they have all season (Alex Poythress could have shown a little more). Ryan Harrow played maybe his best game of the season after his confidence was at an all-time low. Archie played under control for the most part (yes, he did pass the ball SK). Willie showed us what he can do. Julius Mays continued to be the consistent heart beat of the team and our leader. Kyle Wiltjer had a decent game and gave a pretty good effort on the defensive end (I know Vandy isn't stacked in the paint, but he still played solid). Jarrod Polson, once again, gave solid minutes. Again, Vandy made ten 3's and that's usually a number that makes a team hard to beat. As shorthanded as we are, a win last night against a team that made ten 3's is something to feel good about.

After a game of dodge-ball loosened up the players before last night, I think Friday night's wiffle ball game will do the same for Saturday night against Missouri. Mizzou will be tough to handle, but this team has their swagger back. It will be tough for WCS, Poythress, and Wiltjer against Laurence Bowers and Alex Oriahki, but I predict Alex (our Alex) to play with that toughness and emotion that his teammates did last night. Kentucky will definitely need him to do that and I think it will come to pass.

If the Tigers come out and wring our necks Saturday, you can say "I told you so". But if you still don't believe and "know this year's a bust", then you shouldn't watch any more games this season and just "wait for next year".