[King Kong]

Alabama lost to Ole Miss  by 10 at home. Since when do we, as UK BB fans,  apologize for home losses to football schools. I know when...since Calipari left here. Gotta think the ol' ball coach told his roommate, Ellen, "see, they couldn't duplicate what we did to Alabama last season."

You can outscore a team or two in the NCAAT but you're not going to win a title with bad defense. Offense wins games  but defense... oh well, you know how it goes. I think in the KenPom era, Kansas is the only team to win a title with a defensive efficiency rating outside the top ten, and they were something like 17.  Kentucky is currently #86.  Forget it , UK fans, we're not winning a title this season.   But, I will say this. They are an entertaining offensive team. And all I really care about is being entertained. Titles are nice, but as long as they are fun to watch, I am fine with it. Last year's team with Reed and Company was entertaining, for the most part.

I started a thread on what we'd consider as a success this year. I think the team so far has basically exceeded everyone's expectations. I think you can say that we're a really good team without thinking that we're going to win a National Championship. Plenty of teams can even make a Final Four with subpar offensive or defensive numbers.

If we have four to five years of top offenses and defenses that struggle and burn us in March, then it's a different conversation, but we're a long way from that.

Nelson had 19 on us in the first half and finished with 25 if I'm not mistaken. There were a number of times in the past where Nelson would have finished this one with 30+.

Agreed CJ,  this team has likely already exceeded most people's expectations for them this year.  I remember many of was was just hoping for a 500 year.  Now look at how many big time wins we already have.  Plus TV analysts saying we're a potential final 4 team.  Our expectations have changed pretty quick since before season started.

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Alabama played an almost perfect game. They beat anyone playing like they did today. Love it the UK matched their intensity. Those two teams put on a show today. Two loose balls created by Cats D that went right to Alabama and immediately resulted in 3's late in the game didn't help matters.
Great things ahead for this program.

I’m loving your positivity!! Alabama did what big time teams do, they knocked down shots in a hostile environment and was unfazed!  But, I think we both agree the D needs to get a little better but I have all faith Pope.  He will have this team come tournament time ready, like we haven’t seen in a long long time; men and big boy ready not just talent and hope.  Heck this will probably be Popes worst team we see haha. Man let’s be happy and enjoy, he put an unreal roster together on a short amount of time.  I will say as well, can u imagine imagine the SEC tournament this year haha.  Absolutely brutal but gonna be fun

Excellent point WildCat.  It's amazing what Pope and staff have put together in limited time.  Amazing how our players,  once strangers have bought into things quickly and are playing as a unit. 

With what this teams accomplished in limited time,  I can't wait to see what Pope's future teams look like.  Especially now that he's got more time to build and work on things.