Bring On the Kentucky Wildcats!
Would have been nice to have a rematch for some revenge but I think UK might be a better matchup if only for experience reasons. Our beloved Wolverines are practically old timers compared to all of their 1-and-dones and they won't have time to prepare for all the tricks Beilein has up his sleeve. I think the winner of this game takes the whole thing.
GO BLUE!
Based on what Calipari is saying, seems highly unlikely Cauley-Stein will be playing.
Kentucky is a beast at the rim. On the perimiter, not so much.
We'll need to run a 0-5 zone.
If you can get your ass to Indy. We don't need Kentucky fans showing up in droves.
ticket scalpers will be all over the streets. Easy to get tickets .... shouldn't be that expensive either. Scalping tickets is legal in Indiana.
Go Blue!
I have lived in Lexington for 15 years.......I am both excited about and loathing this game at the same time
Let's piss off Ashley Judd!
Limit turnovers and try to run as much as possible...then we can win the game even if we lose the rebounding/points in the paint. Simple as that.
Randle is an absolute monster. I was much less of a monster at 19 years old.
We win by atleast 10, not a doubt in my mind. I thoroughly expect a 2013 Elite 8 start for us on Sunday afternoon, and Calipari won't know what hit him. As far as matchups go I think Walton and Harisson is a push, with Levert and Stauskas having the advantage over Harrison and Young. Robinson and Randle will be a tough call, and I like Morgan vs Johnson. As far as bench goes, Spike/Irvin/Horford is better than Cauley-Stein and Poythress, and of course Beilein can coach circles around Calipari.
UK opened as a 2 pt favorite in Vegas. we're going to need Morgan to feel disrespected for at least 3 more games.
Well, the path is Randle -> Tarzewski or Kaminski -> probably Payne or Young. So that'll be happening.
Kentucky is 1-5 against RPI top 25 teams. I'm not worried.
Correct.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:18 AM ^
because they just beat two consecutive RPI Top 25 teams.
Tennessee was 1-5 against the RPI Top 50 and we managed to let them make it a game. Glad Kentucky doesn't have a lot of experience beating top teams, but that UK team seems to be gone now
We also played pretty terribly.
I mean, we shot well, but that's what we do. Turnovers were wildly out of character.
Opponent has size advantage inside and length to contain Michigan's wings. Opponent plays great D and will be able to slow down Michigan enough and will be able to score at will at the rim.
Keep giving us the same style and keep picking us to lose.
On another note, I have a colleague who went to UK and has been a lifelong fan. Right before the tourney I asked him if he thought they could decide it's now time to play (a la Fab Five 1992), flip a switch, take it up to another level, and make a run. He told me no way, they're way too stupid, and that their assist/TO ratio would doom them. Predicted they lucked out drawing Wichita, and if they got by the Shockers, Louisville would destroy them.
I'd personally give UK a healthy dose of the 1-3-1. TO prone true freshmen with 1 day to prepare? Sign me up.
and get Nik some early looks with lots of off the ball screens and maybe we can jump on them. Yes Louisville had them by the throat and we have seen a tendency to let off the gas, but I don't think we can play catch up with the Cats. Gotta get on them early. I think it will go down to the wire 85-80 good guys
Hot off the press, here are the matchup stats for our upcoming game (courtesy of TeamRankings):
Offense
|
Kentucky | Michigan |
Points/Game | 75.4 | 74.0 |
Avg Score Margin | +8.9 | +9.2 |
Assists/Game | 11.3 | 14.2 |
Total Rebounds/Gm | 40.8 | 31.6 |
Effective FG % | 49.8% | 55.8% |
Off Rebound % | 41.5% | 26.6% |
FTA/FGA | 0.531 | 0.352 |
Turnover % | 15.0% | 13.0% |
Defense
|
Kentucky | Michigan |
Opp Points/Game | 66.5 | 64.8 |
Opp Effective FG % | 45.5% | 49.1% |
Off Rebounds/Gm | 13.0 | 7.4 |
Def Rebounds/Gm | 24.5 | 21.6 |
Blocks/Game | 6.1 | 2.4 |
Steals/Game | 4.8 | 5.2 |
Personal Fouls/Gm | 18.5 | 14.2 |
I just glad that this game has a quick turnaround. Otherwise we'd have to hear that shitstorm of knob slobbing the media will be putting on Kentucky for a long time.
I like the matchup with Kentucky better than Louisville. Kentucky is loaded with talent but they do not play defense the way that Pitino teams do. We will have plenty of room to get our shot off and Michigan typically shoots better (if that is possible) the 2nd time they play at a venue.
I am not saying Kentucky can't win, but I like Michigan's chances. To me the difference will be if Michigan continues to be sloppy with the ball or do a better job of limiting their turnovers. Should be a great game.
Go Blue!
This is our 5th time playing there in the last month though isn't it? (BIG Tourney)
BTT was in Bankers Life Fieldhouse -- home of the Pacers.
March 29th, 2014 at 10:13 AM ^