11-9 vs. the SEC this year while never being fully healthy

[MarkPftw]

A team that was put together at the last minute, terrible injuries almost all year long, etc..I'm proud of this team and Mark Pope. 11 Quad 1 wins, 8 wins over top 15 teams, 11-9 conference record, beat Duke (Cal was 1-3 vs. Duke), beat Gonzaga (Cal was 0-2 vs. Gonzaga), swept Tennessee (Barnes had become Cal's Daddy for the most part), beat Louisville, won @Mizzou, beat Oklahoma twice on two buzzer beaters, beat Florida in Rupp this year (Cal lost to them in Rupp last year), etc...the NCAA Tournament will be a breath of fresh air after the Gauntlet that was the SEC this year.


I still think with Butler, the ceiling is an Elite 8. A Final 4 is not out of the realm of possibility with the right draw and some upsets happening. Root like crazy for Bama, Auburn, and Florida to be upset..those are the only three teams I want nothing to do with. Need Butler badly though.

 

[Anon1658882690]

JFCats and wildcat nation be here shortly to disagree with that and say the year is a failure, lol..

 

[Trinity45]

A team that was put together at the last minute, terrible injuries almost all year long, etc..I'm proud of this team and Mark Pope. 11 Quad 1 wins, 8 wins over top 15 teams, 11-9 conference record, beat Duke (Cal was 1-3 vs. Duke), beat Gonzaga (Cal was 0-2 vs. Gonzaga), swept Tennessee (Barnes had become Cal's Daddy for the most part), beat Louisville, won @Mizzou, beat Oklahoma twice on two buzzer beaters, beat Florida in Rupp this year (Cal lost to them in Rupp last year), etc...the NCAA Tournament will be a breath of fresh air after the Gauntlet that was the SEC this year.


I still think with Butler, the ceiling is an Elite 8. A Final 4 is not out of the realm of possibility with the right draw and some upsets happening. Root like crazy for Bama, Auburn, and Florida to be upset..those are the only three teams I want nothing to do with. Need Butler badly though.

I agree, considering the circumstances and the injuries, and look at some really good teams in this league with lesser conference records who beat some really good teams out of conference.

 

[Bigblueincincy_rivals50458]

I absolutely agree 100%. Pope did a tremendous job this year. Coming into his first year with 0 players, him and his staff put together a roster that won a lot of big games this year with a **** ton of key injuries. Win a couple of games in the tournament and this season, in my opinion was a success.

 

[akaukswoosh]

Need Butler badly though.

Understatement.

 

[Cat_Man_Blue]

Even with the injuries, UK would have pobably finished no worse than 2nd, in any other conference. To do what UK did in the SEC, is an outstanding job by Pope, considering all the circumstances. The SEC should get 3 one seeds this year, but we know that won't happen.