Am I the only one that still thinks UK can be a top five team even without Lowe?

[theBlues]

I mean, of course, if they get Quaintance playing and I firmly believe he will be playing by January. He might get reinjured but it's no more likely that me having another heart attack in the same period so I'm not going to worry about it(either one). Without JQ I think we can still be a top 10 team.

At point guard we've basically traded Lowe and Aberdine for Aberdine and Johnson. Right now that's definitely a negative swap but I'm not sure that will be the case at the end of the year; I'm positive Johnson is the more naturally gifted player and he might be able to give us what we lost from Lowe by year's end.

Oweh has started slow but he started trying to get back to his old game last game and we saw him all year last year and we know he's a stud. Oweh, MoD, and Aberdine are our 3 best players as of now and I think that's a pretty good trio. UK was able to beat some top 10 teams last year with top players out and the 10 we have right now are definitely superior to the 9 or 10 we had available late last year. The defensive problems have been the result of mistakes rather than athletic shortcomings so we should get better there.

Maybe some of the posters here are a lot younger than myself but I remember the talent we had on some of Billy G's and Tubby's teams and the 9th and 10 players of the 10 we have playing right now would have been among the top 4 players on a couple of those teams. We still have plenty enough talent to have a strong year and I'm still fired up about this team. It just seems to me that a lot of folks have already given up hope for this team to be really good and I just don't think they are right.

So is it just me?

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I mean, of course, if they get Quaintance playing and I firmly believe he will be playing by January. He might get reinjured but it's no more likely that me having another heart attack in the same period so I'm not going to worry about it(either one). Without JQ I think we can still be a top 10 team.

At point guard we've basically traded Lowe and Aberdine for Aberdine and Johnson. Right now that's definitely a negative swap but I'm not sure that will be the case at the end of the year; I'm positive Johnson is the more naturally gifted player and he might be able to give us what we lost from Lowe by year's end.

Oweh has started slow but he started trying to get back to his old game last game and we saw him all year last year and we know he's a stud. Oweh, MoD, and Aberdine are our 3 best players as of now and I think that's a pretty good trio. UK was able to beat some top 10 teams last year with top players out and the 10 we have right now are definitely superior to the 9 or 10 we had available late last year. The defensive problems have been the result of mistakes rather than athletic shortcomings so we should get better there.

Maybe some of the posters here are a lot younger than myself but I remember the talent we had on some of Billy G's and Tubby's teams and the 9th and 10 players of the 10 we have playing right now would have been among the top 4 players on a couple of those teams. We still have plenty enough talent to have a strong year and I'm still fired up about this team. It just seems to me that a lot of folks have already given up hope for this team to be really good and I just don't think they are right.

So is it just me?

It isn’t just you. I’ve been thinking about the same thing. We have to acknowledge there’s some unknowables there: was Lowe’s offensive contribution going to outweigh his defensive liabilities? Also, without him, you have to play someone out of position. What’s the offset of that? Defensively, I have no doubt we should be better

 

[Johnnie Africa]

Losing Lowe for the season would completely blow. Only way it wouldn’t is if Jasper Johnson improves VERY quickly. Otherwise we’re screwed. Thank god Acaden Lewis left or else we wouldn’t have Aberdeen who’s currently the only person remotely capable enough to play PG (though not ideal). After that the PG position falls off a cliff. Thankfully Pope relies on PG less than most coaches in his system but it’s still an issue.

 

[Eastkybball]

I believe we could be a top 5 team!
We have to learn how to guard screens better and get out into transition. Most of our points came off ULs 3 pt misses which lead to easy layups or wide open 3s.

 

[theBlues]

I believe we could be a top 5 team!
We have to learn how to guard screens better and get out into transition. Most of our points came off ULs 3 pt misses which lead to easy layups or wide open 3s.

Yes, that's the biggest problems and easiest to fix. Getting back is just hustle and they need to communicate better on screens and NEVER go under them(Wheeler doesn't play for any of our opponents).

 

[LadyCaytIL]

Our options to becoming great all include playing with more urgency and being tougher plus...

1. Lowe playing and focusing a lot more on being a good defender . If he keeps being mediocre to poor on defense , then we're better of with him not playing.
2. Aberdeen and or Johnson settling into the PG roles and figuring out what works best that way. We can be great defensively with them , just need them adjusting to penetrating and dishing more.
3. adjust the lineups , cant have 3 guys that struggle jump shooting in Oweh, Mo D and Garrison in at the same time.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

This can be a very good team. Great team with JQ. It's a work in progress. If this team gels as a team it will be very good. if it doesn't there will be moments of greatness and moments of dud.

 

[kybassfan]

I think it's entirely possible.

That said, we better not lose another one (guard).

 

[FireWentOut]

Yeah, it's possible. Never was to high on Lowe to start with, and after that showing at UL my opinion didn't improve much.

I think it really does all depend upon whether or not Jasper can develop by mid season. If he doesn't then the SEC regular is going to be a rough run. If he does then I think we are just fine. Sucks that we are back to having our future ride on a freshman again.

 

[TFCat11]

I’ll let know after Tuesday night’s game, but they absolutely can be, just need to leave it all on the court every game.

 

[true-blue1]

I think we have the overall talent to be but the staff has to shorten the rotation. You can’t play 10-12 guys.

 

[UKortho]

I believe by the end of the season we will be fighting for a one seed. In the interim- just don’t lose to IU. They are insufferable now with their success in football.

 

[Ford to Mashburn]

JQ returning negates a lot. Who wants to go in there and have there stuff swatted

 

[Vek96]

If the defense doesn’t improve, we won‘t be top 5 in the conference.

 

[Jazzycat]

The defense is what needs to take a massive step forward - both transition and half court gave up too many easy shots against UL. With all the height UK has, they should have a massive advantage against most teams, but the defensive effort for the majority of the game was underwhelming, imo…

 

[Woodrow24]

It could happen but right now we’re definitely not. Two key factors in that is how we recover from injuries and figuring out what they should do defensively.

 

[Anon1755209580]

Lol, we weren't even top 5 with him.

 

[UKCowboys]

I mean, of course, if they get Quaintance playing and I firmly believe he will be playing by January. He might get reinjured but it's no more likely that me having another heart attack in the same period so I'm not going to worry about it(either one). Without JQ I think we can still be a top 10 team.

At point guard we've basically traded Lowe and Aberdine for Aberdine and Johnson. Right now that's definitely a negative swap but I'm not sure that will be the case at the end of the year; I'm positive Johnson is the more naturally gifted player and he might be able to give us what we lost from Lowe by year's end.

Oweh has started slow but he started trying to get back to his old game last game and we saw him all year last year and we know he's a stud. Oweh, MoD, and Aberdine are our 3 best players as of now and I think that's a pretty good trio. UK was able to beat some top 10 teams last year with top players out and the 10 we have right now are definitely superior to the 9 or 10 we had available late last year. The defensive problems have been the result of mistakes rather than athletic shortcomings so we should get better there.

Maybe some of the posters here are a lot younger than myself but I remember the talent we had on some of Billy G's and Tubby's teams and the 9th and 10 players of the 10 we have playing right now would have been among the top 4 players on a couple of those teams. We still have plenty enough talent to have a strong year and I'm still fired up about this team. It just seems to me that a lot of folks have already given up hope for this team to be really good and I just don't think they are right.

So is it just me?

I think we go farther than last season

 

[One2Three]

Time will tell. Kentucky plays Michigan State, UNC, Gonzaga, Indiana, and St Johns in our non-conference schedule. If they can win all those games, they should be rated in the top 5 by the time we play Alabama.

 

[megablue]

Time will tell. Kentucky plays Michigan State, UNC, Gonzaga, Indiana, and St Johns in our non-conference schedule. If they can win all those games, they should be rated in the top 5 by the time we play Alabama.

I think we need to win 4 of them, to be 4-2 against quality OOC opponents at 67%. GO CATS !!

 

[kybassfan]

I think we have the overall talent to be but the staff has to shorten the rotation. You can’t play 10-12 guys.

2015 says Hi.

 

[Skyguyb27]

Sadly, I don’t think we can. Is it possible sure, probable no. It’s not that Lowe is so great but his absence also puts many others out of their natural position.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Sadly, I don’t think we can. Is it possible sure, probable no. It’s not that Lowe is so great but his absence also puts many others out of their natural position.

It doesn’t have to put many others out of their natural position. Eventually, if one guy develops as a backup PG, you’re good. My money’s on Jasper for that. Aberdeen was already playing a lot of point and did it some for Florida as well. Chandler’s the one I don’t want to see at point again, yikes.

 

[NociHTTP]

I think we have the overall talent to be but the staff has to shorten the rotation. You can’t play 10-12 guys.

True. It's great to have the depth, but depth is the last thing you need when trying to dig out of a hole.

 

[catsarecool1447]

I think we could be around top 10. Thought with Lowe we would battle to be one of the top 3 teams in the country.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I mean, of course, if they get Quaintance playing and I firmly believe he will be playing by January. He might get reinjured but it's no more likely that me having another heart attack in the same period so I'm not going to worry about it(either one). Without JQ I think we can still be a top 10 team.

At point guard we've basically traded Lowe and Aberdine for Aberdine and Johnson. Right now that's definitely a negative swap but I'm not sure that will be the case at the end of the year; I'm positive Johnson is the more naturally gifted player and he might be able to give us what we lost from Lowe by year's end.

Oweh has started slow but he started trying to get back to his old game last game and we saw him all year last year and we know he's a stud. Oweh, MoD, and Aberdine are our 3 best players as of now and I think that's a pretty good trio. UK was able to beat some top 10 teams last year with top players out and the 10 we have right now are definitely superior to the 9 or 10 we had available late last year. The defensive problems have been the result of mistakes rather than athletic shortcomings so we should get better there.

Maybe some of the posters here are a lot younger than myself but I remember the talent we had on some of Billy G's and Tubby's teams and the 9th and 10 players of the 10 we have playing right now would have been among the top 4 players on a couple of those teams. We still have plenty enough talent to have a strong year and I'm still fired up about this team. It just seems to me that a lot of folks have already given up hope for this team to be really good and I just don't think they are right.

So is it just me?

Depends on two things IMHO, one is JQ being healthy. The second is JJ getting a lot of minutes and being the player he could be. As an added thing we need to learn how to play better defense. If we can figure out defense then yes.

 

[Skyguyb27]

It doesn’t have to put many others out of their natural position. Eventually, if one guy develops as a backup PG, you’re good. My money’s on Jasper for that. Aberdeen was already playing a lot of point and did it some for Florida as well. Chandler’s the one I don’t want to see at point again, yikes.

You may be right however most top 5 teams have a natural PG. You can have someone slide over but doesn’t mean there going to pick up all the slack. I hope you’re right but I don’t think we have someone capable of playing like a natural PG. serviceable yes, natural no.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

You may be right however most top 5 teams have a natural PG. You can have someone slide over but doesn’t mean there going to pick up all the slack. I hope you’re right but I don’t think we have someone capable of playing like a natural PG. serviceable yes, natural no.

Usually true. But Pope’s offense is not all that point guard dependent.

It’s more ball movement and constant movement off the ball than a point guard getting the ball to a specific place or player.

It’s a read and react offense with all five players involved.

It’s probably easier with a pure point at the end of the shot clock.

It’s hard to tell how Lowe was going to fit.

We have only played 6 games including exhibitions and what’s he played, 3?

 

[Skyguyb27]

Usually true. But Pope’s offense is not all that point guard dependent.

It’s more ball movement and constant movement off the ball than a point guard getting the ball to a specific place or player.

It’s a read and react offense with all five players involved.

It’s probably easier with a pure point at the end of the shot clock.

It’s hard to tell how Lowe was going to fit.

We have only played 6 games including exhibitions and what’s he played, 3?

If that were true completely you wouldn’t have people saying anyone but Chandler. You gotta have some skill there. Chandler is a damn fine player but he isn’t a natural PG.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

If that were true completely you wouldn’t have people saying anyone but Chandler. You gotta have some skill there. Chandler is a damn fine player but he isn’t a natural PG.

The issue with Chandler isn’t whether he’s a pure point. The issue with Chandler is he’s literally not a point. He’s a pure shooting guard. Jasper is a combo guard, completely different

 

[UKWildcats1987]

No clue. I don't think losing the starting PG ever results in a net positive though.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

If that were true completely you wouldn’t have people saying anyone but Chandler. You gotta have some skill there. Chandler is a damn fine player but he isn’t a natural PG.

Nothing is “completely” true.

It’s a game and players are individuals too.

Of course in a perfect world you want to pick each position and fill it with a model player.

It’s not a perfect world.

 

[Hoskins91_rivals]

I mean, of course, if they get Quaintance playing and I firmly believe he will be playing by January. He might get reinjured but it's no more likely that me having another heart attack in the same period so I'm not going to worry about it(either one). Without JQ I think we can still be a top 10 team.

At point guard we've basically traded Lowe and Aberdine for Aberdine and Johnson. Right now that's definitely a negative swap but I'm not sure that will be the case at the end of the year; I'm positive Johnson is the more naturally gifted player and he might be able to give us what we lost from Lowe by year's end.

Oweh has started slow but he started trying to get back to his old game last game and we saw him all year last year and we know he's a stud. Oweh, MoD, and Aberdine are our 3 best players as of now and I think that's a pretty good trio. UK was able to beat some top 10 teams last year with top players out and the 10 we have right now are definitely superior to the 9 or 10 we had available late last year. The defensive problems have been the result of mistakes rather than athletic shortcomings so we should get better there.

Maybe some of the posters here are a lot younger than myself but I remember the talent we had on some of Billy G's and Tubby's teams and the 9th and 10 players of the 10 we have playing right now would have been among the top 4 players on a couple of those teams. We still have plenty enough talent to have a strong year and I'm still fired up about this team. It just seems to me that a lot of folks have already given up hope for this team to be really good and I just don't think they are right.

So is it just me?

Yes

 

[wildcat111]

I mean, of course, if they get Quaintance playing and I firmly believe he will be playing by January. He might get reinjured but it's no more likely that me having another heart attack in the same period so I'm not going to worry about it(either one). Without JQ I think we can still be a top 10 team.

At point guard we've basically traded Lowe and Aberdine for Aberdine and Johnson. Right now that's definitely a negative swap but I'm not sure that will be the case at the end of the year; I'm positive Johnson is the more naturally gifted player and he might be able to give us what we lost from Lowe by year's end.

Oweh has started slow but he started trying to get back to his old game last game and we saw him all year last year and we know he's a stud. Oweh, MoD, and Aberdine are our 3 best players as of now and I think that's a pretty good trio. UK was able to beat some top 10 teams last year with top players out and the 10 we have right now are definitely superior to the 9 or 10 we had available late last year. The defensive problems have been the result of mistakes rather than athletic shortcomings so we should get better there.

Maybe some of the posters here are a lot younger than myself but I remember the talent we had on some of Billy G's and Tubby's teams and the 9th and 10 players of the 10 we have playing right now would have been among the top 4 players on a couple of those teams. We still have plenty enough talent to have a strong year and I'm still fired up about this team. It just seems to me that a lot of folks have already given up hope for this team to be really good and I just don't think they are right.

So is it just me?

Yes, it is just you.

 

[theBlues]

Yes, it is just you.

Your statement isn't quite true, is it?

 

[bbnkat02]

If we get JQ back and JJ develops, yes.

Otherwise, it's going to be a long disappointing season of ups and downs with a S16 finish.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

I mean, of course, if they get Quaintance playing and I firmly believe he will be playing by January. He might get reinjured but it's no more likely that me having another heart attack in the same period so I'm not going to worry about it(either one). Without JQ I think we can still be a top 10 team.

At point guard we've basically traded Lowe and Aberdine for Aberdine and Johnson. Right now that's definitely a negative swap but I'm not sure that will be the case at the end of the year; I'm positive Johnson is the more naturally gifted player and he might be able to give us what we lost from Lowe by year's end.

Oweh has started slow but he started trying to get back to his old game last game and we saw him all year last year and we know he's a stud. Oweh, MoD, and Aberdine are our 3 best players as of now and I think that's a pretty good trio. UK was able to beat some top 10 teams last year with top players out and the 10 we have right now are definitely superior to the 9 or 10 we had available late last year. The defensive problems have been the result of mistakes rather than athletic shortcomings so we should get better there.

Maybe some of the posters here are a lot younger than myself but I remember the talent we had on some of Billy G's and Tubby's teams and the 9th and 10 players of the 10 we have playing right now would have been among the top 4 players on a couple of those teams. We still have plenty enough talent to have a strong year and I'm still fired up about this team. It just seems to me that a lot of folks have already given up hope for this team to be really good and I just don't think they are right.

So is it just me?

I haven’t given up hope. I do feel different than I did all summer. Went from thinking we are loaded to playing players out of position to begin the season. Injuries force you to have a little different opinion but the vibe ive gotten from this team isn’t the best I reckon. Do I think we have enough talent to have a good year? Yes. Do I think the players mesh and start playing good together? We will see.
So far the body language of the team isn’t making me excited. Hoping for a good season. Just get a decent seed and maybe some magic will happen is the best I can hope for.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

Yes it’s just you. This team has too many holes with Oweh playing like he is and not having an elite shooter. Even with Lowe it wasn’t looking top 5.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I think they "could" be, but it seems pretty unlikely. The defense looks like it will be an issue. JQ (assuming he's fully healthy) greatly improves that. My bigger concern is just that the pieces don't seem to fit. At least if they are going to try to play 10 guys. The rotation should be a bit smaller, but I think a lot of that depends on the direction you want to go with the rotation.

 

[Goingfor9]

I mean, of course, if they get Quaintance playing and I firmly believe he will be playing by January. He might get reinjured but it's no more likely that me having another heart attack in the same period so I'm not going to worry about it(either one). Without JQ I think we can still be a top 10 team.

At point guard we've basically traded Lowe and Aberdine for Aberdine and Johnson. Right now that's definitely a negative swap but I'm not sure that will be the case at the end of the year; I'm positive Johnson is the more naturally gifted player and he might be able to give us what we lost from Lowe by year's end.

Oweh has started slow but he started trying to get back to his old game last game and we saw him all year last year and we know he's a stud. Oweh, MoD, and Aberdine are our 3 best players as of now and I think that's a pretty good trio. UK was able to beat some top 10 teams last year with top players out and the 10 we have right now are definitely superior to the 9 or 10 we had available late last year. The defensive problems have been the result of mistakes rather than athletic shortcomings so we should get better there.

Maybe some of the posters here are a lot younger than myself but I remember the talent we had on some of Billy G's and Tubby's teams and the 9th and 10 players of the 10 we have playing right now would have been among the top 4 players on a couple of those teams. We still have plenty enough talent to have a strong year and I'm still fired up about this team. It just seems to me that a lot of folks have already given up hope for this team to be really good and I just don't think they are right.

So is it just me?

Let’s see tomorrow. A loss and we won’t be sniffing the top 5 this year. We may be able to look like a top 5 team but the bottomline is wins and losses in November basically set the level you’re starting from.

A loss to msu and we will fall out of the top 20. It’s like starting the game down 10. It’s hard to comeback from that and win. This has been a major problem for our program since 2015. Having older players is supposed to equate to a head start. Tomorrow is must win if you want to have a shot at top 5. It’s not about Lowe it’s about winning. Aberdeen is fine to run the team but we have to prove it. You lose that top player and win then it’s no question. Drop tomorrow and lose a key player that will be held against us all season unless we win. I feel that game tomorrow is imperative if you wanna sniff a top 5 sans Lowe.