Bring on Wisconsin!

[blueberryfields]

I said the same thing when Ohio State was the overrated B10 team four years ago (check tape if you want

).

Wisconsin in the Elite 8, and this time we win going away.

 

[ABomb502]

A game against Wisconsin could come down to officiating. If the Zebras don't try to play equalizer for Wisconsin, I think UK wins by 10-15.However,a bad shooting night by our guys, coupled with a bad whistle, could make the game very interesting. I almost expect UK to get hosed by the refs in the tournament. Not many people want to see UK go undefeated and win the title.

 

[UKCatsFan10]

If Wiscy and Nova win their conferences, I'd say you'll get your wish. Not necessarily a game I'd like to see in the E8, but if you say so.

 

[JC for 3]

We beat them without Willie last year. Kaminsky will have his hand full trying to do anything against Willie on both ends of the floor.

Dekker is the guy that really gave us problems last year.

In the end, Wisconsin's lack of depth and UK's defense.... UK wins by at least 8, probably more.

 

[EnglandWildcat]

Mostly agree OP…though won't make any predictions on what could happen in the tourney.

I think Wisconsin is a very good team. But I think the B10 is so overrated. I think it is much weaker than the SEC. I mean, no one is claiming it to be a juggernaut, but the moment I saw Ohio State's OCC schedule I knew they'd be overrated all year. I think Maryland is decent, but overrated. Their only good OCC win is Iowa State. MSU is down this year. IU is down. Iowa is not that impressive to me.

My point is that Wisconsin has benefited from a conference that is very down this year. Wisconsin played two good teams in the non-conference (Oklahoma and Duke) and lost to one of them. Otherwise, their schedule has been pretty lackluster. Again, they may be one of the better teams in the country, but I think they might be getting too much credit.

 

[bernman23]

One would think Wisconsin earned respect from last year. That was like a 51% to 49% game. UK was down, hit a long shot, and Wisconsin didn't hit theirs, so they lost. But you almost as easily could have, if you're being honest.

The teams are somewhat different this year, but both are improved. Wisconsin is the same team almost, but matured, so better. Kentucky matured some also, got a couple better freshmen, and are more unselfish. The disparity increased. Maybe it's now an 80/20 game in favor of Kentucky. You shouldn't want that over a 90/10 against some other 2 seed, unless your vision is being clouded by the blue and white flag waiving in your windshield.

Where does this hubris against the Big Ten in basketball even come in? No, you don't play in the better conference. That's nonsense. The BPI rankings are: 1. UK, 2. UW, 16. OSU, 17. MSU, 22. Arkansas, 27. Maryland, 31. Georgia, 32. Iowa, etc. The Big Ten is a year removed from being the best in college basketball, and yet anecdotally, in part because the ESPN's biased against due to the Big Ten Network, they're regarded as a poor major conference, just because they aren't as good as last year. They are underrated then if anything.

In addition to Oklahoma and Duke, Wisconsin also played G'Town OOC, and a bunch of mid majors who did very well in their conference. Boise State is one, who had 4 straight losses without their best players. They had them all vs. UW, and have made a huge run to close the season when healthier. They are one of the best mid majors out there. UW had a better out of conference schedule than a good majority of major schools. And Wisconsin's SOS rank is higher than UK's. UW is among the top few proven teams in the nation between last year and this in reality. UK, UW, Duke, Zona, and UVA (w/ Anderson) all are battle proven at this point.

Some people are just looking for any extra advantage they can find, though. Take your pragmatically 80/20 or so. That's more than enough, for a FF, or championship match-up, which is when these two teams should actually play.

 

[yabbadabbadoo_rivals213851]

Originally posted by blueberryfields:
I said the same thing when Ohio State was the overrated B10 team four years ago (check tape if you want

).

Wisconsin in the Elite 8, and this time we win going away.

Ohio State wasn't overrated in 2011. At all.

 

[bigblueinsanity_rivals250340]

Wisconsin and Virginia concern me the most, due to their tendency to limit possessions; therefore helping to negate the talent disparity. Throw in that Kaminsky is like Djurisic on steroids, and that makes Wisconsin UK's worst matchup.

I don't think UK fans should fear Wisconsin, so to speak. But its foolish to want to play this teams toughest matchup earlier than necessary. Make Wisconsin play as many games as possible before we meet. Maybe they get upset. Maybe they get fatigued.

 

[canebreak]

Originally posted by bernman23:
One would think Wisconsin earned respect from last year. That was like a 51% to 49% game. UK was down, hit a long shot, and Wisconsin didn't hit theirs, so they lost. But you almost as easily could have, if you're being honest.

The teams are somewhat different this year, but both are improved. Wisconsin is the same team almost, but matured, so better. Kentucky matured some also, got a couple better freshmen, and are more unselfish. The disparity increased. Maybe it's now an 80/20 game in favor of Kentucky. You shouldn't want that over a 90/10 against some other 2 seed, unless your vision is being clouded by the blue and white flag waiving in your windshield.

Where does this hubris against the Big Ten in basketball even come in? No, you don't play in the better conference. That's nonsense. The BPI rankings are: 1. UK, 2. UW, 16. OSU, 17. MSU, 22. Arkansas, 27. Maryland, 31. Georgia, 32. Iowa, etc. The Big Ten is a year removed from being the best in college basketball, and yet anecdotally, in part because the ESPN's biased against due to the Big Ten Network, they're regarded as a poor major conference, just because they aren't as good as last year. They are underrated then if anything.

In addition to Oklahoma and Duke, Wisconsin also played G'Town OOC, and a bunch of mid majors who did very well in their conference. Boise State is one, who had 4 straight losses without their best players. They had them all vs. UW, and have made a huge run to close the season when healthier. They are one of the best mid majors out there. UW had a better out of conference schedule than a good majority of major schools. And Wisconsin's SOS rank is higher than UK's. UW is among the top few proven teams in the nation between last year and this in reality. UK, UW, Duke, Zona, and UVA (w/ Anderson) all are battle proven at this point.

Some people are just looking for any extra advantage they can find, though. Take your pragmatically 80/20 or so. That's more than enough, for a FF, or championship match-up, which is when these two teams should actually play.

Sometimes I have to just rely on the looks test. I have seen several Big Ten games and I have not seen many teams any better than Texas AM, Georgia and LSU. In fact, I would say those teams are as athletic as any team in the Big Ten. Maryland is the team that most resembles the typical SEC team. I don't want to play Maryland but we know that type of team. I think if UW met an LSU it would be a matchup problem for both teams. One thing I notice is how much quicker SEC wings and guards are than most Big Ten Teams.

UW is a very good team but I disagree about the Big Ten being even marginally better than the SEC. I would take a draw from Perdue, IU, MSU, OSU before I would and LSU. Other than Maryland, and UW, no Big Ten team could beat UK...period. Could not even stay in the game.

 

[LowCountryCat]

Don't they have to win their games first?

 

[KYBallCoach]

UW is also without the little white dude that burned us from 3 last year in the first half. He ended up with 15 points but he had at least 3 big time 3's (especially in the first half when the game was crucial). I think his name was Brian Brust or Broust

 

[bernman23]

It's the eye test of a fan of an SEC team.

And subjectively, you're overrating "athleticism" as a factor, and underrating the athleticism of some B1G teams, probably cuz they have more white players.

Sam Dekker is a fantastic athlete on Wisconsin for one.

OSU is one of the most athletic Big Ten teams, and they just got destroyed at home by Wisconsin. Wisconsin had an athleticism disadvantage, but it was good enough, when factoring in their size, hustle, unselfishness, and intelligence. Wisconsin didn't take such random shots, put a butt into would be rebounders, and collapsed on the ball.

The proof will be in the pudding though. Until the tournament and the Big Ten has a # of teams make runs again....

 

[LadyCaytIL]

So Wisconsin fan, does the Badgers ever try to play legit defense or is the entire game plan to sodomize the offensive players? Its not stop pelvic thrusts into anyone who tries and run through the paint. Its as if Bo got his defensive game plans from Kevin Stallings and Vandy who have been using that technique for almost 10 years.

 

[canebreak]

Originally posted by bernman23:
It's the eye test of a fan of an SEC team.

And subjectively, you're overrating "athleticism" as a factor, and underrating the athleticism of some B1G teams, probably cuz they have more white players.

Sam Dekker is a fantastic athlete on Wisconsin for one.

OSU is one of the most athletic Big Ten teams, and they just got destroyed at home by Wisconsin. Wisconsin had an athleticism disadvantage, but it was good enough, when factoring in their size, hustle, unselfishness, and intelligence. Wisconsin didn't take such random shots, put a butt into would be rebounders, and collapsed on the ball.

The proof will be in the pudding though. Until the tournament and the Big Ten has a # of teams make runs again....

Yes, I am a fan of the SEC and yes it is my eyes. Just like you are a fan of the BT and it is your eyes. I get the feeling you think we don't understand basketball because we live in a football world. But at Kentucky, we get it. So no need to explain to me the Big Ten. UW is a fantastic team capable of beating UK....no question. But the BT isn't a better basketball conference this year and athleticism is not overrated in most cases. If it was overrated then there would not be D1, II and III. Just my thoughts. Good luck in the tourney.