Can Someone Explain To Me Why We're Concerned About Wisconsin?

[Rolf Russman]

Myself, I acknowledge ahead of time that the best team (and we have the best team, without question) doesn't always win the NCAAT. That allows me to give a degree of healthly respect to all of the teams in the field. Weird, weird things can happen in a single elimination forty minute game. That has always been the case, but it is especially true today given the state of basketball officiating... jaw-droppingly incompetent and inconsistent to the point of disbelief!

Now, in regards to Wisconsin specifically, their best player Kaminsky plays a lot like the Djurisic kid from UGA... and I think we all recognize that he has always given us headaches. Add to that the fact that Kaminsky's supporting cast is a lot more talented, and that's enough reason for concern right there.

All that being said, I'd rather be entering this tournament with our team than anybody else's.

 

[wkycatfan7]

I ditto what Rolf said, and it's a fear of mine, that the best team doesn't always win. History shows it. How Houston lost to NC State I'll never know.

That said, Wisconsin can spread you out and drive and shoot. They've been there last year. They could beat us on a given night IMO.

 

[WildcatNC]

In the NCAA tournament i'm concerned with every team because its 1 and out. Like the above poster said, the best team doesn't always win it, so I think if you earn the #1 overall seed you should get the best seeding like you are supposed to. I don't care how good we are, I want the odds stacked as much in our favor as possible.

No one remembers who you played to win a championship, only that you won one. Thats all I care about now so I want every advantage to do that as possible. I have a feeling it will be the opposite though.

We will end up with all the "storyline" games. Wouldn't surprise me to see UL, UNC, Texas, Wisconsin, Wich. st., all in our bracket. Revenge row.

 

[Seth C]

I'm only concerned with fair bracketing. I don't think it's fair for them or for us to be placed in the same bracket. Obtaining the overall #1 seed should not be "rewarded" with a 2 seed that really deserved a 1 seed. Same goes for the reverse of that for them. If they prove themselves to be that good we will play them either way, but it should be in the Final Four.

This post was edited on 3/11 1:28 PM by Seth C

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Originally posted by Seth C:
I'm only concerned with fair bracketing. I don't think it's fair for them or for us to be placed in the same bracket. Obtaining the overall #1 seed should not be "rewarded" with a 2 seed that really deserved a 1 seed. Same goes for the reverse of that for them. If they prove themselves to be that good we will play them either way, but it should be in the Final Four.

This post was edited on 3/11 1:28 PM by Seth C

It seems like most fans would agree.

I guess the Athletic Directors when asked thought differently. They were more concerned about staying close to home.

The weakest 2 SHOULD play the best 1.

This year it's especially important I think because there's a gap between Arizona/Wisconsin and Kansas/Gonzaga. The first two could make an argument for a 1 seed. The last two you could make an argument they should be 3 seeds.

 

[Big_Blue79]

Originally posted by ThroughBlue:

Originally posted by wromanp7:
I respect Wisconsin, but they have zero wins against top 20 teams this year.
0-2

AP top 20, sure. If you use a better, objective system they have some. Just going by KenPom, UW beat Oklahoma (10), Ohio State (18), Iowa twice (19), Georgetown (21), and Michigan State (22). Not a murderer's row, but not a Murray State schedule, either.

 

[far_away_fan]

Originally posted by Wildcat Fan-atic:
They're a good team and all, but we beat them last year with a much less talented team. We have Willie and Karl to help contain Kaminski. The twins are better now than they were last season. Lyles is a great addition that we didnt have last year, not to mention Booker and Ulis for added depth. We're gonna be just fine.

There are at most five REALLY good teams in college basketball this season:

Kentucky
Virginia
Duke
Wisconsin
Arizona

It would be nice if we only had to play at most two of them on the way to the title. Putting Wisconsin (or one of the others) in Kentucky's means that we might have to play three instead of two.

I am sure that we all believe that Kentucky would beat all four of the other teams on this list more often than not. But the tournament is not a seven game series. If UK has to beat three good teams instead of two, it becomes 50% harder for us to win it all. That's why people are concerned.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

Originally posted by HeismanWildcat85:
The teams who I think could beat us if we don't play our game...

1. Wisconsin
2. Duke
3. Arizona

That's it.

I'm assuming that's not what you meant to say. I assume what you mean is, if we play well, there are only 3 teams that can beat us. If we don't play well - "if we don't play our game" - there are a lot more than 3 teams that can beat us. If Ole Miss, A&M and LSU - none ranked - can very nearly beat us on an off night, surely there are a lot of teams that could pull it off.....

 

[STEVEGRO50]

Originally posted by ThroughBlue:

I wonder the same thing. My guess is that all the media is saying it and a lot of our uneducated fans believe it

Nice...Calling your fellow UK fans uneducated......Perhaps he is just nervous. A lot of fans are.

 

[STEVEGRO50]

Originally posted by wcc31:

Originally posted by Wildcat Fan-atic:
They're a good team and all, but we beat them last year with a much less talented team. We have Willie and Karl to help contain Kaminski. The twins are better now than they were last season. Lyles is a great addition that we didnt have last year, not to mention Booker and Ulis for added depth. We're gonna be just fine.

I've heard this "we beat them" last year thing dozens of times on here and it doesn't make any sense. First of all, we beat them on a 3-pointer with 5 seconds in the game. It's not like we handled them.

Secondly, this is a different UK team altogether so last year doesn't have anything to do with anything. Wisconsin has a year's worth of growth and we're a completely different team.

People are concerned because we're HUGE fans who want to win the title. If you're not concerned about some teams, you're a fool. Wisconsin is really good. Duke is really good. Arizona is really good. Same with Virginia, Villanova, etc. Anyone who has ever watched the NCAA Tournament knows the best doesn't always win it. Any rational fan wants the most fortunate bracket we can get.

Being concerned about other teams doesn't make you less of a fan or lacking confidence. It makes you an intelligent person who's watched a lot of basketball.

Agree^^^^^^^

 

[STEVEGRO50]

Originally posted by Wildcat Fan-atic:

Originally posted by wcc31:

Originally posted by Wildcat Fan-atic:
They're a good team and all, but we beat them last year with a much less talented team. We have Willie and Karl to help contain Kaminski. The twins are better now than they were last season. Lyles is a great addition that we didnt have last year, not to mention Booker and Ulis for added depth. We're gonna be just fine.

I've heard this "we beat them" last year thing dozens of times on here and it doesn't make any sense. First of all, we beat them on a 3-pointer with 5 seconds in the game. It's not like we handled them.

Secondly, this is a different UK team altogether so last year doesn't have anything to do with anything. Wisconsin has a year's worth of growth and we're a completely different team.

People are concerned because we're HUGE fans who want to win the title. If you're not concerned about some teams, you're a fool. Wisconsin is really good. Duke is really good. Arizona is really good. Same with Virginia, Villanova, etc. Anyone who has ever watched the NCAA Tournament knows the best doesn't always win it. Any rational fan wants the most fortunate bracket we can get.

Being concerned about other teams doesn't make you less of a fan or lacking confidence. It makes you an intelligent person who's watched a lot of basketball.

You make my argument for me. Yes, I am concerned about a couple teams, but not so much about Wisconsin. They have the same team back from last year with a little more experience. We also have a lot of returning players with added experience, plus we have many more new players with much more talent than what we lost from last season. Wouldnt you agree that this UK team is much better than last year's?

Yeah, we hit a buzzer beater to beat them, but we were in that position without Willie and Towns who will help keep Kaminski in check. Willie can guard him out on the perimeter if he chooses to step outside, and when that happens, we still have Karl to protect the rim. We also have Lyles that is a much better offensive weapon than Alex was last season, plus both twins have really developed their mid-range game. If foul trouble comes into play, we have Dakari, Booker and Ulis that can step in and make game winning plays. So, I ask you again, why so much concern?

KAT can stay inside ...IF....his man isnt also a three pt threat. My contention is, They pull our bigs away from the basket and drive an open lane, Dont say their too slow or what ever....look at Geogia....they did it to us.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Perhaps those desiring the more difficult road have forgotten 2004 UAB, 1994 Marquette, or 2010 West Virginia (among others).

The best teams don't always win in a single-game format. To suspect otherwise is ridiculously ignorant of the realities of the tournament. So, given the fact that Wisconsin is one of four or five legitimate title threats this year, I'd rather pass on them if I had to choose.


Give me the easier road all day long. I can't even believe this has turned into a debate.

 

[jameslee32]

If Wisc. is the worst #2 seed, I'll eat a hipster's hat.

 

[Lumpy 2]

Wisconsin is probably a little better than last year but we are a lot better. Almost everyone who gets playing time for them played against us and they lost Brust who was their best 3 point shooter. We lost Randle and Young and Alex won't be playing, but we will have Willie and the 4 freshmen. I think we have improved more than them.

 

[Anon1636470744]

Wisconsin is second on Vegasinsider at 6-1 to win the title. UK's odds have actually came up slightly to even money after staying under even odds for most of the year. Wisconsin is legit and will be a tough out for somebody.
This post was edited on 3/11 10:51 PM by Big Foot 275

 

[LouisvilleBlueCat]

The revenge factor mostly.

Unfortunately for Wiscy, this is a different team. And 2X as good as the last one....especially minus Willie...

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by STEVEGRO50:

Originally posted by Wildcat Fan-atic:

Originally posted by wcc31:

Originally posted by Wildcat Fan-atic:
They're a good team and all, but we beat them last year with a much less talented team. We have Willie and Karl to help contain Kaminski. The twins are better now than they were last season. Lyles is a great addition that we didnt have last year, not to mention Booker and Ulis for added depth. We're gonna be just fine.

I've heard this "we beat them" last year thing dozens of times on here and it doesn't make any sense. First of all, we beat them on a 3-pointer with 5 seconds in the game. It's not like we handled them.

Secondly, this is a different UK team altogether so last year doesn't have anything to do with anything. Wisconsin has a year's worth of growth and we're a completely different team.

People are concerned because we're HUGE fans who want to win the title. If you're not concerned about some teams, you're a fool. Wisconsin is really good. Duke is really good. Arizona is really good. Same with Virginia, Villanova, etc. Anyone who has ever watched the NCAA Tournament knows the best doesn't always win it. Any rational fan wants the most fortunate bracket we can get.

Being concerned about other teams doesn't make you less of a fan or lacking confidence. It makes you an intelligent person who's watched a lot of basketball.

You make my argument for me. Yes, I am concerned about a couple teams, but not so much about Wisconsin. They have the same team back from last year with a little more experience. We also have a lot of returning players with added experience, plus we have many more new players with much more talent than what we lost from last season. Wouldnt you agree that this UK team is much better than last year's?

Yeah, we hit a buzzer beater to beat them, but we were in that position without Willie and Towns who will help keep Kaminski in check. Willie can guard him out on the perimeter if he chooses to step outside, and when that happens, we still have Karl to protect the rim. We also have Lyles that is a much better offensive weapon than Alex was last season, plus both twins have really developed their mid-range game. If foul trouble comes into play, we have Dakari, Booker and Ulis that can step in and make game winning plays. So, I ask you again, why so much concern?

KAT can stay inside ...IF....his man isnt also a three pt threat. My contention is, They pull our bigs away from the basket and drive an open lane, Dont say their too slow or what ever....look at Geogia....they did it to us.

I hate to break it to you, but UGA is a lot more athletic and has much faster players than Wisconsin. You people focusing on the one goofy Eastern European guy UGA has need to look at the rest of their line up .

And I am expecting Wisconsin on Sunday, all of us should...if it is someone different then we are going to have to really start a lot of threads about them to make up for all the threads we had on Wisconsin. I think we should all table the Wisconsin blabbering until at least Saturday evening, as by then we will know if Villanova has lost, if Wisconsin is playing for the Big Ten title on Sunday, etc.

 

[canebreak]

Wildcat#8 you are spot on in saying UGA is quicker. No question. And a lot quicker. That point guard for wisconsin is pretty big and physical, but it ain't like any of these SEC guards in terms of quickness. He is slower than all our guards. Teams that drive on us aren't pulling the bigs away, they are using pick and roll and screens. None of those teams really had big time three point shooting bigs. They got to the basket other ways

This post was edited on 3/11 11:18 PM by canebreak

This post was edited on 3/11 11:19 PM by canebreak

This post was edited on 3/11 11:20 PM by canebreak

 

[MO_Blue]

You guys are just uncaring, neanderthal cretins.

My daughter goes to Wisconsin, and I am very concerned about the general emotional well being on that campus after our game with them, assuming they last that long.

I already feel her pain. And all you can do is say that you have no concern? Jerks.

 

[canebreak]

Originally posted by MO_Blue:
You guys are just uncaring, neanderthal cretins.

My daughter goes to Wisconsin, and I am very concerned about the general emotional well being on that campus after our game with them, assuming they last that long.

I already feel her pain. And all you can do is say that you have no concern? Jerks.

I am sure they have campus counselors.

 

[TigerPawsSC]

Originally posted by Lumpy 2:
Wisconsin is probably a little better than last year but we are a lot better. Almost everyone who gets playing time for them played against us and they lost Brust who was their best 3 point shooter. We lost Randle and Young and Alex won't be playing, but we will have Willie and the 4 freshmen. I think we have improved more than them.

This is a complete farce.

Last year's UW team lost five out of six games at one point in the year. It lost at home by double-digits to Northwestern. It lost to the likes of Minnesota, Indiana, and Nebraska. It won just a single game in the B1G Tournament, losing 2 of 3 heading into the NCAA Tournament.

It's certainly true that UK is a lot better this year. But you'd be extraordinarily foolish to say that UW is "probably a little better." Several players, including Frank Kaminsky, Sam Dekker, Nigel Hayes, and Bronson Koenig have taken major steps forward in multiple areas.

Last year's club had KenPom's 4th best offense and 49th best defense, and that was AFTER the tournament run. This year's team has had for most of the season the best offense that college basketball has seen since offensive efficiency numbers began being tracked. And the defense is currently ranked 27th. It's a much better Wisconsin team than last year's version. This is a Wisconsin team that has trailed in the 2nd half of exactly 2 of its 18 B1G games (the two losses).

 

[TTOWN CATS]

If Wisconsin is our #2 Seed, they will probably need to beat a pretty good #3 Seed, then turn around and play us less than 48 hours later. I like our chances in that scenario.