Duke finished 5-4 against KenPom top 25. Kentucky 8-7

[FiveStarCat]

At least based on my quick eyeballing of the schedules. Might have missed a game or two.

All the “historically great” BS about Duke blows up in smoke with that stat and no title. I’m not gonna go as far as calling them fraudulent but it’s clear a lot of the haters were right that they were being propped up quite a bit by a god awful ACC and it would ultimately cost them in a close game.

Feels good man.

 

[hotelblue]

if the acc wasn’t historically weak this season they’d have 6-8 losses. they were real good vs the field, but not historically great at all imo. our ‘12 team was way better. just as strong and quicker at basically every position. it’s not even a comparison really. the only comparison is flagg and davis both being really, really good.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

To think the '12 team went 4-0 against the two teams they played in The Final Four that year as well. Had to beat Louisville and Kansas twice as non conference teams and heated rival (UofL).

'12 UK was the best team Cal had and I'll put it up against '15 any day. '12 could score from every spot on the court--'15 was Cal's ego trip about always defending....and they failed to put the ball in and had too many close games for a team of that depth/caliber IMO

 

[TankedCat]

To think the '12 team went 4-0 against the two teams they played in The Final Four that year as well. Had to beat Louisville and Kansas twice as non conference teams and heated rival (UofL).

'12 UK was the best team Cal had and I'll put it up against '15 any day. '12 could score from every spot on the court--'15 was Cal's ego trip about always defending....and they failed to put the ball in and had too many close games for a team of that depth/caliber IMO

Booker really struggled on that team for a good part of the season. I liked both teams, but some of the games with the 2015 team were unreal. The UCLA game was stunning to watch.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

Booker really struggled on that team for a good part of the season. I liked both teams, but some of the games with the 2015 team were unreal. The UCLA game was stunning to watch.

It was fun to watch-but then they'd have a game they had to pull out against mid level LSU/UGA on the road because the team's offense was unwatchable and every game away from Rupp became Rock Fights for the most part. The last game they played like an elite team was WVU in the Sweet 16. ND was a very good team that year-but that shouldn't have been that close.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

At least based on my quick eyeballing of the schedules. Might have missed a game or two.

All the “historically great” BS about Duke blows up in smoke with that stat and no title. I’m not gonna go as far as calling them fraudulent but it’s clear a lot of the haters were right that they were being propped up quite a bit by a god awful ACC and it would ultimately cost them in a close game.

Feels good man.

I’d still rather have the final 4 but it feels great they lost and we beat them!

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

To think the '12 team went 4-0 against the two teams they played in The Final Four that year as well. Had to beat Louisville and Kansas twice as non conference teams and heated rival (UofL).

'12 UK was the best team Cal had and I'll put it up against '15 any day. '12 could score from every spot on the court--'15 was Cal's ego trip about always defending....and they failed to put the ball in and had too many close games for a team of that depth/caliber IMO

It’s because he abandoned the platoon, POY going down hurt that team but Cal not using that depth that murdered teams over the course of the year was criminal.

 

[Wildcats Fan Board]

Four things did the 2015 team in against Wisconsin in the final 4.

1. Cal’s stupid stall ball. We were up 60-56 with 6:37 to play. Cal decided to take the air out of the ball, and let Harrison dibble at the top of the key.
2. Not continuing feeding Towns the rock more. Karl was money in the second half, and while we made a run to get that small 4 point lead. Wisconsin could not stop him.
3. The rooferee! Many terrible calls Higgins made all game, but not calling the the late shot clock violation, and counting that bucket was a huge deflation for us.
4. And lastly, Cal not benching Booker for the rest of the game very early in the second half. Devin couldn’t defend me in that game. Wisconsin knew this, and abused him every procession. Booker costs us several defensive stops that game.

The way I see it, 3 of the 4 were Calipari’s fault.

 

[PoBilly]

12 The only team Cal won it with. No doubt it was the best team. Cal was way into getting into his own way by 15. He caused the issues that year. He had 11 legit players IIRC. He would play guys that were no having good games the most minutes (to no take their heart) instead of explaining, hey today is not your day, I am going to play x most today.

 

[Aike]

To think the '12 team went 4-0 against the two teams they played in The Final Four that year as well. Had to beat Louisville and Kansas twice as non conference teams and heated rival (UofL).

'12 UK was the best team Cal had and I'll put it up against '15 any day. '12 could score from every spot on the court--'15 was Cal's ego trip about always defending....and they failed to put the ball in and had too many close games for a team of that depth/caliber IMO

Agree on ‘12 > ‘15, but I also don’t think ‘15 was ever the same after Poythress went down.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

It was fun to watch-but then they'd have a game they had to pull out against mid level LSU/UGA on the road because the team's offense was unwatchable and every game away from Rupp became Rock Fights for the most part. The last game they played like an elite team was WVU in the Sweet 16. ND was a very good team that year-but that shouldn't have been that close.

I went to many away games that season, and started with the team in the Bahamas, because I felt it was going to be "the one" ... the undefeated championship team to go 40-0.

I just knew Cal was going to screw it up with his style of play. Should have lost at A&M and Georgia, for sure.

That team would have been running, gunning, pressing, and dunking on EVERYONE, every possession. 10 NBA players? Or was it 11? Ridiculous failure. Still not over it. Never will be.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

I went to many away games that season, and started with the team in the Bahamas, because I felt it was going to be "the one" ... the undefeated championship team to go 40-0.

I just knew Cal was going to screw it up with his style of play. Should have lost at A&M and Georgia, for sure.

That team would have been running, gunning, pressing, and dunking on EVERYONE, every possession. 10 NBA players? Or was it 11? Ridiculous failure. Still not over it. Never will be.

Exactly. The deeper you are, the more possessions you want and faster pace you play. Cal was in "Swaggy Mode" (I mean the guy produced Comedy Mania that year leading into the season a complete WTF moment in UK history) and wanted to show we'll beat you on your terms we're so good.

Without Poythress a big key to that team was WCS being engaged and he was in "I want to get high and make some art" mode in the Wisconsin game, completely disengaged. His play in the 1st Half had me thinking the season was over. Also--no way in Indianapolis like in '91 were they going to let Cal go undefeated if they made sure Tark didn't. LOL

 

[TopCatCal]

At least based on my quick eyeballing of the schedules. Might have missed a game or two.

All the “historically great” BS about Duke blows up in smoke with that stat and no title. I’m not gonna go as far as calling them fraudulent but it’s clear a lot of the haters were right that they were being propped up quite a bit by a god awful ACC and it would ultimately cost them in a close game.

Feels good man.

Besides their win over Alabama. Who did this overrated Duke team beat away from their homecourt?