I have tried to figure out why Cal has such bad defensive teams now. The only thing I can figure out is that Cal has no idea how to scheme for the current trend of 4 and 5 out basketball. It does seem that his defenses started trailing off as the game started changing to 3s and layups.
EXTEND POPE
- Thread starter Anon1759768907
- Start date
Deadly 3 point shooting combined with good downhill drivers have typically been Cal's cryptonite.
He only knows 1 way to teach offense and defense and if that doesn't work, he just tells his players to run and go faster.
Yes. Plus he has had big athletic rangy players and the guys that kill his teams are often very undersized.
It is like a guy said to me at church Sunday morning. He said he felt good going into halftime because Pope would make some adjustments and everyone knows Cal will just come out and do what he's been doing for the first half. LOL!
And he’s got no traditional shot blocking big. I told these Arkansas guys this would be the best team he’ll ever have there, but he whiffed on the big man and couldn’t retain what’s his name from last year. So as good as they are, Calipari can’t win without that big.
Next year he loses Knox, Acuff, Thomas, Richmond (poor man’s MKG), and probably more than that. I also think Wagner might end up transferring out to finish his career at a place he can start.
Barring something crazy, I really think this year is it for Calipari for a career. He’ll just be raw and young for his last 2 years. After this year he’s going 2 more and back to Lex to secure his legacy.
When Calipari knows it’s over, and it’s coming, he’ll upset all the Ark fans by talking about Kentucky to butter it up before he moves to cement his legacy. I truly believe it will happen similar to Pitino.
Yeah, this will be the most veteran team he's going to have. He's not getting the most out of his non-lottery pick guys. Richmond, Knox, Brazille, Ewin and Pringle can do so much more. Brazille is a good inside-outside guy. He can hit 3's, rebound, block shots and create in the paint, but Cal wants Acuff and Thomas to be the featured players. At least, that's what it appears to be.
However, Arkansas has some really good wins. Didn't they beat Texas Tech and Houston? Almost got Michigan State in East Lansing and were in the game late vs duke.
That's what surprises me about Saturday, our guys were beating them fairly easily, then they were down and against all odds, came back and got back up by 10 again. To me, that's pretty impressive.
Cal will always get dudes but for the past two years he has had age and dudes. If he is playing with a bunch of sophomores and frosh next year it will be back to the Cal we had for the last 4-5 years. Win some crazy games that nobody gives you a chance to win and then lose a few absolute head scratchers every year including your first or second round game in the big dance.
Acuff, Thomas, Brazile, Ewin and Pringle will be gone. Knox, Richmond and Wagner would have been gone without NIL last year. Wagner is playing college again next year. I assume Arky but he may get a big offer from somewhere. Knox and Richmond will probably be back because they are not st round draft picks.
I am sure they do well in the portal because they have money but Cal is gonna Cal.
Acuff, Thomas, Brazile, Ewin and Pringle will be gone. Knox, Richmond and Wagner would have been gone without NIL last year. Wagner is playing college again next year. I assume Arky but he may get a big offer from somewhere. Knox and Richmond will probably be back because they are not st round draft picks.
I am sure they do well in the portal because they have money but Cal is gonna Cal.