I think we saw our identity tonight

[Cats192]

This CLEARLY isn't last year's elite efficient offensive team.

This team was built with size and athleticism. And we've obviously not lived up to the defensive promise we talked about before the season. Some of that is obviously effort driven. Some of it injury driven. Some of coaching decisions and substitutions.

But tonight was different. We held Indiana to 34% shooting. We were tied in Rebounds, but we had double the offensive rebounds. We took care of the ball--only 3 turnovers.

In the 2nd half, it felt like Pope embraced it. Felt like we only saw a handful of guys, especially down the stretch. And we REALLY took control in the 2nd half. We outscored them 40-21. I think this is who we are. This is how we win games.

And we can't be this bad offensively ourselves and beat elite teams. But I honestly think we're due for some positive regression in terms of our shooting. This isn't going to be a 40% 3 point shooting team. But I don't think we're the worst shooting team in CBB bad. I don't think we're 20% from 3 bad. We don't have to be elite from 3, just...better.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

I wanted to see one thing from them this game and that was heart. They showed they had some fight in them. All I ask for.

 

[Cats_2010]

We aren’t as bad of a shooting team when the shots taken are within the flow of offense. Think all 3 of our makes tonight was taken on a kick out pass. Not going to make all of them but those fall at a greater clip than one on one pull ups and beat the shot clock type takes. We shot 35% from 3 against UofL which was our best output against quality completion, 20% 3 times and 7% the other in the last 4 games vs such,

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

We aren’t as bad of a shooting team when the shots taken are within the flow of offense. Think all 3 of our makes tonight was taken on a kick out pass. Not going to make all of them but those fall at a greater clip than one on one pull ups and beat the shot clock type takes. We shot 35% from 3 against UofL which was our best output against quality completion, 20% 3 times and 7% the other in the last 4 games vs such,

I’m so glad Kam hit that three that bounced around a couple times before it went in because the drive and kick out by Noah was beautiful. Wide open shot. I screamed at my tv just from the drive and pass alone. Ran out of the room when the shot finally went down.

First game I watched outside in the garage man cave. 1-0. May of found my new superstition like UKOrtho

 

[UKCowboys]

Anthony Davis was 14 and 10 the year he was here. It was the 4.7 BPG and his post presence that made him so special. JQ was 9/8 and 2.6 last season. He isn't AD, but he could make a tremendous difference if we roll with the players that showed out tonight. We can out an extremely athletic, fast bunch on the floor

 

[RobEStacy]

I think we really have to establish ourselves as a low post team.... We have 2 big mean... And several people we can rotate in at the forward spots.... Set the tone early down low..... And then we can kick out for threes..... With not having a good passing big man, last years offense will not work.... We miss allot of threes, because they are rushed.... Feet are not set..... Body not square... Because we are a half a second behind... And they are rushing to catch up.... Maybe JQ changes that alittle..... Not sure about his passing ability.. But looks like our identity could be bully ball down low.

 

[CapnBlubs]

I could shoot better than this team. Even half the makes are bricks that roll in. There is only one winning strategy and that is to play physical ALL the time (something antithetical to Pope's preferred style, but too bad - if he wants to keep his job, he has to adapt).

 

[Anon1764477851]

Whenever JQ makes his season debut, his defensive presence in the paint will only make the defense stronger.

 

[chroix]

I don’t care if we win ugly. Just ******* win. That’s got to be the mindset and I think they found it. We need to adopt the Bad Boys Pistons mentality. Get JQ out there and build a damn wall.

 

[RuppLives]

This CLEARLY isn't last year's elite efficient offensive team.

This team was built with size and athleticism. And we've obviously not lived up to the defensive promise we talked about before the season. Some of that is obviously effort driven. Some of it injury driven. Some of coaching decisions and substitutions.

But tonight was different. We held Indiana to 34% shooting. We were tied in Rebounds, but we had double the offensive rebounds. We took care of the ball--only 3 turnovers.

In the 2nd half, it felt like Pope embraced it. Felt like we only saw a handful of guys, especially down the stretch. And we REALLY took control in the 2nd half. We outscored them 40-21. I think this is who we are. This is how we win games.

And we can't be this bad offensively ourselves and beat elite teams. But I honestly think we're due for some positive regression in terms of our shooting. This isn't going to be a 40% 3 point shooting team. But I don't think we're the worst shooting team in CBB bad. I don't think we're 20% from 3 bad. We don't have to be elite from 3, just...better.

Last night said more about who we are becoming than the final score. When we played with pace but stayed organized, the game flowed our way. Our best stretches came when the ball moved early, the floor stayed spaced, and we attacked gaps instead of settling. When we slowed into half-court possessions with late clock decisions, our efficiency dropped. That contrast has shown up enough times now that it feels structural, not random.

Defensively, we were strongest when we stayed connected and trusted the scheme. When our defenders held their assignments and rotated on time, we forced tough looks and finished possessions with rebounds. When we chased steals or overhelped, breakdowns followed quickly. This group does not benefit from chaos. We win when we defend with discipline and make opponents beat us with contested shots.

Our team is built for tempo with control. We should push in transition when opportunities are there, but once the defense is set, we need quick reads and ball movement rather than isolation. We are at our best playing drive-and-kick basketball, creating paint touches that force rotations. Defensively, containment, communication, and rebounding matter more than pressure. When we finish possessions, everything else gets easier.

We do not need to be something else. We need to fully commit to what works. When we do, we look dangerous. When we don’t, our problems are self-inflicted. Last night felt like a step toward clarity, and that matters more than any single result.

 

[KYSouthpaw]

I was hoping Pope would bring modern, smoothly flowing offense and open 3's and cutters in the 5-out. This team has different tools than last year and I need to get used to them grinding out games, missing shots, and hoping for offensive rebounds and put-backs. It won't be as pretty but hopefully we learn to make it work!

 

[carolinacat]

I'm glad we won and showed some effort and heart down the stretch. Having said that, I was totally unimpressed with IU. Their guards were terrible and they weren't very athletic inside (and overall). Lots of mid major portal players from Drake, Elon, North Florida, etc. We're going to have to shoot a lot better than 38% to beat teams in the upper half of the SEC. This lineup can beat teams like IU, but it ain't happening against better competition.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Whenever JQ makes his season debut, his defensive presence in the paint will only make the defense stronger.

I feel like a rusty JQ coming off a knee surgery is still levels above freshman Moreno and BG.