ND is playing really well. Gaining confidence. They can score the basketball in a variety of ways.
They can beat Ky.
They have the tools.
They can beat Ky.
They have the tools.
Norte Dame can beat Kentucky
- Thread starter madrussian
- Start date
I actually think that ND has as decent a chance as anyone. I have said all along that no team is going to beat UK playing an inside game. You are going to have to make a ton of outside shots to beat them and ND is set up perfectly to do that. I wish them best of luck - it is still a very daunting task.
Actually, if there was a team constructed specifically to beat this Kensucky team it would be this ND team. I have ND beating them in one of my two brackets, and could care less how bad they beat W Va.
I read one of the most telling stats about Kentucky's schedule the other day. They have yet to play 1 team in the top 30 in the Nation in offense or offensive efficiency, and they are about to have to beat 3 str8 of em.
That to me makes for some pretty decent drama. If you cannot shoot the 3 ball at an extremely high level and have a team full of shooters. ND, Duke, Wisky, Gonzaga all are in the top 10 or top 5 in doing EXACTLY that. You cannot beat them cause if your strengths are defense and interior play because that is their strength and they are by far the best in the Nation at it.
Guys, your gonna be surprised at how much tougher of a time UK is about to have and it's absolutely perfect that the tourney has it set up for them to face 3 teams in a row that have the kryptonite to beat them, and that they haven't seen yet all season.
Watch what happens, it could just surprise you. Book it
I read one of the most telling stats about Kentucky's schedule the other day. They have yet to play 1 team in the top 30 in the Nation in offense or offensive efficiency, and they are about to have to beat 3 str8 of em.
That to me makes for some pretty decent drama. If you cannot shoot the 3 ball at an extremely high level and have a team full of shooters. ND, Duke, Wisky, Gonzaga all are in the top 10 or top 5 in doing EXACTLY that. You cannot beat them cause if your strengths are defense and interior play because that is their strength and they are by far the best in the Nation at it.
Guys, your gonna be surprised at how much tougher of a time UK is about to have and it's absolutely perfect that the tourney has it set up for them to face 3 teams in a row that have the kryptonite to beat them, and that they haven't seen yet all season.
Watch what happens, it could just surprise you. Book it
THIS
and im certain Cal is not going to let ND sit at the 3 point line and bomb away. Id say we extend the D obviously to the 3 point line and turn those guys into slashers were u know what is waiting in the paint. I don't think its a big secret and sure ND could hit some 3's but ill bet Cal and staff is already telling them about it as soon as the first team meeting today.
I think depth and size will be big pluses for us in this game also. ND only plays 6 guys basically and 2 of them are 6-5 post players...only 2 positions PG and C are even remotely close in size.
PG- Grant 6-5 202/Andrew 6-6 210 and Ulis 5-9 155
SG- Jackson 6-1 195/Aaron 6-6 212 and Booker 6-6 206
SF- Vasturia 6-5 207/Lyles 6-10 235
PF- Connaughton 6-5 214/WCS 7-0 240
C- Auguste 6-10 242/KAT 6-11 250
Post- Colson 6-5 225/Dakari 7-0 255 and Lee 6-9 220
It won't take UK playing poorly...UK won't lose if they play great but are beatable if they play average. Everyone was saying how average UK looked in the first two rounds...now they are NBA champions.
UKs advantage over ND is size. ND will have a hard time slowing them down on offense. ND will also have an extremely difficult time scoring inside. IMO Kentucky will be making a huge mistake extending their defense as Zoid suggested. Let ND hit 3s and outlast then. If UK pushed out...ND can drive and more open shots will be created.
UKs advantage over ND is size. ND will have a hard time slowing them down on offense. ND will also have an extremely difficult time scoring inside. IMO Kentucky will be making a huge mistake extending their defense as Zoid suggested. Let ND hit 3s and outlast then. If UK pushed out...ND can drive and more open shots will be created.
Look, I understand the love for this Kentucky team in the media. They're good, hell, they are downright amazing at times. They have kept teams from getting to 20 points by half time. They will be one hell of a team to try and beat... BUT, let's not act like they didn't have any close games this year. They did go into overtime with far less superior teams than ND. This Kentucky team played in the SEC where they were never really challenged. Anybody with half a brain has pretty much said at one point that if Kentucky played in the ACC they'd have a loss or two. So if that is the case, and I think that's fair to say, I don't see why ND wouldn't have a good chance of beating them!
ND is one heck of a team. So as much as I give credit to Kentucky, their road gets tough from this point on in the tournament. No more WV's or Florida's or Arkansas's. I didn't think anybody would beat UNLV back in their perfect season, especially after plastering Duke the year before by 30 BUT it happened. I think ND can stay within 5-10 points of Kentucky for most of the game and in the last 5 minutes, who knows... shots may fall like last night.
Kentucky can be beat. ND is no slouch. Kentucky better bring their A game. Brey will have a plan of attack. As will Arizona or Wisc.
ND is one heck of a team. So as much as I give credit to Kentucky, their road gets tough from this point on in the tournament. No more WV's or Florida's or Arkansas's. I didn't think anybody would beat UNLV back in their perfect season, especially after plastering Duke the year before by 30 BUT it happened. I think ND can stay within 5-10 points of Kentucky for most of the game and in the last 5 minutes, who knows... shots may fall like last night.
Kentucky can be beat. ND is no slouch. Kentucky better bring their A game. Brey will have a plan of attack. As will Arizona or Wisc.
I think people say this for every opponent up next on UK's schedule. They're not unbeatable, but they're very, very good.
Notre Dame does present some problems. But as is with every other game UK plays, they present a host of problems for their opponents too. The Irish probably have the best chance of any team UK's faced so far, but I still don't think it's a great chance. I'd be surprised if UK didn't win by at least 10.
Notre Dame does present some problems. But as is with every other game UK plays, they present a host of problems for their opponents too. The Irish probably have the best chance of any team UK's faced so far, but I still don't think it's a great chance. I'd be surprised if UK didn't win by at least 10.
This 1000x. It's the same old song and dance every time. (Insert team here) has a good chance because (insert what said team does well) and UK (insert things the cats don't do perfectly).
Bottom line, if UK plays at their best or close to their best, no one can beat them. If UK plays good but not great, there's a few teams that have a chance to beat them.
Best of luck today.
This post was edited on 3/27 11:12 AM by uk_fan_in_tn
ND is, by far, the best offensive team UK has played all year. They are playing well and with confidence and could surely push UK, but I wouldn't bet my money that they beat them. I would be happy to be wrong. I think the size discrepancy won't be quite as big a factor, because ND isn't a team that dumps it in the post a lot anyway. They score from ball movement, drive and kick, that type of thing, which is not something that size really negates. To have any chance, they really have to be shooting well, which they have been lately.
ND is built offensively to beat Kentucky. 1-4 all their players can take their man off the dribble and can shoot the three. saying they don't have much of a chance is silly. I think they can guard UKs back court as well. offensively Uks bigs will need to score. I think this will be a great game. WV is a terrible offensive team they just couldn't score to set up the press. that was a bad matchup. I felt they over achieved in the tourney. had them losing earl;y. not saying they will beat them but I really think they have as good a shot as us. we need 3 wins before we can talk about that
How can you say if UK plays their best or close to their best, "No one can beat them"? I could say the same for a few other teams... What if Arizona plays their best or Wisc? And for that matter ND? You're painting a broad stroke when you say as long as UK plays near their best, nobody can beat them. True, not many teams could beat them at their best, but make no mistake, other teams at their best can hang with them and/or beat them. We just haven't seen it happen due to the weak SEC.
Here are some teams "At their best" that I would say could match Kentucky (the short list is more of a compliment to Kentucky btw):
UVA
Arizona
Wisc
Kansas
Duke
Gonzaga
ND
Utah
maybe even UNC "at their best"
again... if both teams hypothetically played "at their best"...
I am just saying, this ND team is under-rated. People are looking past them. They are playing very good basketball and playing better defense. The ACC tourney win was no fluke, they won against really good teams. As Duke fans we say, we were not prepared .... But truth is, hey we got beat.
But we need to give them credit. Like Shicasu says, KY has never played against a team that can score the basketball in so many different ways. I think they can pull defenders out and make space inside. Also, ND can score from the free throw line.
I really think this is an intriguing matchup.
But we need to give them credit. Like Shicasu says, KY has never played against a team that can score the basketball in so many different ways. I think they can pull defenders out and make space inside. Also, ND can score from the free throw line.
I really think this is an intriguing matchup.
Agreed. ND is a VERY good team and well coached. They are DANGEROUS from 3. Kentucky has had lapses where they can't score and rely heavily on their defense, which has worked very well for them. I think ND will be one of the toughest teams Kentucky has played in months, easily.
Notre Dame has to play well in segments to have a chance. UK is dangerous in that their defense creates so many opportunities for them that a 2-minute lapse can result in a 10-0 run.
If the Irish had one more big guy I'd like their chances much more. But I see UK just exerting their will/size on Notre Dame.
Arizona could beat them but I question whether or not they have the shooters you need to beat Kentucky. Wisconsin is an interesting matchup because the Badgers seldom beat themselves, if ever. Gonzaga has the size to keep up and some of those bigs can float on the perimeter to get UK lost of defense sometimes. Duke has the best big man in the country and a host of shooters.
I actually like Notre Dame, Duke, Gonzaga, and Wisconsin to have the best chances....albeit not great chances. Arizona, IMO, is a notch below that. The 3-ball is the equalizer against this UK team to have a chance.
If the Irish had one more big guy I'd like their chances much more. But I see UK just exerting their will/size on Notre Dame.
Arizona could beat them but I question whether or not they have the shooters you need to beat Kentucky. Wisconsin is an interesting matchup because the Badgers seldom beat themselves, if ever. Gonzaga has the size to keep up and some of those bigs can float on the perimeter to get UK lost of defense sometimes. Duke has the best big man in the country and a host of shooters.
I actually like Notre Dame, Duke, Gonzaga, and Wisconsin to have the best chances....albeit not great chances. Arizona, IMO, is a notch below that. The 3-ball is the equalizer against this UK team to have a chance.
Because UK's best is better than everyone else's. They just doubled up a team in the sweet 16 with the potential #1 pick in the draft playing a total of 13 minutes and scoring all of 1 point, combined with the team shooting just 26% from 3. Obviously, WVU isn't as good as the teams you listed, so the score may not be as lopsided (unless you're Kansas), but the principle remains.
The teams you listed are certainly capable of beating UK, just not when the cats are playing at their best. Now, if outside shots just aren't falling, turnovers get out of hand, crazy foul trouble, or if UK only shows up with their "C" or "B" game, those teams could definitely win, some maybe by double digits even.
I don't know what the odds are that ND can beat UK, but you only have to do it once, so it doesn't matter. ND can flat out shoot the ball from the 3, and that is what is going to be required to beat the Wildcats. Kentucky hasn't had to play a really close game in a long time, and if the Irish can stay within striking distance it could get interesting.
OFC
This post was edited on 3/27 12:14 PM by OldasdirtDevil
OFC
This post was edited on 3/27 12:14 PM by OldasdirtDevil
I don't think anyone is really arguing that UK is extremely difficult to beat when they are playing at their best or that their best is better than anyone else right now based on the talent on that roster. However, any team not playing their best is not always a result of that team beating itself. Often, the team they are playing has a hand in it by presenting something that hasn't been experienced before.
As much as I hate to say it, UK is the best team in the country. They did a nice job against a WVU team that cannot score points. In their first 2 games of the tournament, all of the announcers made it clear that WVU thrived on mayhem and wanted to create a sloppy game and get second chance points. I think what should be considered is that WVU missed a number of wide open looks that better offensive teams will not miss, particularly an excellent shooting team like ND. Even a team like Arkansas that UNCheat barely beat, gave UK problems. Not all of those problems were caused by UK just not showing up.
The only thing the posters here are trying to say is that as we get deeper into the tournament, UK will see teams and styles they didn't see in the regular season or post season to this point. ND would hit those shots that WVU missed. Wisconsin has the size, shooting, and discipline/leadership to take it to UK. Duke has the talent and shooting to take it to them.
So yes, a 39 point win in the Sweet 16 is a big deal. But that was not a team that could score like the ones you will face moving forward. Therefore, it is quite possible that UK goes down simply because they do not have any experience with what they are facing from this point on.
I wouldn't exactly say Arkansas gave UK problems, considering that in both games (first @ UK, second @ SEC tournament championship), UK had a 31 and 26 point lead respectively.
A lot of talk about what ND does good (the 3 point shot), but realize that UK is the 3rd ranked 3PT% defense in the country.
The defense is long enough to extend to the perimeter and defend well, the guards tend to funnel the ball handlers into shot blockers. Cal said last night immediately after the game about how ND has been shooting the lights out, and also said "We're not going to let them beat us by throwing up 3 pointers all night, we're going to make them play basketball.", and anything within 15 feet is unfavorable to ND, where a lot of basketball has to be played.
Fair enough. Frankly, I think UK wins. I mentioned earlier in this thread that I think your size will be too much. The only point I have is how many teams have you played where 4 of the 5 guys on the floor can regularly knock those shots down? I think that becomes the challenge. Duke hasn't really played a team with your front court so who knows how we would do.
That stat is not true, Kenpom has UNC 11, Vandy 20, Miss 22 and ark 23 in Oeff. Yes ND is going to be the best O team they faced all year but to say UK hasn't played any decent O teams is not true
On the flip side ND has 5 games against teams ranked in the top 30 in deff by kenpom, 2 they lost to vir and syr, beat GT x 2and Ul. the def teams they beat ul is 75 in O and Gt is 221 UK is ranked 6th in Oeff
ND might score on UK but it won't be as much as they are use to nor need to. But I don't see how they stop UK from scoing and thats why the cats win.
Lol the UK coming to the Duke board to offset their inferiority complex.....makes me laugh every time.
Yes Uk let some teams hang around to long, but some were road cof games or back to back road games,. That is why no one has gone 40-0 not cause the tourney but because over looking opp. As duke you know the team of 18-20 yr olds slack off when playing a bottom feeder. The other teams are all playing like its their last game. You guys seen it this year with miami. No way miami is 20 points better then duke any where much less at duke.
This is tourney time UK is not going to look past or over look ND
Kenpom has been all over the place. I'd like to see where those teams, especially UNC, was ranked in kenpom when Kentucky actually played them. For example, UNC is playing FAR better than when you guys played in December...
Kenpom is a fun site to look at but not any sort of authority on who wins what matchups. Duke beat Wisconsin, the best Oeff team in the nation at their house. They also beat UVA, the second best Deff team in the nation, on their home court. Duke beat ND by 30 points this year... Do you think that had any bearing on their matchup in the ACC tourney? Nope. My point is this... Kenpom is fun to look at, but it's not the absolute authority of rankings, nor is the BPI. Hell, Ken has Duke ranked #6 even after beating two teams ahead of them on their home court...
I don't think any reasonable Kentucky fan can sit back and say they've played a hard schedule. You guys beat Kansas at the beginning of the season and same with UNC... I wouldn't dare say us beating MSU earlier this year would be as impressive as beating them right now. And just to preempt the obvious, yes you can only play who is on your schedule. We are just simply saying Kentucky hasn't been tested and that's largely due to the weak conference they are in. Hell, I still can't believe Duke beat this ND team by 30 points... The basketball season is CRAZY.
Kenpom is a fun site to look at but not any sort of authority on who wins what matchups. Duke beat Wisconsin, the best Oeff team in the nation at their house. They also beat UVA, the second best Deff team in the nation, on their home court. Duke beat ND by 30 points this year... Do you think that had any bearing on their matchup in the ACC tourney? Nope. My point is this... Kenpom is fun to look at, but it's not the absolute authority of rankings, nor is the BPI. Hell, Ken has Duke ranked #6 even after beating two teams ahead of them on their home court...
I don't think any reasonable Kentucky fan can sit back and say they've played a hard schedule. You guys beat Kansas at the beginning of the season and same with UNC... I wouldn't dare say us beating MSU earlier this year would be as impressive as beating them right now. And just to preempt the obvious, yes you can only play who is on your schedule. We are just simply saying Kentucky hasn't been tested and that's largely due to the weak conference they are in. Hell, I still can't believe Duke beat this ND team by 30 points... The basketball season is CRAZY.
UK played 11 NCAA tournament teams in the regular season. The idea that they've been untested is laughable. The SEC isn't the strongest, but it certainly isn't weak.
Kentucky is beatable, but not when they play like they are playing right now. And it pains me to say that. I think ND will have to shoot lights out and Kentucky will have to be off their game in order to see them go down tomorrow night. I certainly hope it happens. But I doubt it.
True, but 7 of those 11 opponents were seeded at #6 or lower (five at #10 or lower). Not exactly the cream of the crop.
UK played no #1 seeds, a weak #2 seed (Kansas), and no #3 seeds.
The remaining opponents - UNC (#4), Louisville (#4), and Arkansas (#5) - are good teams, but had virtually no chance of winning the tourney coming in. Heck, Arkansas lost to Clemson this year.
Bottom line. There are only a handful of teams with a realistic shot at winning and UK has not played any of them yet.
If Kentucky plays its best, odds are none will beat them, but if they play like the did against Florida, Lsu, Georgia, or Mississippi, they can lose to Notre Dame, Wisconsin, or Duke. Not sure Arizona, Michigan State or Gonzaga have the makeup to beat them.