Rate your confidence level now?

[JonathanW_rivals]

How would you rate your confidence level right now, about to head into the tournament (1-10 scale), compared to 96 and 12?

In 12, UNC was a legit threat (until they lost Marshall). In 96, there was UMass.
I would say, for me it is close in all 3, but I'd put them:
96 = 7.5 out of 10
12 = 7 out of 10
15 = 8 out of 10
No other season would I put my confidence level higher than a 3 or 4 over the past 30-something years.

 

[JumperJack]

7-8.

I still have nightmares about Wall's team. I'll be holding my breath the whole month.

 

[bigbluelou]

I'd probably go:

96 = 8 out of 10
12 = 7 out of 10
15 = 7 out of 10

I really think this team should win it all, but if they play a game like they did against GA or LSU in the Elite 8 or Final Four, they'll lose. Conversely, they've shown a resilience that is hard to measure. They also play much better the brighter the lights and bigger the stage. I'm just nervous, that's all.

 

[bluedog79]

96= 9.5
12 = 8.5
15 = 8.0

 

[hotelblue]

have to admit '96 was a take no prisoners feel. thought zero chance they don't win. '12 was close but not the same. this year our guys are making it happen. they're confident and i'm just enjoying the ride. we are clearly the best team. being undefeated is a bit different.

 

[UK’98UK’00]

Well, i am married, but if single I might say 5. I am well educated and employed, pretty well financially on target with retirement and college savings for my kids. I will be debt free at 55 ( mortgage, kids college, cars, boat paid off). Having said that, I would struggle to pick up a girl in a bar (bad move anyway). I have some of my patients mom's flirt with me and ask if I am single. But all that aside, I think it would be tough to make a push for a lady I like. Btw, I am happily married so I don't dwell on this subject.

 

[sonnyg333]

Love

1. Love how Andrew is taking over the team and doing the right things.....
2. Karl Towns is taking claim to the paint on both ends...

Hate

1. Dakari looked better last year at the basket....
2. Our defense looks less active as the season has gone on...fatigue can't be the reason when logging 19 to 20 minutes a game
3. If Willie shows, this moves to the love line and its all over.....

96 = 8 out of 10
12 = 7 out of 10
15 = ? part of me see's a 10, another see's a 5...

 

[Aike]

96 - 9.5
12 - 9.5
15 - 8.5

 

[jameslee32]

Infinity + infinity + 1

 

[ukfan79_rivals214498]

96 - 10
12 - 10
15 - 10

I thought going into the tourney in 1996 and 2012 that there was no way we would lose. I feel the same this season.

Now some other years:

10 - 8.5
03 - 7
98 - 4
97 - 6
14 - 1

 

[Jkwo_rivals113955]

96, 9
12, 8
15, 9

Carolina was just as good as we were in '12 before the injury. This year, no one is as good.

 

[KingOfBBN]

7

It's really hard for me to be super confident in a one and done tournament.

 

[UKCAT5FAN]

Originally posted by HeismanWildcat85:
7

It's really hard for me to be super confident in a one and done tournament.

EXACTLY! Best post I've read all day. While I take us as a choice if I were picking, single elimination can end things really quick. Even as good as we are this year, it is a guarantee by any stretch. I love our chances and I love this team. I am eager to see them start playing on neutral courts and in bigger arenas like early in the season to see if their defensive intensity and focus come back to preconference levels. I really believe that Marcus and even Dominique can raise the defensive level but I know Dom prolly won't even sniff the court now. I think JTS important that Dakari and Tyler get out of their funk and start playing better again. We need to be running on all cylinders again come tourney time. That would make me a lot more confident.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

This team is just too good defensively. Florida played about as well as they can play in the first half but UK zipped em up and held them to like only 20 pts in the 2nd half.

The emergence of Karl Towns and Lyles is huge.

We are just too deep for teams. As good as Duke is they play basically 7 guys.
We will run them ragged if we play with our depth esp at the guard position.

We have NBA size.

We have not one but two really good PG. foul trouble is never an issue for this team.

We have a great coach.

We have a dead eye shooter in Booker.

I think we win it all and go undefeated in the process.

I am as confident as ever and I have been keeping up with UK since '78.

Guys we are hands down the best team in the country and we will cut the nets down in Indy.

We are the essence of a great TEAM.

They said our leading scorer is avg a little over 11ppg and that you would have to go back to the 40s to find that at UK.
Team!

This post was edited on 3/8 12:54 AM by KWilt43atbuzz

This post was edited on 3/8 7:47 AM by KWilt43atbuzz

 

[How Blue Can You Get?]

96: 9.9. 12:9. 15:8.5...it should be noted thougj, I also would have given ricks last year a 9.

 

[Bratkartoffeln]

Confidence level less than 2012 because we are undefeated. I would probably say I feel more pressure than those great kids of ours. As such, I think about a 6.5. That number is likely to fluctuate more this year and definitely after we get into post-season play. We're not exactly playing our best basketball--very good, yes, but not our best. I would like to see us get games a little bit more under control early. In the 1996 NCAAT for example, we blitzed the competition until our semi-final game with UMass. In 2012, we were solid throughout. I hope these guys can do this but it appears there are some issues--like today--that may force us fans to strap in for some wild and nasty rides. Funny thing, I can see someone getting extra hot like we did last year. It could start as early as our round three game against the 8-9 seed. I don't want to be last year's Wichita State. This team should win it all, but we're going to need some better play that what we've seen recently and lots of luck.

 

[bluthruandthru]

96... 9
97... 8
98... 6
10... 8.5
11... 7.5
12... 9.998 after Vandy
13... 9 that we would lose our HOME game AWAY.
14... 4
15... 8.5 before the SEC tourney. Could change in any direction with any outcome.

 

[Jkwo_rivals113955]

Originally posted by BlueThruAndThru:
96... 9
97... 8
98... 6
10... 8.5
11... 7.5
12... 9.998 after Vandy
13... 9 that we would lose our HOME game AWAY.
14... 4
15... 8.5 before the SEC tourney. Could change in any direction with any outcome.

Do not understand this.

People continue insulting this team by putting them in the same category as 2010. There are only 2 modern UK teams that are worthy of discussing with this team - 96, to a slightly lesser extent 12.

Every time you sit here and watch a game with '15 where you say "these guys are just too inconsistent" or "they have too many close calls against weak teams", remember that it's 7 single digit wins out of 31 games, including a 17 point average margin vs ranked teams with 0 losses.

That's a better track record, and more consistent, than any other team than UK history.

'10 had a million of those close games - to crappy teams, too. Everyone looks back and sees 2 All stars and 2 more NBA starters and remembers that team to be better than it was.

Yes, it was our first team back as a relevant program, yes they were probably the best team that year (along with Kansas).

But if you're objective and go back and look at the numbers, they aren't worthy to discuss as a team with '15.

Hell, '10 had a much better roster on paper than '96 UK or '91 UNLV. Doesn't mean they were the better team.

 

[caneintally]

95- 6 out 10

96- 8 out of 10

97- 7 out of 10

98- 2 out of 10

99- 5 out of 10

03- 7 out of 10

04 -5 out of 10

10 - 7 out of 10

11- 4 out of 10

12 - 8 out of 10

14 - 2 out of 10

15- 9 out of 10

 

[YouKay]

 

[Jkwo_rivals113955]

Originally posted by TheBlueMax:
Confidence level less than 2012 because we are undefeated. I would probably say I feel more pressure thanthose great kids of ours. As such, I think about a 6.5. That number is likely to fluctuate more this year anddefinitely after we get into post-season play. We're not exactly playing our best basketball--very good,yes, but not our best. I would like to see us get games a little bit more under control early. In the1996 NCAAT for example, we blitzed the competition until our semi-final game with UMass. In 2012, we weresolid throughout. I hope these guys can do this but it appears there are some issues--like today--that mayforce us fans to strap in for some wild and nasty rides. Funny thing, I can see someone getting extra hot like wedid last year. It could start as early as our round three game against the 8-9 seed. I don't want to be last year'sWichita State. This team should win it all, but we're going to need some better play that what we've seen recentlyand lots of luck.

Again, I think this is revisionist history. the '12 team has the glow of Davis and national champions about them, but let's be objective here - here were '12s last few games going into the post season:


@Vandy by 6
Ole Miss by 15
@ MS ST by 9
Vandy by 9
Georgia by 30
@ (ranked 16) FL by 15

then in the SECT,

LSU by 11
FL by 3
Lost to Vandy by 7


Compare that to '15s last few games going in:


@TN by 18
Auburn by 35
@ MS ST by 18
(ranked 18) Ark by 17
@ GA by 8
FL by 17

And you know for a fact that you would be disappointed in their play if this team if they went on in the SECT to win by 11, then 3, then lose by 7.


People are having cherry-picked memories of past teams. Do these guys cruise sometimes? Yes, but they're also more clutch than any team we've had, and they're so good, that even cruising, no team except for '96 can compare with their win margin.



All those close games these guys have had? '12 had more. '10 had more.

 

[wildcatdonf]

I can't be putting numbers up, but my confidence in this team is pretty doggone high. I don't think any team can beat our team.

 

[Burly]

I say about a 6 or 7 on winning it all. Don't like the fact our #1 shot taker Aaron shoots such a poor percentage and that Dakari & WCS are basically turnovers with back to basket in the post.

If we really concentrate on getting the ball to the right people in the right positions I think I would feel a lot better

Every team has issues but obviously I play closer attention to ours.

 

[mkasten25]

Confident enough to spend $725 + fees on a ticket for April 6.

 

[Blueisbest]

In 96 it was a 9.5 out of 10
In 98 it was a 7 out of 10
In 12 it was a 9 out of 10
This year I would put it as a 9 out of 10

 

[Chuckinden]

I keep changing my mind. Some days I'm highly confident, other days I'm not. The offensive scheme, or lack thereof, concerns me the most.

 

[CatBallou252]

8....the close games we've played have prepared us for sudden death pressure.... UK runs the table!

 

[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

Originally posted by Chuckinden:
I keep changing my mind. Some days I'm highly confident, other days I'm not. The offensive scheme, or lack thereof, concerns me the most.

In other words, your confidence sky rockets when we blow a team out and dips after a close game...interesting!

 

[DCFseattle]

 

[UKWildcats#8]

I feel pretty confident. UK plays its best when the lights are bright...the lights won't be dim at all in the NCAA Tourney from the 16 seed to the end.

And on the 2012/2015 debate. 2012 had 11 games pre-NCAA Tourney decided by single digits, losing 2 of the 11 games. They had plenty of close tests, including 6 in SEC regular season play won by single digits. Coincidentally this year in the SEC regular season 2015 had 6 games decided by single digits in the SEC.

All three of the SEC Tourney games for 2012 were single digit wins and a loss of course...but this year's team has a lot more depth so hopefully they play better in the SEC Tourney.

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by Jkwo:

Originally posted by TheBlueMax:
Confidence level less than 2012 because we are undefeated. I would probably say I feel more pressure thanthose great kids of ours. As such, I think about a 6.5. That number is likely to fluctuate more this year anddefinitely after we get into post-season play. We're not exactly playing our best basketball--very good,yes, but not our best. I would like to see us get games a little bit more under control early. In the1996 NCAAT for example, we blitzed the competition until our semi-final game with UMass. In 2012, we weresolid throughout. I hope these guys can do this but it appears there are some issues--like today--that mayforce us fans to strap in for some wild and nasty rides. Funny thing, I can see someone getting extra hot like wedid last year. It could start as early as our round three game against the 8-9 seed. I don't want to be last year'sWichita State. This team should win it all, but we're going to need some better play that what we've seen recentlyand lots of luck.

Again, I think this is revisionist history. the '12 team has the glow of Davis and national champions about them, but let's be objective here - here were '12s last few games going into the post season:


@Vandy by 6
Ole Miss by 15
@ MS ST by 9
Vandy by 9
Georgia by 30
@ (ranked 16) FL by 15

then in the SECT,

LSU by 11
FL by 3
Lost to Vandy by 7


Compare that to '15s last few games going in:


@TN by 18
Auburn by 35
@ MS ST by 18
(ranked 18) Ark by 17
@ GA by 8
FL by 17

And you know for a fact that you would be disappointed in their play if this team if they went on in the SECT to win by 11, then 3, then lose by 7.


People are having cherry-picked memories of past teams. Do these guys cruise sometimes? Yes, but they're also more clutch than any team we've had, and they're so good, that even cruising, no team except for '96 can compare with their win margin.



All those close games these guys have had? '12 had more. '10 had more.

THANK YOU JKO. Yes total revisionist stuff by some . This team is better then 12 and 10 and i honestly don't know anyone could argue that with a straight face. The only UK team of the modern era there is debate for with this team is 96.

 

[UKCAT5FAN]

Originally posted by Jkwo:

Originally posted by BlueThruAndThru:
96... 9
97... 8
98... 6
10... 8.5
11... 7.5
12... 9.998 after Vandy
13... 9 that we would lose our HOME game AWAY.
14... 4
15... 8.5 before the SEC tourney. Could change in any direction with any outcome.

Do not understand this.

People continue insulting this team by putting them in the same category as 2010. There are only 2 modern UK teams that are worthy of discussing with this team - 96, to a slightly lesser extent 12.

Every time you sit here and watch a game with '15 where you say "these guys are just too inconsistent" or "they have too many close calls against weak teams", remember that it's 7 single digit wins out of 31 games, including a 17 point average margin vs ranked teams with 0 losses.

That's a better track record, and more consistent, than any other team than UK history.

'10 had a million of those close games - to crappy teams, too. Everyone looks back and sees 2 All stars and 2 more NBA starters and remembers that team to be better than it was.

Yes, it was our first team back as a relevant program, yes they were probably the best team that year (along with Kansas).

But if you're objective and go back and look at the numbers, they aren't worthy to discuss as a team with '15.

Hell, '10 had a much better roster on paper than '96 UK or '91 UNLV. Doesn't mean they were the better team.

I don't think 2010 had a much better roster on paper than either the 1996 UK team or the 1991 UNLV team. Do you remember who were on those teams? I definitely disagree with that statement. Don't get me wrong, the 2010 was really good but you're talking about 2 of the greatest teams in NCAA history with the 96' Cats and 91' Runnin' Rebels. Yeah, the 2010 Cats were good on and off paper but let's not get carried away.

 

[preacherfan]

Originally posted by wildcatdonf:
I can't be putting numbers up, but my confidence in this team is pretty doggone high. I don't think any team can beat our team.

Don, I can't put a number on it either but I also will be taking it ONE game at a time. I hope we get some early upsets in our region and get some relatively easy matchups before the FF.

Again, for me, it is ONE game at a time.

 

[Jkwo_rivals113955]

Originally posted by UKCATSFREAK:

Originally posted by Jkwo:

Originally posted by BlueThruAndThru:
96... 9
97... 8
98... 6
10... 8.5
11... 7.5
12... 9.998 after Vandy
13... 9 that we would lose our HOME game AWAY.
14... 4
15... 8.5 before the SEC tourney. Could change in any direction with any outcome.

Do not understand this.

People continue insulting this team by putting them in the same category as 2010. There are only 2 modern UK teams that are worthy of discussing with this team - 96, to a slightly lesser extent 12.

Every time you sit here and watch a game with '15 where you say "these guys are just too inconsistent" or "they have too many close calls against weak teams", remember that it's 7 single digit wins out of 31 games, including a 17 point average margin vs ranked teams with 0 losses.

That's a better track record, and more consistent, than any other team than UK history.

'10 had a million of those close games - to crappy teams, too. Everyone looks back and sees 2 All stars and 2 more NBA starters and remembers that team to be better than it was.

Yes, it was our first team back as a relevant program, yes they were probably the best team that year (along with Kansas).

But if you're objective and go back and look at the numbers, they aren't worthy to discuss as a team with '15.

Hell, '10 had a much better roster on paper than '96 UK or '91 UNLV. Doesn't mean they were the better team.

I don't think 2010 had a much better roster on paper than either the 1996 UK team or the 1991 UNLV team. Do you remember who were on those teams? I definitely disagree with that statement. Don't get me wrong, the 2010 was really good but you're talking about 2 of the greatest teams in NCAA history with the 96' Cats and 91' Runnin' Rebels. Yeah, the 2010 Cats were good on and off paper but let's not get carried away.

I do remember. My point is that people sit around with their hindsight, see Boogie and Wall as all stars, Bledsoe as borderline All Star, and Pat as an NBA starter, and they remember that team being better than it was in college.

I do remember those rosters. Grandmama and Tony Delk are not anywhere near as good of players as Boogie or Wall at their peak. I don't think you'd argue with that. The


I also don't think you'd argue with the point that UNLV and '96 UK were way, way, way, way better teams than '10 UK.

The point of my post was not to take shots at those old teams. They were plenty talented. I'm saying, if anything, the opposite - people see a college roster full of NBA stars and give those teams too much credit.


In terms of sheer talent, the squads go '10 > '12 > UNLV/'96/'15

In terms of quality of team, it's the exact opposite... UNLV/'96/'15 > '12 > '10


'96 is comparable to this team. '10 absolutely isn't. That's my only point.

 

[Dutycat]

I don't understand the scale.

I'd say we have about a 50/50 shot at winning it all...or if we played the tourney 10 times we would win 5 times. That is higher than any team in my lifetime. Is that a 5 for 50% or a 10 for best in 54 years?

I'm going to say 10 even though I think it is a 50/50 shot.

I have never been more confident of any team in any other year.

 

[kyjeff1]

It's far too easy to put numbers on past teams when you know what the outcome for those teams was.
Fact is we were all biting fingernails at this time in all of those seasons because we know it only takes one bad game and you're gone.
My confidence level in this team is a 9.5. I just think they have coasted in most of their SEC games until they truly feel challenged. We haven't seen that dominant defense show up very often in conference play but when it does (Arkansas) there is nobody that can hang with UK on a neutral floor.
I have to say Duke* scares me just because of their offensive firepower, Wisconsin and Virginia, WITH Anderson, scare me because of their deliberate styles of play and maybe Villanova because of the unknown with them and apparently we struggle with teams from that region but really if UK plays to their potential we destroy those teams.

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by kyjeff1:
It's far too easy to put numbers on past teams when you know what the outcome for those teams was.
Fact is we were all biting fingernails at this time in all of those seasons because we know it only takes one bad game and you're gone.
My confidence level in this team is a 9.5. I just think they have coasted in most of their SEC games until they truly feel challenged. We haven't seen that dominant defense show up very often in conference play but when it does (Arkansas) there is nobody that can hang with UK on a neutral floor.
I have to say Duke* scares me just because of their offensive firepower, Wisconsin and Virginia, WITH Anderson, scare me because of their deliberate styles of play and maybe Villanova because of the unknown with them and apparently we struggle with teams from that region but really if UK plays to their potential we destroy those teams.

I agree with all of this except the Duke part. they are just awful , i mean awful on D. WE would carve them up and stop them enough from downtown where it would be close game but in the last 5 minutes we would pull away sorta how we did against UL . Wisky and UVA ( when healthly and to a smaller degree Nova are the 3 teams who possibly could end our run but i doubt it happens as this team has that feel to it like 12 and 96 did. I never felt good about the Wall and Cousins team .

 

[rmattox]

Other than the Big Red Machine of the mid-70's, I never allow confidence in any team to be any higher than a 4 or 5. Too many variables can come into play.

 

[keefsopeng]

crazy that so many of you were that confident in 96. UMass was awesome in 96 and they had the best player on either team in Camby, I was scared to death that year because of them and Pitino's pension for choking in big games at UK. Lot of people seem to forget just what a choker Pitino was at UK. In 2012 confidence was a 10 after Kendall Marshall broke his hand, that UNC team was the only one with a chance. This year I'll say 8 because Duke and Wisconsin could play with us if we're off our game.

This post was edited on 3/8 6:57 PM by miracle7s

 

[Chuckinden]

Originally posted by JerseyCat84:

Originally posted by Chuckinden:
I keep changing my mind. Some days I'm highly confident, other days I'm not. The offensive scheme, or lack thereof, concerns me the most.

In other words, your confidence sky rockets when we blow a team out and dips after a close game...interesting!

Didn't say that at all. If we play like we did in some of the SEC games, we will lose to a good team. However, the team turned it on in the tourney last year where it counted and I'm hoping that's the case this year too. It's just you don't know until they play the games.

It takes some luck to win the championship. Lots of better teams have been beaten out in the tourney.

I'm just cautiously optimistic.