Love this quote by Julius:

 

“I don’t really look at it as pressure. I know that I have great teammates and they have my back out there. So I’m really not even worried about it,” Randle, one of only three players nationally to average a double-double (15.1 points, 10.6 rebounds per game) said of the pressure. “Like Coach always says, don’t worry about winning or losing, just go out there and play. And just seeing us getting better each game is encouraging in itself. I know that I have teammates, that when a challenge presents itself we will rise to the challenge.”

 

Julius Randle never worried about pressure because ?I have great teammates that have my back? | vaughtsviews

I would just accept, this game will take years off my life. Couple that with the final four in 2012 and my life expectancy is dropping like a rock.

 

That's exactly how I was on Sunday vs. Wichita. I got through the 2012 Final Four game with a steady amount of beer in my right hand and I'm going to do the same Friday. Keeps the nerves down haha!

Perhaps so. I think its pathetic for the defending champion to go into a game against their much lower ranked rival with that line of thinking. I'm sure the players don't, but its a crutch being used by the fans IMO.

 

Pitino saying Manhattan was an unfair and bad matchup is pathetic.

 

As for how I'd feel if you were confident Louisville was better at every position, I'd understand that a whole lot more. The most underseeded team in the bracket that arguably could have been a 1 seed suddenly can't matchup with an underachieving, inexperienced 8 seed?

 

I obviously can't make you understand match ups, so continuing this discussion with you is pointless.

 

You really can't win with UK fans. Some of you are literally impossible to satisfy. Don't even know why I try.

As for how I'd feel if you were confident Louisville was better at every position, I'd understand that a whole lot more. The most underseeded team in the bracket that arguably could have been a 1 seed suddenly can't matchup with an underachieving, inexperienced 8 seed?

 

You don't get to play the underachieving card anymore. That was fine two weeks ago, but UK just knocked off an undefeated No 1 seed that was also in the Final Four last year with essentially the same team.

You don't get to play the underachieving card anymore. That was fine two weeks ago, but UK just knocked off an undefeated No 1 seed that was also in the Final Four last year with essentially the same team.

 

Yes they can. They get to play whatever card they want to to try and make a point. As Louisville fans, we can't point out where UK is better than Louisville, that's a crutch. But they can talk about how good Louisville is now, and after the game they'll be talking about how UK had too much size, the Twins were too good, or some other usual commentary as to why the Cats won.

Does this feel like the longest work week yet for anyone else?

Deuce and Getslow, I don't think you guys are sandbagging at all. Had Kentucky played the last 2-3 weeks of the regular season as they have in the SEC and NCAA tourneys, we would all be having a very different conversation and these two teams probably wouldn't have met until later in the tournament.

 

I agree with you that UL doesn't matchup great with UK, but what do you think odds makers are seeing for it to be a 5 point spread? That seems pretty high, especially for a neutral court rivalry game. Seems like they are thinking the Cats can't sustain their level of play? UL's defensive pressure going to get to the Young Cats to much maybe. I don't know. Anything over 2.5 just seems high to me, but I'm not an odds maker.

Deuce and Getslow, I don't think you guys are sandbagging at all. Had Kentucky played the last 2-3 weeks of the regular season as they have in the SEC and NCAA tourneys, we would all be having a very different conversation and these two teams probably wouldn't have met until later in the tournament.

 

I agree with you that UL doesn't matchup great with UK, but what do you think odds makers are seeing for it to be a 5 point spread? That seems pretty high, especially for a neutral court rivalry game. Seems like they are thinking the Cats can't sustain their level of play? UL's defensive pressure going to get to the Young Cats to much maybe. I don't know. Anything over 2.5 just seems high to me, but I'm not an odds maker.

 

I was shocked when I saw the five point spread...

He can't he is too short!!

 

Jones had 18 against the cats last time they played. All eyes will be on Louisville's big 3. Jones will have open jumpers all night if he and Rosier can knock em down they will have a good shot at wining.

Regardless of the advantage UK has in size and depth, the one thing that UL brings to the table that has been a killer for the Cats most all of the year is Russ Smith. He can blow by the Harrisons and Young on speed. So can Jones. That creates a lot of open looks and foul problems for UK. Hope I'm wrong but I can't understand why someone hasn't discussed this part of the matchup. Can UL fans agree that they have speed that can blow by KY guards? (Hickey anyone?)

So because it's the sweet 16 match ups don't matter? I don't buy that for 1 second. That's a HUGE part of this game.

Regardless of the advantage UK has in size and depth, the one thing that UL brings to the table that has been a killer for the Cats most all of the year is Russ Smith. He can blow by the Harrisons and Young on speed. So can Jones. That creates a lot of open looks and foul problems for UK. Hope I'm wrong but I can't understand why someone hasn't discussed this part of the matchup. Can UL fans agree that they have speed that can blow by KY guards? (Hickey anyone?)

 

No question, on the flip side the Harrison's have a big size advantage and should be able to muscle their way into the lane.

No question, on the flip side the Harrison's have a big size advantage and should be able to muscle their way into the lane.

 

Exactly. Russ and Chris are much quicker, but the Twins and Young are longer. That's why I think the guard positions even themselves out.

Exactly. Russ and Chris are much quicker, but the Twins and Young are longer. That's why I think the guard positions even themselves out.

I somewhat agree, Russ could easily go off and give UL the advantage.

I somewhat agree, Russ could easily go off and give UL the advantage.

 

He could, I agree with that. Russ likes to press in games like this, that's what I fear.