Final a very good 2nd half for the Cats to get the win. What a night by Oscar 37 points and 24 rebounds.

37 & 24 for Oscar.  He and Toppin owned the glass.

Good stuff from Wallace and Reeves, in addition to those two.

Good win. Also good job Cal with making the adjustments needed with the lineup. 

Cason Wallace is a defensive dynamo. I love watching him play defense.

Glad they took care of business.

7 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

Good win. Also good job Cal with making the adjustments needed with the lineup. 

I really didn't think Cal would do what had to be done with Wheeler, but he has. I think Wheeler can work his way into 10 minutes or so a game and help the team. But if he goes in and does wat he did tonight, he will get the Dontaie Allen treatment and come right back to his bench seat before it even cools down. Tonight he goes in and first offensive possession turns it over; and then on the defensive end can't stay in front of his man and gives up a layup - back to the bench.

3 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

I really didn't think Cal would do what had to be done with Wheeler, but he has. I think Wheeler can work his way into 10 minutes or so a game and help the team. But if he goes in and does wat he did tonight, he will get the Dontaie Allen treatment and come right back to his bench seat before it even cools down. Tonight he goes in and first offensive possession turns it over; and then on the defensive end can't stay in front of his man and gives up a layup - back to the bench.

I still think he can be a valuable contributor. He can bring some valuable energy to the game when needed off the bench. However, he is going to have to learn how to play the way the team needs him to play and be under control. Or else as you said, he will find himself right back on the bench watching unless there is foul trouble.

I still personally wouldn’t mind seeing Cal go small at times and move Livingston to the 4 when Toppin is out. Wallace, Fredrick, Reeves, Livingston, Oscar could be a fun lineup and just present a different look at times. 

10 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

I really didn't think Cal would do what had to be done with Wheeler, but he has. I think Wheeler can work his way into 10 minutes or so a game and help the team. But if he goes in and does wat he did tonight, he will get the Dontaie Allen treatment and come right back to his bench seat before it even cools down. Tonight he goes in and first offensive possession turns it over; and then on the defensive end can't stay in front of his man and gives up a layup - back to the bench.

I feel bad for the guy. In the minutes he was in last night, he was attempting to bring energy. I honestly think he tries, and if you are looking at numbers alone (Asst/Turnovers), you would think he is tearing it up. But it does not pass the eye test, and it is undeniable how less efficient UK looks on both ends of the court with him in there. Dykes called it out last night when Wheeler had a helpless drive and throws up a floater, and he stated it was a turnover despite it going down as a missed shot. That has been my point for some time. Just because his numbers do not register as a turnover, they are de facto turnovers.

We will see where it goes, but that is not an easy coaching decision. It takes guts.

UK went short-bench-apalooza last night, and I think it is where they plan to be the remainder of the season.

And while there are some positive vibes going, I remain skeptical. Let's get to the KU game on a mini-win streak and then we can talk.

8 minutes ago, bugatti said:

And while there are some positive vibes going, I remain skeptical. Let's get to the KU game on a mini-win streak and then we can talk.

This season has been so weird. Literally around this time last year UK was one of the best teams in the country and then even put it to Kansas and beat down UNC also last year. Which I don’t think last years team was better at least player wise. Last year they Wheeler, Washington, Grady, Brooks, Oscar and then players like Toppin and Ware off the bench. So player for player, I think this year is a better more complete team. So it’s just been so weird seeing them struggle like they have overall this season. 
 

With that said last year teams obviously peaked too soon and faded down the stretch. So at least I don’t think we have to worry about peaking to soon this year. 

5 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

This season has been so weird. Literally around this time last year UK was one of the best teams in the country and then even put it to Kansas and beat down UNC also last year. Which I don’t think last years team was better at least player wise. Last year they Wheeler, Washington, Grady, Brooks, Oscar and then players like Toppin and Ware off the bench. So player for player, I think this year is a better more complete team. So it’s just been so weird seeing them struggle like they have overall this season. 
 

With that said last year teams obviously peaked too soon and faded down the stretch. So at least I don’t think we have to worry about peaking to soon this year. 

I believe this is something people are missing. It is not as if UK is on a different plane talent wise, it just hasn't melded that well. I still believe last year's downfall was the injury bug, but that is for another thread. Point being, there is still time to make something of this season.

If Wallace plays like he did in the second half this team can achieve what was expected at the beginning of the season.

Reeves is starting to gain confidence and now we need CJ to consistently knock down open shots.

 

The player not being talked about who can be a difference maker the rest of the year is Livingston. He is getting better by the game. Playing very good defensively, playing hard and aggressive, getting better on offense.

This team is not out of the woods yet.

3 hours ago, bugatti said:

And while there are some positive vibes going, I remain skeptical. Let's get to the KU game on a mini-win streak and then we can talk.

That's where I am. Are we going to see the second half Cats on a regular basis or the first half Cats?