This game reminded me of when UK and WVU played in the Sweet 16 in 2015. WVU played an up tempo style which played right into UK's hands. Jim Calhoun was analyzing the game at half time (WVU was down about 97 points), and he was explaining that the last thing you want to do going into a game is allow superior skilled athletes the ability to get out and run where they can put their full talents to use. WVU had no shot, nor did the U last night. UK got hot from deep for a stretch in the second half to make it a blowout, but they were dominating the game well before then by getting out in transition and easily waltzing by the Miami players. That was poor strategy on Larranaga's part.

Sheppard has obviously been the team MVP thus far, so need to rehash that.

- Edwards you can tell is slowly starting to "figure it out." I believe he can operate in the mid-range and be a versatile three level scorer the more he evolves. You can see why he is rated as high as he is. Time will tell if he can put it all together.

- Wagner is building confidence each game. He can't be stopped getting to the rim. His "injury" didn't look serious, but what do I know?

- Dillingham can light it up. But I've been more impressed with his decision making and distribution of the basketball. He is at 40 assists (leads the team, easily) to only 9 turnovers on the season.

We can talk about the three 7 footers all we want, but we know this comes down to Bradshaw (UK's top recruit) sliding into the rotation and Cal can throw out a "Death Lineup" of 4 elite guards and Bradshaw. It'll be interesting to see if a front court of Bradshaw with Thiero and Mitchell splitting time being enough. I worry Thiero will get the shaft, but he does bring that energy UK needs.

31 minutes ago, bugatti said:

I like him coming off the bench.

Me too. I love what he brings in after about 4-5 minutes of the game starting. He plays a ton of minutes and in the game when it matters most. 

If Bradshaw is still out next game, I think they maybe start Dillingham in Wagner's absence, assuming he'll be out.

3 hours ago, PurplePride92 said:

Could be a good thing or a bad thing. 

They do play your favorite team the Tar Heels on Saturday, Dec. 16th. ?

1 hour ago, bugatti said:

This game reminded me of when UK and WVU played in the Sweet 16 in 2015. WVU played an up tempo style which played right into UK's hands. Jim Calhoun was analyzing the game at half time (WVU was down about 97 points), and he was explaining that the last thing you want to do going into a game is allow superior skilled athletes the ability to get out and run where they can put their full talents to use. WVU had no shot, nor did the U last night. UK got hot from deep for a stretch in the second half to make it a blowout, but they were dominating the game well before then by getting out in transition and easily waltzing by the Miami players. That was poor strategy on Larranaga's part.

I get why most would view it as poor strategy but when you look at the numbers, that's exactly who Miami is.   Prior to last nights game, Miami was shooting fg over 50%, 3pt over 45% and free throws over 80%.  They aren't deep, and they aren't big.  On paper, the two teams play very similar and match up well.  Kentucky is just better over all and it showed on the court.  

1 hour ago, bugatti said:

Were people saying this? You could tell 2 minutes into the last year's all star games he was an elite player. I do think some had concerns he wouldn't get as much PT with the depth of guard talent UK has. But to Cal's credit, he's dispersed the minutes well with the backcourt (with the exception of Reeves), and Sheppard is part of the core he trusts. I like him coming off the bench.

I knew he could play.  But I had no idea he would be able to contribute this quickly.  And I certainly had no idea that he would be the best player on the team through seven games.

15 minutes ago, sportsfan41 said:

I get why most would view it as poor strategy but when you look at the numbers, that's exactly who Miami is.   Prior to last nights game, Miami was shooting fg over 50%, 3pt over 45% and free throws over 80%.  They aren't deep, and they aren't big.  On paper, the two teams play very similar and match up well.  Kentucky is just better over all and it showed on the court.  

I get it, that is who they are. Just like that is who WVU was and you can't just stop being who you are, especially this early in the season.

Just now, Randy Parker said:

I knew he could play.  But I had no idea he would be able to contribute this quickly.  And I certainly had no idea that he would be the best player on the team through seven games.

And that's fair. Not sure anyone thought that.

1 hour ago, bugatti said:

We can talk about the three 7 footers all we want, but we know this comes down to Bradshaw (UK's top recruit) sliding into the rotation and Cal can throw out a "Death Lineup" of 4 elite guards and Bradshaw. It'll be interesting to see if a front court of Bradshaw with Thiero and Mitchell splitting time being enough. I worry Thiero will get the shaft, but he does bring that energy UK needs.

I am still being stubborn and thinking Bradshaw will never play, but I have thought about what things will look like if he does.

I agree with your assessment of how Cal has handled the backcourt.  I feel like he should be able to do the same with the frontcourt.  Share minutes among the quartet of Edwards, Mitchell, Thiero, & Edwards.  I just wonder if that's how he would approach it.  A backcourt quartet of Wagner, Reeves, Sheppard, & Dillingham; plus the frontcourt quartet of Edwards, Mitchell, Thiero, & Bradshaw.

I feel like Mitchell's minutes would get reduced some.  He's leading the team right now at 34 mpg.  Reeves is the only other player averaging over 30 mpg (32 mpg).  But like you, I think Thiero's would probably get dropped some too.  

Most fun I have had watching a UK game in a number of years.  I hope they can keep up the exciting brand.  I hope that Cal learned a little last night in the last 5 minutes of the game.  He slowed them down and went into his "4 minute offense" and they didn't handle it well.

That has been Cal's MO for a while when he has the lead late in games...I don't think he can do that with this group!

8 man rotation coming with 4 shooters, stretch big and 3 slashers will allow them to play a number of ways IMO.

27 minutes ago, Randy Parker said:

I am still being stubborn and thinking Bradshaw will never play, but I have thought about what things will look like if he does.

I agree with your assessment of how Cal has handled the backcourt.  I feel like he should be able to do the same with the frontcourt.  Share minutes among the quartet of Edwards, Mitchell, Thiero, & Edwards.  I just wonder if that's how he would approach it.  A backcourt quartet of Wagner, Reeves, Sheppard, & Dillingham; plus the frontcourt quartet of Edwards, Mitchell, Thiero, & Bradshaw.

I feel like Mitchell's minutes would get reduced some.  He's leading the team right now at 34 mpg.  Reeves is the only other player averaging over 30 mpg (32 mpg).  But like you, I think Thiero's would probably get dropped some too.  

Like you I'm assuming Bradshaw will not play until I see it. However, Cal stated a couple days ago he hopes to play him Saturday, but at worst the Saturday afterwards. I'm expecting a Myles Turner type player, but not basing that off anything except he is a tall dude that can shoot.

2 hours ago, bugatti said:

Sheppard has obviously been the team MVP thus far, so need to rehash that.

- Edwards you can tell is slowly starting to "figure it out." I believe he can operate in the mid-range and be a versatile three level scorer the more he evolves. You can see why he is rated as high as he is. Time will tell if he can put it all together.

- Wagner is building confidence each game. He can't be stopped getting to the rim. His "injury" didn't look serious, but what do I know?

- Dillingham can light it up. But I've been more impressed with his decision making and distribution of the basketball. He is at 40 assists (leads the team, easily) to only 9 turnovers on the season.

We can talk about the three 7 footers all we want, but we know this comes down to Bradshaw (UK's top recruit) sliding into the rotation and Cal can throw out a "Death Lineup" of 4 elite guards and Bradshaw. It'll be interesting to see if a front court of Bradshaw with Thiero and Mitchell splitting time being enough. I worry Thiero will get the shaft, but he does bring that energy UK needs.

I'm thinking that Thiero is the most likely to lose some minutes when Bradshaw comes back.  Edward's has continued to show improvement on the perimeter, driving to the basket and even that nice out back dunk he had last night coming from the opposite side of the court.  It may not happen immediately but I think over time, Thiero becomes a very reliable sub, perhaps another spark off the bench even with his athleticism and energy.  

There are 200 available minutes in a college basketball game.  If they have 8 dudes that is 25 minutes per game...keep them fresh...challenge them to play as hard as they can when they are on the floor knowing they will get plenty of rest.  Go with the hot hands the last 5 minutes of the game on any given night!

3 hours ago, bugatti said:

Dillingham can light it up. But I've been more impressed with his decision making and distribution of the basketball. He is at 40 assists (leads the team, easily) to only 9 turnovers on the season.

Yes, Sheppard was great but the stat line that caught my eye...

Dillingham 9 assists, 0 turnovers 

That is beyond elite level numbers.

2 hours ago, bugatti said:

Like you I'm assuming Bradshaw will not play until I see it. However, Cal stated a couple days ago he hopes to play him Saturday, but at worst the Saturday afterwards. I'm expecting a Myles Turner type player, but not basing that off anything except he is a tall dude that can shoot.

I didn't know Cal had said that.  Still, I'm sticking to my guns.