Final. The Cats were just outmanned and out talented tonight and shot bad and that gets you beat by 29. Get rested and healed up and get ready for the NCAA Tournament next week.

They did say that Butler would be back for the dance. 

The Cats just shot terrible and would have had to shoot lights out to even have a shot. The Cats were only 21-56 for 37.5% and 5-19 for 26.3% from 3, and were only 23-35 for 65.7% from the foul line.

36 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

Get rested and healed up and get ready for the NCAA Tournament next week.

I watched with a buddy, this was our takeaway. 

Ok this game is over and done with. Now let’s get healthy and go win 6 straight games! Go Cats! 

2 hours ago, futurecoach said:

Ok this game is over and done with. Now let’s get healthy and go win 6 straight games! Go Cats! 

I love your optimism.  But winning 2 games would have to be viewed as a success, anything beyond that would be extraordinary.  They've had a great season, especially given the amount of time Pope had to assemble a team, and the injuries that they have suffered.  I'm not going to be disappointed if they can get out of the first round.  

Tournament time means Madness everywhere!! I’m ready!!

8 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

The Cats just shot terrible and would have had to shoot lights out to even have a shot. The Cats were only 21-56 for 37.5% and 5-19 for 26.3% from 3, and were only 23-35 for 65.7% from the foul line.

Shot terrible in large part because they took bad shots. Alabama is not good on defense. The Cats needed to work harder on offense. What Bama did to UK is what the Cats need to put into action. 

1. Push the ball more after a rebound and bust your butt to get an open look early in the shot clock.

2. If you don't get the early open look, run the offense to the end of the shot clock or until you get an open look. 

UK also needs more inside out in the offense. They run their offense outside the 3 point line then take a shot off one drive if they get to that point. Try to get inside and kick it back out, then restart and do it again till you get the good shot. The big problem with this is Butler is the only player good at this. I also want the two bigs playing together and more high low look. Our bigs, including Garrison, have the best shooting percentages on the team. Instead of 5 man out, put one of the bigs in the low post.

Finally, I want more minutes for Noah.

2 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

1. Push the ball more after a rebound and bust your butt to get an open look early in the shot clock.

I’ve complained about this all year. Kentucky lacks athleticism and doesn’t defend well. Therefore, every point matters. They should push it every single time but too often during league play they just haven’t. 

12 hours ago, mcpapa said:

They did say that Butler would be back for the dance. 

Guys the pain from this injury is debilitating.  Been there, done that.  It is near heroic seeing Butler trying to go for his team knowing that the slightest bump, extension above shoulder level, etc. is going to be excruciating.

29 minutes ago, Oldercoach said:

Guys the pain from this injury is debilitating.  Been there, done that.  It is near heroic seeing Butler trying to go for his team knowing that the slightest bump, extension above shoulder level, etc. is going to be excruciating.

Have they ever said what his shoulder injury is?

4 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

Finally, I want more minutes for Noah.

I want fewer/zero stupid, LAZY passes.

And the solution to that is better focus and concentration.

Also, I believe that these guys picture themselves as better dribbler/ball handlers than they really are.

11 hours ago, Carl Spackler said:

I love your optimism.  But winning 2 games would have to be viewed as a success, anything beyond that would be extraordinary.  They've had a great season, especially given the amount of time Pope had to assemble a team, and the injuries that they have suffered.  I'm not going to be disappointed if they can get out of the first round.  

I have never liked that argument when people say in the amount of time he had to assemble a team. With how college is now with the transfer portal. Almost every single roster is getting flipped every year. It’s very hard to keep a roster together, but on the flip side it is also a lot easier to put a roster together even after a coaching change. 
 

As for the tournament it all depends on Butler IMO. If Butler plays, then I think this team is still the same team we saw all year. Meaning it wouldn’t be a surprise if they lose in the first weekend, but also not a surprise if they make a run. They have shown this year they can win or lose to anyone. Now if Butler doesn’t play then I would say anything past a sweet 16 would be a huge surprise. 

2 hours ago, Bluto said:

I want fewer/zero stupid, LAZY passes.

And the solution to that is better focus and concentration.

Agree with this and that is why I want more minutes for Noah.

The worst on the team for this is Williams. (Obviously Noah isn't getting Williams minutes, just commenting on the unforced turnovers)