For all of UT's talent the previous two seasons (last year not as much), BCG's style worked great against UT. Remember the loss to UT was by only a point or so in Knoxville when UK was without Patterson and the Cats were left for dead. Coach Cal's teams historically have not matched up well with Pearl's teams. I believe Kentucky is the only team in the SEC Pearl has a losing record against.

 

They are 2-2 against them, only 1 game better than Gillispie was.

It wasn't Gillispie's coaching that caused Meeks to explode for 54 points, if not for that the records would be the same.

John Calipari has been to two NC games, and has had numerous deep runs in the tourney. Billy G has been to the tourney 4 times, only getting past the 2nd round once, and never past the Sweet 16. I'll take Cal's X's and O's over BCG's all day long.

 

:confused: I thought the appearance vs. Kansas was the only title game Cal has been in. The 1996 UMass team may have played UK a better game than Syracuse in the Final Four but it wasn't the National title game. :thumb:

Great recruiters often get slighted in the X's and O's category. I wasn't sure how good Calipari was in that regard prior to this season. We all know he's a great recruiter, but I've been very impressed with his coaching. I like Calipari better than Pearl in all aspects of coaching.

 

However, the reason I think UK will beat Tennessee is the same reason I've picked UK to win every other game this season. They have more talent than their opponent. In addition to that reason, I've added another after watching the first half of the season. Along with more talent, UK also has the best player on the court (John Wall) at the most important position (PG) in every game. Combine those two, and it doesn't make them unbeatable by any means, but it does mean that I can't pick them to lose. :idunno:

X's and O's are overrated. Some coaches try to do too much. Basketball isn't that complicated of a sport.

 

:thumb:

 

Part of being a good coach, IMO, is knowing when to "coach" and when to step back and let your players play.

UT will use that silly press against us. We have John Wall, who is unpressable. Bledsoe is also faster then any player on UT's roster. We will have no problem pounding the life out of them, because we have WAY more talent. Sometimes that's just the way it is.

UK needs to just focus on the theory on beating Florida.

:confused: I thought the appearance vs. Kansas was the only title game Cal has been in. The 1996 UMass team may have played UK a better game than Syracuse in the Final Four but it wasn't the National title game. :thumb:

 

You're right, I don't know why I got that mixed up. :thumb: I guess I was already counting this year :lol:

I like some of the responses.

 

Yes, I do think that x's and o's are overrated.

 

The point I just get tired of hearing is that Kentucky will beat Tennessee worse this season than they did the last, and I simply don't think that is the case. Sure, Calipari hasn't had this kind of talent in the past, but has been more talented than the Cats for several seasons and has still struggled against Pearl.

 

Consequently, I do not think Pearl is a good x's and o's coach either. I'm not labeling him better than Calipari, just pointing out their recenty history head-to-head.

I think we beat Tennessee twice because I equate Bruce Pearl as being the Hal Mumme of Division I basketball. All flash and dash, but, no substance. Everything is gimmicky.

:thumb:

 

Part of being a good coach, IMO, is knowing when to "coach" and when to step back and let your players play.

 

:thumb:

 

The timeout call by Cal to set up the Wall ally-oop after Florida made a big run is a great example.

:thumb:

 

The timeout call by Cal to set up the Wall ally-oop after Florida made a big run is a great example.

 

^ Yep, and the out of bounds play to Patterson low on the block when it was tied. :thumb:

I like some of the responses.

 

Yes, I do think that x's and o's are overrated.

 

The point I just get tired of hearing is that Kentucky will beat Tennessee worse this season than they did the last, and I simply don't think that is the case. Sure, Calipari hasn't had this kind of talent in the past, but has been more talented than the Cats for several seasons and has still struggled against Pearl.

 

Consequently, I do not think Pearl is a good x's and o's coach either. I'm not labeling him better than Calipari, just pointing out their recenty history head-to-head.

 

I understand what you are saying, and if it weren't for those 4 guys getting suspended then I think you would even have more of a point. However Pearl in the two wins he had, also had really talented teams. This year now with the suspensions, he doesn't have the most talented team. They probably played the best game they will play all year against Kansas, while Kansas probably didn't come close to their best game. UT will be having to play walk-ons against UK this year. Pearl hasn't had to do that in the past against Calipari. Pearl has had some success, but he also had more talented teams than he does this year.

Where is Calipari better at Gillispie in the x's and o's category? Gillispie was stubborn, I will say that.

 

Consequently, I am not talking about post-attrition for Tennessee, but prior.

 

Where has Billy G shown that he is better than Coach Cal? Billy G definitely hasn't shown anything, to support that he is better than coach Cal when it comes to x's and o's. One thing we talked about when Billy G was here, and most people agreed with. Was Billy G, was no where near as close as good as Tubby when it came to x's and o's. So its not like Billy G, was this great x's and o's guy. Even guys who hated Tubby, admitted Billy G wasn't that great in that area. So I don't see anything from what Billy G did, that shows he is even better than Coach Cal.

You're right, I don't know why I got that mixed up. :thumb: I guess I was already counting this year :lol:

 

May Your eagerness be rewarded with reality! :thumb: