I was wondering how long it would take for that to come up...

 

 

So give us your prediction GT. I'm sure you've probably seen these two teams play more than anybody on here.

Is this the quote you are talking about?

 

 

“I think there’s a lot of positives about Kentucky,” he said. “My concern is that I don’t necessarily think for 40 minutes that they may be able to handle this against a team like us that’s a little more longer and athletic with experience. Maybe the next game. West Virginia is terrific.”

 

Yes, it is

Bob Huggins is 7-1 vs. Calipari

 

Whats his record against Kentucky? I can only think of 2 games off the top of my head. Last Year and 2005 against Tubby in the NCAA Tourney. Both Kentucky wins.

Whats his record against Kentucky? I can only think of 2 games off the top of my head. Last Year and 2005 against Tubby in the NCAA Tourney. Both Kentucky wins.

 

Huggins is 0-3 vs. Kentucky

So give us your prediction GT. I'm sure you've probably seen these two teams play more than anybody on here.

 

I think it comes down to a few factors. UK flat out has to keep WVU off the offensive glass. If they can limit them to only pulling in 25-30% of their misses I can't see WVU scoring enough to win. Easier said than done though because this team is relentless attacking the glass on that end and Cousins and Orton are prone to picking up fouls in those situations.

 

The other big key is that UK isn't a big screen team on offense and that's part of why the WVU D has been so tough down the stretch. They are pretty much interchangeable, and frustrate teams with switching every screen and not creating many mismatches for the team on O. I'm not sure they can guard UK straight up man to man, so Huggs may go with a lot of the 1-3-1 or 2-3 zone which while they are good at, isn't nearly as effective as the m2m. Their length should make it fairly tough to run, so UK is going to have to fight it out in the half court.

 

When looking at what each team needs to do to win, I think UK gets a considerably large number of advantages down the list, but it will not be easy by any stretch. I'd say UK by 8...

Huggins is 0-3 vs. Kentucky

 

I like this one a lot better

I think it comes down to a few factors. UK flat out has to keep WVU off the offensive glass. If they can limit them to only pulling in 25-30% of their misses I can't see WVU scoring enough to win. Easier said than done though because this team is relentless attacking the glass on that end and Cousins and Orton are prone to picking up fouls in those situations.

 

The other big key is that UK isn't a big screen team on offense and that's part of why the WVU D has been so tough down the stretch. They are pretty much interchangeable, and frustrate teams with switching every screen and not creating many mismatches for the team on O. I'm not sure they can guard UK straight up man to man, so Huggs may go with a lot of the 1-3-1 or 2-3 zone which while they are good at, isn't nearly as effective as the m2m. Their length should make it fairly tough to run, so UK is going to have to fight it out in the half court.

 

When looking at what each team needs to do to win, I think UK gets a considerably large number of advantages down the list, but it will not be easy by any stretch. I'd say UK by 8...

 

I thought Kentucky did very well against Cornell's 1-3-1. Obviously, it is much different the West Virginia's because of size and athleticism.

 

That said, Kentucky has played zone all season. The 1-3-1 isn't as common as the 2-3, but I don't expect WVU to play 1-3-1 the whole game. It actually seems that Bledsoe thrives in the 2-3. I expect a big game from Bledsoe and Patterson.

I thought Kentucky did very well against Cornell's 1-3-1. Obviously, it is much different the West Virginia's because of size and athleticism.

 

That said, Kentucky has played zone all season. The 1-3-1 isn't as common as the 2-3, but I don't expect WVU to play 1-3-1 the whole game. It actually seems that Bledsoe thrives in the 2-3. I expect a big game from Bledsoe and Patterson.

I think they will try to play man as long as possible, but I just don't see it working well without being able to utilize switching every screen when there are very few being set. They prefer the 1-3-1 and play it really well at times, so it just seems logical that it will be used quite a bit...

This is all that needs to be said.

 

 

 

http://kentucky.rivals.com/bboxscore.asp?Game=40507

 

Kentucky was 23-25 from the stripe in that game and Meeks was 12-12 in his free throws. If we shoot 92% from the line this time around we will win. Unfortunately Jodie Meeks isn't walking through that door and I just don't see that happening, but I still think the Cats will win in a street fight. All season these kids have managed to win and come through down the stretch late in games. I've not seen a UK team this clutch since the '98 Comeback Cats.

 

UK 71

WVU 70

Kentucky was 23-25 from the stripe in that game and Meeks was 12-12 in his free throws. If we shoot 92% from the line this time around we will win. Unfortunately Jodie Meeks isn't walking through that door and I just don't see that happening, but I still think the Cats will win in a street fight. All season these kids have managed to win and come through down the stretch late in games. I've not seen a UK team this clutch since the '98 Comeback Cats.

 

UK 71

WVU 70

 

 

Harrelson and Stevenson also played 25 and 24 minutes respectively. I'm thinking if Harrelson can get 12 points and 10 rebounds then Cousins ought be be able to go for 30 and 20.

I think GT makes some great points about WVU's defense. Their switching will not cause the same problems for UK so I think you will see more zone.

 

With that said I think this game comes down to 2 things, WVU's ballhandling and UK's shooting. If WVU's has many non dead ball turnovers like they did last night they are dead. Or if UK shoots like they did against ETSU or Wake they are dead. If both happen it will get ugly, if neither happens it will be a battle to the end.

 

Either way I like UK's chances. Talent usually wins at this point in the tournament and UK has the most.

Butler has injured hand.

This game will be a battle royale for sure but I just can't shake this feeling that this will be a UK blowout. WVU's offense against UK's defense ... I am just having a hard time seeing them score points at all. WVU needs to keep UK under 60 to win this one because I am having a hard seeing seeing WVU get much over 60. This could be another UK walk over if they get the transition offense going off of turnovers.

Cats win by 15.

I think it comes down to a few factors. UK flat out has to keep WVU off the offensive glass. If they can limit them to only pulling in 25-30% of their misses I can't see WVU scoring enough to win. Easier said than done though because this team is relentless attacking the glass on that end and Cousins and Orton are prone to picking up fouls in those situations.

 

The other big key is that UK isn't a big screen team on offense and that's part of why the WVU D has been so tough down the stretch. They are pretty much interchangeable, and frustrate teams with switching every screen and not creating many mismatches for the team on O. I'm not sure they can guard UK straight up man to man, so Huggs may go with a lot of the 1-3-1 or 2-3 zone which while they are good at, isn't nearly as effective as the m2m. Their length should make it fairly tough to run, so UK is going to have to fight it out in the half court.

 

When looking at what each team needs to do to win, I think UK gets a considerably large number of advantages down the list, but it will not be easy by any stretch. I'd say UK by 8...

 

I like this key's with one acception. WVU has to take care of the ball. They have been averaging 9 turnovers a game until last night, when they had 23-25. If WVU has over 15 turnovers I think they will be lucky to keep it in single digits. I think WVU is beat by double digits. WVU is missing Truck Bryant very much. I wish WVU would win, but I don't see it happening. Injuries to Butler and Bryant are a little to much to overcome.