February 28, 201115 yr St. John's is a good team, but much like UK, they are very beatable outside the confines of their home arena(s). I think that would be a good game, but to think UK couldn't win is silly GT. The most veteran team in the country, that hasn't played in a single NCAA tournament game if I'm recalling correctly. In terms of NCAA experience, UK actually reigns supreme. Also, think a team like Belmont could give St. John's (or any 4-5 seed) all they can handle. As could Butler with UK. I've watched the Red Storm play a few times this year, and they've looked extremely impressive in some (Duke, Pitt), and incredibly ordinary in others (UC, UofL, G'town). Depends on which UK and which Johnnie's teams show up. What true road wins on the UK schedule match St John's winning at UC, Marquette and Nova? It would appear that while they took their road lumps early in the conference slate, they learned from it and turned it around. UK, not so much. They have lost ONCE since Jan. 26th, so the inconsistency displayed as they adjusted to Lavin is gone. And in case you missed it UL, UC and GTown are all tournament teams. Arkansas? Ole Miss? All coming since the St John's run started. You're going to have to come stronger than that...
February 28, 201115 yr There is no such thing as a GOOD draw with the UK team. Some will be better than others, but unless the committee goes all Charlie Sheen next week, UK will have a tough draw no matter the seed or the location. I called UK v. Butler last week in a thread. We all know how the NCAA likes to have subplots with their selections. Last year's Cinderella vs. the most storied program would make another good side story. Of course, another 5-12 possibility is UK v. Murray State.
February 28, 201115 yr There is no such thing as a GOOD draw with the UK team. Some will be better than others, but unless the committee goes all Charlie Sheen next week, UK will have a tough draw no matter the seed or the location. I called UK v. Butler last week in a thread. We all know how the NCAA likes to have subplots with their selections. Last year's Cinderella vs. the most storied program would make another good side story. Of course, another 5-12 possibility is UK v. Murray State. No chance the OVC winner gets a 12 seed.
February 28, 201115 yr No chance the OVC winner gets a 12 seed. No chance Butler makes it to the final game last year either, right?
February 28, 201115 yr If St. John's continues playing the way they have been the past month or so, I believe they are going to be tough for anyone to beat. From different people I've talked to and from other things I've heard, a lot believe they have potential to reach the final four. I don't know if they will go that far, but I believe they will be one of the tougher teams. Regardless of what happens, this tournament should be a fun one to watch.
February 28, 201115 yr Author What true road wins on the UK schedule match St John's winning at UC, Marquette and Nova? It would appear that while they took their road lumps early in the conference slate, they learned from it and turned it around. UK, not so much. They have lost ONCE since Jan. 26th, so the inconsistency displayed as they adjusted to Lavin is gone. And in case you missed it UL, UC and GTown are all tournament teams. Arkansas? Ole Miss? All coming since the St John's run started. You're going to have to come stronger than that... For starters the win at the Yum! Center by UK, is a better win than any road wins St. John's has this year. How'd St. John's fair at UofL? The UofL and G'town losses were both blowouts. Games were over early into the second half. I'm still waiting on you to explain the "experience" comment. Zero NCAA tournament experience from the Johnnies. UK has 3 guys that have tournament experience. Regular season experience means very little when it comes to tournament time IMO. St. John's is a very good team, no one is taking anything away from them. But when you look at the other 3 regions and the top 4 seeds, you'd be crazy not to feel better about UK's chances out West than in any of the other brackets.
February 28, 201115 yr For starters the win at the Yum! Center by UK, is a better win than any road wins St. John's has this year. How'd St. John's fair at UofL? The UofL and G'town losses were both blowouts. Games were over early into the second half. I'm still waiting on you to explain the "experience" comment. Zero NCAA tournament experience from the Johnnies. UK has 3 guys that have tournament experience. Regular season experience means very little when it comes to tournament time IMO. St. John's is a very good team, no one is taking anything away from them. But when you look at the other 3 regions and the top 4 seeds, you'd be crazy not to feel better about UK's chances out West than in any of the other brackets. Experience is experience. We're talking 23 year old men against 19 year old boys here. Apples and anchovies. If the 3 UK guys with experience were consistent, sure. Not the case. You take Miller, Liggins and Harrellson and I'll gladly take Hardy, Kennedy, Evans, Burrell, Boothe and so on. UK has not grown as a team away from home. St John's has. The facts over the last month are concrete. The Red Storm are trending way up while UK is a flat line at best. It might be the best possible draw for UK, but it's a 2nd round loss...
February 28, 201115 yr For starters the win at the Yum! Center by UK, is a better win than any road wins St. John's has this year. How'd St. John's fair at UofL? The UofL and G'town losses were both blowouts. Games were over early into the second half. I'm still waiting on you to explain the "experience" comment. Zero NCAA tournament experience from the Johnnies. UK has 3 guys that have tournament experience. Regular season experience means very little when it comes to tournament time IMO. St. John's is a very good team, no one is taking anything away from them. But when you look at the other 3 regions and the top 4 seeds, you'd be crazy not to feel better about UK's chances out West than in any of the other brackets. St. John's just beat Villanova on the road two days ago and have beaten 5 or 6 top 25 teams. All of the wins have been at home with exception to Villanova, but that many wins against the top 25 is impressive.
February 28, 201115 yr St. John's just beat Villanova on the road two days ago and have beaten 5 or 6 top 25 teams. All of the wins have been at home with exception to Villanova, but that many wins against the top 25 is impressive. It is impressive, but I think UK could accomplish the same task in the confines of Rupp. That's JMO though.
February 28, 201115 yr It is impressive, but I think UK could accomplish the same task in the confines of Rupp. That's JMO though. They very well could have, can't deny that the Wildcats have been tough at home.
February 28, 201115 yr What are the chances they'd stick UK and UL in the same bracket as 4 and 5 seeds? Now THAT would be interesting.
February 28, 201115 yr Author St. John's just beat Villanova on the road two days ago and have beaten 5 or 6 top 25 teams. All of the wins have been at home with exception to Villanova, but that many wins against the top 25 is impressive. UK has 4-5 wins against top 25 teams this year as well....3 of which have been either on the road or a neutral court.
February 28, 201115 yr Author Experience is experience. We're talking 23 year old men against 19 year old boys here. Apples and anchovies. If the 3 UK guys with experience were consistent, sure. Not the case. You take Miller, Liggins and Harrellson and I'll gladly take Hardy, Kennedy, Evans, Burrell, Boothe and so on. UK has not grown as a team away from home. St John's has. The facts over the last month are concrete. The Red Storm are trending way up while UK is a flat line at best. It might be the best possible draw for UK, but it's a 2nd round loss... Just so we're clear, you're saying there is no chance UK would beat St. John's?
February 28, 201115 yr Just so we're clear, you're saying there is no chance UK would beat St. John's? They'd have a chance, but it wouldn't be a good one. Disagree???
February 28, 201115 yr Author They'd have a chance, but it wouldn't be a good one. Disagree??? As I said, it depends on which UK and which Johnnies team show up. If it's the best both can offer, I think it'll be one heck of a game. If the road UK shows up, they'll get killed, if the early season Johnnies show up, they'd get killed, if the home Cats show up, they'd beat almost anyone. Both teams have been wildly inconsistent. Yes, St. John's has been playing great lately, but that doesn't necessarily transfer over into the tournament. If I had to put odds on it, on a neutral court, I'd go St. John's wins 6 out of 10. An advantage sure, but not the huge one you seem to think.
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