Voice of Reason

As I expected. The NIT was an opportunity to get more court time for your players. Now many of those players will be at another school so no value in the team playing together more.

Bengals had a great free agent period. Filled needs with very good players. Every signing is an excellent addition. In position to take best available and find value in the draft.

He shut TJ Watt out last year.

Agree. Eventually the big schools get better and the mid majors worse.

I think the NIL and transfer portal make it more difficult for the one and done model. What this is evolving into is more talented and experienced teams for many of the power 5 level schools. They will take the good recruits that worked out and bring in transfers that have proven themselves in college already and get much better - more talented and experienced.

Here is my tweak for UK in the tournament. Double down on who you are - great offense, terrible defense. Go all offense to start the game. Starting lineup is Sheppard, Reeves, Edwards, Mitchell and Big Z. Put Dillingham with the defensive lineup of Wagner, Theiro and Ugo.

UK somehow gets a 3 seed from the selection committee and faces 14 seed Oakland. Any chance for Oakland? Can UK get a lopsided win in round 1? Or will it be another layup line defensive effort by UK and a closer than expected game?

In a slow down game, I think Newport has the advantage. They have won a lot of lower scoring games against high level opponents. They are extremely well coached by Coach Snapp. I was super impressed with how Newport handled themselves against both Ryle and Cooper in the regional. Especially Cooper adjusting to Kinney being out for the game after 1 minute of play.

Interesting that the portal opens today and not later in tournament schedule. With that being the case, I am surprised there aren't more teams opting out of the NIT.

The 3 teams that were not in the top 6 - who were they and what were they in KenPom?

UK Final Four? What team have you all been watching this year? There are four teams in UK's bracket that are ahead of them in the net rankings, including Houston, who is number one in the net rankings. And you guys think this is an easy bracket and an easy path to the final four? If UK doesn't make the Sweet 16, go at Cal and this team with both barrels blasting. But anyone thinking this defensively pathetic team should walk to the elite 8 or final 4 has me bewildered.

But now you can say it took the tournament winner to eliminate Cards.

I am hoping for a 4 seed for UK.

That surprises me.

Texas AM believed from the jump. They already beat UK once. Now twice. Are they inferior? Seriously. If I am Texas AM I have no doubt I beat UK if we meet in the tournament. Bad matchup for UK.

Nothing snowballed. The game was played in a close range all night. I do agree on the starting lineup getting behind being an obstacle. The problem last night was no lineup was able to outplay Texas AM.

I would definitely play zone against Newport with Kinney out. He is their best outside shooter. The key is getting the lead and playing zone. Newport will be patient and work the zone for good shots, but that is much easier to do with the lead.

And both were in the floor almost all of the last 12 minutes. UK down 4 and they didn't get it done. How many times did Sheppard get beat on drives to the basket? He MUST get better in man defense and stop getting beat on drives to the hoop. Dillingham was better than Sheppard on defense last night. But Dillingham had 7 turnovers. Half the team's turnovers were by Dillingham. I am not sure UK can go with Dillingham and Sheppard on the floor together in the last 8 minutes of a close game.

This is true and tells the story. For all the defensive shortcomings, this was an even game except turnovers. Just make the simple plays. UK lost turnover stat 14-5. It was 5-8 plays in the game that made the difference. UK did not have the level of defensive intensity needed to win that game. Same problem as all year, too soft. Every game needs to be a brawl. In every game I want to see the defensive intensity UK showed when they beat Auburn Go to battle men and the talent will get you the win.

What did Coach K's last 7 years look like? One final four. Lost 8 or 9 games a year most of those seasons. My take on this is the model doesn't win titles. Duke and UK are in the same boat. With NIL and the transfer rules, experience is winning over the most talent. If half or more your rotation are freshmen, only a lot of luck will win a title. UK will test that this year if they keep playing how they are and better. But my thought now it is the one and done model that is the issue.

I like it. I believe he is the DT for Houston that dominated Alex Cappa last year. He put Cappa on skates and pushed him into Burrow's lap multiple times in that game.

This looks like a winner for Boone County. I like him being in the building as a teacher. That is an absolute must at Boone County IMO. I am rooting for success.

Probably gets them to first 4 out level. I think they have to win the tournament to get in.

Another episode that was just ok. Bhanu is an emotional wreck. Medical might need to talk with him. Q talking out loud that he blew that challenge was not good. You cannot give a hint of negativity about yourself because other players will run with it and blow it up. Venus is a princess, a drama queen. She would be gone ASAP if I was on that tribe. Hunter needs to keep a lid on his game. They will vote him out as too much of a threat. He is my early favorite to win. There are strong players this season. Tiffany, Jem, Tevin, Maria are strong. Q and Soda could work their way to the final. It should be a good group at the merge.

Does UC have to win this tournament to get into the dance?