I've got a friend who went to UK...every time we talk sports (it's usually football season) he's all "Ah, I don't feel like talking sports today..too depressing." Today "Holy crap we're back in the championship!"

I'm assuming BBB is happy. Should be anyway! I've rooted for y'all so far but I've got to pull for the Huskies in the 'ship. I've never seen ECU play a defending national champion and I'd like to... fwiw UNC/Duke games have been 2 years after each championship.

(04-05-2014 10:44 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(03-31-2014 04:13 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  What a weekend! These Cats are playing like those of us who saw them in high school thought they could become. If we can't get it done, I hope Florida will pull through.

Wilboken had a bad game and UConn's guards played lights out defense. Too many threes spelled the difference.

I'm happy for your Cats! Way to go Blue! We'll BBB I have one request. Please for the sake of an old guy try to have at least a 10 point lead with 30 seconds to go in the championship game. If the Harrisons handle the ball well I like Kentucky's chances inside and I think Wisconsin was a good rehearsal for UConn. Guard the 3 shooters tight on the perimeter and let you size win the game in the paint. That said I hope you don't have the refs from tonight calling the game. No traveling on the Badges, a free two points on a legit blocked shot, and numerous uncalled fouls under the basket again, and acting jobs from the Wisconsin big guys.

Yes, guarding the 3 will be critical tonight since Napier will be able to take the bigger Harrison twins off the dribble. I'm not worried about Napier finishing in the paint as much as the kickout 3. You may have noticed in the Wisconsin game that we were awful at defending that in the first half but adjusted in the second half.

There is no more to say about the ref's than what has already been said. The game is to big, fast, and quick for them. It is time for full time ref's that work at this all year. There is definitely money... the NCAA has basically stowed the GDP of Ecuador in a CD somewhere to draw interest. Use it on competent officiating.

(04-06-2014 03:19 AM)ncbeta Wrote:  I've got a friend who went to UK...every time we talk sports (it's usually football season) he's all "Ah, I don't feel like talking sports today..too depressing." Today "Holy crap we're back in the championship!"

I'm assuming BBB is happy. Should be anyway! I've rooted for y'all so far but I've got to pull for the Huskies in the 'ship. I've never seen ECU play a defending national champion and I'd like to... fwiw UNC/Duke games have been 2 years after each championship.

It is definitely an exciting time, Beta, primarily because most of us had lost hope. They are finally playing how everyone thought they would before the season. This year has definitely reinforced that freshmen need time and patience. Anthony Davis and MKG are anomalies, and we were spoiled. This year is what teaching looks like. Calipari is aging like a president. I hope he takes some time this offseason.

(04-07-2014 07:00 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(04-06-2014 03:19 AM)ncbeta Wrote:  I've got a friend who went to UK...every time we talk sports (it's usually football season) he's all "Ah, I don't feel like talking sports today..too depressing." Today "Holy crap we're back in the championship!"

I'm assuming BBB is happy. Should be anyway! I've rooted for y'all so far but I've got to pull for the Huskies in the 'ship. I've never seen ECU play a defending national champion and I'd like to... fwiw UNC/Duke games have been 2 years after each championship.

It is definitely an exciting time, Beta, primarily because most of us had lost hope. They are finally playing how everyone thought they would before the season. This year has definitely reinforced that freshmen need time and patience. Anthony Davis and MKG are anomalies, and we were spoiled. This year is what teaching looks like. Calipari is aging like a president. I hope he takes some time this offseason.

Sorry BBB. It was a great run, but every time you guys got within 1 the whistle changed possession. Connecticut out hustled the Cats at times but nothing that was sustained. Kentucky has to get over starting so slowly. Randall was not the guy tonight they needed to get Young even more involved. The House in Las Vegas made a mint off of the final four. And half of the officiating crew looked very familiar. Take care. JR

Yes, tough loss, JR, but UConn made plays when they needed to. We could never get the lead. I won't be the bitter fan that complains about the ref's, but the charge call on the Poythress spin move was laughable. UConn had some touch fouls called against them that were awful, too. The officiating committee has plenty of fodder to look over this off-season.

(04-08-2014 10:43 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  Yes, tough loss, JR, but UConn made plays when they needed to. We could never get the lead. I won't be the bitter fan that complains about the ref's, but the charge call on the Poythress spin move was laughable. UConn had some touch fouls called against them that were awful, too. The officiating committee has plenty of fodder to look over this off-season.

If coach C can keep these kids in Lexington next year UK will be the SEC favorite. No reason why they can't make it back to the Final Four...

(04-08-2014 10:43 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  Yes, tough loss, JR, but UConn made plays when they needed to. We could never get the lead. I won't be the bitter fan that complains about the ref's, but the charge call on the Poythress spin move was laughable. UConn had some touch fouls called against them that were awful, too. The officiating committee has plenty of fodder to look over this off-season.

Actually BBB I thought the momentum changer was the arm across the head of the Kentucky rebounder that was called a jump ball. In the first half a Connecticut run was facilitated by an over and back call that wasn't and a UConn fast break was started by a pass from the baseline in which the UConn player had half of a foot standing out of bounds and that happened just minutes after standing on the baseline was called on Kentucky. These are the kinds of inconsistencies that drive me crazy. Poor officiating both ways in equal amounts and in critical situations just keeps the play even. Shift that to a preponderance of calls one way or the other and the game is truly altered. In a championship game there is no excuse for this kind of poor officiating.

That said free throws alone beat Kentucky.

(04-08-2014 12:11 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(04-08-2014 10:43 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  Yes, tough loss, JR, but UConn made plays when they needed to. We could never get the lead. I won't be the bitter fan that complains about the ref's, but the charge call on the Poythress spin move was laughable. UConn had some touch fouls called against them that were awful, too. The officiating committee has plenty of fodder to look over this off-season.

Actually BBB I thought the momentum changer was the arm across the head of the Kentucky rebounder that was called a jump ball. In the first half a Connecticut run was facilitated by an over and back call that wasn't and a UConn fast break was started by a pass from the baseline in which the UConn player had half of a foot standing out of bounds and that happened just minutes after standing on the baseline was called on Kentucky. These are the kinds of inconsistencies that drive me crazy. Poor officiating both ways in equal amounts and in critical situations just keeps the play even. Shift that to a preponderance of calls one way or the other and the game is truly altered. In a championship game there is no excuse for this kind of poor officiating.

That said free throws alone beat Kentucky.

One call like that kills the big MO. That is exactly when the game turned. UK was on their comeback run and it was like a one point game.