We don't find out until the 11th.
Yeah, I'll give you the villification of Calimari, their fanbase, and Anthony Davis's facial hair, but I can't really find much fault in the UK players themselves. They actually play a really good brand of basketball: unselfish and defensively dominant with talent across the board. They play physically without being goons and just kick the ever-livin' out of other teams. Have to give the players their due.
EDIT: Here come the Jayhawks...
I think if anything, as time goes on, people are gaining more respect for Calipari's coaching. That said, I haven't been particularly impressed with their perimeter defense perhaps they are just allowing Taylor and Co. to get into the lane b/c Davis is there but if they had a Mario Chalmers and Brandon Rush who could light it up from the outside, they've had plenty of open outside shots.
4 quick observations...
this loosely called game is definitely helping UK. plenty of action in the paint that seems like it normally would draw a whistle is being let go. t-rob and withey have not gotten the benefit of that.
this game definitely goes against the trend of the 3 pt field goal dominating the action. both squads do not have much when it comes to spot up shooters that could take advantage of the great low post threats.
davis and t-rob are clearly nba prospects that should help any NBA team. not sure about anyone else yet...mkg has not shown me that he can dominate people his size.
while KU may not be the most skilled team...their conditioning is fantastic.
Yup. For all those folks talking about how Kentucky could beat the Wizards, take note. They've not run away from a Kansas team with only two players who can score at all. The Wizards have even more size than Kansas at every position, and significantly more talent at most positions (PF being the only exception).
Davis will be very good NBA player as he gets accustomed to the size and speed of the game. I don't know that Jones has the skill to be a really good NBA player.
Um ... this game isn't over. would be a 1 pt game if kansas could dunk the ball.
A turnover at 3:10 is never a good idea. ugh.
Watching these two teams, I say Bill Self is a much better coach. Kansas looks so much more fluid on offense... they just don't have the same talent level.
Calipari doesn't really coach... he just sends out his NBA prospects and lets them play, which is probably why so many players want to play there.
Oh my. If that Robinson shot goes in, Kentucky's collars would be getting a little tight.
I wouldn't. Robinson has peaked, IMO. He plays below the rim and doesn't shoot very well outside of the 5-10 feet around the basket. And he's not very fast... his bulk will be negated in the pros.
Davis has plenty of potential... but he may be more Keith Closs than Kevin Garnett.
wow - I thought JOnes had his foot out of bounds there.wow.
It has frustrated me all day, but I think that I was right that Calipari may just have his title tonight. Ugh!
While I don't always agree with potential, I think this is one case you have to go with potential. First off, Davis' impact on defense has nullified much of Robinson for most of this game. Secondly, Robinson is a junior while Davis is a freshman. You would expect Davis to get better on offense and unless you are drafting for 1-2 years, Davis shows more potential down the road while seemingly providing as much impact as T-Rob does but on the other side.