Pre Season - an early look at SEC

#1
Tampavolz

Tampavolz

'Livin on Tampa Time'
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Dec 2, 2008
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#1
EAST
1. Kentucky
2. Tennessee
3. Vanderbilt
4. South Carolina
5. Florida
6. Georgia
WEST
1. Mississippi State
2. Ole Miss
3. LSU
4. Alabama
5. Arkansas
6. Auburn

According to Rivals,,, I see Tennessee' s experience over KY this year. Any sleepers jump out at anyone this year?
 
#2
#2
I like USC over Vandy. But with our PG situation I just can't put us as SEC champs.
 
#3
#3
Tampavolz said:
EAST
1. Kentucky
2. Tennessee
3. Vanderbilt
4. South Carolina
5. Florida
6. Georgia
WEST
1. Mississippi State
2. Ole Miss
3. LSU
4. Alabama
5. Arkansas
6. Auburn

According to Rivals,,, I see Tennessee' s experience over KY this year. Any sleepers jump out at anyone this year?
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I like SC over Vandy, as the poster above. I also like Alabama as possibly leap frogging LSU and Ole Miss for the #2 spot in the west.

As for UK vs. UT, I think if UK wins the first game then they win both. If we split the games, UT has to win the first one, IMO. Experience will probably play a part in the first game for UT. However by the time the last game is played, experience will matter even more... except on the our side of the ball this time.

All just speculation, of course.
 
#4
#4
Hardwood_fanatic said:
I like SC over Vandy, as the poster above. I also like Alabama as possibly leap frogging LSU and Ole Miss for the #2 spot in the west.

As for UK vs. UT, I think if UK wins the first game then they win both. If we split the games, UT has to win the first one, IMO. Experience will probably play a part in the first game for UT. However by the time the last game is played, experience will matter even more... except on the our side of the ball this time.

All just speculation, of course.
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Both games are near the end of February. 13th and 27th. 14 days and approx 3 games in between the two.

If Your Kentucky boys aren't experienced enough by the first game, what makes you think they will make that magical jump in 14 days and 3 games later?
They should have the majority of the season under their belt by the time the first game is played.

I'm hoping its a great game, although I must admit, I hate watching Cal-coached games.
 
#5
#5
PandamoniumReigns said:
Both games are near the end of February. 13th and 27th. 14 days and approx 3 games in between the two.

If Your Kentucky boys aren't experienced enough by the first game, what makes you think they will make that magical jump in 14 days and 3 games later?
They should have the majority of the season under their belt by the time the first game is played.

I'm hoping its a great game, although I must admit, I hate watching Cal-coached games.
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Did you see Wall and Cousins in their latest exhib game?

Their weakness is going to be shooting and it will bite them, but they are going to be athletic and beastly in the paint.
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#6
#6
Downey makes SC dangerous....they are deeper this year than last year
Vandy will be better as well and Jenkins is a sharp shooter
KY experience will hurt initially but come tourney time..watchout

TN's PG play will hurt them like it did last year....although Goins will give us good backup minutes

In the West... Miss St and Ole Miss should be much better than everybody else
 
#7
#7
PandamoniumReigns said:
Both games are near the end of February. 13th and 27th. 14 days and approx 3 games in between the two.

If Your Kentucky boys aren't experienced enough by the first game, what makes you think they will make that magical jump in 14 days and 3 games later?
They should have the majority of the season under their belt by the time the first game is played.

I'm hoping its a great game, although I must admit, I hate watching Cal-coached games.
Click to expand...

That's my bad. For some reason, I had in my mind that the span between games was over a month. If the first game is not until Mid Feb, they should have enough experience to have leveled off by then.

As for the game, It comes down to two things, IMO.

1) Can you press us effectively.

2) Can you match up down low.

The answer, at least in my opinion, is no. I don't know if experience will be enough to trump the advantage of the athleticism, speed and size that we should have.

But that's why they play the games. :eek:k:
 
#8
#8
BigPapaVol said:
Did you see Wall and Cousins in their latest exhib game?

Their weakness is going to be shooting and it will bite them, but they are going to be athletic and beastly in the paint.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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Yep. But I can tell you who's not afraid to shoot it, and that's Darnell Dodson. Always has the finger on the trigger, and is not shy about scoring. Obviously he and Hood are the only labeled "shooters" on this team. 2 others are average (Miller/Harrelson) and the rest below average.

They shot 8-16/50% in that exhibition game from the arc, but that's not transferable to the regular season against different competition. I do think they will struggle to shoot it great, but I don't know if that completely hinders the success of the team.
 
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#9
#9
Hardwood_fanatic said:
Yep. But I can tell you who's not afraid to shoot it, and that's Darnell Dodson. Always has the finger on the trigger, and is not shy about scoring. Obviously he and Hood are the only labeled "shooters" on this team. 2 others are average (Miller/Harrelson) and the rest below average.

They shot 8-16/50% in that exhibition game from the arc, but that's not transferable to the regular season against different competition. I do think they will struggle to shoot it great, but I don't if that completely hinders the success of the team.
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Hell, even Patterson made a few in that effort. I would back off of him and let him shoot 40 of them if Pearl.
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#10
#10
BigPapaVol said:
Hell, even Patterson made a few in that effort. I would back off of him and let him shoot 40 of them if Pearl.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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Exactly. Maze and Goins would guard Wall by staying in the paint if I was coaching. I would allow UK to fire up as many 3's as they wanted because I don't think they can beat us that way. It also usually seems like Cal's teams are pretty trigger happy from 3. I think the game will come down to our ability to rebound; if we get annihilated on the boards, we lose. If we rebound well, we win. I also don't expect the press to do much to John Wall other than maybe to wear him down some.
 
#12
#12
Hardwood_fanatic said:
fyp.
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I'm sorry man but I'm tired of all this hype with Wall! Yes, the dude can ball. But come on you UK fans make it sound like nobody can touch the kid! Melvin Goings is so physically gifted strength wise that if wall wants to try and bump him Melvin would bully him all over the court, not saying Melvin is better than Wall but I can promise he can contain Wall better than you UK fans think!
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#13
#13
BigPapaVol said:
Did you see Wall and Cousins in their latest exhib game?

Their weakness is going to be shooting and it will bite them, but they are going to be athletic and beastly in the paint.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

I have not had the pleasure of watching UK yet. I follow mainly on the boards and text via my buddy in Lexington. Don't ask why I have a UK buddy!

I have heard their shooting is suspect, but they can run all over the floor.

I am getting tired of all the hype everyone is giving this team. I think the last thing to get this much was hype was the Titanic. Just sayin...
 
#14
#14
I think you gotta really take into consideration of the issues from the top 2 teams in the East. KY has a lack of experience factor with all the youth. Obviously the players have a lot of talent but you have to question chemistry. Then you look at UT at the PG problems that have stayed with them and wonder about that. SC and Vandy are both strong enough to knock either one of these teams for a flip so I don't think you can safely pencil KY or TN as #1 in the East. It's going to be crazy this year with all the talent. I can't wait!
 
#15
#15
Also, I think Wall is a really talented player. I can't wait to see how he deals with the pressure and expectations. I know in the Clarion game I seen him make a few stupid passes and try impossible layups when he had other outlets. Might make you think all that hype gets in his head and destroys any chance he has to get better this year before declaring. We'll see though. I really like Dodson though. That kid seems fearless when he has the ball. I really can't wait to see how KY deals with all those play makers on the same team. With that many talented players, someone might not like taking a backseat to the spotlight when they all were stars in HS. Interesting.
 
#16
#16
kiffincrazy28 said:
I'm sorry man but I'm tired of all this hype with Wall! Yes, the dude can ball. But come on you UK fans make it sound like nobody can touch the kid! Melvin Goings is so physically gifted strength wise that if wall wants to try and bump him Melvin would bully him all over the court, not saying Melvin is better than Wall but I can promise he can contain Wall better than you UK fans think!
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

I will reserve judgment on Goins, but there is no way in hell Bobby Maze can guard him.
 
#18
#18
kiffincrazy28 said:
I'm sorry man but I'm tired of all this hype with Wall! Yes, the dude can ball. But come on you UK fans make it sound like nobody can touch the kid! Melvin Goings is so physically gifted strength wise that if wall wants to try and bump him Melvin would bully him all over the court, not saying Melvin is better than Wall but I can promise he can contain Wall better than you UK fans think!
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...

If you paid attention, its not just "this UK fan". Its the entire breadth of the media. NBA scouts. AAU affiliates. Talking heads. Also, I don't even need to see these opinions. If you watch all the tape, watch the kid play, its an opinion you will reach alone.

I remember long before he committed to UK, saying the exact thing to myself. This kid could have landed at Knoxville Tech and would still have the same adoration. He's the real deal, IMO.
 
#19
#19
Shaun1985 said:
Also, I think Wall is a really talented player. I can't wait to see how he deals with the pressure and expectations. I know in the Clarion game I seen him make a few stupid passes and try impossible layups when he had other outlets. Might make you think all that hype gets in his head and destroys any chance he has to get better this year before declaring. We'll see though. I really like Dodson though. That kid seems fearless when he has the ball. I really can't wait to see how KY deals with all those play makers on the same team. With that many talented players, someone might not like taking a backseat to the spotlight when they all were stars in HS. Interesting.
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He will shoot it in a heart beat. We need someone on the perimeter with a killer instinct while the ball is in their hands. Miller has the talent/potential, but so far has not displayed the grit to get it done.
 
#20
#20
Hardwood_fanatic said:
fyp.
Click to expand...

Please. John Wall is a great talent; I'm certainly not claiming that I don't think he's a great player, but nobody is going to pressure him in the half-court. They are simply going to drop off in the paint and force John Wall to beat them with his shot and not his driving skills. It remains to be seen if he can do that.
 
#22
#22
Hardwood_fanatic said:
He will shoot it in a heart beat. We need someone on the perimeter with a killer instinct while the ball is in their hands. Miller has the talent/potential, but so far has not displayed the grit to get it done.
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Jon Hood can shoot from the perimeter but that's off the bench (same for Dodson). As for the starters, I don't see anyone that poses a consistent threat from the perimeter. You can for sure expect a lot of zone.
 
#23
#23
Shaun1985 said:
Jon Hood can shoot from the perimeter but that's off the bench (same for Dodson). As for the starters, I don't see anyone that poses a consistent threat from the perimeter. You can for sure expect a lot of zone.
Click to expand...

Yeah, they will see it. But the DDM is still moderately effective against the zone. Also, trying to keep Patterson/Cousins/Orton off the boards with a zone block-out scheme will be difficult.

Also, I wouldn't get to "hung up" on the whole starter/bench thing. If you look at most of Calipari's teams, you see that everyone plays multiple minutes. With the already evident lack of shooting, and Dodsons scoring ability already present in the pre-season exhibitions, you will see him quite a bit.

As for Hood, you probably won't see him alot, as he is just painfully lacking the ability to play defense at this level. At least, so far.
 
#24
#24
Hardwood_fanatic said:
Yeah, they will see it. But the DDM is still moderately effective against the zone. Also, trying to keep Patterson/Cousins/Orton off the boards with a zone block-out scheme will be difficult.

Also, I wouldn't get to "hung up" on the whole starter/bench thing. If you look at most of Calipari's teams, you see that everyone plays multiple minutes. With the already evident lack of shooting, and Dodsons scoring ability already present in the pre-season exhibitions, you will see him quite a bit.

As for Hood, you probably won't see him alot, as he is just painfully lacking the ability to play defense at this level. At least, so far.
Click to expand...

I'm still really curious to see what the DDM is going to look like with two back to the basket posts clogging up the driving lanes.
 
#25
#25
Pearl seems to scout well on the DDM so I'm not too worried about Cal's O. I'm worried about our D and how Maze/Goins contains these other guards. Not just speaking of Wall but look at the other SEC guards. A whole bunch of talent.
 
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