PHOTOS – Jayhawks End Wildcats Winning Streak

After South Carolina this team hit bottom after a free fall that began at the UCLA game. Bottom was a rank of about #45 in my system.

When any object falls and impacts a rock bottom, it either bounces or shatters. The distinction between an object that bounces or shatters on impact is its resilience and toughness. This team bounced, and then the question becomes, “How high will it bounce?”

Five games after the impact, we have an answer. This morning, UK is #36 (ANE) #34 (Pomeroy) which is where it bounced to after hitting rock bottom #45. That is first round loss territory, with a reasonable chance to advance to the round of 32.

Whoo Hoo!!!!!

I asked in another thread about pace of the Vandy game, “Can someone explain how a game with 58 possessions can be the fastest paced game of the season?” I have not seen a single reply to this question. I will let that question stand as both an unanswered question and an inferred answer. Now that we have seen this turn around in motion for five games, my next question is,

“Presuming UK gets into the field, how far do you expect this UK team to advance in the NCAA tournament?”

UK has played twenty-one games. UK is 1-2 against top six teams, and 1-4 against all opponents ranked above them this morning. However, the real problem for this team is not its four losses to UCLA, Alabama, Kansas, and Gonzaga any more than UK win over Tennessee defines this UK team.

UK is 1-2 against teams ranked below them between #37 and #50. UK beat Texas A&M (#41) and lost to Missouri (#47), and Michigan St. (#50). The seventh loss was at home to #275 South Carolina when UK found its bottom.

UK’s best wins, other than over Tennessee were against Yale (#66) and Michigan (#67).

That is it.

The ten remaining games are going to be tough sledding for this group. UK is currently ranked above only four of the ten at this time: Mississippi (#105), Georgia (#113), Mississippi St. (#49), and Vanderbilt (#88). The other six games are against teams currently ranked above UK this morning.

I believe UK has at least four more losses coming for a final record of 20-11.

Of those six games against higher ranked opponents, two are against Florida. Florida is literally fighting for its NCAA life. I rank them #34, but Pomeroy has them #48. At #48, Florida is at best on the bubble, and probably not in the field. At #34 they should be in. As UK and Florida both look at their upcoming opportunities, the winners of the two UK-Florida games may be the difference makers for each of them. If Florida wins them both (Loss #12 if it happens). In addition, UK plays at Mississippi State, making Mississippi State a losable game (Loss #13 if it happens). At 18-13, I do not see this team getting in the tournament at 18-13. It may sneak into the first four category at 19-12..

So much for Calipari’s magical turnaround tweak.

3 Responses

TheProfessor says:

January 29, 2023 at 8:03 am

After South Carolina this team hit bottom after a free fall that began at the UCLA game. Bottom was a rank of about #45 in my system.

When any object falls and impacts a rock bottom, it either bounces or shatters. The distinction between an object that bounces or shatters on impact is its resilience and toughness. This team bounced, and then the question becomes, “How high will it bounce?”

Five games after the impact, we have an answer. This morning, UK is #36 (ANE) #34 (Pomeroy) which is where it bounced to after hitting rock bottom #45. That is first round loss territory, with a reasonable chance to advance to the round of 32.

Whoo Hoo!!!!!

I asked in another thread about pace of the Vandy game, “Can someone explain how a game with 58 possessions can be the fastest paced game of the season?” I have not seen a single reply to this question. I will let that question stand as both an unanswered question and an inferred answer. Now that we have seen this turn around in motion for five games, my next question is,

“Presuming UK gets into the field, how far do you expect this UK team to advance in the NCAA tournament?”

UK has played twenty-one games. UK is 1-2 against top six teams, and 1-4 against all opponents ranked above them this morning. However, the real problem for this team is not its four losses to UCLA, Alabama, Kansas, and Gonzaga any more than UK win over Tennessee defines this UK team.

UK is 1-2 against teams ranked below them between #37 and #50. UK beat Texas A&M (#41) and lost to Missouri (#47), and Michigan St. (#50). The seventh loss was at home to #275 South Carolina when UK found its bottom.

UK’s best wins, other than over Tennessee were against Yale (#66) and Michigan (#67).

That is it.

The ten remaining games are going to be tough sledding for this group. UK is currently ranked above only four of the ten at this time: Mississippi (#105), Georgia (#113), Mississippi St. (#49), and Vanderbilt (#88). The other six games are against teams currently ranked above UK this morning.

I believe UK has at least four more losses coming for a final record of 20-11.

Of those six games against higher ranked opponents, two are against Florida. Florida is literally fighting for its NCAA life. I rank them #34, but Pomeroy has them #48. At #48, Florida is at best on the bubble, and probably not in the field. At #34 they should be in. As UK and Florida both look at their upcoming opportunities, the winners of the two UK-Florida games may be the difference makers for each of them. If Florida wins them both (Loss #12 if it happens). In addition, UK plays at Mississippi State, making Mississippi State a losable game (Loss #13 if it happens). At 18-13, I do not see this team getting in the tournament at 18-13. It may sneak into the first four category at 19-12..

So much for Calipari’s magical turnaround tweak.

Barry Pritchett says:

January 29, 2023 at 9:59 am

This team has shown good chemistry without Wheeler on the floor. Calipari took Livingston out because they weren’t guarding him. If that was the case, he should have got the ball every trip down! When teams double and triple team Oscar, someone is open. Knowing this is going to happen, why don’t they look for these open guys instead of running that clock eating offense that Calipari loves? Teams get by doing this because Calipari never makes any in game adjustments. The better coaches are having their way with Cal. He has been relegated to being an average X and O coach at best. Recruiting means nothing if you can’t coach.

TheProfessor says:

January 29, 2023 at 10:44 am

BTW, since when did UK Basketball start measuring success and good times with a 4 game win streak?