Kerr Kriisa (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Pope has said all the right things for UK fans since becoming head coach and sort of did again after Saturday’s win over Bucknell.
“This was the biggest game of our entire season tonight and now we get to move on to Tuesday, which is the biggest game of our entire season,” Pope said after the Bucknell win.
Of course, Kentucky plays Duke Tuesday night in Atlanta in what certainly will be the biggest game of the season to this point — and maybe for several months— for UK fans.
Pope did go on to say that the next game after Duke then would become UK’s “biggest game” but Duke is just different.
Kentucky guard Koby Brea transferred to Kentucky to be part of a game like the one against Duke.
“We’re just trying to stay present in the moment, but we’re definitely looking forward to the game. They’ve got a pretty good team, as they always are,” Brea said after Saturday’s win. “We know they’ve got all those young guys. We’re still waiting for the scout and all of that, that’s something we’ll think more about tomorrow.”
That didn’t stop Kerr Kriisa, who doesn’t mind provoking opponents on or off the court, It’s no surprise he’s eager to test himself against Duke freshman Cooper Flagg and had fun talking about it.
“It’s going to be exciting — probably more exciting for the fans. Fans really get into the Duke versus Kentucky matchup,” Kriisa said. “For us, it’s another game. Obviously the whole world is talking about Cooper Flagg, so we’re excited to play against the No. 1 draft pick. Congrats to him already. Excited.”
Do you note a bit of sarcasm? It created some national buzz but that is just Kriisa being Kriisa. He’s also right about Flagg, age 17, already being projected as the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and as competitive as Kriisa is, you know he is anxious to see if he can help shut down and outplay Flagg.
Kentucky forward Ansley Almonor transferred to UK from Fairleigh Dickinson but helped beat Purdue in the NCAA Tournament and also played against Illinois last season. He didn’t take any subtle jabs at Duke but also didn’t downplay the game.
“I can’t wait to go out there and do what we do, impose our will on the game and see how far it takes us. I’ve played big teams like that before, it’s just basketball at the end of the day,” Almonor said. “I’m just gonna go out there and be the hardest-playing, toughest teammate I can be. Hopefully we come out with a W.”
Pope knows his team is not as good today as he plans for it to be in March. That’s normal for every coach to feel that way.
“I think they’re built to the right stuff. I think they’re going to come compete every night. I think they’re going to compete for each other and compete for BBN and they care,” Pope said. “They care about each other, they care about this fanbase, they care about the state and so we’re going to keep getting better and keep growing.”
6 Responses
This will be a great game. We will find out what we are good at and what needs work. The same can be said of Duke. Now for the wildcard…officiating. If they call every little touch foul, advantage Duke. If they let them play, advantage Kentucky. The ball pressure that Butler and Oweh bring to the game can disrupt anyone’s offense, but only if the refs let them play. Flagg is having trouble cramping up and that will limit both his effectiveness and PT. I haven’t seen him play and want to see what all of the noise is about. Duke has size, but lacks experience. Can we board and run on this team? It will be interesting to see who answers the call to compete once they tip it up. Everyone in BBN wants to thump Duke. Win or lose, we will know what kind of team we are. Then there will be 4 more games to build on the Duke game to be ready for Clemson and Gonzaga. I really like our non conference schedule. We should be ready to battle once we get to the SEC section of our slate. Go CATS!!!
Flagg is a very great player especially for his age and size the way he runs the floor like a smaller guard and I think he’s 6’9" so he’s definitely going to be a problem. Also they have a 7’2" center who is going to be great once he gets some more experience. If we can beat Duke than we can play with and possibly beat Gonzaga. I think at this point I’m the Season Gonzaga is a legitimate top 5 team and probably the best team we will play until we play Auburn Alabama and Tennessee. The SEC is going to be crazy this year. 2 games a week with at least one top 25 matchup every week. Its going to be great.
Kerr Kriisa is a very talented basketball player tho he looks like he works at best buy he’s very intelligent. He was the starting point guard on back to back great teams at Arizona. Yes the west isn’t as good as the east but i do think they compete more from a college basketball standpoint than in football. I also think Kriisa is a better true point guard than Lamont Butler. He’s a better facilitator. Lamont Butler is really a combo guard. I think you can put Lamont Butler on any point guard or shooting guard in America and he will hold his own.
The one player on the team I would like to see play more is Ansley. He scores as many points as he plays minutes. I think he’s going to be a key rotation piece once we get to SEC play. He’s a great scorer but I haven’t seem him enough on the defensive end to really see his whole game. Tonight we should get a gander.
I am just crossing all parts of my body for a W. I know we will be competitive and will fight. No one is giving us much of a chance, but, hey, stranger things have happened. Win or lose, I love my CATS. And March is not here yet. GO BIG BLUE!
I think they will win Kathy
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