defense the key

[Card1972]

the cards can beat UK
1. 2/3 matchup zone with Spalding or King on the front of the zone .they need length to Alter their shots and,make them drive i to Anas AMD Mangot whocan block shots
2 must slow the tempo AMD make it 1/2 court game and run only when possible
3 lots of deflections and out rebounding KY .
4 .win the TO battle
5 make free throws 70% or better a must
6 get offensive rebounds to draw shooting fouls and score if not shooting well.ehich we never do against Ky,
7 keep score in 60'sor no more than 72 points win.
Prediction UL 73-KY 68

 

[earsky]

Defense and rebounding.Also,motivation to defend the home court,or so to speak.

Gotta want it more than the other team.Snap..there I go talking about those intangibles again.

 

[TheRealVille]

Defense and rebounding.Also,motivation to defend the home court,or so to speak.

Gotta want it more than the other team.Snap..there I go talking about those intangibles again.

Basically, it comes down to shooting. Cards have to make a much higher percentage than their average and I don't see that happening in a slow down game in the 60's. The Cards defense is good enough to keep the game in the 70's but a Cards victory most likely would come scoring 80+.

That means fast break points and running and running and pressing. The Cards will have open 3's that they just have to make. However, if Malik Monk shoots like that again, not many teams can win over that. He looked like a NBA veteran all star playing college ball. I know Pitino won't allow as many wide open shots as UNC kept giving but if the kid makes long shots with hands in his face and at the end of shot clocks, there's nothing much you can do.

The Cards actually have the bigger and deeper front line. Mangok has to hold onto the ball, JJ has to decide on his move quicker and Ray and Anas have to stay out of foul trouble and block shots. UK's guards is what makes them good. The Cards have to shoot well enough to take advantage of their frontline strength. It won't matter how good you play defense in this game if you shoot 35 percent and go 4 for 22 from the 3 point line.

 

[earsky]

Basically, it comes down to shooting.

Yeah,when you want it more,the stroke is much better.

 

[shadow force]

Right. Defense will be a huge key but all of that won't matter if the Cards can't put the ball in the basket for minutes at a time. I know it probably won't happen, but if the Cards could keep a sizable lead on Uk at the end of the game it would be huge. It just seems like someone on Uk ALWAYS hits a clutch 3 or two against us in the closing minutes to put the game out of reach.

 

[NavyKat]

This game always has some sort of surprise player that steps up. Who will it be tonight? I expect a tough, hard fought game as always. If UL can avoid the 'scoring drought' then they will be in it to the end. If not...............I do expect UK's defense to begin stepping it up. Should be a good one. Buckle in!!!

 

[Kratz]

I'm in with the crowd that thinks the lower scoring, the better for UofL. In a wide open game, UofL simply can't score points like UK can. They simply shoot better and have more "scorers".

Play clamp down D, frustrate them and take them out of their running game.

NavyKat is right, always a surprise player that steps up in these games. Hopefully that surprise player will be wearing red tonight!!

 

[nccardfan]

I think we need to use the game plan we had against No. 2 Tarheels last year at home. Frustrate Fox like we did against Paige and outrebound them. Need turnovers, which is highly possible against a young team.

 

[nccardfan]

Cats are already anticipating a zone matchup. They're going to start Willis in hopes that will pull one of our bigs out on the perimeter.

 

[David Gilmour]

It won't matter how good you play defense in this game if you shoot 35 percent and go 4 for 22 from the 3 point line.

This^^^^^

 

[LouisvilleKid79]

We all know the Cards will have to make shots tonight, but shot selection will be very critical.

Bad shots will lead to runouts for UK that could really hurt.

Is it possible to make UK play faster at times than they would like? Rush some shots, take some bad ones (some bad ones that went in against UNC maybe don't fall tonight), force them into bad situations against our bigs, offensive fouls.

The first 5 to 10 minutes of this one will tell a story.

There is no reason why Cards fans should not be hyped for this one.

 

[earsky]

We all know the Cards will have to make shots tonight, but shot selection will be very critical.

It's not only the difference in this one,but the whole season imo.

 

[earsky]

There is no reason why Cards fans should not be hyped for this one.

L's down kid,L's down...

 

[David Gilmour]

It's not only the difference in this one,but the whole season imo.

Correct.Being 218th in FG%, 253rd in 3pt. FG % and 153rd in scoring doesn't bode well, if we are to do any damage especially around tourney time.

 

[earsky]

Correct.Being 218th in FG%, 253rd in 3pt. FG % and 153rd in scoring doesn't bode well, if we are to do any damage especially around tourney time.

A Team mentality to pass the ball for the better shot,no matter who gets it.

 

[David Gilmour]

A Team mentality to pass the ball for the better shot,no matter who gets it.

Yeah, I agree. Having said that, we are still missing a more than normal amount of open looks as well.

 

[Mayoman]

My guess at tonight's surprise players: Hicks and Mahmoud. With Matz a close 3rd/2nd.

One of the Cards bigs has to come up BIG in this game in order for the Cards to win.

About 80 minutes to tip off......patiently waiting.