Cats @ USF 1/18

[JasonS]

It's all about matchups plain and simple. UC is small and USF used that to their advantage. If JJ doesn't get into foul trouble, UC probably wins by 12-15. Since he did, it let USF hang around and gain some confidence. That game has no bearing on how UC will play UL and how we match up with them. For the record, we match up better with UL than USF.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

It has only been 3 games, with two at home. The Houston win was impressive margin of victory but beating SMU by 8 is not exactly amazing, especially at home. Beating UConn by 8 on road impressive, but not a eye opening victory.

Did you watch the UConn game? They were up by 15-17 points late, that score is deceiving. Why argue? Why does everyone on this board want to argue every single point? It's pathetic.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Did you watch the UConn game? They were up by 15-17 points late, that score is deceiving. Why argue? Why does everyone on this board want to argue every single point? It's pathetic.

Not arguing just saying they arent unbeatable. UConn not a great team either. If UL playing amazing they obviously didnt close game out.

 

[JumpinJack5]

Did you watch the UConn game? They were up by 15-17 points late, that score is deceiving. Why argue? Why does everyone on this board want to argue every single point? It's pathetic.

Does it really matter how much you beat somebody by? A win is a win and a loss is a loss. As Ricky Bobby would say, second place is just the first loser....

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Did you watch the UConn game? They were up by 15-17 points late, that score is deceiving. Why argue? Why does everyone on this board want to argue every single point? It's pathetic.

I am just giving counterpoints. What is the Point of the board if you cant do that?

Beating three unranked teams is not amazing. Creightons performance and Kansas winning 4 in a row against ranked teams are both more amazing in my eyes.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Does it really matter how much you beat somebody by? A win is a win and a loss is a loss. As Ricky Bobby would say, second place is just the first loser....

When evaluating a team with my eyes, yes it matters. Louisville was in control of that game for the entire second half. They looked like a completely different team than the one I saw against Memphis. Rick's teams always get better as the season goes on. I am excited to gauge where UC is at without Lawrence. They are still in good shape, remember they still haven't played UConn, Memphis or Louisville at home...

 

[JumpinJack5]

When evaluating a team with my eyes, yes it matters. Louisville was in control of that game for the entire second half. They looked like a completely different team than the one I saw against Memphis. Rick's teams always get better as the season goes on. I am excited to gauge where UC is at without Lawrence. They are still in good shape, remember they still haven't played UConn, Memphis or Louisville at home...

It matters a little, but I really don't care how bad Louisville beat Houston come January 30th at 7 pm, I really only care how we play and how we try to stop Louisville from scoring on us.

 

[Bearcat04]

Louisville is the best team in the American. Oh and since Lawrence went out, yes, Cincinnati is slightly overrated at #15.

I never really bought into the narrative that we are now the favorites to win the conference simply because we have yet to play Louisville. UL has had some setbacks this year, but they are still the defending National Champions with the best roster/coach in the league.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

When evaluating a team with my eyes, yes it matters. Louisville was in control of that game for the entire second half. They looked like a completely different team than the one I saw against Memphis. Rick's teams always get better as the season goes on. I am excited to gauge where UC is at without Lawrence. They are still in good shape, remember they still haven't played UConn, Memphis or Louisville at home...

Maybe they looked like a different team because they were playing a different team? That matched up differently against them...

Memphis has a team of athletes and 4 senior guards. You yourself said that they are impressive because of their veteran backcourt.

UConn does have a good backcourt but very thin in the frontcourt. They were able to expose it with Blackshear.

Two different games, two different game plans.

Disclaimer: Not arguing, just providing counter/talking points

 

[Not Guilty]

Does it really matter how much you beat somebody by? A win is a win and a loss is a loss. As Ricky Bobby would say, second place is just the first loser....

In the context of one game? No it does not matter. There can be a lot of noise.

In a big body of work? Absolutely. The best teams beat bad teams by a lot. And rating system worth anything evaluates margin of victory. It matters.

 

[waterhead]

Did you watch the UConn game? They were up by 15-17 points late, that score is deceiving. Why argue? Why does everyone on this board want to argue every single point? It's pathetic.

There is no doubt UL is playing at a very high level right now. They look like a top 5 team recently. The last half of the UCONN game was impressive. We will have our hands full at UL and we will probably not get the red carpet treatment from the fans after last year at UC. I expect a Xavier type atmosphere.

We will play great D but we will have to stay very composed, focused, and play (and coach) a GREAT game to win that one on the road. I would put our chances at about 25% right now without Lawrence to provide depth. If JJ stays out of foul trouble I would maybe move that up to 33%.