Too Soon UL Game Thread?

[waterhead]

OK I'm done celebrating the UCF game.

Time to move on to the game of the year thus far. This game could very well be for the conference championship and which AAC team stays in the top 10, gets the most media coverage, and gets the best seed in the Dance. UL has revenge on the mind, will probably be favored, and we have the home court advantage.

Based on offense and defense scoring alone we are 9 point dogs. Add in the home court advantage it would be closer to +5. I am going with a 1 point win though because we have some determined seniors

UC...65
UL...64

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

I feel like a kid waiting on Xmas to get here. Saturday can't get here fast enough.

My heart won't let me pick against the Cats but my head tells me we will need our best game to pull this one out. We'll need to take care of the ball and stop penitration to win. Can't allow cheap points or extra possesions off of TO's. Their Press hurt us last game. Will need to do a better job handling their pressure.

 

[ervins84]

This game will open somewhere between UC +2 and a pickem. Kenpom currently has it at UC +1.

 

[Levettation]

The fact UC turned the ball over 20 times last game vs UofL is a glimmer of hope. By this I don't mean they can repeat that number and still win (they can't), but that there is room for improvement that is a reasonably attainable.

If they can keep the turnover number below 12 I think that will offset the Cardinals "better preperation" for this contest.

 

[UCalum08]

Its a hard task for any team to beat a team like UL twice in the regular season. So with that in mind it will be a tough task. Honestly it can go either way in my eyes. UL players are running their mouths and bad mouthing UC so I hope we can hand them their as$es.

One thing is for sure, if the game is close, UL will not be fouling SK at the end of the game. We must limit our turnovers and not give up open 3's. UL has been shooting the 3 ball really well of late.

I can not wait for this game and so excited to be apart of the atmosphere. I think we win this game.

UC-68
UL-65

 

[bearcat jeff]

I feel like a kid waiting on Xmas to get here. Saturday can't get here fast enough.

My heart won't let me pick against the Cats but my head tells me we will need our best game to pull this one out. We'll need to take care of the ball and stop penitration to win. Can't allow cheap points or extra possesions off of TO's. Their Press hurt us last game. Will need to do a better job handling their pressure.

TC and the others have experienced it now so that should help. The crowd, like the SMU game, I believed helped to rattle UC and Saturday that will be in UC's favor.

Have to hit outside shots and be aggressive toward the basket. Shaq has to come to play and again, they will need bench scoring. UC is as jacked for this as UL and I think this will be a back and forth game throughout from the jump. I'm glad the Bearcats will have some recovery time after his because if it plays out like I think both teams will be mentally and emotionally tired afterward.

With the Bearcats at home I think they win a very tightly played game by 1-2points and in my opinion the deciding factor will be who gets to the foul line, gets in the paint and hits a reasonable percent from 3.

 

[BCM]

We go on at least 2 quick runs at some point in the game, both requiring UL timeouts, the din is so outrageous that Dan Hoard gives up screaming into the mic, then a bullshit foul gets called on the cats since Burr is out to job us and an upper deck concession vendor gets so pissed he throws a snow cone and bottle of Miller light onto the court, which Justin Jackson then mops up because he's the man.

And then we win

 

[JackBauer151]

We are playing a noon game on Saturday on CBS with the chance to catapult ourselves into the top 5. The top F$#%ING 5!!! Im so pumped for this game. If you are a college basketball fan this is all you can ask for in the scope of the regular season. Cherish this time fellas it's unique. It's been such a special season. So excited to see how far we can go.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

TC and the others have experienced it now so that should help. The crowd, like the SMU game, I believed helped to rattle UC and Saturday that will be in UC's favor.

Have to hit outside shots and be aggressive toward the basket. Shaq has to come to play and again, they will need bench scoring. UC is as jacked for this as UL and I think this will be a back and forth game throughout from the jump. I'm glad the Bearcats will have some recovery time after his because if it plays out like I think both teams will be mentally and emotionally tired afterward.

With the Bearcats at home I think they win a very tightly played game by 1-2points and in my opinion the deciding factor will be who gets to the foul line, gets in the paint and hits a reasonable percent from 3.

Jeff, I doubted your prediction last time. I'll have to go with you this time. I think the having faced it once and playing at home were we haven't lost this year gives us a hard fought win.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Since we beat UL they have been absolutely steam rolling teams. They are coming into the shoe on a serious roll and its going to be tough to stop.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Since we beat UL they have been absolutely steam rolling teams. They are coming into the shoe on a serious roll and its going to be tough to stop.

they were on a very good run before we beat them at the Yum. Regardless it will be a tall task.

 

[Cataclysmo]

Too soon? Ive already begun tailgating with this weather we are having...

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

This is a huge game for a lot of reasons. We're playing the defending National Champions with a HOF Coach in the most meaningful game to this point in the season. In front of a large TV audience and sold out arena. My understanding is some very good recruits will be in attendance. The combination of taking clear command of the league title, enhancing our tournament resume and the exposure generated by a game of this magnitude is huge. A win can have serious benefits for the future of our program.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Since we beat UL they have been absolutely steam rolling teams. They are coming into the shoe on a serious roll and its going to be tough to stop.

They have not exactly played top teams. They have played UCF, Houston, Temple, Rutgers and USF. All games they should win easily

They do have a rough patch at the end. After UC they play Temple then at Memphis and at SMU and then UConn at home.

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

The buzz this kind of meaningful game creates is exactly what the City and fan base of the University have been waiting awhile for. Forget about the arena issue,who used to coach here,who is coaching now and support the team. This group has fought and gutted out many a game to get to this point and they deserve our full buy in as fans without reservation as appreciation of their efforts. If your truly a fan of this university it is time to support them unconditionally. Put away all the "I root for them but" statements and enjoy what this team and staff have delivered. If your to far gone to see that you were never truly a fan of the team in the first place.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Louisville has become a very good offensive team. They shoot the three at a high percentage and do a good job of forcing teams to play at their tempo. I think the last game, they were a little bit rusty after over a week off and it took them a long time to adjust to Cincinnati's pressure defense. The Cardinals we saw for that stretch in the second half where they scored 14 points in like 1:30 was scary. In order to keep that from happening, Cincinnati CANNOT have a ton of live ball turnovers. Hopefully being at home will mean UofL will get away with less grabbing and holding, giving UC's guards a chance to break the press. Also, I think Troy will be able to handle the ball better at home. Kevin Johnson and Lawrence (who missed the last game) might be able to get some minutes in this one giving Rubles, SK and Jackson more rest. Those three were just completely out of energy last game.

UC did a great job at limiting UConn's 3-point shooting and they'll need to do the same against Louisville. The Cardinals are do for another breakout game against a good team, and I think UC will keep it close but in the end the Cardinals pull away.

Louisville 68, Cincinnati 61

 

[WAITE HOYT 2]

Louisville has become a very good offensive team. They shoot the three at a high percentage and do a good job of forcing teams to play at their tempo. I think the last game, they were a little bit rusty after over a week off and it took them a long time to adjust to Cincinnati's pressure defense. The Cardinals we saw for that stretch in the second half where they scored 14 points in like 1:30 was scary. In order to keep that from happening, Cincinnati CANNOT have a ton of live ball turnovers. Hopefully being at home will mean UofL will get away with less grabbing and holding, giving UC's guards a chance to break the press. Also, I think Troy will be able to handle the ball better at home. Kevin Johnson and Lawrence (who missed the last game) might be able to get some minutes in this one giving Rubles, SK and Jackson more rest. Those three were just completely out of energy last game.

UC did a great job at limiting UConn's 3-point shooting and they'll need to do the same against Louisville. The Cardinals are do for another breakout game against a good team, and I think UC will keep it close but in the end the Cardinals pull away.

Louisville 68, Cincinnati 61

a very well thought out rational comment. I hope your wrong.

 

[Not Guilty]

Since we beat UL they have been absolutely steam rolling teams. They are coming into the shoe on a serious roll and its going to be tough to stop.

To be fair, after Louisville's loss to Memphis, they handily beat SMU at home, beat Houston by nearly 40, went to UCONN and won by 12 in a game that wasn't that close, and beat USF by nearly 40.

We stopped that momentum last time and quite frankly when kept the game in the half court we were incredible. We need to limit the turnovers because that is what kept them in the game. Hopefully the grabbing and bumping will be called closer this game since its at our place. I thought they got away with a lot at their place, making it really difficult to get space against the press.

 

[Bearcat22]

Rebounding will be key in this one. The Cats can't afford to give any extra possessions if they force a miss on the initial shot. That proves to be harder on some of the longer rebounds from missed 3's.

Jackson is healthier (ankle) in this one compared to the when they played the first time. Harrell will be a tough match-up but L'ville goes stretches where they don't go to him so Smith and Hancock can get their shots. After last game, I think the crowd will be all over him (Harrell) too.

I hope ST stays aggressive and gets some early shots to fall. If GG & TC can combine for 10-15pts and limit the turnovers the Cat's will be tough to beat.

L'ville seems to be talking a lot, either they are overconfident or trying to convince themselves they can win in a tough environment. The Cats take it 66-64.

 

[UCBearcats]

I feel like Russ Smith had an off game against us last time we met so that kind of worries me. After really struggling in the first half Louisville found Harrell in the 2nd and he pretty much dominated us under the hoop so I'm sure we'll see a hefty does of him early and often.

My prediction for the first game was that UL would outscore and outpace us but our defense totally stifled them in the first half and led us to the win.

This time I think UC will have to match the scoring of UL but I think we will. This game is at home and the Shoe is going to be rocking.

I think this game is more about scoring than defense and Killa can't be stopped. If we can find 20 points from the combo of Thomas, Caupain and Sanders I think we win.

UC - 71

UL - 67