kardphan Wrote:CollegeCard Wrote:99Tiger Wrote:If you really want to believe that Kentucky is better than UAB, go ahead, but it just shows that you haven't seen anything of UAB. As far as good wins outside the conference, they didn't plan on teams like Oklahoma State, DePaul, and Western Kentucky sucking as much as they did.
So they scheduled DePaul & WKU expecting to lose by more than they did? WKU was good enough to beat UAB by 16 in Birminhgam.
I don't know who wins tomorrow but someone in this thread is going to be eating some crow since you both act like 1 team is going to just demolish the other one.
CC I never said UK would blow UAB out, UK has so many chemistry issues that I can't see them blowing anybody out. The tiger guy was the one saying UAB would wax UK, especially when UAB isn't as good as they were in 03 when they beat the mildrats. I think it could go either way, because UAB is a team who won't lay down, and you never know which UK team is going to show up. They have played good in spurts but they have also played horrible at times ie Kansas, IU, both Vany games. UK is capable of playing well and when they do they can play with anybody. To say UAB will role them like a drum is ridiculous. I wouldn't be eating any crow because I hope UAB wins, that would actually make my day because that would be the third time UK was ousted by a CUSA team in tubby's tenure. Like I said if the UK team that played against IU or Kansas showed up then I really like UAB chances but if Sparks gets on a roll and if Bradley or crawford gets hot then I like UK in that game. Any 8vs9 game is a toss up but this isn't the same UAB team we played last year or the team that beat UK in 03 either.
I keep hearing that UAB isn't the same team that beat UK in '03...but this is nowhere close to the same UK team that was the overall No. 1 that year either. Here's the way I see things:
1. Kentucky DOES have better (talent) players than UAB. Despite Tubby piss-poor recruiting, they have talent.
2. UAB plays better team ball than UK. They do, despite any differences in talent, UK doesn't play well together, but UAB plays tough and as a team.
The key issue I see is how the pressure is called. If the refs don't blow the whistle a whole lot, UAB could easily win big. UAB plays one of the best pressure defenses (2nd in the NCAA in steals, behind Houston) and can frustrate the hell out of anyone. I don't think Rondo is enough to carry this team.
However, if the refs try to "call them all", then UAB is in trouble because they would hvae to completely change their style of play. Rondo is a better PG than Squeaky...but he's certainly not going to blow by him routinely. McDonald is a much better shooter and all-around player than Sparks.
If you took the names off the jerseys, I don't see how anyone would pick Kentucky, they're just not good, it's just that the SEC is weaker than the media outlets would lead you to believe. Put this team in the ACC, Big East, Big Televen, or Big 12; and they're NIT-bound.
Other than a message board pissing contest (which I am continuing lmfao ), I could really care less outside of UAB being a fellow CUSA member. I'm not going to lose any sleep over this game either way.
One final thought before I get into game-watching mode...most of the "@sshats" in the national media are picking UAB. I have to wonder if UK isn't going to be moved to play better while UAB gets over-confident.
