OFFICAL Kentucky Wildcats quest for 2011 NCAA Championship--KY goes for the gold in Houson; but must

Estil · October 31, 2010 4:50AM

Well folks, after our very heartbreaking loss to West Virgina to cause us to fall just short of a Final Four bid in 2010, we're now ready to once again start with a fresh clean slate for the 2011 season! We're ranked a few notches down what we were in last season's pre-season AP Poll, but once the games truly begin I'm sure that will change for the better. Since our last title in 1998, we've now been in four Elite Eights (1999, 2003, 2005, 2010) but no Final Fours.

Will our dry spell of giant blue banners finally end in 2011? Only one way to find out!

----------NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE----------
Nov 12 EAST TENNESSEE STATE 88-65
Nov 19 @ Portland 79-48
Nov 22 vs Oklahoma 76-64
Nov 23 vs Washington #13 74-67
Nov 24 vs Connecticut 67-84
Nov 30 BOSTON UNIVERSITY 91-57
Dec 4 @ North Carolina 73-75
Dec 8 vs Notre Dame #23 72-58
Dec 11 CLOWN U 81-62
Dec 18 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 85-60
Dec 22 WINTHROP 89-52
Dec 28 COPPIN STATE 91-61
Dec 31 @ Loserville #22 78-63
Jan 03 PENNSYLVANIA 86-62

----------SEC SCHEDULE----------
Jan 08 @ Georgia 70-77
Jan 11 AUBURN 78-54
Jan 15 LOUISIANA STATE 82-44
Jan 18 @ Alabama 66-68
Jan 22 @ South Carolina 67-58
Jan 29 GEORGIA 66-60
Feb 01 @ Mississippi 69-71
Feb 05 @ Florida 68-70
Feb 08 TENNESSEE 73-61
Feb 12 @ Vanderbilt #23 77-81
Feb 15 MISSISSIPPI STATE 85-79
Feb 19 SOUTH CAROLINA 90-59
Feb 23 @ Arkansas 76-77
Feb 26 FLORIDA #13 76-68
Mar 01 VANDERBILT #21 68-66
Mar 06 @ Tennessee 64-58
FINAL AP RANK: #15

SEC TOURNAMENT
=============
Mar 11 Mississippi 75-66
Mar 12 Alabama 72-58
Mar 13 Florida 70-54
2011 SEC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!!

ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR
==================
13 Princeton 59-57
05 West Virginia 71-63
01 Ohio State 62-60
02 North Carolina 76-69
2011 EAST REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

QUEST FOR #8
===========
Connecticut 55-56

frankhardy · October 31, 2010 7:29AM

If Enes Kanter gets his eligibility, UK will move up to somewhere in the top 5. With Kanter on the team, UK may (notice I said may) be better than last year.

Brandon Knight can run a team every bit as good as John Wall. He is not as fast as John Wall, but he is fast. An antelope isn't as fast as a cheetah, but it's pretty dang close. He can shoot much better. I think he will break John Wall's freshman scoring record at UK.

Nobody will be able to guard Terrence Jones. He will post up a small defender and blow by a bigger defender. If the play the drive, he will hit the three.

Darius Miller is bigger and more aggressive this year. I think this will be a coming out party for Miller.

Eloy Vargus is the best big man that nobody has heard of. (edited to say, ok, so I was wrong)

Deandre Liggins is much improved.

Doron Lamb can flat out shoot the basketball.

Again, if Kanter is eligible, he will be a beast down low, much like Cousins.

Estil · January 9, 2011 1:41AM

Hi folks, sorry for me taking so long to update this thread. I had some major things happen in my life but it looks like it's all finally soon going to be over!

Anyhoo, while I'm not at all thrilled about what Georgia did to us, I'm overall pleased with our performance so far (we only lost three so far, though we obviously will fall out of the Top Ten). I have no doubt we'll bounce back from that fluke yesterday. And of course that surprisingly convincing win against Loserville is always a good thing for Big Blue Nation!

Estil · January 31, 2011 9:30AM

Well folks, we're now going into February and we're finally back in the top 10! I thought Loserville might try to sneak up on us but as of this moment it looks like they're going to go down!

I tell ya what, for a team that has only 6-7 players (as of now) getting significant minutes, I'd say we're doing pretty well! Now we just need to figure out how to play the full 40 minutes if you get my drift.

Estil · February 15, 2011 10:21AM

And now, a couple weeks later, we lose THREE out of four games (though thankfully we did bounce back against Mississippi State but that's not saying much) and we're now down to 23rd place in the polls with five games to go (and two are against ranked teams).

I am definetly not pleased at all, especially considering LOSERVILLE is now ranked higher than us!! We need to stop leaving our "How to Win" book at Rupp Arena (believe it or not, we remain undefeated at home during the Calipari Administration) during road trips half the time and learn to play the full 40 minutes in each game. Because how we're performing right now, that doesn't get us a big blue Final Four banner.

On a more positive note however, my high school team has an excellent chance of making the Sweet Sixteen (what KY calls its state HS b-ball tournament; we're one of only three states that has one state champ, none of that stupid 1A-4A BS) this year!!

And it just so happens the Sweet Sixteen is hosted at Rupp Arena!! I mean c'mon, you didn't think we'd let LOSERVILLE host it, did ya?

Estil · March 3, 2011 11:18AM

I tell ya what folks, when we fell just short against Arkansas (we still only have one conference road win...) I thought for sure we'd fall off the charts. But with the help of our big wins against back-to-back ranked opponents (Florida and Vandy) we are still in 20th place (though not much to brag about; even during the Tubby Smith Administration we were almost always in the top 10 at least). Still, we have now run the table at Rupp in back-to-back seasons!

We shouldn't have any problems taking out Tennessee in our last regular season game, and then it's SEC Tournament Time baby! We're now in second place in our division so we should still have a good shot at getting a bye for the conference tournament. We really need to make a deep run in that tournament (preferably win the whole thing) if we are to get any kind of decent seeding in the Big Dance. We're currently projected to get a 6th seed but maybe with a few breaks we can upgrade to a 5 or maybe even squeak into a 4. I'm much more used to us getting a 1 or 2 seed most years but hey, if 8th seeded Villanova could win the whole enchalada in 1985 and if two teams (LSU and George Mason) could get into the Final Four as 11's, then really anything can happen!

Our guys just need to not leave their How to Win book at Rupp... And should we get back into the Regional Final, PLEZ don't leave the How to Shoot 3's book at home either!

Estil · March 7, 2011 8:11PM

Well, we got a big final regular season game against our conference rivals, which is good for a first round bye in our conference tournament and we moved up to 15th place in the last AP poll! So we should actually be on track for a 4 seed provided we do well in the SEC Tournament! As usual, I put in the teams we will most likely face.

Estil · March 13, 2011 5:26AM

Well, I don't think we can do any better in the SEC Tournament than winning the whole shebang!

And we posted a VERY convincing victory against the 12th ranked and SEC regular season champion Florida Gators on top of that! When we lost to Alabama a few weeks back, it looked like we were gonna be lucky to even get a 6th seed; but now I think we got a good shot at a 3! We'll know for sure soon!

Estil · March 13, 2011 8:38AM

Well, it looks like we'll have to settle for a 4 seed (yet Florida gets a 2

). I'm sure we'll make quick work of Princeton, and I'm sure we'll be eager for revenge against West Virginia (let's remember how to shoot 3's this time...). But the next weekend we definitely got our work cut out for us! We did just barely miss beating North Carolina earlier this year, so they should be a doable challenge in the Regional Final, though we must get through the top overall seed (Ohio State) first. But I know we can do it! We're peaking at just the right time and I know we can do it!

Estil · March 18, 2011 5:39AM

Wow, that sure was a close one! But come tournament time you just gotta take the win anyway you can get it.

Meanwhile on the other side of the bracket, Morehead State made LOSERVILLE look like a bunch of moreons!

You have no idea how pleased as punch I am to see Loserville get knocked off by tiny little Morehead State. Meanwhile, the REAL Kentucky team will before long be making the trip to Houston, baby!

Estil · March 19, 2011 4:51AM

I tell ya what, for most of that West Virginia game, it was quite a nailbiter, but I knew we'd pull away in the end! The Cats are once again Sweet Sixteen bound and I have a feeling big bad top overall seed Ohio State is gonna be quite disappointed come Friday.

baseballfan · March 19, 2011 7:33AM

i have them beating ohio st.

but then they have to lose to syracuse

good luck

Estil · March 19, 2011 6:52PM

Syracuse??? Why would we lose to Syracuse of all teams???

EDIT: Oh I see, they are the 3 seed, and a 3 vs 2 matchup is usually a virtual tossup. But still I think it'd be more fun for us to be North Carolina for the Final Four trip!

I guess I wasn't paying that close attention to the rest of our bracket; you must understand come tournament time there's only one team I care about.

And George Mason, I know you're probably feeling inspired by that Butler upset of Pittsburgh, but please save Ohio State for us to upset!

Brick · March 19, 2011 10:32PM

Anyone can beat just about anyone in this tournament. This is especially true if a favorite is looking ahead instead of taking care of business. My granddaughter graduates from college in June. For her happiness I hope her school wins it all. BTW she entered the University of Kentucky four years ago.

Brick · March 19, 2011 10:34PM

I think I forgot to mention she transferred to The Ohio State University two years ago.

Estil · March 20, 2011 9:43AM

One thing I think should work in our favor is how Ohio State blew away their first two opponents. That may sound strange but think about it. See, they're also the top overall seed, so no doubt they're expecting to cakewalk all over us, seeing as how we only managed a couple squeakers and we're "just" a 4 seed. Furthermore, all the pressure is on Ohio State since they're expected to go all the way.

It may not look like it, but I think we got 'em just where we want them!

In the NCAA Tournament, anything can happen right? Butler has now proved that two years in a row, and we can just as easily be the Cinderella story of this year. Personally I like Kentucky better when we're the underdog.

goose3 · March 20, 2011 11:11AM

Go Bucks!

frankhardy · March 22, 2011 12:28PM

Go, Cats!

Estil · March 23, 2011 1:23AM

<< Go, Cats! >>

Hey, long time no see! I don't know about you but me and my wife will be getting some Domino's (and their spicy buffalo chicken kickers) for the big game Friday! I can't wait to see the Buckeyes running home crying to their mamas!

frankhardy · March 24, 2011 10:57PM

Almost as good as a Kentucky win..........is a Dooke loss!

I'll have the popcorn ready to go tonight. Go Cats!

Estil · March 25, 2011 2:32AM

Heh, I'd rather WE had beat the Pukes. But we got a couple more games left to go before we could've worried about that anyway.

Though I certainly loved seeing Morehead State make Loserville look like Moreons!

Dboneesq · March 25, 2011 1:03PM

CONGRATS ESTIL!

jeffcbay · March 25, 2011 1:08PM

Once again, the Buckeyes play down to their opponent. Basketball and Football...

Estil · March 25, 2011 1:14PM

To Ohio State:

NA NA NA NA!!!!
HEY HEY HEY!!!
GOOD-BYE!!!

Yeah, big bad top overall seed Ohio State wasn't as tough as they thought they were!

I knew all along they would be overlooking us and expecting us to be a cakewalk like their previous two opponents. And let me tell ya folks, we came up just two points short against North Carolina earlier this year so I definitely like our chances against them Sunday! I don't know if we'll be able to sneak up on them and play the underdog card like we did against the Buckeyes, but we'll find a way to get 'em!

I don't know about the rest of Big Blue Nation but I kinda like being the underdog.

Just one more to the Final Four; it's been 13 long years, will this finally be our year to add another big blue banner at Rupp Arena???

Estil · March 25, 2011 1:16PM

<< CONGRATS ESTIL! >>

Thanks so much!

But we still got more work to do on Sunday!

To the players that were with us in last year's squad, I hope you remember and have burned in your skulls how painful it was to have come so close to the Final Four and fall just short and to motivate us to once again play the game of our lives. We just beat the best team in the tournament; we just can't let that go to waste. North Carolina is also a higher seeded team, but OTOH we came up just two points short of beating them at Chapel Hill earlier this year so again, I really like our chances!

C'mon Kentucky, we gotta do it this year, we just gotta...

frankhardy · March 26, 2011 12:49AM

<< Once again, the Buckeyes play down to their opponent. Basketball and Football... >>

I don't think you saw the basketball game I saw. Kentucky's defense was unbelievable. Yes, OSU has some terrific perimeter shooters, but they have not seen the length and the tenacity on defense like Kentucky presented them last night. It was not OSU playing down to there opponent. Kentucky MADE them play the way they did. OSU hit open shots, but the problem for them was that there just wasn't very many open looks. That is where you have to credit Kentucky.

Estil · March 26, 2011 2:05AM

Those incredible eleven blocks sure helped our cause too! And frankhardy, did you get a sense of those Buckeyes panicking and having deer-in-headlights eyes?

Reminds me of the greatest game in UK history, when on my 18th birthday (3/22/98) we made the Pukes choke on a 17 point lead to get us to our 1998 Final Four trip.

We may be the Evil Empire in the SEC, but I got a feeling in the Big Dance we just may wear the glass sneakers this year!

Garabaldi · March 26, 2011 2:33AM

This will make you want UK to lose

Estil · March 26, 2011 11:18PM

<< This will make you want UK to lose >>

What's that supposed to mean?

Estil · March 27, 2011 8:21AM

We did it!! After THIRTEEN long years our wait is finally over!! The KENTUCKY WILDCATS are back in the Final Four!!

Wow, you have no idea how ecstatic I am at this moment, folks.

It looked like North Carolina was gonna try to sneak back in but I knew we weren't going to once again come close and not finish it. This time we DID finish the job!

Go for the gold in Houston, Cats!!

mreuter · March 27, 2011 11:55AM

<< This will make you want UK to lose >>

I agree with that.

DavidPuddy · March 27, 2011 12:23PM

<< WE DID IT!!! YAY!! YIPPIE SKIPPIE!!!!

>>

Are you serious?

Estil · March 27, 2011 9:41PM

<< 

<< WE DID IT!!! YAY!! YIPPIE SKIPPIE!!!!

>>

Are you serious? >>

Believe me, when your Indians win the World Series you will feel the same way, if not more so, I promise ya.

baseballfan · March 30, 2011 9:17AM

congrats!!!!

well earned

Estil · April 1, 2011 1:44AM

Well folks, tomorrow we take on Connecticut for the right to face Butler or VCU in the title game! I know it was thrilling enough just to get to Houston, but once you get to the Final Four, you're only two, TWO wins away from taking home the big gold trophy! So we just gotta go for it!

Let's Go Big Blue! Go for the gold!!

Estil · April 2, 2011 9:00AM

Less than an hour till tipoff! Let's properly dispose of them Huskies and capture the flag! I don't know what's going on with that other game right now and frankly I don't care--once we beat UConn, we'll be ready take on anyone who dares stand in our way in the title game!

Connecticoin · April 2, 2011 10:21AM

Gotta love the blue pantyhose on #34 of the Mildcats.

frankhardy · April 2, 2011 11:14AM

Not looking good, Estil.

Connecticoin · April 2, 2011 12:18PM

Garabaldi · April 2, 2011 12:21PM

UCONN vs Butler, I did not have that one on my bracket.

Estil · April 2, 2011 12:31PM

Indeed, it didn't look good with us down ten at the half (but remember we were also down ten at the half in the 1998 title game) but we wasted no time coming right back and making this game a thriller. Unfortunately letting those UConn guys get all those rebounds (at least it sure seemed like it) caught up with us in the end.

But you know what? I'm still very, very proud of these guys; I mean nobody even saw us getting past Ohio State and we made it to the big stage and we will still proudly hang a 14th big blue banner in Rupp Arena.

And though we may have to settle for bronze this year, with all those McDonalds All-Americans coming in for the 2012 season, not to mention the guys from this year's magical squad returning, we should have a great chance of capturing the gold in 2012!

Congratulations Cats!!

Connecticoin · April 2, 2011 12:38PM

Estil, you are too forgiving. 4-12 from the line would have me pissed off and very bitter.

I am a UConn fan, but a Nebraska alum. As a Nebraska alum, I am still very bitter about the 1984 Orange Bowl.

Brick · April 2, 2011 12:40PM

Congratulations for a great season.

Estil · April 2, 2011 12:43PM

<< Estil, you are too forgiving. 4-12 from the line would have me pissed off and very bitter.

I am a UConn fan, but a Nebraska alum. As a Nebraska alum, I am still very bitter about the 1984 Orange Bowl.

>>

I was most concerned (like I said) where we let those UConn guys get all those offensive rebounds.

If we had grabbed some like we had been doing before I'm sure the outcome would've been very different. I guess I just wanted to be a good sport about the loss. I mean nobody likes a sore loser, right?

Estil · April 2, 2011 12:50PM

<< Congratulations for a great season. >>

Thanks; I'm very, very pleased that both my alma matters in HS and college both made the big stages (Sweet Sixteen state tournament and NCAA Final Four). Perhaps our football team this coming season can finally do better than seven wins?

OFFICAL Kentucky Wildcats quest for 2011 NCAA Championship--KY goes for the gold in Houson; but must

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