UK might become a team to reckon with

[DogMania]

From what I understand a 7-2 skilled International big just got cleared to play for Kentucky and might be the piece they need to be a team to reckon with come March. It will be interesting to see what Ivisic brings to their roster the balance of this season. In just 26 minutes in his first game he scored 13 on 5-7 shooting, 3-4 from deep, 5 rbd, 2 stls, 2 asts and 3 blks. That's impressive. They're young and talented, which usually doesn't bode well come March, but a team that's not gotten much attention, to keep an eye on. Like most here, I'm not fan of UK and coach Cal, but wouldn't mind facing them in the tournament and beating them again.

 

[uconnbill]

I have watched them a couple of times. They are better at home shooting the three-ball but not the same on the road. Now with the big man, they might be the team to beat

 

[superjohn]

I have watched them a couple of times. They are better at home shooting the three-ball but not the same on the road. Now with the big man, they might be the team to beat

UConn is the team to beat.

 

[uconngb]

Their coach is still the same

 

[Scoe]

The one matchup where double bigs could be in play, Sampson isn’t a real 5, not the same as us playing Sanogo and Clingan together last year. Sampson can guard the perimete it’s all he would have to do while Clingan stays in the paint and boards.

 

[aceboon]

If dude plays at this level consistently UK not really a team you want to see

 

[storrsroars]

Ugh. Just watched some highlights from his first game. Certainly looks the part of a difference maker.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

He moves insanely well for his size.

Fast and nimble. Not as freakishly built as Wemby but looks to be more skilled. More like Chet or a bigger Cooper Flagg. Dude is going to be a problem in March and is tailor made for the modern NBA.

Somebody will take a chance on him late lottery to late first.

 

[AntG168]

If dude plays at this level consistently UK not really a team you want to see

If he plays like that consistently he’s a lottery pick

 

[formerlurker]

frankievision

 

[Hunt for 7]

Yup this is a problem. He is going to make everyone on that team better. Let’s see how the other 5* egos deal with this situation. He release looks a bit awkward so maybe he won’t be a great three point shooter but he is way more than a shooter.

 

[uconnbill]

UConn is the team to beat.

I meant the other team. I think UConn is better

 

[WhereistheDove?]

The behind the back dish for the corner three was wild. Going to be interesting to see what he does for them on the defensive end. UK can certainly score with anyone but their D is a huge Achilles heal.

 

[ScottCT]

They still don't play a lick of defense. Until they do, I'm not worried about them.

 

[bazzdog]

They still don't play a lick of defense. Until they do, I'm not worried about them.

Yeah I’m more worried about Tennessee and Auburn

 

[willie99]

Heard this before, it happened one time, and Una-Brow is not taking the court

 

[UConnTrumbull]

They will certainly be a top 10 (probably 5) betting favorite. Everyone in that category is worth worrying about. But you don’t need to beat them all in March. Depending on the draw, 2 at the most.

 

[Pmac923]

Giving up 96 points at home doesn’t bode well in March

 

[Hunt for 7]

But at least Dook lost to Pitt at home. Someone made a bad decision picking that school instead of UConn. Scheyer has two years left even less if he does not win next year. I am kind of torn. He will only win because he will have a generational player. So maybe better they do well next year then good luck finding and getting the next generational talent. Because Scheyer is an average coach as best. We have at least five better coaches right now in the big east.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

If and/or when Kentucky gets in our way, they'll be a team to reckon with. At the moment, the other teams in the BE are teams to reckon with. Once we hit the NCAA tournament, whoever we face will be a team to reckon with.

 

[Hurleyman216]

But at least Dook lost to Pitt at home. Someone made a bad decision picking that school instead of UConn. Scheyer has two years left even less if he does not win next year. I am kind of torn. He will only win because he will have a generational player. So maybe better they do well next year then good luck finding and getting the next generational talent. Because Scheyer is an average coach as best. We have at least five better coaches right now in the big east.

We have at least 3 better coaches than Scheyer on our current staff and that’s not exaggerating one bit.

 

[Iluvsuebird]

Kentucky is a YOUNG team. Talented? Yes. But really young. We defend the three point line much better than Kentucky. And our 7’2” guy is better than theirs.

 

[HooperScooper]

Kentucky fans are nuts.

Winner: Persistent Kentucky fans get their wish​

Kentucky coach John Calipari this week called Wildcats fans "crazy" after learning that they raised enough money to erect a billboard in Indianapolis near NCAA headquarters with the words "FREE BIG Z" -- a slogan and plea to help push the governing body to clear big man Zvonimir Ivišić so he could play.

It might've been crazy, but it worked.

Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart on Saturday tweeted out that Ivišić's eligibility was officially cleared up just hours before the Georgia game. Then on Saturday, Big Z delivered with 13 points, five rebounds, three blocks and a pair of assists in 16 minutes of action in No. 8 UK's 105-96 win vs. Georgia.

"That probably worked," Calipari said of the billboard. "That's aggressive."

College basketball scores, winners and losers: Marquette, Texas and Creighton survive in fantastic finishes

Big Z, big shots and big comebacks led a day full of drama in college hoops

www.cbssports.com

 

[jake14mw]

I agree. Saw Kentucky early this year and they looked very good. Add this guy... wow.

 

[Kemba'sYogurt]

Kentucky won't be going anywhere with that 73rd ranked defense. If they don't improve defensively they're gonna get bounced by a hot-shooting mid major.

Super young team though so plenty of room & time to improve.