I think this could be an awesome game for matchups. But I'd like to hear what our experts think.
I'm assuming Joel Berry is back and up to speed.
I'm assuming Joel Berry is back and up to speed.
UNC - Kentucky Matchups?
- Thread starter What Would Jesus Do?
- Start date
They're predicated on Joel's availability. I'll be surprised if Kenny, JJ, Isaiah, and Kennedy don't start. Hopefully, Joel will be the 5th starter. If he's back and close to 100%, I like our chances. If not, could be a long night.
Yeah, I think we're in serious trouble if JB can't play.
If he can, I expect Kenny to guard Monk and JB to play Fox. Fox is definitely not the guy you want to face on a bum ankle, he can break them all night.
Our bigs have a nice advantage down low. I haven't been overly impressed with Bam and Willis/Gabriel can't match up with Hicks.
If he can, I expect Kenny to guard Monk and JB to play Fox. Fox is definitely not the guy you want to face on a bum ankle, he can break them all night.
Our bigs have a nice advantage down low. I haven't been overly impressed with Bam and Willis/Gabriel can't match up with Hicks.
That would be my guess. And while I think we have a bit of an advantage down low, we've got to keep them off the boards.
Little concerned theres been no word on Berry officially yet, getting close to gameday.
Also been thinking this. You'd think there'd be at least some update on his progress by now.
Hopefully it's nothing.
Yeah youd think by this point in the week something wouldve come out one way or the other. Fingers crossed he plays.
Maybe Roy just wants to keep Cal guessing.
Roy just identified Nate, JoelB and Kenny as our most consistent defenders, in that order.
The little I've seen of Fox, he's going to be a bear to slow down.
Monk is certainly a deadly shooter, but I think our D can keep a lid on him. He'll get his share but he won't break us.
Fouls among bigs could be a problem for both teams. Easy to imagine Bam, Isaiah and Tony all getting in trouble. For some reason, I expect Kennedy to be OK. We'll need a big game from him.
UK has more depth up front:
Code:
Bam - 6'10 260 Kennedy - 6'10 260
Gabriel - 6'9 213 Isaiah - 6'9 242
Willis - 6'9 226 Tony - 6'11 240
Humphries - 7'0 255 Luke - 6'8 235
Sacha K-J - 6'10 230
Wynyard - 6'10 254These numbers are from Pomeroy. When did Luke get to be 6'8?
One thing is very clear: WE CANNOT TRADE FOULS UP FRONT.
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Briscoe continues to suck from deep. Important that we keep it that way.
OTOH, he's fierce on the drive. He could cause some of our guys to get in foul trouble.
OTOH, he's fierce on the drive. He could cause some of our guys to get in foul trouble.
Despite having great front line depth and talent, it seems UK tends to run with a 3-guard lineup
Fox
Monk
Briscoe
All 6'3. None scrawny.
With or without Joel, we can match that if we need to. But that UK lineup seems like it would let Justin thrive. If I'm Roy, I probably want to get Justin involved early and often.
So . . . does Cal shift to a bigger lineup if Justin is having a good game? I haven't seen enough of UK to know, but it seems like Gabriel could swing to SF. Willis may not get much respect among their OAD roster, but the senior shoots 71% around the basket and 36% from deep, where he isn't shy about shooting.
Alternatively, does Roy go with 3-guards, too, and shift Justin to the 4 to match up and to control fouls on the front line?
Fox
Monk
Briscoe
All 6'3. None scrawny.
With or without Joel, we can match that if we need to. But that UK lineup seems like it would let Justin thrive. If I'm Roy, I probably want to get Justin involved early and often.
So . . . does Cal shift to a bigger lineup if Justin is having a good game? I haven't seen enough of UK to know, but it seems like Gabriel could swing to SF. Willis may not get much respect among their OAD roster, but the senior shoots 71% around the basket and 36% from deep, where he isn't shy about shooting.
Alternatively, does Roy go with 3-guards, too, and shift Justin to the 4 to match up and to control fouls on the front line?
I think Kenny can do a solid job on Monk but he can not help off him much, you can not let that guy get off, force him to take tuff looks. Briscoe is a driver not a jump shooter,have to stay in front of him and that ain't easy with his strength. Fox concerns me, got to stay in front of him as well but he uses his length and quickness really well, tuff match up for who ever our PG is that will guard him at any point. I think our back court can hold its own, we should be able to give at least as much as we get there.
The front court match ups concern me, lot of physical size and strength both starting and coming off their bench, we are going to have to rebound well and that has been a off and on problem seem more in the last few games. I think it is vital that Hicks and Meeks really step up for this game, our 2 starting senior big men have to come ready for battle, time to show that senior leadership and set the tone for this game. Your key is to block out and go own the boards on both ends, own them, that is your rebound and you don't let anyone take it from you. On offense when you see your defender inside that block charge circle and the ball comes to you, attack his body, plant him under the court, make darn sure the ref has to blow the whistle. YOU be the intimidator, you hand out the blows, you do not receive them! It is going to be physical inside the paint, don't shy away from it. MR Meeks and Mr Hicks, you are grown arse men and you will be going against young boys, go show them the difference!
The front court match ups concern me, lot of physical size and strength both starting and coming off their bench, we are going to have to rebound well and that has been a off and on problem seem more in the last few games. I think it is vital that Hicks and Meeks really step up for this game, our 2 starting senior big men have to come ready for battle, time to show that senior leadership and set the tone for this game. Your key is to block out and go own the boards on both ends, own them, that is your rebound and you don't let anyone take it from you. On offense when you see your defender inside that block charge circle and the ball comes to you, attack his body, plant him under the court, make darn sure the ref has to blow the whistle. YOU be the intimidator, you hand out the blows, you do not receive them! It is going to be physical inside the paint, don't shy away from it. MR Meeks and Mr Hicks, you are grown arse men and you will be going against young boys, go show them the difference!
UNC is much better team than UK interior wise. If we don't rebound it could be an extremely long night for us. Our guard play is pretty good, but it is also inconsistent at times. Either way I expect a close game and a good one. Good luck to y'all.
Obviously, without Berry it will be very difficult for UNC. UK has had success driving the ball, but not shooting the 3 as well. Bam is a beast and could have a big game if Hicks/Meeks don't get on him. IMO, Bradley needs to have a big game and significant minutes for the Heels to succeed.
That being said, whichever team controls the boards will win the game.
That being said, whichever team controls the boards will win the game.
The battle of the boards will be crucial, as always. Will we see the good shooting UNC team that we've seen most of the year, or the "gang that couldn't shoot straight" that has surfaced in Joel's absence? That is a huge key to me.
Was rewatching the unc uk 2012 game. Man the talent on that court was insane and the level of play was still so fun to watch. sigh.
I believe if we can score inside we will win..if the skinny freshmen (not named Bam) can keep Meeks and Hicks from good looks we're in trouble..I'm counting on Joel at 75-80% and hope if he's not 100 doesn't play..We need to hit some 3's and play tough--I have a good feeling about this one..but the 1st 10 minutes will tell a lot..Go Heels! I want this one!
They only have two guys who are legit threats from 3 --- Monk and their Stretch-4 Willis who usually comes off the bench. Kenny needs to be up in Monk's jock every second he's on the floor. I worry about our Bigs losing track of the Stretch guy. Bam needs to be blocked out all the time. I don't think he can create much offense against grown men otherwise and if we get any kind of fair whistle their Bigs should be in foul trouble. The biggest question mark may be shaking off the rust of our Ferrari missing JB at the wheel. If we can get back to Maui mode and we should be good.
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Well... Joel at 75% is better than anything we witnessed the last two games. But obviously I hope Roy was sandbagging and Leader Dog is ready to rock.
I was regularly seeing him listed as 6'7. But now that I check, I don't see that. Maybe a brain fart.
OK, here are a couple of old pages that listed him as 6'7 when he committed. Probably what I'm remembering.
http://www.dailytarheel.com/blog/press_box/2014/11/luke-maye-commits-to-unc
http://247sports.com/player/luke-maye-30730
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