[Puppy]

no threads in players talk about this game yet. i have no clue UK looks real strong UNC inconsistent. might try and start off the day sneaking UNC into a ml parlay. ps i love mark richt

[Puppy]

nobody has any thoughts on this game ???

[jjgold]

Kentukcy is young but loaded as usual although tough not taking points here

Son I might tail your ass

[Puppy]

Kentukcy is young but loaded as usual although tough not taking points here

Son I might tail your ass

no one cares but us. i should have called it a lock

[Puppy]

[Br0nxer]

whose ghost are you

[UNCGQ]

K . . .

PJ Hairston, UNC's 'Freshman-off the bench 3-point specialist' is expected not to play. Not a major blow, but he's looked sharp at moments this season when a shot of scoring was needed. It'd be much better for UNC to have him than not.

UNC's play this season has been 'good' to 'very good' but not 'tough' at any point. It's just not really in the make-up of the team and could hurt them as they make their run in the Tourney. There aren't a lot of 'speak-up' leaders on the team.

Zeller was around for the last title run (injured but was on the team) and it looked to but generally a quiet guy. Henson is a great, yet goofy kid.

Barnes has flashes of brilliance but gets lost in the flow a lot. I think if he stopped thinking completely and just played he'd average 25 a night. The more he lets his head get in the way of his instincts it hurts him. There's a ton of thinking in the UNC system and he's a player it hinders. Not to say he doesn't have basketball IQ, I just think his first instinct is to shoot and that's not the UNC system.

Marshall is a great on the floor leader but is only a sophomore and not even a full season into being the lead point guard. A great 'everybody else' first point guard, but he's not going to get into anybody's face and get the team going either. The difference between this team and the '09 team is a Tyler Hansbrough to bring the intensity.

The worst nightmare for this team is one (like UNLV) who comes out and punches them in the mouth and says 'let's go'. They're not strong enough with the ball (generally, especially inside) and you'd think it's a part of the "Carolina Way" to leave 3-pt shooters wide open on dribble penetration help defense since it's been that way for years and years.

I do think this will be the toughest test UNC has until at least the third round of the NCAA tourney. Dook is always Dook, and throw out the records when they play, but they're not Kentucky this year either. I do think however that it's a long season and anybody who is trying to predict NCAA success based off this game will be sadly disappointed either way it goes. It's a long season and a long time until the first weekend in April.

Me? I wouldn't touch this game with stolen money. Too many better games on the board this weekend. UNC is too unpredictable in this setting (not Rupp, but early in the year against a #1 team who also was the team that ended their tourney run last year).

If UK can be aggressive and 'handsy' on defense enough to upset Zeller and Henson and limit their touches inside, and on offense UK can drive the lane and pitch to open shots on the perimeter, they walk. If UNC shows up with a chip on their shoulder and comes to play, it's theirs by a handful. It's the 'biggest' college basketball game we'll see for a little bit this season so I'm content to enjoy just watching it.

Hopefully somebody with an adequate UK knowledge can chime in to help these folks out sometime in the next 11 hours . . . .

[Tree Rollins]

Anthony Davis is a freak but hopefully Henson can battle with him. He's almost as freakish. Gilchrist is a stud and i can't wait to see him match up with Barnes. Barnes is better, but it will be an interesting matchup. The UNC bench has been a little dissapointing mostly b/c of Mcadoo. Hairston has shown glimpses for UNC, and if his oustide shot is on, it's huge for the tar heels, but unfortunately he might be out. B/c of that, they'll need the streaky Dexter Strickland to loosen things up for Zeller and the rest of the guys in the post. Hopefully Strickland can match up well with Lamb. Lamb has been on fire this season, but Strickland is totally capable of keeping up with him if he's on, and Strickland has never seemed to be afraid of the spotlight.
Overall, Kentucky is a little more athletic, but Carolina has a little more experience. This will be the biggest game that a few of the Wildcats best players have ever played in. Also, the best thing that could have happened to the heels is losing to UNLV. I see them keeping this came close, and wouldn't be surprised if they win. I'm taking the heels ATS and a little on the ML.

[BettingWizard]

the art of gambling is knowing when the line says it all

UK covers

[Puppy]

K . . .

PJ Hairston, UNC's 'Freshman-off the bench 3-point specialist' is expected not to play. Not a major blow, but he's looked sharp at moments this season when a shot of scoring was needed. It'd be much better for UNC to have him than not.

UNC's play this season has been 'good' to 'very good' but not 'tough' at any point. It's just not really in the make-up of the team and could hurt them as they make their run in the Tourney. There aren't a lot of 'speak-up' leaders on the team.

Zeller was around for the last title run (injured but was on the team) and it looked to but generally a quiet guy. Henson is a great, yet goofy kid.

Barnes has flashes of brilliance but gets lost in the flow a lot. I think if he stopped thinking completely and just played he'd average 25 a night. The more he lets his head get in the way of his instincts it hurts him. There's a ton of thinking in the UNC system and he's a player it hinders. Not to say he doesn't have basketball IQ, I just think his first instinct is to shoot and that's not the UNC system.

Marshall is a great on the floor leader but is only a sophomore and not even a full season into being the lead point guard. A great 'everybody else' first point guard, but he's not going to get into anybody's face and get the team going either. The difference between this team and the '09 team is a Tyler Hansbrough to bring the intensity.

The worst nightmare for this team is one (like UNLV) who comes out and punches them in the mouth and says 'let's go'. They're not strong enough with the ball (generally, especially inside) and you'd think it's a part of the "Carolina Way" to leave 3-pt shooters wide open on dribble penetration help defense since it's been that way for years and years.

I do think this will be the toughest test UNC has until at least the third round of the NCAA tourney. Dook is always Dook, and throw out the records when they play, but they're not Kentucky this year either. I do think however that it's a long season and anybody who is trying to predict NCAA success based off this game will be sadly disappointed either way it goes. It's a long season and a long time until the first weekend in April.

Me? I wouldn't touch this game with stolen money. Too many better games on the board this weekend. UNC is too unpredictable in this setting (not Rupp, but early in the year against a #1 team who also was the team that ended their tourney run last year).

If UK can be aggressive and 'handsy' on defense enough to upset Zeller and Henson and limit their touches inside, and on offense UK can drive the lane and pitch to open shots on the perimeter, they walk. If UNC shows up with a chip on their shoulder and comes to play, it's theirs by a handful. It's the 'biggest' college basketball game we'll see for a little bit this season so I'm content to enjoy just watching it.

Hopefully somebody with an adequate UK knowledge can chime in to help these folks out sometime in the next 11 hours . . . .

thanks for the write-up. with that guy out im gonna pass on the game. put a unit on the o152 because im sure it will be 155 by tip and ill feel good for getting it early. gl tomorrow

[HoulihansTX]

Kentucky. No doubt about it

[beerman2619]

No play for me either unless Bronxer has some inside info from the mob and this game is fixed. Just like the Cowboys and Jets are going down because those are fixed games also.

[beerman2619]

By the way Heels cover this biotch. and will have a good shot at winning.

[riffraff24]

UNC + pts

[No coincidences]

Kentucky was -5 pre-market release.

Be careful with Carolina here.

[Holtgetsback]

I could type pages about this game but I think I will just give a few key notes.


REVENGE ANGLE-

Doesn't matter, if anything this will hurt them. Revenge is not in this Tar Heel team's DNA.


PACE-

Kendall Marshall's full court assists will not work in this game, and UNC's half court offense is NOTHING to write home about. Did I mention KY is leading the nation in about every defensive category imaginable??? And it is not close. Roy Williams idea of a game plan is yelling "PUSH THE FUKKING BALL!!!!" at his point guards. This will not work against KY. KY is at their best in a fast paced game that is just on the edge of being out of control.

INTENSITY-

As always, Kentucky will come out with a chip on their shoulder. Their intensity is unmatched, and I believe a team like UNC, who has gotten by on talent alone, will not all of a sudden, "hit the switch," and begin playing with the ferociousness displayed by the hungry animals of Kentucky. Hate him or love him, Coach Cal's players leave everything on that court. Not sure anyone would say the same about Williams.

RUPP ARENA

General rule of thumb is that home court is worth 4 points. This place will be a jungle tomorrow. I would venture to say it is worth more like 6-7.

I have this game capped at KY -10.

With that said, there will be 12+ NBA players on the court tomorrow. NBA season starts at NOON fellas.

[Glitch]

"can they cover" is the wrong question with harrison barnes on your team you can Always win.

will they cover? unlikely.

[rthoughton]

ya, I dont think this is even going to be that close. UNC will hang around for the first half, much like KU did, but UK has too much talent, too much depth, too much of everything.
If Teague can keep his mistakes/turnovers down, which will be no easy task against that stud pg in light blue, UK should coast. Terrence Jones and Anthony Davis will more than likely be too much for UNC, and Lamb and Miller can absolutely shoot the lights out. Too much of everything. UK handled UNC on a neutral court last year in the tourney, and yes this is a new year, sure, but there are a few returning players/stars for the cats as well.
Coach Cal is 38-0 at Rupp for the Cats.
6.5 just doesnt seem like much, especially with a tough game that will more than likely end with multiple free throws.
I always have some trouble with the lines and the coin flip covers, but I think UK covers, but definitely wins outright.
I will probably parlay the ML.

[Madison]

"Anthony Davis is a freak"

From what I saw the other night I have to agree except I might use "beast". Was like 15/15/5 but it sure seemed like more to me. I guess consistentcy is the only thing to be answered.

[gomiamigo]

'UK - 10' lol

[beerman2619]

Great game really though Carolina was going to win this game. Refs kind of gave Kentucky quite a few calls. Harrison Barnes got into foul trouble hurt in the first half. But props to Kentucky young team look like a great team.

[Puppy]

i cant believe how the UNC offense did nothing the last 10 minutes. roy williams really does suk

[beerman2619]

Ya Puppy i agree about Roy Williams. Never have been a fan of him as a coach. I'm a big Tar Heels fan you got a guy in PJ Hairiston that was hitting big shots in the first half. What does Roy do sit him the majority of the second half he only gets 14 minutes total. Like the end of the game call a time out set up a play. And make sure your player know on a miss foul. Don't play for the last shot when you are down one makes no sense. Give your team enough time if you miss to foul and prolong the game. Even on a make go back and play good solid defense. Course Roy doesn't call a time out. And Carolina throws the ball into butterfingers zeller bounces out to Henson who gets his shot blocked. Then all the Tar Heel players just stand there and watch the final 6 seconds end the game unbelivable. Kentucky didn't even play a great game and still won Tar Heels in for a long year.

[thefonzo]

Henson has zero basketball iq ... watched him play 3 games, unlv, wisky, and today... not impressed at all. The NBA will eat him alive.

[beerman2619]

i agree defonzo

[Puppy]

Ya Puppy i agree about Roy Williams. Never have been a fan of him as a coach. I'm a big Tar Heels fan you got a guy in PJ Hairiston that was hitting big shots in the first half. What does Roy do sit him the majority of the second half he only gets 14 minutes total. Like the end of the game call a time out set up a play. And make sure your player know on a miss foul. Don't play for the last shot when you are down one makes no sense. Give your team enough time if you miss to foul and prolong the game. Even on a make go back and play good solid defense. Course Roy doesn't call a time out. And Carolina throws the ball into butterfingers zeller bounces out to Henson who gets his shot blocked. Then all the Tar Heel players just stand there and watch the final 6 seconds end the game unbelivable. Kentucky didn't even play a great game and still won Tar Heels in for a long year.

roy williams looked like a deer in headlights the last 6:00 of the game. he just had that "what the heck isnt working" look on his face. i dont think this team goes to the final 4

[jjgold]

Well good call on NC backers, college hoops is wide open this year

[beerman2619]

i agree Puppy man so disappointed in this Heels team right now. Especially Roy Williams you got a guy like P.J Hairiston who is hot. You don't sit him on the bench for the whole second half makes no sense. And quit playing Watts that guy sucks.