Bowser said:
lol I'm sure it's UK right?
Talent wise...yes.
Y'all can't shoot the ball.
UNC has everyone coming back from a team that lost to Kentucky in the Elite 8. They also bring in McAdoo and Hairston.
We lose Knight, Harrellson, Liggins, and Hood and replace with our freshmen class. Everyone one of our freshmen coming in can be consider an upgrade in talent from the player we lost except for Teague's outside shooting replacing Knight's.
Knight > Teague
Davis >>> Jorts
Kidd-Gilchrist > Liggins
Overall this is a net gain for Kentucky (incoming talent vs outgoing). Knight's shooting is about the only thing that is not obviously replaced, although Wiltjer may have something to say about that. UNC fans will pull the experience card but they fail to realize some things:
1) Under Cal where freshmen play huge minutes (30+), our freshmen are basically sophomores by the time March comes around. Unlike at most other schools where the majority of freshmen get less than 20 minutes a game if they are lucky. How did our freshmen look late last season or the season before? Pretty damn poised if you ask me - and nothing like freshmen.
2) The experienced guys we lose: Liggins and Jorts. Although Jorts was a senior, how much experience did he really have? Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe he only had one full season at the D1 level. He played less than 5 MPG during Cal's first year. Liggins' experience will be missed but his leadership will be replaced by a senior Miller and two sophomores with Final Four experience in Jones and Lamb.
3) How much did experience help UNC and OSU last tournament against Kentucky?
My overall point is there is not a clear advantage for either team - if anything, Kentucky should be the favorites - we beat this same UNC team and will be a clearly better team this season.
It really all depends on how well we gel. If we can avoid freshman mistakes when we play you in December then I really like our chances. Also Terrence Jones is completely different than he was last year.
UNC's main weakness is their lack of shooting ability. Kentucky is one of the longest teams in the country this year and we'll give you fits on defense on the perimeter.
UK can beat you in a variety of ways. We can shoot it from 3 with Lamb, Wiltjer, Miller etc. Hell even Jones, Davis, and Kidd-Gilchrist are reliable 3point shooters.
If the shot's aren't falling we can go inside with Davis, Kidd-Gilchrist, and Jones. I don't see anyone on UNC's roster than can "out physical" Jones.
Teague is also damn fast. Not Wall fast, but a much better overall point guard than Knight was. We will miss Knight's shot though.
So yea, I would say that UK will be better than UNC. We're just more talented than you are.