UK is not an NBA caliber team

[Hog and Eggs]

I hate it when people talk about UK as if they could beat an NBA team. Sure, they might get lucky and win one on a fluke, but that is a ridiculous statement to make. I've heard it in relation to the 76's (who don't even have the worst record). UK is not going to beat Philly. Sure, Philly sucks, but they also have grown men. UK is full of 18-19 year old kids who haven't grown into their bodies. Every single player on Philly's roster was the best/one of the best players on their college team. They have been good enough to stick in the league and they have been going against the best players in the world night in and night out. It's ridiculous to compare UK to the NBA.

[RedBird5]

It's due to fact that most of their players will end up in the NBA in some capacity.  They could have 7-8 of them end up in league.  Think that is what people mean by that.  Not necessarily that they can beat an NBA team

[popcornhog]

I hate it when people talk about UK as if they could beat an NBA team. Sure, they might get lucky and win one on a fluke, but that is a ridiculous statement to make. I've heard it in relation to the 76's (who don't even have the worst record). UK is not going to beat Philly. Sure, Philly sucks, but they also have grown men. UK is full of 18-19 year old kids who haven't grown into their bodies. Every single player on Philly's roster was the best/one of the best players on their college team. They have been good enough to stick in the league and they have been going against the best players in the world night in and night out. It's ridiculous to compare UK to the NBA.

Nine guys may well be in the league next year.

This is the only team I've ever seen in college that could legitimately win maybe 2/10 against teams like the Sixers, Lakers, or Magic.

[trashcan maN]

Nine guys may well be in the league next year.

This is the only team I've ever seen in college that could legitimately win maybe 2/10 against teams like the Sixers, Lakers, or Magic.

Awww why you gotta poopoo my Magic? Lol..the Knicks are much worse.

In all seriousness though, Payton, Harris, and Oladipo would eat KYs guards alive,

[passinghog]

Nine guys may well be in the league next year.

This is the only team I've ever seen in college that could legitimately win maybe 2/10 against teams like the Sixers, Lakers, or Magic.

Every year, people ask if an exceptional college basketball team would beat the worst pro teams. Once again, the answer is no.

"Would the greatest Alabama team from 2009-2012 beat the Raiders?" No, they'd get slaughtered.

This Kentucky team would win 1/100 games against the worst NBA team, and that'd be if they caught them on a back to back or the end of a 4 games in 5 night stretch.

[popcornhog]

Every year, people ask if an exceptional college basketball team would beat the worst pro teams. Once again, the answer is no.

"Would the greatest Alabama team from 2009-2012 beat the Raiders?" No, they'd get slaughtered.

This Kentucky team would win 1/100 games against the worst NBA team, and that'd be if they caught them on a back to back or the end of a 4 games in 5 night stretch.

True in football. Less so in hoops.

I believe that UK could take 1/10 maybe 2 against a handful of NBA bottom feeders. Because they're not far behind in talent and they're bigger and more athletic.

[Danny J]

I don't see UK beating any NBA team....maybe win 3 out of a 100. Just speculation of course. Nobody really knows.

[870hogfan]

True in football. Less so in hoops.

I believe that UK could take 1/10 maybe 2 against a handful of NBA bottom feeders. Because they're not far behind in talent and they're bigger and more athletic.

They would get waxed against any team in the NBA...

[regi]

I hate it when people talk about UK as if they could beat an NBA team. Sure, they might get lucky and win one on a fluke, but that is a ridiculous statement to make. I've heard it in relation to the 76's (who don't even have the worst record). UK is not going to beat Philly. Sure, Philly sucks, but they also have grown men. UK is full of 18-19 year old kids who haven't grown into their bodies. Every single player on Philly's roster was the best/one of the best players on their college team. They have been good enough to stick in the league and they have been going against the best players in the world night in and night out. It's ridiculous to compare UK to the NBA.

Half of the Philly roster, and their talent. Is 21 and under. Not exactly grown men. Poor example. UK would hold their own in a 7 game series with Philly, Orlando, Minn or LA. Hell. the best team in the east only has two players 6-10 or taller in their top 9.

[hawgfan4life]

Maybe they wouldn't win against any NBA team but they would be a heck of a lot closer to doing so than our team.  We are a decent team and we have decent players.  KY is an incredible team with incredible players.  Nothing about our loss or stating how good they are or better they are is a negative to our players and program.  They are that much better than almost every other program.

[chenalhog]

I hate it when people talk about UK as if they could beat an NBA team. Sure, they might get lucky and win one on a fluke, but that is a ridiculous statement to make. I've heard it in relation to the 76's (who don't even have the worst record). UK is not going to beat Philly. Sure, Philly sucks, but they also have grown men. UK is full of 18-19 year old kids who haven't grown into their bodies. Every single player on Philly's roster was the best/one of the best players on their college team. They have been good enough to stick in the league and they have been going against the best players in the world night in and night out. It's ridiculous to compare UK to the NBA.

they never beat NBA team

[Rocket23]

The only team in the NBA bigger than UK size-wise is Portland.

[popcornhog]

Bottom line here is that college teams really can't compete with NBA teams. Period.

Hypothetically, UK could get much closer than any other team ever has. But they'd still get beat 80-90% or more of the time by the worst teams in the NBA.

[ErieHog]

Bottom line here is that college teams really can't compete with NBA teams. Period.

Hypothetically, UK could get much closer than any other team ever has. But they'd still get beat 80-90% or more of the time by the worst teams in the NBA.

More like 99.8% of the time;  people just don't account for how much of Kentucky's advantage in the college game is based on being supremely bigger, stronger, and faster than their opposition.

When you play Ole Miss or Arkansas,  and you have 8 or 9 future NBA guys, you have a pretty decided starting advantage; when you play an NBA team, with 12 NBA guys,  that advantage shrinks considerably even if you are stacked with lottery level athletes.   Throw in the lack of perimeter shooting, and an  NBA team will crush Kentucky.

They'd be swept by any current NBA team in a 4 game series.

[popcornhog]

More like 99.8% of the time;  people just don't account for how much of Kentucky's advantage in the college game is based on being supremely bigger, stronger, and faster than their opposition.

When you play Ole Miss or Arkansas,  and you have 8 or 9 future NBA guys, you have a pretty decided starting advantage; when you play an NBA team, with 12 NBA guys,  that advantage shrinks considerably even if you are stacked with lottery level athletes.   Throw in the lack of perimeter shooting, and an  NBA team will crush Kentucky.

They'd be swept by any current NBA team in a 4 game series.

Fair point of view. And maybe you're right.certainly even the Knicks/Sixers/lakers/magic are more talented 1-12. There's no doubt about that.

But UK can match up size-wise. At least in terms of length.

[TNhawgfan]

Are we playing this game with NBA rules and using NBA refs? If so, UK would not beat a single team. Sure UK has length, but they're also used to how college games flow and are officiated. Banging down low with NBA vets would be eye opening

[ErieHog]

Are we playing this game with NBA rules and using NBA refs? If so, UK would not beat a single team. Sure UK has length, but they're also used to how college games flow and are officiated. Banging down low with NBA vets would be eye opening

Their problem wouldn't be banging, it'd be spacing.

NBA teams will pack similar length in the paint,  strangle the mid range game, and force Kentucky to hit long jumpers and 3s to beat them.

Defensively,  NBA teams will gladly take 10-16 footers with their bigs, and run those Kentucky athletes ragged.    Spacing is what makes elite basketball offenses function.

[yraciv]

Every year, people ask if an exceptional college basketball team would beat the worst pro teams. Once again, the answer is no.

"Would the greatest Alabama team from 2009-2012 beat the Raiders?" No, they'd get slaughtered.

This Kentucky team would win 1/100 games against the worst NBA team, and that'd be if they caught them on a back to back or the end of a 4 games in 5 night stretch.

Basketball and football are different beasts when it come to this argument.  Much less pieces to work with in a basketball game.

[GoHogs1091]

Every year, people ask if an exceptional college basketball team would beat the worst pro teams. Once again, the answer is no.

"Would the greatest Alabama team from 2009-2012 beat the Raiders?" No, they'd get slaughtered.

This Kentucky team would win 1/100 games against the worst NBA team, and that'd be if they caught them on a back to back or the end of a 4 games in 5 night stretch.

There were NFL Scouts/NFL personnel who publicly stated that the 2011 Alabama Defense could match up against NFL teams.  There was an article that talked about that aspect.

It is probably going to be a long time before there is another collegiate Defense as good as the 2011 Alabama Defense.

[passinghog]

Basketball and football are different beasts when it come to this argument.  Much less pieces to work with in a basketball game.

They'd get slaughtered. Talent is one thing, but everyone in the NBA has talent.
So many get mesmerized and caught up in the myth that everyone that's drafted in the lottery will be or should be a star player. They were a good player that year, but there are 12 players on an NBA roster. Pro players get 24 hours to work on their game, college players don't even have half that. If you're equally as talented and have twice as much time to get better than a college kid, it wouldn't be a competition.

This is just one reason why I laugh when people say a kid will get better by staying in college to play basketball an extra year.

[Hog and Eggs]

Half of the Philly roster, and their talent. Is 21 and under. Not exactly grown men. Poor example. UK would hold their own in a 7 game series with Philly, Orlando, Minn or LA. Hell. the best team in the east only has two players 6-10 or taller in their top 9.

Not counting embiid as he is hurt, they only have 3 guys 21 or under.

Even if the difference is two years, that is a big difference. A 21 year old is more developed and more used to their body than someone right out of high school. So yeah, they are grown men. Not sure what you envision by "hold their own" but Orlando and Minn would kill them, Philly and LA would just beat them really badly.

[Soooie21]

There is a good chance that they have 4 of their starters drafted in the top 15 this year...

[MountieDawg]

I hate it when people talk about UK as if they could beat an NBA team. Sure, they might get lucky and win one on a fluke, but that is a ridiculous statement to make. I've heard it in relation to the 76's (who don't even have the worst record). UK is not going to beat Philly. Sure, Philly sucks, but they also have grown men. UK is full of 18-19 year old kids who haven't grown into their bodies. Every single player on Philly's roster was the best/one of the best players on their college team. They have been good enough to stick in the league and they have been going against the best players in the world night in and night out. It's ridiculous to compare UK to the NBA.

They did beat 6 professional teams in the Bahamas this year, but they would win less than 5 percent of the time against Philly.

[ErieHog]

There is a good chance that they have 4 of their starters drafted in the top 15 this year...

That's a stretch.   They have two probable lottery guys, not 4.

[regi]

I live in Atlanta and see several Hawks game a year. There are some teams at the bottom of the NBA that flat out stink out loud, UK as currently constructed now could compete with them.  Philly, Orlando and Minnesota would all struggle to score 90 on UK in a 48 min game. I know this upsets some of you, but sadly it is true. This is not football. NBA game has wider lane, more open court. This is not as difficult as some of you want to romanticize it.

UK goes
6-6 215 20 yo 1st round pick
6-6 212 20 yo  1st round pick
7-0 245 21 yo 1st round Lottery pick
6-11 250 19yo Maybe #1 over all pick
6-10 235 19yo 1st round pick

6-6 210 18yo 1st round pick 2016
6-8 235 21yo (injured) 2nd round pick
7-0 255 20yo 2nd round pick
6-9 220 20y0
5-9 155 18y0

[yraciv]

They'd get slaughtered. Talent is one thing, but everyone in the NBA has talent.
So many get mesmerized and caught up in the myth that everyone that's drafted in the lottery will be or should be a star player. They were a good player that year, but there are 12 players on an NBA roster. Pro players get 24 hours to work on their game, college players don't even have half that. If you're equally as talented and have twice as much time to get better than a college kid, it wouldn't be a competition.

This is just one reason why I laugh when people say a kid will get better by staying in college to play basketball an extra year.

UK beat down a handful of professional teams this offseason.  They weren't full strength at that point and just learning to play together.Granted those weren't NBA teams, but those were teams with former all conference collegiate players that you might recognize the names.

Philly's roster that is currently active is one of the least talented squads I've seen in a long time, but they are still way more talented than Kentucky.  Play that game 10 times on a neutral court, UK can maybe win 1, and I agree with the sentiment that the 76ers would be a pretty big favorite.  That being said, put the game in Rupp, under collegiate rules, and the Cats could give them a run for their money.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

They dud beat 6 professional teams in the Bahamas this year, but they would win less than 5 percent of the time against Philly.

Just because a team is technically "professional", doesn't make them good.
UK's Bahamas trip was a staged event.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/columnists/himmelsbach/2015/01/15/kentucky-basketball-paid-several-hundred-thousand-dollars-face-national-teams-bahamas/21806935/

[Beaverfever]

Every year, people ask if an exceptional college basketball team would beat the worst pro teams. Once again, the answer is no.

"Would the greatest Alabama team from 2009-2012 beat the Raiders?" No, they'd get slaughtered.

This Kentucky team would win 1/100 games against the worst NBA team, and that'd be if they caught them on a back to back or the end of a 4 games in 5 night stretch.

You can't compare football and basketball like this.  It is feasible for a college basketball team to beat an NBA team.  In football the entire conversation is a joke. I'll go as far as to say the top 5 college basketball teams ever would be quite a bit better than the worst 5 nba teams ever.  I don't think this UK team belongs in that convo though. 

[yraciv]

Just because a team is technically "professional", doesn't make them good.
UK's Bahamas trip was a staged event.

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/columnists/himmelsbach/2015/01/15/kentucky-basketball-paid-several-hundred-thousand-dollars-face-national-teams-bahamas/21806935/

I don't know what you mean by staged.  Yes they paid to play other professional teams just like we pay the teams we play exhibitions against, but that doesn't mean those teams tanked.  And if you want to talk to the lack of talent of those professional teams lets do that.

They played Chalons-Reims a French professional team.  The team consisted of players such as Lionel Chalmers, led Xavier  to Elite 8, and had stint in the NBA.  Tasmin Mitchell, former all SEC player at LSU.  Da'Sean Butler, 2nd team all american, 2nd round NBA draft pick.

They played and actually lost 1 game to the Dominican Republic. This team featured long time NBA player, Francisco Garcia.  Former Louisville guard Edgar Sosa.

So clearly not loaded with NBA talent, but it's not like they were playing nobodies.  These were teams with "grown men" as everyone seems to reference.  And most of the games UK won very easily, despite little experience playing together and being without Trey Lyles.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

I don't know what you mean by staged.  Yes they paid to play other professional teams just like we pay the teams we play exhibitions against, but that doesn't mean those teams tanked.  And if you want to talk to the lack of talent of those professional teams lets do that.

They played Chalons-Reims a French professional team.  The team consisted of players such as Lionel Chalmers, led Xavier  to Elite 8, and had stint in the NBA.  Tasmin Mitchell, former all SEC player at LSU.  Da'Sean Butler, 2nd team all american, 2nd round NBA draft pick.

They played and actually lost 1 game to the Dominican Republic. This team featured long time NBA player, Francisco Garcia.  Former Louisville guard Edgar Sosa.

So clearly not loaded with NBA talent, but it's not like they were playing nobodies.  These were teams with "grown men" as everyone seems to reference.  And most of the games UK won very easily, despite little experience playing together and being without Trey Lyles.

I'm sure those teams put up a good fight considering UK was paying their expenses.
But the players you mentioned aren't exactly the cream of the crop or they wouldn't be playing UK in exhibition games in the Bahamas.

08/10/14   vs. Puerto Rico National Team Reserves  W, 74-49
08/11/14   vs. Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket.       W, 81-58
08/12/14   vs. Puerto Rico National Team Reserves.  W, 93-57
08/15/14   vs. Dominican Republic National Team         W, 83-71
08/16/14   vs. Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket         W, 77-72
08/17/14   vs. Dominican Republic National Team         Lost 63-62

[passinghog]

You can't compare football and basketball like this.  It is feasible for a college basketball team to beat an NBA team.  In football the entire conversation is a joke. I'll go as far as to say the top 5 college basketball teams ever would be quite a bit better than the worst 5 nba teams ever.  I don't think this UK team belongs in that convo though. 

they'd win 1 out of 100 games. Just because you're a lottery pick, doesn't mean you're a good NBA player. It means you get a guaranteed contract for a year or 2, in which you will still get sent to the D league once they find out you stink.

If 1 out of 100 is the standard, then there it is you have it.

[yraciv]

I'm sure those teams put up a good fight considering UK was paying their expenses.
But the players you mentioned aren't exactly the cream of the crop or they wouldn't be playing UK in exhibition games in the Bahamas.

08/10/14   vs. Puerto Rico National Team Reserves  W, 74-49
08/11/14   vs. Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket.       W, 81-58
08/12/14   vs. Puerto Rico National Team Reserves.  W, 93-57
08/15/14   vs. Dominican Republic National Team         W, 83-71
08/16/14   vs. Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket         W, 77-72
08/17/14   vs. Dominican Republic National Team         Lost 63-62

These guys are professionals who get paid to play the game anyways.  I'm sure they could care less where the money was coming from as long as it rolled into their bank account.  Do you really think a group of professionals with the resume of some of these guys are going to lay down against college kids? Hell no!

UK got their best effort and 1 time they got beat.  Granted these teams were in their offseason too, so neither were likely to bring their A game.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

These guys are professionals who get paid to play the game anyways.  I'm sure they could care less where the money was coming from as long as it rolled into their bank account.  Do you really think a group of professionals with the resume of some of these guys are going to lay down against college kids? Hell no!

UK got their best effort and 1 time they got beat.  Granted these teams were in their offseason too, so neither were likely to bring their A game.

You just made my point. They didn't care where the money came from. You say UK got their best effort & in the same breath say they weren't likely to bring their A game.

[Hog and Eggs]

I live in Atlanta and see several Hawks game a year. There are some teams at the bottom of the NBA that flat out stink out loud, UK as currently constructed now could compete with them.  Philly, Orlando and Minnesota would all struggle to score 90 on UK in a 48 min game. I know this upsets some of you, but sadly it is true. This is not football. NBA game has wider lane, more open court. This is not as difficult as some of you want to romanticize it.

UK goes
6-6 215 20 yo 1st round pick
6-6 212 20 yo  1st round pick
7-0 245 21 yo 1st round Lottery pick
6-11 250 19yo Maybe #1 over all pick
6-10 235 19yo 1st round pick

6-6 210 18yo 1st round pick 2016
6-8 235 21yo (injured) 2nd round pick
7-0 255 20yo 2nd round pick
6-9 220 20y0
5-9 155 18y0

Not sure how you can say that. Orlando is averaging over 95 ppg, Philly 90, Minn 97. If those teams are all averaging over 90 against NBA teams, teams that are made up of the best players in the world, how can you possibly say that these teams would struggle to score 90 against a college team? While their height is impressive, that doesn't mean they can compete. You haven't experienced anything near the physicality they would encounter in the NBA. All of those guys would get pushed all over the floor.

[Chic-Hog-Oh]

You can't compare football and basketball like this.  It is feasible for a college basketball team to beat an NBA team.  In football the entire conversation is a joke. I'll go as far as to say the top 5 college basketball teams ever would be quite a bit better than the worst 5 nba teams ever.  I don't think this UK team belongs in that convo though.

This is prolly close.

All we have to base these college teams on is how they play against other COLLEGE teams. The strength and durability at the NBA level -- even among the worst teams --  means KY's bigs just don't get to those rebounds, don't fully execute those picks, don't hold those box-outs quite as long, etc.

[yraciv]

You just made my point. They didn't care where the money came from. You say UK got their best effort & in the same breath say they weren't likely to bring their A game.

You can have effort and not bring your A game. I don't know what their A game looks like since I don't watch French basketball, but I made that assumption because it was a preseason game where the other team was getting used to playing with each other.  The national teams they played already had team chemistry.

[HogBreath]

There were NFL Scouts/NFL personnel who publicly stated that the 2011 Alabama Defense could match up against NFL teams.  There was an article that talked about that aspect.

It is probably going to be a long time before there is another collegiate Defense as good as the 2011 Alabama Defense.

Yeah, Coach Saban, well there were also some NFL scouts who thought Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russell were gonna make great pro QB's.

[popcornhog]

Not sure how you can say that. Orlando is averaging over 95 ppg, Philly 90, Minn 97. If those teams are all averaging over 90 against NBA teams, teams that are made up of the best players in the world, how can you possibly say that these teams would struggle to score 90 against a college team? While their height is impressive, that doesn't mean they can compete. You haven't experienced anything near the physicality they would encounter in the NBA. All of those guys would get pushed all over the floor.

NBA games are 48 minutes long.

[Jeff "hogfanintx" Anderson]

I have no clue. Haven't watched an nba game in over ten years.

[Hog and Eggs]

NBA games are 48 minutes long.

I know... the person I originally quoted specified that those teams would struggle against UK in a 48 minute game.

[The_Iceman]

They'd beat Philly by 15.

[Piggage]

Every year, people ask if an exceptional college basketball team would beat the worst pro teams. Once again, the answer is no.

"Would the greatest Alabama team from 2009-2012 beat the Raiders?" No, they'd get slaughtered.

In my opinion, football is totally different and doesn't settle the question about basketball at all. How many players on Bama's best teams had what it takes to make it in the NFL? Maybe 10%? How many for the Raiders could make it in the NFL? 100%. No competition; I get it.

We're talking about a UK team that may possibly put 9 players in the NBA. That's 9 of 12 scholarship players who currently play, obviously 75%. For a college football team of 85 to keep pace with that, they'd have to have 64 players capable of playing at the next level.

That, and the NBA actually has several 19-year-olds playing. This year's UK team has several players 20 and older. In football, even the NFL rookies are at least 3 years removed from high school.

Send a bad NBA team like this year's Knicks team to play at UK, and I say UK would win 2 of 5. UK has a bigger, louder arena than the Knicks play in and a more experienced head coach.

In football, the worst NFL team would be up on the best college team 35-0 before halftime.

[scorekeeper]

In a college rules game Kentucky could beat a couple bottom feeders in the NBA and to think otherwise basically discredits guys that jumped from high school to dominate in the pros...not saying that any of the guys on Kentucky will become Kobe, KG, or Lebron. It COULD happen, but the world may never know.

[Hog and Eggs]

In a college rules game Kentucky could beat a couple bottom feeders in the NBA and to think otherwise basically discredits guys that jumped from high school to dominate in the pros...not saying that any of the guys on Kentucky will become Kobe, KG, or Lebron. It COULD happen, but the world may never know.

Nobody on that team is Kobe, KG, or Lebron. Even if they were, saying that UK could not beat an NBA team doesn't discredit guys who jumped right to the NBA from high school.

[scorekeeper]

Nobody on that team is Kobe, KG, or Lebron. Even if they were, saying that UK could not beat an NBA team doesn't discredit guys who jumped right to the NBA from high school.

Yeah kinda like I said "not saying that any of the guys on Kentucky will become Kobe, KG, or Lebron."

Saying "UK is full of 18-19 year old kids who haven't grown into their bodies." Is a dumb statement because it has been shown that 18-19 year old kids can come in and compete on a high level. Kobe, KG, and Lebron proved that you could add Derrick Rose (first 3 years), Anthony Davis, Mello and others that only played 1 or 2 years. Basketball is a much different game than football and unless a team has good outside shooting the bottom feeders in the NBA would have a hard time against Kentucky.

[ErieHog]

Yeah kinda like I said "not saying that any of the guys on Kentucky will become Kobe, KG, or Lebron."

Saying "UK is full of 18-19 year old kids who haven't grown into their bodies." Is a dumb statement because it has been shown that 18-19 year old kids can come in and compete on a high level. Kobe, KG, and Lebron proved that you could add Derrick Rose (first 3 years), Anthony Davis, Mello and others that only played 1 or 2 years. Basketball is a much different game than football and unless a team has good outside shooting the bottom feeders in the NBA would have a hard time against Kentucky.

The worst shooting pro 3 point team would murder Kentucky from the perimeter-- right now, it is Denver-- but they're also shooting from 23'9, rather than 20'9.


No NBA team would have problems with Kentucky, barring freakish event or injury to multiple players at the same position.

[Hog and Eggs]

Yeah kinda like I said "not saying that any of the guys on Kentucky will become Kobe, KG, or Lebron."

Saying "UK is full of 18-19 year old kids who haven't grown into their bodies." Is a dumb statement because it has been shown that 18-19 year old kids can come in and compete on a high level. Kobe, KG, and Lebron proved that you could add Derrick Rose (first 3 years), Anthony Davis, Mello and others that only played 1 or 2 years. Basketball is a much different game than football and unless a team has good outside shooting the bottom feeders in the NBA would have a hard time against Kentucky.

Pointing out the exceptions hardly make an argument. For every Kobe there are dozens of guys who sit the bench or contribute little the first couple years. Of course there will be the one or two just exceptional players. My point was, a whole team of guys who don't yet have NBA bodies are going to get punished.

[Biggus Piggus]

True in football. Less so in hoops.

I believe that UK could take 1/10 maybe 2 against a handful of NBA bottom feeders. Because they're not far behind in talent and they're bigger and more athletic.

No. They don't have enough skills. Way too crude. Doesn't diminish how good Kentucky is as a college basketball team, but this is a silly idea.

[PonderinHog]

It's not like Kentucky is the '84 Olympic team.

[GoHogs1091]

Yeah, Coach Saban, well there were also some NFL scouts who thought Ryan Leaf and JaMarcus Russell were gonna make great pro QB's.

That pertains to an individual player.  The NFL Scouts/personnel were talking about an entire unit (the 2011 Alabama Defense).

Here is a good article from 2014 that talks about the staggering amount of NFL talent in the 2011 Alabama/LSU games.  We all remember those two 2011 teams schooling Robert Petrino.

www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/jon-solomon/24784217/legacy-of-2011-alabama-lsu-games-lives-on-in-nfl-and-college