29-2

What a wonderful ride. UK sits at 29-2, which is remarkable when you consider the unknowns before the season started. Most (OK me) figured UK would struggle early and lose a few more games than they have, but would gel down the stretch. In some ways neither thing has happened. UK IS 29-2 but most would agree that their play is just as spotty now as it was at the beginning of the season. Make no mistake, they are much improved. But the level of play has increased and other teams have gotten better as well.

But let’s face it; the ride wouldn’t be nearly as fun if it were as flat as a Kansas high way. Roller coasters are way more fun. I would expect this type of ride from here on out with the young teams Cal plans to bring in. I don’t know if many of them will be 29-2, but the ride will be the same.

Senior day was something special. Given that Mark Kreb’s mom was able to make it and Patterson got his Senior day that many (OK me) thought he deserved. Something also happened when the game started too. The UK, “Seniors + Wall” went out and took it to the Gators. The defense was as crisp as any we’ve seen all year. UK had a seven point lead in just over five minutes of play. With the return of the, “starters” UF suddenly was able to get just about whatever shot they wanted for a short stretch. UK then went on a block party that looked more like volleyball spikes than rejected shots and extended the seven point cushion to 18. UK also did a great job of hitting the open threes the UF zone afforded them. UF then went to a man to man, the starters + Dodson started doing what they tend to do, and next thing you know UK takes a 10 point lead into the half.

Now let’s focus on this for a minute. UK has a seven point lead with little used Seniors, builds an 18 point lead with the starters, then settles for a 10 point lead at the half. That is a seven point lead in a quarter of that time and an added three points in the remaining three quarters of that time. I hope Cal pays attention to that when he watches the tape. Krebs was able to keep number 11 in front of him. Bledsoe, was not (not at all and it wasn’t even close). The allowed penetration got UK some good blocks at first, then UF adjusted and got some very easy shots. Meanwhile, Bledsoe had a terrific seven minutes on offense followed by a horrid finish to the half. Dodson followed a similar line on defense.

UF was able to execute the pick and roll to perfection in the second half. Very poor guard positioning left the pick man with a wide open alley to the hoop several times in a row. But, UK again found a way to get a slight cushion at crunch time and was able to hold the Gators at arms length.

If UK is going to be a defensive team, Cal needs to play guys that can actually play defense. UK has enough scoring on the floor without all the breakdowns Dodson and Bledsoe allow. Heck, UK wouldn’t NEED as much scoring if it didn’t have the major break downs. Thank goodness for Miller as he is really starting to come into his own on both ends of the floor. UK still hasn’t even thought about solving the double sandwich on Boogie and I think it’s really starting to affect his game. Pat did a MUCH better job of helping take some pressure off Boogie in the second half and I think that should be his focus moving forward. Pat is also now taking the ball from the outside in. Folks, this is the last part of the game he needs to add, and if he can perfect it just a little more, there is absolutely no reason he should even consider returning. UK now heads into post season with some pretty obvious flaws. BUT, they also have things that other teams must gamble to try to stop. The path to a final four isn’t quite as clear as I would hope it would be, but at least there aren’t the major road blocks of the last seven years or so. I have a feeling the roller coaster will get even wilder before it’s all over!

Out-Classing UGA

It’s funny what I allow UK basketball to do to me. Last night I went from serious berserk, to total elation, all in the span of two hours. I am sure the play to begin the game wasn’t a thing of beauty, but that had little to do with my prior condition. It seems WAVE in Louisville decided to have technical difficulties with the feed. I didn’t think ESPN 360 would have the game as it wasn’t an ESPN production (bad assumption on my part). My wife has always questioned my sanity when it comes to UK, but before it was more in a joking manner. Now, I can tell she is seriously wondering…

Anyway, I missed the first two minutes all together and the first 10 minutes of TV time so I can’t give much input on that time frame. I can tell you that the Cats magically started taking it to the Dogs just as soon as I finally had TV. Just as I took the blame for the loss, I now take full credit for the improved play.

And improved play it was and for me it was across the board. I’ve given Bledsoe a lot of grief and I bet others won’t be so easy to agree with me, but I thought his play was much improved, if nothing else, but on the defensive end. He was in the right spots and did a very good job of staying with his guy. UK seemed to come at UGA in waves and all the dogs could do was try, in vain, to keep their heads above water. And this was a very dangerous place to play. I didn’t think UK would have trouble there at the beginning of the season, but conference play had made me take note as all other east teams had failed to win in Athens. That speaks volumes about the job Fox has done and its yet another quality coach to compete against in the SEC.

How about a HUGE shout out to Dodson. Something clicked and he suddenly had his stroke back. Was anyone else able to tell it was going down just as soon as he released his bombs? It all started with a pull up jumper and from there he was pretty much dead center. I totally agree with coach when he says that this team’s demise will not be poor outside shooting. But good outside shooting never hurts and there was plenty. Dodson, Wall and Patterson all shot 50% or above for the night. The team, as a whole, shot 33% which is really only respectable but the team had to make up for an 0-9 from Miller. Miller made up for the poor outside shooting on his own with awesome D (best of the year by him in my opinion) and some key baskets in the lane.

Wall was Wall at his best, Patterson was Patterson at his best but two other guys really stepped out to the front for me. We all have been looking for that extra guard and I think we finally found him last night. How about a HUGE shout out to may main man at the point, Mr BOOOOGGGGIIIEEE. The MAN is as talented as any center/point guard combo to ever come through UK. You know you have a special talent when your point guard leads the two best breaks of the night, both coast to coast. On one, he does his best Jordan hand switch in mid air and on the next he feeds none other than the power forward for a nifty assist. But the Mainest man of the night was Harris. He seemed to provide a steady hand when things were still a touch dicey in the first half and continued to provide positives throughout his minutes. He contributed some key offensive rebounding, three assists to zero turnovers, a key shot that I thought was a three and some awesome defense.

Overall, this was exactly what UK needed. They played relatively smart, and made UGA pay for the things they tried to take away. Most importantly, they out classed a team they were suppose to out class and took care of a very dangerous team in their house.

Marching On

I was really impressed with Patterson last night against SC. He started the game off with a bang. We didn’t have to wait long until we got the three from him to extend that streak. He got the open look and just stuck that shot. I am sure Darin Horn said Uh Oh! If he didn’t he should have, because it was apparent PP was focused for the game.

That was the PP we were expecting every game all year. For two years we had been so spoiled with the man and his exploits on the court. Everybody just expected to see him dominate every game this year because he finally had great talent to play with him. I was just so thrilled to see him take command last night, but he didn’t just demand the ball he went and got it.

I know it has to have been hard for him to learn the new position(s) all year and it took mental adjustments to step back and let the younger guys have their day. In the grand scheme of things stepping back was probably a plan all along. I know he had been beat upon for two years and there is no doubt in my mind that he dreaded the beating he took every game, but it is a testament to the man that he never backed down. Fast forward to this year and we can see that he was glad to allow his team mates to be in the spotlight, but again it was probably more than that. I know that if he hadn’t stepped back somewhat I don’t feel the team would have been where they are now. Oh yeah, it is miracle that a team that young even with all that talent has only 1 loss to date.

Coach knew what he was doing all along. He was willing to sacrifice a few losses to bring all the team along rather than just a player or two, but the team won anyway. The one that has benefited as much as anyone has been Patrick. He now has much more in his arsenal that makes him much harder to stop or defend.

The title of the post was marching on, but it was a play on words, because March is right around the corner and the team seems to be in March form or getting very close to where he wants them to be. I am so happy to see them gel the way they are, but I am absolutely thrilled to see Patrick decide that now is the time to be assertive.

I would be remiss to not mention the awesome defense the cat’s played last evening. If not for those miracle shots once again from Downey it would have been a 40 point beat down, but I’ll take a 20.

Marching on, yes indeed!

March 7th

There are only 4 games left in the regular season. I eagerly anticipate and wait for each of them, but now that the end of the season is in sight I don’t want the games to stop for several reasons. One reason is that as soon as the final tourney game is over it seems an eternity before the season begins again.

This year I really hate it because it will be the last time we see several players play in the uniform in Rupp Arena. We have such special players talent wise and character wise that we will be saying goodbye to.

John Wall, what can you not like about the young man. He has withstood the pressure of being the #1 player coming out of high school and has not only exceeded expectations at the collegiate level, but has been humble and poised beyond his years. It is difficult to think of not having him around next year and how can we or anybody replace that talent.

Demarcus Cousins, he has been a delight to watch play the game. I have enjoyed him immensely. He has an easy going manner about him when he isn’t playing, but put him in uniform and he is a terror to anyone in his path. Even though we have Orton back next year and another young man I really like, it will be difficult saying goodbye to Cuz. Watching the maturity of the young man has been amazing to behold.

Ramon Harris, he is one of my favorite players. I feel that Ramon will be very successful in life. He seems to be well grounded and is extremely bright and articulate during interviews. He was basically cheated out of a year, but never complained and played hurt a lot of the time. I feel he has a good future ahead of him. I will miss him as well.

Perry Stevenson, Skinny as we all affectionately call him. How could you not like him. He of the quotes and mild manners. I hope he stays around Lexington and does well in whatever his chosen field is. He will be missed.

Mark Krebs, I wished that he could have played more this year. He has been rewarded with the scholarship for the final year and it was appropriate for his contributions to the team since he has been here. He too will be missed.

Patrick Patterson, I don’t know what to say to put into words about him. He has just been special. His immense talent is apparent to everyone and his unending motor on the court is just special. However, even more than that, he hasn’t faltered at any time in any way to deliver leadership, warmth and joy to the legions of fans that live and die Kentucky Blue. It is an impossible task to please all the fans all the time, but he has done that better than any player I can ever remember. That isn’t to slight any of the past players either. There are so many that I have enjoyed so much and will forever remember them. I would mention some of them, but it wouldn’t be fair to the others.

Patrick has done all that while carrying enough credits to graduate in 3 years. Don’t ask me how he has dug down deep many times when it must have appeared impossible for him to keep going. Don’t ask me how he how he has maintained his composure during difficult moments during the past three years as well. There will definitely be an empty spot in our big blue hearts next year and for years to come for these departing players, all of them.

Yes there are many other great players on the team that are representing the team well and will continue to do so and many will come that will do the same and we will hate to let them go when they graduate or decide to leave early for the NBA. But they will have big shoes to fill from the departed players.

There is going to be a lot of big blue tears come March 7 when they sing, “My Old Kentucky Home”!

Vandy wasn’t Dandy

It was a huge win for UK.  Looking at the schedule, who would think UK could get out of Starkvi1le and Nashville without a loss?  There are still some very tough games ahead and I am still scratching my head as to how UK got the win at Vandy.  It isn’t like they played well, because Patterson was the only player that I thought brought the A game.  UK did defend, but Vandy also provided a lot of help by missing many open opportunities.  Give Vandy some credit in causing UK to look below average.  They had 15 fouls to use in the paint and they got their money’s worth out of every single one of them.  UK was just as charitable by missing 13 of 30 free throws.

I learned a lot about this team after the Vandy game.  This was by far the biggest game of the year and I saw just how much pressure a few players will be able to take.  Bledsoe, who early in the year was touted as a clutch, go to guy is far from that at this point, and I think its way too late in the year to expect that to change and I hope coach notes it when he reviews the tape.  I love the kid, but its time to adjust roles for the sake of going as far as UK can go.  The kid generally was out of control the entire game.  He did play some stretches of good defense, but I saw several times where he was completely out of what he needed to do.  On several presses, he let his guy get way over the top, lost them completely, and the guy would get a wide open look (which was missed, of course).  The very best display of his stage fright was the free throws he shot late in the game.  He was visibly shaken by the thought of shooting a clutch shot and missed.  Coach calls time out and he still wasn’t settled and missed the second.  Wall wasn’t much better, but he generally would make one of two. He did have the block which was a great play, but that guy should not have even tried that shot.  With Wall so tight, he should have driven around him, or tried.  As big as this stage was, it will be nothing compared to the do or die stage that is coming soon.

Patterson had a huge day and he needs to thank Boogie for part of that.  Vandy was blocking Boogie out with two, and sometimes three guys!  They also did one of the best jobs of doubling him by sandwiching from inside and out instead of two guys on the inside.  This didn’t allow him to turn and exposed the ball to quick hands.  The cost to Vandy’s D was minimal as the guy they used on the outside came from the short corner.  UK didn’t do Boogie any favors as the offensive guy that was open stayed in the corner, which was an easy recover.  I hope coach notes this and if its used again, have a guy like Miller that can flash by for a pass and penetrate, or move the guy out to the elbow for a longer recover distance. 

Dodson has a mechanical issue with his shot.  The shots are veering right and I noted that his elbow isn’t tucked.  His distance looks good, but that might be affected when he gets his elbow corrected.  This is NOT the time of year to need a shot doctor and I would expect coach to use him less if he can’t get it fixed soon.  While his D is better, he simply doen’t have much value if he isn’t knocking down shots.

I hope coach notes all the off the ball blocks Vandy committed during the game and asks the refs to watch for them if someone else tries to do the same.  Vandy was able to slow all of UK’s sets by getting a defender in front of where a guy wanted to go then moving his feet to block the path.  This is what frustrated Bledsoe and is why he pushed.  Its illegal and should be called the same as a guy with the ball.   UK could also use it against a team.  Vandy knew what UK was running and gambled with their position to slow down a plays flow.  Running a play to counter the position would cost the defensive team and force them to play straight up.

All in all, this was a huge win.  This was a game that may have been won before they even played.  Vandy missed a bunch of shots, maybe because they didn’t expect to make them.  Having that sort of ora  is a huge advantage.   I’ll be interested in seeing the mindset of USC this week.  My guess is, they know they are in for a much different contest than last time.

Just What The Dr Ordered

Once again the Cat’s showed that when it comes time to turn it on near the end of the game they are extremely comfortable with doing that. Going on a 23-10 run to end the game the Cat’s sent the Vols to their second straight loss 73-62.

The first half the Vols took it to the basket and their zone frustrated the Cat’s but after the break the Cat’s drank some Red Bull and amped up the defense and allowed us to get into our transition game. Bledsoe dominated on defense in the second half and had 16 points including eight in a row near the end of the game to ice it. Wall played a error free second half while scoring and directing the offense. Liggins, Orton, Dodson and Perry Stevenson came up big on the defensive end to help seal the win. Once again the 3 position proved crucial and provided 14 points, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

Cousins had the look on his face that he thought he wasn’t playing a good game but he did what a big is supposed to do when they are having an off night shooting REBOUND.

Others might think differently but the Cat’s played a very good game tonight and looked like a final four team against a long athletic team that took it to them.

Fresh squeezed Orange is just what the doctor ordered to get the Cat’s ready for the next two games at SEC west leader Miss St on Tuesday and at lurking Vanderbilt on Saturday.

USC 68 UK 62

I didn’t want this day to come. I certainly didn’t see it coming from a game at South Carolina. It’s just a guess, but I don’t think the Cats saw it either, and there in lies the start of the problem. It’s not a bad problem to have, rooting for a team that is 19-1. I wanted to believe this team could handle it. I now know they couldn’t. I think Cal probably knows it too. I know some disagree, but I do think there has been too much going on outside of basketball this last week for this team. But in the grand scheme of things, there is more to life than basketball and I would trade raising 1.3 mil for one of the worst natural disasters of my lifetime and the acknowledgement from that for a loss to USC any day of the week. Having said that, there is no excuse for losing to South Carolina outside of Devan Downey. The kid was the best player on the floor on this night, and in the end, that is the center of the story. He got the help he needed from his team mates and from UK, but you have to take your hat off to the Gamecocks for having a plan, sticking to it and executing it. UK, didn’t.

Any time after a loss like this, you have to look harder at what went wrong. For one, Bledsoe seemed to be caught up in the, “who is the better point guard” war. Downey, wasn’t. Downey did what he had to do to win and that really is the ball game as none of the Cats did what they needed to do to win the ball game. The late heroics seemed a little stale to the Gamecocks, who shrugged it off and won the game anyway.

I honestly think coach had a game plan that would win almost any game, but there was a major lack of execution which started with Miller. The game plan only works if you hit your outside shots, and Miller seemed to not even be in the gym. His replacements didn’t do any better and I am not sure why Dodson deserved 21 minutes in this game other than he did seem to hustle some on D. Harris played six minutes, which was probably 5 minutes too many until you consider that anyone deserves a chance to work their way into the game. Harris, in my mind, has been disappointing of late. I love the kid, he’s one of my favorites, but he seems to be coasting. The effort on D is gone, the rebounding is gone and the over all leadership is gone. This team will go as far as the three position takes them, which at this point is a toss up on any given night.

Leadership. Big, big word. Guys like Patterson and Harris have all but differed the leadership to the freshman point guards. You must give Kudos to Wall and Bledsoe for wrestling it away from the elder players and shame on Patterson and Harris for handing it to them without a fight. Patterson is my favorite player of all time, but he has coasted this year as well. Part of that is the scheme, and I don’t think there is an answer for it. UK can go to the double post, but that clogs things up. Boogie, to his credit, has stayed on the blocks much better than I thought he would and it usually serves UK well. Patterson, on the other hand has not produced much when he’s on the wing and has not posted as well as the last two years. Over all, you just don’t see Patterson around the ball nearly as much as in the the past and I credit much of that to coasting.

This team would have Cal’s eight or ten losses if he didn’t have Boogie. The kid brings it every play of every night. Lat night: 27 points while shooting 53%, 12 boards, a steal, three turn overs, three blocks. He’s the one guy that did not deserve to lose.

I didn’t want to know how this team would handle a loss, but now its time to find out. The great news is, I just looked out the window and the sun DID, in fact, come up this morning and UK does live to fight another day.

It’s NOT Business, It’s PERSONAL!

Happy “SUPER TUESDAY” CatLand! Ya’ll ready to put that #1 ranking on the line @ 9 & defend it like NoCats Business?!
I’m so past ready! We deserve this ranking more than any other team in the country right now & I’m hoping that the Cats conduct a ROAD STYLE CLINIC to emphasize the point! It’s not just because we know they deserve it. NO, for me, this has become PERSONAL. 

As a Cat by birthright, I’m used to all the negativity & hatred for the Wildcats & Big Blue Nation. Like many of you, my skin is riddled w/wrinkles & cracks but tougher than leather.
I professed my love for this team last week & like w/any & all things I love, I defend w/a fiery passion. Yes, I’m reveling in the hatred & envy we are once again receiving, but there comes a point in time when Kudos & Props are due! In our case, it’s quickly becoming Long Past Due & I’m going to start tallying the fines of the naysayers, haters & wannabe’s.

I think the thing that irks me the most is this WEAK argument of Kentucky hasn’t played anyone—- Okay, it’s all well & fine to have that opinion, but quit tryin to pass it off as a legitimate fact! The numbers don’t work in this arguments favor & the key witness is the SOS of the other Top 5 teams. I won’t even go into the Kansas schedule, it doesn’t take a basketball expert to see that their schedule is the laughin stock of the NCAA world this season. Yet, here the ACC chumps over on that Nazi Network aka espn is taunting them as the rightful #1. Question? Since when does the ACC  fall in love with the Big 12????? I think I’ve solved that mystery….. and the answer falls within an old cliche—-> The Enemy of My Enemy is my Friend. Don’t look now but the BLINDING HATRED by the powers that be is becoming more & more brazen, obvious & forthright. The characteristics that we, as Cat Fans, have known existed for years are beginning to solidy themselves from Paranoia to FACT. When the upper ranks of the college bb world begin to make off handed comments & suttle observations, you then finally know that YES, YOU ARE NOT CRAZY! (Well most of us, Mark—it’s okay hon, we love ya & would never disown ya. Every Family has Weird Ducks & you’re one of the more livelier ones!) Coach Cal~ is aware of this too…you can catch it all the time in his jabs when playing Meet The Press. Who all has he gotten at now??? I’ve lost count. But to date, my fav. was the WWII remark directed at that Creepy Old Notre Dame Coach, Digger. <— who by the way, will never let it go that we were always better than him & his Irish. ( 4-12 is the record btw) Digger is just one of a gazillion examples. Now the problem is this….. for those younger whipper snappers (not just w/in the BBN) The motivation is totally lost in translation simply because they don’t know their History & tend to look at the more popular analysts as the Be All End All truth in the wide world of sports with the result being what we’ve known for years, PREJUDICED, BIASED, SENSATIONAL JOURNALISM not only passed off but ACCEPTED AS PURE FACT. It disgusts me to NO END! Of course, I’m smart enough to know that this is a never ending battle that the BBN will NEVER win, but at the same time I refuse to sit idly by & allow these Haters to rage on w/o giving them my .2 worth.

You know, before Cal~ came here, YES! I was one of the Nations biggest finger pointers in regards to his record. And the 1st to shout out the words CAMBY & CHEATER! Ain’t it funny when the NIKE is on the other foot, you begin to look around for the facts of the matter? And then POOF! You discover that you were indeed wrong! That’s part of being a typical fan. However, it has taught me to look & look again when hearing & reading the supposed NEWS in college basketball. And when it comes right down to it, overall, we are generally GUIDED to misinformation & sensitized to the point that it becomes ACCEPTED information!

Now ya’ll know I LUVTHOSECATS but have the mindset that a loss or two is always, always good for TOURNAMENT DANCING. For once in my FELINE 9 LIVES, I HUNGER for an UNDEFEATED SEASON! Not just for that Banner #8 but out of sheer damned SPITE & We’ll show you attitude! I hope that same attitude resonates w/our Cats & Continues to make its presence known w/command & authority. I happen to love Boogie’s opinion—- “Us Against The World.” That’s right CUZ! In the end, banner or not, that’s the way it’s always going to be.

So, I say take everything we can & give nothing back!
1 world is going to become 1 BIG BLUE NATION! LIKE IT OR NOT!!! LOVE US OR HATE US you can’t deny one thing…..
WE’RE BACK, WE’RE BAD, WE’RE THE TEAM YOU WISH YOU HAD!
GO CATS
GO CATS
GO BIG BLUE!

Path to the Mountain Top

If you are like me, and you probably are if you are reading this, you’ve wondered what this UK team would look like if they played a full forty minutes.  It’s really hard to ask a team to play a full forty minutes, by the way.  Most coaches would be doing back flips to get thirty full minutes of play.  As for this team, now we know.  It wasn’t really forty minutes, but it was as close to it as you can get.  And when they do, this team is unbeatable.  And when I say unbeatable, that includes the Nets as well.

 So now that we have that answer, the next big question is, what flipped the switch for this team?  What made them decide to finally keep the foot on the gas the entire game?  I contend that the answer lies square in the events that will happen when the polls come out on Monday.  Consider that this team was given a lot.  They were ranked third before they ever took their first dribble.  I’m not saying they didn’t deserve the ranking, or maybe a better way to put it is no one deserves their ranking, good or bad, when you have zip to back things up.  All UK had to do to maintain their ranking was to win.  And win they did.  Most nights, they put just enough effort in to get the wins.  The sum of the wins is impressive.  The wins themselves mostly were not.  Then something happened.  Losses by Kansas, then Texas happened.  These Cats decided they did want to be number one and I think they know that to be number one, you must play at another level.  What we found out yesterday is this team is scary good when they play the entire game.  They didn’t play a perfect game by any stretch.  They had 15 turnovers,  and shot 68% from the free throw line.  I’ll truly pity the team (after the final horn) that plays these Cats when they play the entire game AND play a perfect game.  I would probably even pity the Lakers.  I do not mean to knock the team for not playing a perfect game and actually my intent is to show that this team does not need to play a perfect game to destroy teams.  All they have to do is follow the game plan, dominate the boards (margin was 20) shoot a high percentage for the game (46%), shoot 30 percent from three, and defend like mad.  The rest tends to take care of itself. 

 When we talk about playing the entire game, we aren’t just talking about consecutive minutes or even stretches of minutes.  We are also talking about minutes by position.  We know what can happen when UK gets play from the 1,2,4 and 5.  The other question asked as been, what happens if UK also got production from the 3 as well.  Now we know.  Miller and his subs, in my mind, was the difference.  The Hogs chose to let UK’s wings have open looks and the wings responded in a dominating fashion.  Miller, Liggins, Harris; the three did not miss a beat as the lead swelled to 46.  This may continue to be the game plan, then again, I don’t think anyone will feel very good about using this game plan.  It can get you spanked.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

It’s official. I’m T totally 100% in love w/this team. I’ve always loved the Wildcats, it’s my family, friends & life all rolled into one. But every so often a team comes along, sneaks in, grabs your heart & runs w/it. Unlike the 96 Cats that delivered the Love @ 1st sight along w/my 1st love syndrome, the 09-10 team flirted, toyed & snuck in like a theif in the night w/a Big Thuggie Bear sealing the deal w/his 4 mos. old Peyton antics.

This team is setting itself apart from its predecessors in that they are forming an identity with characteristics of unity, compassion, involvement, & humanitarianism . I’ve told you in the past that there is no Coach better working w/these types of student athletes. Cal~ is not only bringing out the best in them on the court, he’s growing them emotionally as men leading by example. There is no doubt in my mind that every member on this team is going to contribute to society as a whole & will take pleasure in doing so in some way or another.
Just another ingredient in the kettle of Champions recipe.
Yes, Cal~ organized the Hoops for Haiti, making sure our Cats took on the active role, but you can’t make one enjoy & embrace such a role. It was obvious they did!
Maturity grew 10 fold yesterday & Mark My Words…. you will see it bear fruit on the Court, proving that all baskeball lessons aren’t learned in practices & games.
A heart of a Champion presented itself last night. Nevermind the struggle w/putting teams away early or the sluggish perimeter defense… these things will come w/time as they are growing up right before our very eyes. Ain’t it fun to watch?! (: It’s January & we’ve got a long way to go before Peak time….. why be in a such a hurry to reach it NOW???? I welcome watching them work through adversity. A lot of Cats were sweating that Auburn game & I heard many a time…… Auburn’s comin back on em, Auburn’s comin back on em —- to which I CONFIDENTLY replied “No, they’re not.” I know it makes many of us uncomfortable to watch them squander away the lead & play down to the competition …. you ever stop & think that this may indeed be this teams style & identity. It may very well be. Puts Me in the Mind of Sea Biscuit— always needing the challenge Neck To Neck to bring out his best.  Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral -1938 Match Race Pimlico “  “You know everybody thinks we found this broken down old horse & fixed him. We didn’t, he fixed us.  And I guess in a way, we fixed each other.”
Honestly, I hope they develop the skill of the KO punch, but we may all haft to realize that you don’t necessarily haft to EXCEL at every skill to get the W.
I’ve eluded many times to this being a Championship team. I’m starting to buy stock in it & if the Banner Market goes Belly Up so be it! It just seems we are watching History being made before our eyes. And I’m a firm believer in you get back 10 fold what you give.
I’ll end this w/some Kudo CatKisses to our King. BRILLIANCE Cats, BRILLIANCE PERSONIFIED. He’s smart enough to recognize the power at his hands & uses it for the greater good. That is LEADERSHIP. Do you realize that we just sent 500,000 dollars more to Haiti than the NY YANKEES!
WE’RE WINNERS on & off the court. And will be justly rewarded not just in March but for Life.
Coach Cal~ is showing the world just one of the few reasons we are the Flagship of College Basketball & why we SUCCEED.

On The Way To 8!
LuvThoseCaliCats!
Ms.Cats~

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