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!

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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.

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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!

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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”!

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What a turnaround from the earlier loss this year to that same team on their home court, but it wasn’t just this game that makes the team, fans and administration walk around with a smile on their faces.  The overall record for the year is good enough to warrant a #16 national ranking and would probably be higher if they hadn’t come from out of nowhere this year.  They have won enough games in the SEC that they can finish as high as #2 in the SEC (how long has that been).  Another reason to smile really big is the fact they never lost a home game all year.

For the Lady Cat’s to not lose a home game in the SEC is remarkable because the SEC has the best teams in the nation top to bottom every year and the Lady Cat’s took on all comers and sent them home carrying an “L” with them.

The game was the home finale for two of our beloved seniors, Ldyia Watkins and Amani Franklin.  It seems like only yesterday when we first listened to their names being called and now they have concluded their careers before the record home crowd for the year.  What a befitting send off for them because they have battled injuries and played through pain all year to help make this teams record one of the best ever at UK.

It has been since the 1980-81 season, 29 years, since they have had such bragging rights which brings me to a major point I want to make.  Mitch Barnhart has been vilified by many ever since he came to UK, but the naysayers have been silenced, at least for the time being.  His devotion to all the sports at UK is remarkable and we don’t hear too much about most of them, because they don’t have the following that football, basketball and to a lesser extent baseball do.

His hiring of Matthew Mitchell was a gutsy move, because Matthew had limited head coaching experience at Morehead State.  However, Barnhart already knew Matthew’s devotion and passion for the game when he was an assistant at UK, but it takes more than that to be a successful coach.  You have to be able to plan the “X’s & O’s”, be a master teacher in practice, and be a master recruiter.   He has been all those things, but he has been successful in getting the ladies to buy into his passion and belief that UK basketball belongs at the top of the #1 conference in all of Basketball.

The ladies played the games with heart, Matthew coached them well and Barnhart made a good decision.   All of them deserve recognition for what they have accomplished thus far and the groundwork has been laid for many more smiley faces in the future!

catfan4life

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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.

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But the Cinderella Vols believed they could win, and for 30 minutes the glass slipper fit in Rupp Arena.

Thats the way the story starts at govolsextra.com.

Its a given that Tennessee played a good game against the Cat’s and its a given that barring a complete collapse by the Vols and a few more arrests they will be playing come March Madness time.

I don’t mind giving credit where credit is due but calling them the Cinderella Vols is stretching the amount of credit I’m really able to extend them.

Don’t they know the story of Cinderella? For those of you who haven’t read it or at least heard of the story I will tell it to you.

Once upon a time there was a basketball team that lived in a conference call the SEC. They cried because they couldn’t win a national championship and a low and behold a fast talking coach magically appeared who promised them they could dance with the trophy.

Now there were a couple of problems for the coach to overcome before this could happen. They didn’t have any designer clothes but that was easily fixed by trips to the mall and the county clothing store. They didn’t have a ride to the big dance so he would turn a pumpkin into a shiny city car come time for the dance and low and behold their problems were solved.

Sadly their two wicked step sisters Kentucky and Vanderbilt wanted them to stay home the evening of the dance so they resorted to judicial magic to escape. The pumpkin changed into a beautiful car with pretty flashing lights and their rags turned into beautiful orange jump suits.

Of course we all know how the story turns out, one and done. It would be a sad story but they got to keep the beautiful orange jump suits.

I know I know its not that good a story but desperation forces a man to write something like this to compete with story like Cinderella Vols. Cornell advancing to the final four would be a Cinderella story but calling Tennessee a Cinderella is a sign or increasing desperation.

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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.

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I don’t have any idea if its true or not but any drama in Louisville makes the BigBlue Nation happy.

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Send the Cats some love via snail mail, so they will see how much the real Cats fan in the Big Blue Nation really feel about them. Will you please do this too? I am going to send mine right now to the UK Athletics office.

Here is the address:
Mailing Address UK Athletics
Joe Craft Center
338 Lexington Ave.
Lexington, KY 40506-0604
General Phone 257-8000

According to UK Athletics, the fax # is (859) 323-1071.

Please do this! Let them know the Cat fans are behind them. Thanks!!!

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