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”!

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

…nothing remains quite the same”…so sang Buffet, and it’s true in basketball, just as in life. Patrick Patterson, like many of us UK fans, disdained playing in the NIT should UK not make the NCAA tournament. Now Patrick, like many of us, welcomes the chance to play more basketball. Consider his latest statements,““If we could win the NIT that could carry over to next year,” Patterson said. .”That would be a huge confidence boost and a weight lifted off our shoulders. We’ve had a not-so-good season and everyone is frustrated. But making a run in the NIT would help.”

This has been one of those zany basketball years in the history of UK basketball where accurate predictions regarding UK’s future success have been in short supply…Indeed, for one who loves to speculate about how good their beloved CATS will be; it’s been as difficult as herding cats. I am one who believes that it takes both the players and a good coach to win it all.

There is no more humbling game than basketball when things don’t work out. Consider that Billy Donovan may be making his second straight trip to the NIT, after winning back to back NCAA Championships! HE is a great coach and HE had great players to win it, but if you remove that team from his resume, he might be job searching right now! Since I like to give credit to the aforementioned players and coach when things go well, then I must assign the blame to BOTH the coach and players for a poor season. It’s only logical. You could have done better.

Given the players have backed their coach , especially Patterson, one must think that Mr. Gillispie Will return next year along with Patrick and Jodie Meeks.

BCG will bring the 14^th rated class to the table next year and I feel we will get some immediate help from the group in the form of Matt Pilgrim and Orton. I can see Patrick Patterson moving to the Power Forward with Orton managing the middle. Pilgrim brings a nice face up game that we don’t have on this current team. Jon Hood, state high jump champ, will provide another outside scoring threat, as well a his 6’6” length on the defense. G.J. will be the prototypical point with some things to learn about the college game.

The NIT offers the fans a chance to see the UK Wildcats play, and play right here at home. I dare say some fans may get a chance to see them that would not normally be able to…This alone makes a strong case for our backing the NIT, especially here in Lexington. From the players perspective it looks like 2Pat is the elder spokesman of the group when he says “LETS PLAY”!

GO WILDCATS!

Boo’s Regular Season Review

Well fellow Cat fans, we made it through another regular season. Well, most of us did anyway. It’s been another rough and tumble year, which we should be very accustomed to by now. It seems every year we are surprised that we made it, but to be honest, it shouldn’t be surprising at all. We are all old pros at it. It’s now time to reflect on what was the 08-09 UK regular season.

The preseason was full of hopes and dreams for most. I was much more reserved. There were too many unknowns to say if this would be a break out year. UK brought in some size in Liggins, Galloway, Miller and Harrelson. All with plenty of unknowns. Miller and Liggins had the pedigree among the four and those two seemed to be locks at making the biggest contributions. But when and how much remained major mysteries for me. Still, many fans had already anointed one, two or all four of these guys as saviors even before we had a chance to see them play. Then, we got to see the Cats! The Big Blue Madness show did leave some room for promise, but it was one night which is never enough to make judgments. Harrelson made shots from everywhere, and the other new comers did not disappoint. The biggest splash may have come from the Cat that couldn’t play in Pilgrim. UK’s first exhibition did make me sit up and take notice. The Cats flat out destroyed. The second preseason contest wasn’t quite as big of a hit. Then it happened… The regular season kicked off with VMI… And so the story really begins.. And continued with UNC…..

I always wait for a large sample before making decisions on any Cat or the team in general. When the time came, I knew UK would be looking at another 10 loss year. I figured, looking at the schedule, UK would have a very rough finish. Patterson was slow getting back to form, and to be honest, I have only seen a handful of minutes where he looked like the Patterson of last year. Meeks, has been the streak shooter that he is, only he had some very big streaks. Of course he has also had his games where he cost the Cats dearly with his turnovers and forced play. Such is life when you live and die with the 2 on five game. And while I am not really surprised with the out come of the season in general, I am very surprised at many of the aspects of the season. I am totally shocked that the Cats have not tried to add more options to the offensive side as players like Miller have developed. I am surprised we did not see Patterson develop and utilize the skills to play at other spots on the floor like we were told he would. I am surprised that no one could ever get Liggins on the same page as the rest of the Cats. I am surprised that no one was able to pass up Porter and Harris. I am surprised at the magnitude of some of the losses.

UK was down seven to UL with seconds left on the clock. Some how, some way, UL fell apart and the Cats were able to make the push to tie the game. Sosa, who had never made a game winner in his life, and probably never will again, rose up with the luckiest shot of his career. The Cards used that victory to spring board themselves back into being a top 10 type team. UK used the experience to vault itself into the team to beat in the SEC after a 5-0 start. I must say that even with knowing who UK had beat, and knowing the rough schedule ahead, even I was tasting a bit of the fools gold back water. The major debate: Where was UK ranked and why were they not in the top 25. It could very well be that the Cats were having the same debates among themselves, because there is no doubt in my mind that they let up on the accelerator. And being young as they are, I also have no doubt they had no clue about what can happen when you let the SEC hit you with an upper cut and put you on the mat. To be honest, I don’t think Coach knew how to deal with the adversity of getting clobbered for a standing eight. I’m not surprised, as he’s use to being the one that clobbers others. So maybe if there is a silver lining in all of this, its the team and staff will be wiser and more aware, and should be much more hungry next year, and maybe even in post season play.

In the end, UK is 19-11. I thought they would be 21-9 and end up with 11 losses. Maybe 10 if they got on a roll in the SEC tournament. So I am not all that disappointed in the season from a wins and losses standpoint. I am disappointed in how it has happened and how it has been handled. But that’s nothing that some wins could not fix. One more win and the Cats are at the magical 20 win mark. Many fans were OK with that some years ago. While I am not, I do understand that it will take more time to get things back to where they belong. So for this year, that is all I ask for. Cats, please, just give me one more win.

So what is wrong?

I did something very painful last night. I actually went home, sat down, and watched the UK-UGA game all over again. I not only watched it, I rewound parts and slow motioned parts. I spent four hours looking at how in the world UK could lose to UGA. These are just my opinions, mind you, and I know everyone has their own, but I feel firm and strong with the convictions that will be forthcoming.

Patterson: I love the kid to death and he plays so hard. But he just is not big enough, strong enough or skilled enough to be effective with three guys on him. Yet UK continues to beat its head time and time again on the feed the beast at all costs wall. Early, it was usually a turnover. But somehow the guys have found a way to cut that down for longer and longer stretches. In that time, a feed to Patterson might as well be a turnover because he has produced at the same clip as when the turnovers happened. But now, its a horribly missed shot and defensive rebound. Not much different that a turnover deep under your basket, if you ask me. Patterson’s goal should be 12 points and 12-14 rebounds instead of 18-20 and nine.

Meeks: Meeks is a streak shooter that has been keyed on of late. Yet UK is still hell bend on getting him 25 points. That’s a great idea when he’s on. But when he isn’t, and you STILL try to get him his points, the cost is too great for this team to over come. And most of that is on him because he has been forcing more and more and the more he forces the less he executes. Meeks should have a goal of 15 points and 5 assists instead of a goal of 25 points and one assist.

The bottom line for me is, these two aren’t nearly good enough game in and game out to carry the load the game plan has called for. As they say, the proof is in the pudding and when you look at this game plan, and then look at UK’s body of work, its quite obvious to me that it doesn’t work. People say the supporting cast can’t score and I say bull. The absolute best TEAM offense I’ve seen since Coach arrived has been this year when UK was actually looking to get other people shots in the right places to make a team pay for over playing Patterson and Meeks. The start of the UGA game was a prime example. UK had a seven point lead with very little help from Patterson and zero field goals from Meeks. Then UK decides its time to feed the beast. The result was turnovers and low percentage missed shots from Patterson playing one on three. Patterson needs to be told that he must generate his own points as long as teams are ganging up on him. That’s what he did in high school and he still got his. You then go back to him once teams must play him honest.

Carter: I know I only have a couple of quality minutes to go on, but Carter provided a major match up problem at the start of the UGA game. He was setting great picks and going to the basket strong. He actually stayed on the block and made a passing lane that no one used. UK only has one guy getting major minutes that likes to stay on the block. At least Carter likes to stay on the block. Why has he not been used? I know the penetration caused mis matches where he wasn’t quick enough but he played well containing the big he was guarding. He even caused a walk that wasn’t called. So the solution is to tell the other guys to keep their man out of the lane instead of sitting Carter the rest of the game. Which leads us to…..

Defense: Sucks. And the reason why it sucks is the same reason it sucked at the beginning of last year. Most say its the three point defense but that isn’t really it. The problem is keeping people in front of them. When a guy doesn’t contain his man, he gets help. The help guy is the one that usually gives up an open three. The difference between last year and this year is Bradley and Crawford actually learned how to keep a man in front of them. Once they did, blammo! Instant quality defense. The major question for me is why was Porter, of all people, the only one that could actually stay in front of his guy. And that includes Meeks, who has started pressing and gambling too much for steals. He gets one and gives up five baskets on missed trys. That is a cost that is far too great. UGA was able to get in the lane any time they wanted, and every time UK was scrambling. And every time UGA got the look they wanted. And this isn’t even a good team.

Execution: Over all, what we have here is a failure to execute. And its across the board. I paid close attention to the things that cost UK the UGA game. And it was a bunch of little things that all add up to one major dump-fest. Porter missing a lay up he should hit, Patterson forcing triple contested shots, Meeks forcing all over the place for turn overs forced shots and three shots from too far under the basket, Miller getting deep in the lane with no options, Patterson not blocking out and giving up offensive boards he should not be giving up, Meeks missing a key free throw, Porter air balling a wide open/game tying three, Galloway allowing the ball too be taken away from him then shuffled out for a wide open three that extended a manageable three point game to a six point game. I could go on and on. And on and on. These guys are seriously trying but they look much more like headless chickens then a basketball team.

And all of this comes back to coach. He is the one that should understand that the game plan should change if it hasn’t worked by now. He is the one that should have these guys thinking they can not be beat. He is the one that should be teaching these kids about UK pride. He is the one that should have them focused properly so they execute. He is the one that should realize that a whole sale substitution when you have a two point lead might not work. He is the one that should notice that it didn’t work once UGA hit another wide open three. He is the one that should never let this team get this low. There is no way I’ll say that he isn’t the man for the job this early. That isn’t even close to a possible thought. But I do think he needs to take a good look in the mirror. He needs to find a way to wipe the regular season off the books, clear the kid’s minds, and get these guys to playing Kentucky basketball in the little time they have left this year. And its entirely possible. There is a switch that can be thrown because there is no way these guys are this bad. And I find it hard to believe he is this bad of a coach…

Post UT Ramblings

It’s the Monday following the total dismantling UK put on UT and many are still a buzz with how different this team looked for a day. I thought it might be a good time to ramble on some of my thoughts. We always know what went wrong when the Cats lose, but its also good to look at what went right when they dominate.

I have wondered aloud time and time and time again about how the team would do if they actually took what the defense gave them. And of late, defenses have given anyone with a name other than Jodie or Pat just about any look outside the lane they wanted. And in some cases, they’ve even invited UK into the lane. It’s no secret that UK has had turn over problems most of the year. And while the Cats do make their share of dumb plays, I’ve always contended that a good portion of those came from forcing a play where there isn’t a play. On Saturday we saw a team that worked the ball to open areas and players other than Jodie or Pat actually executed. It was actually quite easy getting the right people (on this day) into those spots and getting them the ball. The difference here is the offense seemed to be LOOKING for these guys instead of it being a last resort. And by doing so a balanced production was the prime result. But another stat sticks out to me and I can’t help but think it also has a direct connection to this change of the game plan and that is the turn overs and turnover margin. The principle players, or the ones in double digit minutes, combined for nine turnovers. More so, all but one had and equal or positive assist to turnover ratio and all the positive ratios came from the primary ball handlers. This is an astounding change. The one question I had was can UK win with this type of philosophy and I think the answer is an easy YES. It’s my hope that UK uses this blue print going forward. And as they do, I think we will see that it will be much easier for Jodie and Pat to do their jobs.

Speaking of Patterson, I also could not help but notice his improved touch. Isn’t it amazing how valuable one middle finger can be? While he moved very well I can’t help but think I saw him favoring the ankle just a little. That means he could be even more huge down the stretch. But I didn’t really understand how much UK had missed his touch until Saturday.

I know some think I have been in a love fest with Porter and Harris all year. And while I have advocated their playing, the real truth of the matter is I believe firmly in disciplined basketball. While those guys have not always produced, they have at least tried to follow the game plan. On the flip side, I’ve been very quick to say that the ones who are having problems following the game plan should sit for the very same reason. If anyone is curios as to what I am fearful of when it comes to just throwing guys out there, Saturday was a prime example of exact opposites. In UT, we saw a team that, on paper, was way more talented at three spots, and maybe even or slightly less at two. We also saw a team that, on paper, had more talent coming off the bench. We also saw a team where said talent has been allowed to play through very poor basketball and is still playing poor basketball. We also saw Liggins, who played poorly in the first half, come into the second half and play extremely well. I was very impressed with his play in the second half. Liggins is one heck of a player when he’s where he’s supposed to be and is looking to make others better.

This is a game the team needs to watch over and over again about how they need to play. UT won one stat and that was offensive rebounding. To be perfectly honest, the game would have been out of reach in the first half if they had not because they got zero production in their “sets” (if you want to call them that). By the way, UT finished with four assists. In my mind, this is a stat I would choose to leave alone. If UK can dominate while giving up four assists and 23 offensive boards, then I say have at it. OK, maybe they could cut it down to 15..

Carter got to play! And he did more than just take up space. His rebound had authority written all over it and his up and under had Kevin McKale written all over it. One minute, one board and two points. Now that’s what I call production! See ya again when UGA comes to town, big fella..

Isn’t it amazing how smart coach looks after a big win?

UK 64 Vandy 77

There is no gym in America that I wish would burn to the ground more than that God awful place Vandy plays in. The place reeks of bad basketball and plenty was on full display last night. Not just the players and coaches but the refs as well. Vandy’s uniforms suck, their gym sucks, their cheerleaders are ugly, their coach looks retarded and they didn’t pay the refs nearly enough for what they got in return. UK did its part as well. Porter played as poorly as I have ever seen. Harris did next to nothing, and UK never goes anywhere when it has to rely on a Liggins, Galloway Miller combo. And I wasn’t surprised at all with the outcome. UK went into a place where the home team always has its way as far as calls are concerned when UK comes to town. UK went in without its main guy inside. And as much as we love seeing Harrelson all over the floor on offense, he simply can’t defend the likes of Ogilvy. UK did it’s part to stink things up as well. I finally figured out the main problem with Liggins, Miller and Galloway last night. They have no idea where their bread is buttered. Not one pick was set by any of the three to free up Meeks. Not one. There is your answer, to those people who do not know why those guys do not get more minutes. Basketball is about doing the little things. Especially when you have the likes of Meeks and Patterson. Creating your own shot is great and all but you must understand how UK wins games. UK has won a total of one game where Liggins created his own shot. It has won a total of one game with Galloway feeding someone other that Meeks or Patterson. The rest have been won with Porter and Harris getting Meeks free and setting up the inside. Those three could do it much better than Porter and Harris if they applied the proper mindset. YES, you should create your own shot if you can’t get Meeks free. YES, you should get in the lane and dish if you can’t set up Patterson. But you must understand who you are playing with. A tight dish to Stevenson in the lane is a sure turnover. That’s just how it is until he shows better hands. Liggins does one thing and that’s drive the lane. He will continue to pick up charges until he realizes teams teams know exactly what he will do and sets up for it. On the bright side, I thought Stewart came in and provided a much needed lift. He has developed quite the jumper and his post defense, while horrid, was the best of the night.

In the end, this game wasn’t lost because of Liggins or Porter. It wasn’t lost because of Harris or Miller. It was lost because UK was short handed, the game was not called the same on both ends either inside or out, and UK had no one to generate an inside threat or rebound. Players picked up fouls where they didn’t even touch Vandy and Vandy was allowed to man handle anyone they chose to. I’m spitting this one out because chewing on it has left a really bad taste in my mouth.

Is Billy Right For The Job?

Almost everyone seems to have an opinion. I say almost. But in the end, that isn’t really what the main point of this exercise will be about. You have your two main sides…

Billy is the Answer Side: Billy learned from a very qualified coach. He was instrumental in bring top talent in and was credited for helping develop that talent. The things he learned under self can not be discarded. He went out on his own, started at the bottom and built two programs in a very short time. He took a player that was ready to quit and turned him into an All American.

Billy has to Go Side: Billy is a nobody that is completely unqualified for the UK job. Look at his over all life time record? Almost anyone can take a team to one sweet sixteen. He is in over his head and he doesn’t know how to handle it. How else can you explain a three game losing streak? There is no way UK should lose to some of the teams as they have since he got here. Where are the quality wins? UK has two potential All Americans and it has an RPI of 75?

Billy is the Answer Side: It may be true that UK has lost some games it shouldn’t have, but they won several they shouldn’t have as well. But as for his record, remember that he had to rebuild the programs from scratch. Look at his final season at both schools, combine them together, and get back on me on the record thing.. And as for the roster, UK does have two very good players and some potential. But even the two best players are a soph and Jr. UK plays zero Srs and almost everyone has a new role this year. Throw in the fact that some of the frosh are having trouble grasping the system and it complicates things further. Harris, remember, was playing very well and averaging double figures before his head injury. UK didn’t have anyone ready to step into his place and it’s slowed progress. Help is on the way and UK will contend very soon under Billy.

Billy has to Go Side: Help? What help? Who has he really recruited? Tubby recruited Patterson, he ran off Legion and that might be the best player he’s recruited. He hasn’t done a thing with Miller or Liggins and he continues to play scrubs instead of his best players. Patterson and Meeks will jump ship at the end of the year and don’t be surprised if Miller and Liggins transfer. The people he signed may not ever show up once they see he’s a fraud.

You get the drift. We’ve all seen it and it’s been in full force this week. I know some of the opinions may cross over for individuals in one camp or the other, and that isn’t the real point in this exercise. So what is the point? Glad you asked. I am not surprised UK still has the two camps. There is actually a third camp. That is the camp that says it will take much more time than a year and a half to decide. What does surprise me is who is in the “Billy has to Go” Side of late. Granted, those folks were initially in that camp and that didn’t surprise me. But once UK started playing well, many were all but ready to declare Billy the Savior. Then a funny thing happened. UK hit a rough spot and after two or three losses, those fickle fans jumped camp faster than a toad on a hot plate. Not only those, but many others jumped too. The rough spot may not be over and I am sure there are a bunch standing on the fence ready to jump. And I suppose that is their right but it still makes me shake my head. So what will happen when UK goes on its next winning streak? It seems the fickle fans would be very tired from all that jumping.

I think that is why it’s important to reserve judgement until a time where you know for sure. And that time may never come. UK might go to a final four next year. It might not make the tourney. I still do not think that is enough time to say for sure. Any coach would have to grow into the UK job. There is no other job like it. I think people are setting themselves up for failure by being in one camp or the other. I think he has the potential. He works hard and is always evaluating progress. I think he will be wise enough to make adjustments but I also think its wise to not give up on an idea just because it doesn’t draw the proper results the first time and that especially goes for sports. Even if he wins one title, is that enough to say he’s the man? Hasn’t been in the past. It took six to nine to figure that one out. Even if he doesn’t make the tourney this year is that enough to say he isn’t the man? Hasn’t been in the past. It took six to figure that one out.

And people can say after a year and a half?

UK 61 UA 51

It was another ugly half. Meeks was having to fight and claw for everything, Patterson was pretty much no where to be found, and other Cats were again being put in a position to step up. And they were not. The Alabama game plan was simple. Try to restrict Patterson’s touches, assign a guy to Meeks full time, and don’t worry much about anyone else. We are used to seeing people attempt to limit Patterson’s touches. What we haven’t been used to is seeing people actually do it until the last few games. We are also not used to seeing Patterson out worked on the boards as he has at times, and it happened again in the first half. Giving up offensive rebounds, turning the ball over and poor execution by anyone other than Meeks pretty much tells the tale of the first half.

Then halftime came. And this half time was nothing close to ordinary. The half ran longer than normal, then it was announced that a Cat had collapsed during the half. Turns out, it was Harris. Also, no coach at the start of the half and the first thought was that there wouldn’t be a coach sighting in the second half. But, as things usually do work themselves out, coach did reappear. That pretty much told me that Harris was doing OK. His status was, and at the moment is, still a mystery but at least the young man is home safe and sound. And in times like these, basketball is nothing compared to the health of a player.

Coach had hinted that he may change his substitution pattern around. I understood why he had not before and I understand why he thinks it might be time to now. Harris and Porter do give you everything they have but they are limited in what they can offer. And Porter didn’t have a bad game. But with all the focus on Meeks and Patterson, its very easy for me to link the forced play trying to get them shots directly with many of the turnovers. The problem to date has been that guys like Miller and Liggins are also limited but in different ways and for different reasons. And their limitations to date have far outweighed Porter and Harris. But as that gap closes, UK needs to reach a point where they rely more on Liggins and Miller, because UK will need some of the added skills they can offer if they are not hurting UK in other areas as much. And yesterday, in the second half, we saw the result of this change in thought by coach. Miller, out of necessity due to Harris, but also Liggins out of necessity simply because UK needs to be able to make plays by guys other that Patterson and Meeks. Consider it done. Meeks did get his. He always does. Miller didn’t do anything flashy, but he did provide solid D, some great passing and solid play that helped get UK into an open court game. Liggins did provide some needed scoring and overall good D. The major contribution came from Stevenson who, in my opinion had a monster second half and was the key to the game.

I don’t know what is going on with Patterson. I know he has a sore finger, but six points, five boards, two turnovers ZERO assists and five PFs is NOT a Patterson game even if he didn’t have a hand. This is a guy that rarely got in foul trouble last year but it is the case this year. I know he’s the focus of defenses, and I know the team is going to Meeks as much as possible, but he has to keep his head in the game. And I think the others like Porter, Harris (if possible), Miller and Liggins need to make teams pay for showing so much attention to Patterson. They get open shots, and this team will not rise to the next level until those guys knock down those shots.

But, UK continues to plow forward. No one thought it would be as easy as the first two games and it certainly has not. And in the big picture, UK will enter the top 25 on Monday, has total command of the SEC. It’s on to Ole Miss. Go Cat!

UK 73 UA 64

1:41 That is a time to remember. That is the time left on the clock in the first half when the one and only moving pick call was made on UA. And that simply amazes me. I hardly ever complain about how a game is called, but the moving picks from UA were so blatant and across the board that I am floored three grown men standing on the floor couldn’t see it. They weren’t the lean in kind. They weren’t the get there late and not be set up kind. They were the wait till the offensive player who is using the scree goes by then play offensive lineman by continuing to move your feet to stay in front of a guy type. Some coaches teach it I guess because UA performed it to perfection and only got dinged once for it. Alrighty, I spoke my piece on it, I am done..

As for UK, the bodies showed up but they left their heads somewhere else. It was across the board, aside for maybe Stevenson. Porter, Meeks, Harris and Patterson were equally inept, to go along with the typical ineptness of Liggins. I actually liked Miller in this game, but his D just isn’t where it needs to be. Of course I am sure the boards will be filled with Porter hate, and probably some Harris hate as all those who said neither would ever amount to much and wish to be “right” get to blow their horns. I think there should be a rule that if you can’t acknowledge when a kid does good things, then you can’t bang on them when they screw up, so people should be glad I’m not the one making up the rules. BUT, I have been in Porter and Harris’ corner all along (I’m actually in every cat’s corner) so I get to bust them good. It starts with Porter, who had his head firmly planted up somewhere else. One of his intangibles of late has been to supply the steadying force on the floor. That went way out the window last night. Harris followed suit and looked like it was the first time he’s ever stepped on a college floor. Patterson and Meeks were just as bad, but when your role is to score, people tend to give you a break. Not me. Those two deserve to run the stairs until they fall down. If you wish to be the corner stones of this team, you must take more than your share when you don’t bring it like you should. People worried the Georgia game could have been a trap game. turns out, it was UA.

Turnovers, turnovers turnovers. They continue to plague this team. And the UA game showed the worst kind which are the fumble, bumble not trying to do the right thing kind. Its one thing to make a bad pass when you are trying to run a set. Stuff happens. But its quite another thing to just drop the ball in traffic, throw it somewhere no one expects you to throw it, or dribble off your own leg. This team can be very good, but they have got to learn how to value the ball. And I am not giving UA credit for those turnovers. It was all on the Cats.

So what did go right? Stevenson. Easily my player of the game. Yeah, Meeks got 31 and Patterson got 21 and 18. But Stevenson was the only one that I thought was actually into the game. Stevenson had some turnovers as well, but three of them should not have been called. Most probably did not even notice his game. He had to guard both at the basket and away from the basket. He had to usually guard a smaller guy, which typically means a quicker guy. Not when you are talking Stevenson. That could be a major match up problem for other teams. But it becomes a match up problem in favor of UK when Stevenson is on the floor because UK makes you pay by taking full advantage of Stevenson’s length. That, to me, was the difference in UK being 4-0 or being 3-1 in the SEC.

Liggins. If Porter played so poorly, and he certainly did, why did Liggins not get more time? Because he played much worse. His problems continue on the defensive end, and they start with those picks. Not just in this game, but in every game save three. Players usually note a pick and either fight high or low, depended on what D is called. Liggins is like a fly to fly paper when it comes to screens. He is tractor beamed right into the middle of the screen and sticks to it like glue, leaving the other defender to have to decide at the time make a switch that is only supposed to happen for a split second. Instead, Liggins is STILL stuck to the screen. That could very well be the one and only reason he doesn’t get more time. That and he seems to think you aren’t doing anything if you aren’t jacking up shots even if they are not in the flow and you shouldn’t be taking them. He’s staying in front better now, but he has got to figure out how to handle screens properly. And he has got to understand that his primary job should be to make others better on the floor. And stop jacking up 17 % shots.

All in all, I guess this is one more sign that this team is, in fact, getting better. In the recent past, the margin for error was so slim that to play as they did last night would have been a double digit loss to a lesser team than UA. As it is, it was a nine point W and the game wasn’t really in doubt coming down the stretch. And I never really felt like the game was ever in doubt in the first place. But the Cats will not be able to get away with this type of an effort come Saturday.

Next Page »