PPat had 6 double-doubles all of last season, and he’s already recorded 7 this year. This was also the 3rd time this year we’ve broken the century mark in scoring. The last time we scored 100+ points 3 times in a season was 1996-97! Go Big Blue! Watch out America, we might be receiving some votes for the Top 25! (Probably not, but watch out for the CATS)

Meeks 32 pts in 28 minutes, Patterson 33 pts in 32 minutes. Efficiency on offense and smothering defense make a team ready for a run through the SEC. If they can keep the turnovers down, this can be a really good team.

It kind of makes me nervous seeing that none of our recent opponents have really been all that “tough”, but the team is growing and maturing nevertheless. Galloway has started the last couple (3?) games. That’s a big step forward from not playing at all earlier in the season. Liggins, and Stewart have stepped their games up a notch or two in the last couple to three games and Miller has remained steady. I’m not familiar with all the technical jargon of basketball, but I can definitely see this – the team is growing and starting to gell. Meeks has been phenomenal all year with no sign of slowing down (I know we worry about Patrick “going pro”, but what about Jodie?). For several minutes during the first half of the Tennessee State game the Wildcats were playing together as a finely crafted timepiece. All the little gears and sprockets were in tune with each other and the team – as a whole – looked beautiful on the floor. Hopefully we’ll be able to retain this rhythm of unity and carry it forward into the rest of the season. Can’t wait to see the UofL game. Can’t wait to see what more great surprises are in store for us next season as Orton and Hood make their first appearances as Cats. Go Big Blue!

It was so nice to watch a game where we actually looked like we could do what we wanted, when we wanted. Even the turnovers seemed to be a hair away from being a great play (e.g., Galloway’s lob to Stevenson that he wasn’t looking for). I know this was Tennessee State, but it really looks like Kentucky is becoming a good team.

When we were reacting to UK’s lack of pre-season ranking, and Tru posted the poll about where they shoudl be ranked, I posted (as did others) that unranked was fair for now as they would likely struggle to start, but when all was said and done at the end of the year, they would be at least one of the top 16 teams. After we opened so poorly, I was on the ledge, ready to jump. Now, I think I have a greater chance of being right than wrong.

and so good to see: at one point UK had 40 rebounds and TN State had 41 points. Regardless of the fact that we’re playing the cupcakes right now, the way we are playing is very encouraging. This is the first time this year this team has kept up the pace for damn near the whole 40 minutes. I think we’re starting to see some consistency now. Let’s hope that continues to be the case for the rest of the season.

Oh, did anybody else get a good giggle out PPat getting in Stevenson’s face and telling him to jump for the ball???

If the Cats stay the course I can easily see them becoming a real threat to Lousiville. As it’s already been said time and again, sure, we’ve had a little softer schedule so far this season, but that doesn’t stop Coach G from pushin’ the Cats hard. We’ve got several greenies this year, and this slower line-up has allowed them to ease into the season and learn more as they go. One drawback, however, is that they’ve not had much experience with close, down-to-the-wire type games, where a win is dependent upon a last second shot. If I recall, last year’s Cats already had several OT and double OT games under their belt before SEC tournament time had arrived. This year is different however. It’ll be interesting to see how they react under pressure. Hopefully, since it seems that some sort of game chemistry is starting to manifest itself, the high pressure games will not pose too much of an obstacle.

Another fun game to watch as the team really is beginning to play with purpose. The sets and positioning and flow of the game show me that everyone is really buying into Coach G’s system. I think the mental toughness to pull out close games and to step it up against better athletes is, as Blueboy said above, a road yet completely taken.

However, I think this TEAM is well on its way to doing that. It’s not the wins or the point totals but how these guys are playing that I am so impressed with. Look at the set out-of-bounds plays or the fast breaks. This is a group that ‘s beginning to know what they are suppose to be doing at all times. And they are in good condition. It shows because they do not foul and are shooting well from the line. Thanks Cats for all the hard work!!! It’s beginning to pay off. Merry Blue Christmas to all.

…On The Leach Report

But Meeks says the more Galloway does, the more everyone understands what he could mean to this team.

“He’s one of the reasons we have been getting off to such good starts,” Meeks said. "He gets steals, rebounds and pushes the ball. "

Galloway says it is “an honor just to be here at Kentucky” and says getting to start has motivated him to work even harder even though he’s averaged just 11 minutes per game in the four starts he has made.

Hey, Jodie Meeks and I think alike…! lol

 #7 Gonzaga 70
 Portland State 77

 #12 Xavier 65
 Butler 74

 #25 Missouri 59
 Illinois 75

One particular stat that will help the Cats to shine during their tougher schedule ahead, is their excellent free-throw shooting ability (so far). Close games can live or die on the charity shot you know. Let’s keep our collective blue fingers crossed in hopes that the Wildcats continue to do well at the stripe. If this is done, it will help ease fan tension and erase any doubt (but not guarantee, of course) that they can pull off a W in close games.