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Central Michigan @ Kentucky: Open Game Thread

Tru_tiny by Truzenzuzex on Comment 246 comments

Central Michigan Chippewas @ Kentucky Wildcats


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This is the official A Sea of Blue open game thread for the Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Kentucky Wildcats basketball game at Rupp Arena, Monday @ 7:00PM.

Particulars of this game are as follows:

The Central Michigan Chippewas limp in to Rupp Arena tonight to face the Kentucky Wildcats after losing six of their last seven games.  Conversely, the Wildcats have now taken five in a row from their opponents, all but the most recent in dominant fashion.

Central Michigan will likely set the record for attendance at one of their games tonight, the current record being right around 16,000.  If the normal fan turnout happens in Rupp arena tonight, the new record should be in the 21,000+ ballpark, depending on how the holidays affect turnout.

Central Michigan is in a very tough spot tonight, but as we saw recently, if you give a team hope, they can sometimes go off in your face, just as FAU went off in Kentucky's face on Saturday.  Fortunately, the 'Cats were able to overcome an early second half deficit to defeat the Owls.  Hopefully, we won't have to do that again tonight.

Five things I would like to see from Kentucky tonight:

  1. Much more defensive intensity, especially in the first ten minutes.  We let FAU see the ball go through the net a few times, and they went nuts on us.
  2. Handle the ball pressure.  Many people still doubt that Michael Porter can perform well in a game where strong pressure is applied.  Ernie Zeigler is a defensive-minded coach who learned under Ben Howland.  The 'Cats will see pressure tonight.
  3. Good interior passing.  CMU will have to double-team Patterson, and good interior passing should lead to some dunks.
  4. Continue the good ballhandling from last game.  'Nuff said.
  5. We need more early offense than we got last game.

Five things I do not want to see tonight:

  1. A bunch of threes early in the shot clock.
  2. Aimless dribbling without a purpose.
  3. Allowing CMU guards into the painted area.
  4. Allowing open three point shots.
  5. Careless ballhandling.

CMU is banged up and not nearly as potent as FAU was, so there is no excuse for letting this team hang around for any length of time.  UK needs to charge out to an early lead and deflate any hopes this team may entertain of an upset.  Failing to do so can have frightening consequences, as we almost found out last game.

Go, 'Cats!

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Where did you hear that?

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 6:59 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Matt Jones

He’s liveblogging from the sideline.

by BBallSophist on Dec 29, 2008 6:59 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I thought there were licensing problems still

associated with liveblogging.

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:02 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tru would remember better than I

but I think last year some bloggers were sent threatening letters about liveblogging games without “express written consent” on the broadcast licensee.

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I remember that..

…a courier-journal reporter was kicked out of a UofL baseball game when he was liveblogging.

by BBallSophist on Dec 29, 2008 7:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not that I know of...

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 7:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Anyway

Liggins starting is yet another surprise move by BCG. We’ll see how it turns out.

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lets Get It On!

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 7:05 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Agreed.

Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi

by hoopchi on Dec 29, 2008 7:06 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

None here either.

I hate Comcast for not allowing me ESPN360.

Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi

by hoopchi on Dec 29, 2008 7:09 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yay!

Go DeAndre! I have decided to become his personal cheerleader! : )

by BigSkyCat on Dec 29, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was awful looking

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:13 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Two times in a row

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:13 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

UK needs to make some outside shots...

to open up the paint

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 7:14 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They need to run a play to get someone open

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:15 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sheesh ...

… We are still clueless about how to attack a zone.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 7:17 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

do not like

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 7:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Porter has looked lost on D

several trips in a row

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:21 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hmmm

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 7:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Better.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 7:29 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

just get it on in the paint....

CMU cant defend this team inside

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 7:31 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good lord!

I’m positive I can hit a higher percentage of wide open 3s.

by BBallSophist on Dec 29, 2008 7:34 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Defense ...

… Is improving. Nice to see.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 7:36 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I really think Coach scheduled these

teams for a reason. Other than the tourney and UNC the other non-conference teams have had different styles. This one presents a pressure defense that preps the boys for UL. Maybe I’m reaching but I think this is part of the Gillispie plan.

by bluecrip on Dec 29, 2008 7:37 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

BCG:

“You see that big, badazz looking dude standing in the paint?” “When he’s open, pass him the ball.”
TEAM: “Ga-wo-all-lly”

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:38 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Finally Porter hits one.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 7:39 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They need to shoot it when open.

We can’t rely on Meeks every night. Get the kinks out now when we are playing lower competition.

Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi

by hoopchi on Dec 29, 2008 7:43 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Slone's confidence is coming.

That’s good news. I think Gillispie is realizing that we need another long-distance threat when playing these zones.

by BBallSophist on Dec 29, 2008 7:45 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Good passing by UK.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 7:45 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Keep on shooting boys.

Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi

by hoopchi on Dec 29, 2008 7:45 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fantastic team defense!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 7:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No doubt

if BCG started Liggins ahead of him.

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 7:50 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

All I want for Christmas now...

is for Liggins to hit a 3. Just make one.

Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi

by hoopchi on Dec 29, 2008 7:52 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Porter And Slone > 17 Points

Both appear to be playing well (from boxscore).

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You had to fell like..

once these two got a couple 3’s to fall they would start hitting more and more

by uk52 on Dec 29, 2008 7:55 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very well.

Porter has no assists, but he still has played well. Liggins is collecting the assists tonight so far.

Get this stat — AJ Stewart has more assists (2) than anyone except Liggins. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:03 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Liggins just played ...

… his best half as a Wildcat — 4 assists and 2 turnovers, one which was just a tough break after a steal. Porter had zero assists, but he did very well in spite of that and finally knocked down an open shot.

You have to say, though, that Landon Slone was as impressive as either of them. That kid has skills, and plays perhaps as hard as any player I have seen since the days of the Unforgettables.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:00 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I have to say ...

… I am pleased with how we recovered from the lousy start. We just need to get back in the habit of getting better starts.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:01 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Holding them to 27.6% from the field

I didn’t like the slow start, but once we woke up we didn’t give them an open look.

by BBallSophist on Dec 29, 2008 8:04 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

"Somebody"

aka Slone

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 8:06 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well ...

… he was in there when we were playing bad, too, so I’m not willing to give him all the credit. He has been the most consistent with his defensive effort, though. No doubt. Maybe it just took time to catch on.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:08 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just seemed like he was the only one played hard

and it fired up the fans, and maybe embarrassed or woke up the scholly guys.

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 8:09 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He didn't just play hard.

He played possessed. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:09 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't think he was the only one playing hard....

he was just having more success

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 8:10 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

To clarify

It appeared that he was the only one playing hard. Doesn’t mean he was the only one playing hard. Tayshaun never appears to be playing hard, but not because of lack of effort, but because of his mad smoothness.

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 8:13 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Quick Stats

FG% — UK 51.9, CMU 27.6
3-PT% — UK 50.0, CMU 37.5
Reb — UK 19, CMU 15
TO’s — UK 7, CMU 6
Pt off TO’s — UK 9, CMU 10

Porter 9 pts, Meeks 11 pts, Liggins 4 pts, Slone 8 pts.

9 assists on 14 mad baskets.

Meeks – 14 minutes — Taken 7 shots
Patterson – 17 minutes — Taken 3 shots (made all three)

by Ken Howlett on Dec 29, 2008 8:04 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes a nice recovery from a slow start

This team is coming together and Slone is an exceptional walk-on. And he does play D besides his 3 point shooting skills. I am impressed with him thus far.

by kykat51 on Dec 29, 2008 8:04 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heh.

Plus one goaltend. I say, make ’em call it. Swat that weak stuff. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:12 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I didn't read any pregame notes...

so, does anyone have any info on Harris? Is he still experiencing back spasms?

by Iam4UKinMI on Dec 29, 2008 8:14 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Looked like a DB tackle

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 8:18 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

7 for 13 from 3-land

that would be huge for UK if they could keep that up all season (or at least close to it)

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 8:20 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Liggins...

… Is doing a great job of pushing the tempo.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:20 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no mercy

lets get it down to 20%…:)

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 8:23 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Pass the ball, Jodie!

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:23 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Darius is getting beat far too often on D.

I don’t get it. He has the ability to be a good defender.

by BBallSophist on Dec 29, 2008 8:24 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He is trying too hard.

He needs to keep his feet and stay in front of his man.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:27 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Career High (Pts) For Porter

His first double digit scoring game as UK Wildcat.

by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 29, 2008 8:27 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well, I like the confidence from Porter...

…but let’s try to work to get a better shot.

by BBallSophist on Dec 29, 2008 8:29 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He's going to be awesome

if he ever learns the difference between a good play and a dumb one

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 8:37 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We need to enjoy PP

this year. He will be in NBA next year.

by Grasslands1 on Dec 29, 2008 8:42 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

shush

Pox on you

the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"

by bluesquire on Dec 29, 2008 8:44 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Porter ...

… Is working hard.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:44 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

pretty

play

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Dec 29, 2008 8:48 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

3

wow

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Dec 29, 2008 8:49 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Well...

Some good, some not so good

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 29, 2008 8:55 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Carter

would be nice to see him get a bucket.

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Dec 29, 2008 8:57 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Let the bench play.

If PP got hurt we would all go CRAZY.

by Grasslands1 on Dec 29, 2008 8:58 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Perry Cha Ching

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Dec 29, 2008 9:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sweet

nice

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Dec 29, 2008 9:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Did you see that swagger?!?

Dwight got some swagger after that shot! LOL!

by EEWildcat on Dec 29, 2008 9:03 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol

i saw that…he was the man for like 1.2 seconds!!

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Dec 29, 2008 9:04 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

carter

to the line baby

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Dec 29, 2008 9:02 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

swish

i love to see that

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Dec 29, 2008 9:03 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

good grief

banks in the dunk???

" I believe in pipedreams"

by Magnoliacat on Dec 29, 2008 9:03 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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