A Sea Of Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Anchor Of Gold For Vanderbilt Fans!

Vanderbilt @ Kentucky: Open Game Thread

Vanderbilt Commodores at Kentucky Wildcats, Jan 10, 2009 2:00 PM EST


 Btn_chat_medium

This is the official A Sea of Blue open game thread for the Vanderbilt Commodores @ Kentucky Wildcats basketball game at Rupp Arena, Saturday, January 10th @ 2:00 PM.

Particulars of this game are as follows:

This is the first game of the SEC season, and as such, it is huge.  We all have heard that the SEC is down this year, and that is supported to some degree by the performance of SEC teams in the out-of-conference portion of the schedule.  That means that UK will likely have relatively few opportunities to make a big statement by upsetting top-ranked teams, so we'll have to settle for the second-best thing -- defeating good but unranked teams both at home and away.

Vanderbilt represents such a good but unranked team, and even though the Commodores lost their leading scorer and several other critical players to graduation, they return a solid core of players in Jermaine Beal and A.J. Ogilvy, and have some good young talent to compliment them.  The Commodores will be a tough out, and even though we out-athlete them, they are a cohesive team with a high basketball IQ.  They are fully capable of beating Kentucky at home, which would represent a mild upset at the moment.

Things Kentucky needs to do well to win:

  1. Live inside.  Ogilvy is a solid defender, but he should be no match for the much-improved version of Patrick Patterson we have seen lately.  If we can get Ogilvy in foul trouble, this game will be much easier.
  2. Defend the three.  Vanderbilt can really shoot the ball from the perimeter.
  3. Deny the wing pass.  Ogilvy is talented enough to get Patterson in foul trouble if he gets the ball deep in the post, and he is a very effective post scorer.
  4. Attack the rim.  We are quicker and more athletic than Vandy, and we need to get to the line as much as possible.
  5. Take care of the ball.  No elucidation required.

Things that will make it hard for Kentucky to win:

  1. Allow Vanderbilt to get off to a fast start.  We have struggled every time we get behind big early.
  2. Live turnovers.  Live turnovers are deadly.  See here for more.
  3. Jacking up three pointers.  Vanderbilt will likely tempt us to do that.  We much resist with patience.
  4. Allow Beal lane penetration.  Vanderbilt sets the standard for drive and kick to open shooters, and teams that have done that well have beaten Kentucky all year.
  5. Lose the rebounding battle.  Kentucky has been tough on the boards all year, and today is not the time to stop.

Unlike Louisville, Vanderbilt does not have an athletic advantage on us at any position other than point guard, and then only while Michael Porter is in.  UK is longer, taller, and more talented than the 'Dores, although not by a wide margin.  If the Wildcats can rachet up the intensity on defense early, it will auger very much to their advantage.  There is also the ugly beat-down Vandy gave UK last year to consider at Memorial Gym.  The Wildcat players have not forgotten that embarassing episode, and it will no doubt serve as motivation for this game.

This is a big game.  Win this, and UK can start building a case for inclusion in the top 25.  This game won't get us there, but it does represent the kind of quality conference win that UK will need a lot of to get a respectable seed in March.

    Go, 'Cats!

    0 recs  |  Comment 191 comments |

    Story-email Email Printer Print

    Comments

    Display:

    yahoo live feed

    here’s all the games, including today’s: http://sports.yahoo.com/top/collegebroadcast/teams/jps

    GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

    by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 10, 2009 1:35 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Weird

    Think it is blacked out up here in NY.

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

    by bluesquire on Jan 10, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Nevermind

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

    by bluesquire on Jan 10, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    A Possible Upset

    Georgia leads UT by 3 with 5:15 remaining in the game.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 1:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Wow...

    The crowd seems very quite. I was expecting it to be crazy there today.

    by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 10, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    I`d love

     to see 1 game with Rupp full of students….I think there is around 23 or 24 thousand students at UK

    by String Music on Jan 10, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Liggins Liggins Liggins

    those passes are unacceptable

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    why didn't he just dribble across the line?

    there was no one near him when he picked up his dribble after one dribble.

    GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

    by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 10, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Why did he pick up his dribble?

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    no idea

    they’ve been doing it a lot. instead of just bringing the ball up, they take a dribble and then pass across. i know why, but most of the time there’s no one close by, and they’re not anywhere near getting into trouble by getting doubled.

    GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

    by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 10, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Damn!

    Can’t we keep them out of the paint?

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    C'mon, guys!

    Get on the glass!

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Vandy 4 for 4 from 3-land....

    does it ever end…geez

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:28 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Not a good start for the Cats

    Our guys look out of sync on both offense and defense.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Well, on the bright side..

    we have more points at this point in the game than the last time we played them.

    by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 10, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    6 team fouls early

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:32 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    nice hustle Harrellson

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:34 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Well.

    This is better. Good defense.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:35 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Porter...

    Has got to fight through these picks. No excuse for him to get lost on that last basket.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:39 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Liggins is struggling

    We desperately need him to play better.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 2:40 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Vandy has made 5-8 from 3-pt range

    We need to pick it up on D

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 2:41 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    who hit the last three?

    Stevenson? I’m listening at work and I missed it.

    by blue kentucky girl on Jan 10, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    ahhhhh Harrelson

    I knew it was someone who didn’t shoot the 3 alot,,,thanks so much

    by blue kentucky girl on Jan 10, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    harrellson

    GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

    by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 10, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Cold.

    Man, are we cold or what?

    Poor Miller. But he is working hard on the glass.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Miller is trying hard

    … but he has no luck at all. That one shot looked like it was going in.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    In the "BCG who knows" category....

    L Slone played pretty well in 2 straight games and barely saw the court against UL and has not played yet today

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    what happened, what happened??

    stupid work making me unable to pay full attention to the game—why was Porter’s shot crazy? On the radio they were like ’prayers are answered!"

    by blue kentucky girl on Jan 10, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Hell of a shot by Porter.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    country sausage...Its gooooood

    lol

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    atta boy Porter!

    Here’s to hoping we can carry this last half burst into the second half!!

    by BigSkyCat on Jan 10, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    first half burst.....

    you all know what I mean : )

    by BigSkyCat on Jan 10, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    cats played well without PP

    defense pickep the last 10 minutes…just 7 vandy points.

    GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

    by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 10, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Well.

    UK really closed out the half well. Getting a short lead after being down by eight with Patterson on the pine, I really can’t complain.

    Miller and Liggins couldn’t put the ball in the basket if it were double it’s current diameter.

    What about P-Steve putting the ball on the floor? Is he trying to audition for the 3 spot?

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:55 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    difference between miller and liggins

    both are missing, but miller is taking good shots. they’re just not falling…like the reverse layup.

    i wish i could call the shots liggins took bad shots, but i need something stronger. he was just basically just throwing the ball at the rim.

    GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

    by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 10, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Liggins ...

    … is playing well on defense, but offensively he is out of control.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    He makes a lot of careless passes and his shot selection is very poor

    I hope he can pick it up in the 2nd half. We need him to play smarter and with more confidence.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    He took two good shots.

    The rest were bad.

    He is just so … disorganized or something. He has plenty of skill, but he just can’t keep himself from doing crazy, irresponsible things on offense.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    I just wish he would give up shooting for a while.

    And passes over 10 feet, as well. :-)

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    lucky shot, but huge :-)

    We really needed that. We’ve got the momentum. We need to start the 2nd half the way we ended the 1st half.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Hopefully

    this will be one of the 12 or 13 turnover games….sad to hope that but we know the alternative…somewhere around 30

    by String Music on Jan 10, 2009 2:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    indeed

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    overall I thought it was an ugly half of basketball for both teams....

    I’ll take this lead and be happy

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    It was very ugly.

    But I’ll take the result without complaint. We need Patterson to man up in the second half.

    Nice minutes in relief by Josh Harrellson. Stewart tried, but I he really didn’t get anything done on either end of the floor.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Powerball is at $120 million....

    save your money I am winning it….:))

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 2:59 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Good.

    You can make a nice donation to the furtherance of A Sea of Blue. :-)

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    duly noted

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Jodie's having a terrible shooting night...

    3-10 from the floor, 1-4 from three, 9 points.

    by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 10, 2009 3:02 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Our newcomers

    Liggins, Miller, Harrelson and Galloway have been disappointing this season. I’d really thought they’d be contributing much more and at least two of them would be consistently starting. Time to pick it up in conference play.

    Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.

    by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 10, 2009 3:03 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    We can only hope.

    At least Harrellson and Miller made positive contributions. Liggins did as much bad as he did good, maybe more.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    I think..

    Harrellson has played well when he’s on the floor. Galloway donesn’t get off the bench. As for Liggins and Miller, I would agree, they’ve been disappointing.

    by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 10, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    I wish ...

    … Michael Porter would put up a shot from the top of the key. They are leaving him alone out there, and we need to get them out of that zone.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:04 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Porter ...

    … can shoot the ball. I wonder why he won’t?

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Maybe that last shot will

    inject Porter with a bit o confidence.

    by bluecrip on Jan 10, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    I think Porter and Harris play too tentative on offense.

    Both players neeed to look for their shot a little more.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Harris needs to get to the rim more.

    He can do it.

    But he made a nice open jumper from the corner.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Meeks ...

    … is doing a good job of driving the ball to the basket. He needs to keep that up, apparently, he’s the only one who can.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:09 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Free throw story...

    Vandy has taken 10 free throws to the Cats 4. It would seem that we’re not being agressive enough and/or driving the ball to the basket. We need to get the ball inside to Patterson.

    by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 10, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Good decision by Liggin that time.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    the bank is open

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    time for a big run

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Here we go!

    But what was that banker by Meeks?

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    ridiculous call on PP

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 3:26 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Great pass by Liggins

    ….. And an excellent finish by Harris.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 3:29 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    What about that triple team on Patterson?

    Nice ball movement for an open three.

    by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 10, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Ramoooooone!

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Ramon is playing great

    Nice to see him making some shots.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 3:31 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    HAHAHA

    that fan needs another cold one

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    If gametracker is correct..

    15 points off 9 Vandy turnovers. I’d like to see more of that.

    by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 10, 2009 3:33 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    what a pass by DL

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 3:33 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Vandy is rattled bigtime

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Liggins...

    Has been terriffic on defense.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 3:37 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    We are playing great

    Lots of intensity and great play by a lot of players.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 3:38 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Cats lead, 57-37

    Meeks has 16, Harris has 12 and Stevenson has 10. That’s great balance.

    GBB!!!

    by OGETARTS on Jan 10, 2009 3:44 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    What's going on...

    lead is down to 6. This is crazy. A total lack of concentration.

    by Iam4UKinMI on Jan 10, 2009 4:00 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    make free throws

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 4:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    one and down here

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    done

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    tight game

    lots of watching…no talking :)

    by String Music on Jan 10, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    congrats Cats!

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Wow.

    We tried to give them a chance, but in the end, we got it done.

    Uneven game, but a nice start to the SEC season.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 4:06 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    1st place in the SEC East

    Slower Traffic Keep Right!

    by SevenRings on Jan 10, 2009 4:07 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Gillispie Undefeated in SEC at Home

    Runs his record to 9-0 at Rupp. No small feat.

    Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.

    by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 10, 2009 4:07 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    I'll have the post-game comment up in about 90 minutes.

    I have to go to run a few errands.

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

    by Truzenzuzex on Jan 10, 2009 4:08 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Nice win

    I`ve seen most of the SEC play this season and I think Arkansas is the team to beat. They are the most consistent.. so far

    by String Music on Jan 10, 2009 4:08 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    I had completely forgotten

    The 2 OT’s in Rupp last year to win only by 6! This team has always been on my dangerous list. Back in the early to mid 80’s seems I remember they were always dangerous from 3 pt land and liked to play a slowed down game more than now. I don’t even remember who the Coach was at the time. Fogler? I am too lazy.

    by kykat51 on Jan 10, 2009 5:54 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    I looked it up on wikipedia b/c I was curious

    And it looks like CM Newton was there in the 80s, which I don’t even remember (cause I was a child at the time I guess) and then Fogler came in 89. And then it was Jan Van Breda Kolff from 93-99—I had totally forgotten about him! I have mentioned how Vandy has always been a team I’ve especially disliked, at least considering they’re not one of our big rivals, but I also agree with you—I’ve always considered them vaguely dangerous even on those years when they haven’t been especially good. My impression of them year to year was that they were always a team that would consistently knock their their free throws and could get hot from 3 and sneak up and beat you.

    by blue kentucky girl on Jan 10, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Thanks for the info blue girl.

    I had totally forgotten about C.M. coaching at Vandy. That has been 20 years ago. Hey I do remember him being the AD at UK.

    Nice to know my loss of memory is just age and not Alzies :-)

    by kykat51 on Jan 11, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

    Nice game..

    UK overcame an absolutely terrible performance from the bench.

    Meeks is playing like an all-american; he was tremedous today. Don’t let the shooting % today fool you; when you look at elite scorers like Meeks, the first thing you do is look at what they did from the charity stripe and again he was stellar.

    I will spare all of you my Porter commentary because ti would just be repetitiuos of me. :)

    by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 10, 2009 5:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

    Comments For This Post Are Closed


    User Tools

    An exciting community-driven SBNation blog, by and for fans of the Kentucky Wildcats.

    Community Guidelines
    [UPDATED 3/31/2009]
    Start posting about the Wildcats »

    Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

    FanPosts

    Community blog posts and discussion.

    Recent FanPosts

    Uk_logo_blue_small
    How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Cats
    Cat_trig_002_small
    SEC Basketball Not Looking Good!
    Dubber_small
    Vols Janzen Jackson Will Play
    Lightning-gallery-18_small
    Stay Classy Bruce
    Emberlogo_sized_small
    Wall ESPN Player of the Week
    Uk_logo_blue_small
    The ABC's of This Saturday
    Small
    GOG 2009 #05
    Cdixon_small
    A little trash talk with a UNC fan
    Uk_logo_blue_small
    You Want Some Cheese......With That Whine??
    Images_small
    Three SEC Road Wins.....Who'd A Thunk It?

    + New FanPost All FanPosts >

    Twitter Widget -- Follow me!


    Managing Editor

    Tru_small Truzenzuzex

    Editor

    Small Ken Howlett

    Author

    Diane-black_heels_small BigSkyCat

    Official Partner of CBS Sports