Morning Newspaper, Tennessee Volunteers Edition

by Truzenzuzex on Jan 13, 2009 8:03 AM EST in News Comment 43 comments

It's Tennessee Tuesday today for the Kentucky Wildcats. The 'Cats and the Vols tee it up tonight as part of ESPN's "Big Tuesday," and a big game it is indeed. Unfortunately, it is a late one also, tipping off in the 9:00 PM time slot. So if you have to get up early tomorrow morning, catch a 'Cat nap before the game and get your Blue and White on.

And now, the news:

Kentucky Basketball News

Patrick Patterson dealing with minor finger injury. It is on his shooting hand, which makes a big difference. Hope it's better by tonight.
UK-Tennessee pre-game notes.
Gillispie thinks Tennessee's defense is fine, according to the Courier-Journal. Well, what the heck is he supposed to say? Gillispie isn't exactly making a name for himself as the straight-talker of college basketball these days. Tennessee's weakness has been their half-court defense, and everyone, including Pearl, can see that. They have been able to overcome that deficiency most of the time.
More Tubby Smith love. As much of a Smith supporter as I am (and trust me, I am), I must admit that this constant parade of, "Look how well Tubby's doing!" articles are getting on my nerves. Not that anyone will care. I'm sure the Golden Gopher fans are glad to see them, so there you go.
Pearl says it will be Patrick Patterson vs. Wayne Chism tonight. Chism is a fine player, but if Patterson is at his best, the Volunteer forward will be in for trouble.
Some future UK player news from Jody Demling.
Scotty Hopson says he is excited about tonight's game, and Bruce Pearl is hyping Perry Stevenson.
UK #2 in the SEC according to The Sporting News, according to Rick Bozich.
UT assistant Steve Forbes lights a fire under Bobby Maze.
More on the UT-UK game from Jerry Tipton.
Matt Jones blogs some Big Orange loathing.
This is just wrong. What some people won't do for attention.
Joel at Rocky Top Talk looks at the stats for tonight's game.

Kentucky Football/Other News

Jeremy Jarmon will return next year. Good news. UK's defense just keeps getting better as players decide to come back.
Wildcats named to "All-Bowl" teams (via Catsinsider). Plus, the Liberty Bowl was rated the 11th best bowl by CollegeFootballNews.com

NCAA Basketball News

Louisville defeats Notre Dame in Freedom Hall. Louisville just ran the thinner Irish out of gas. Classic Pitino ball game.
SEC mid-season basketball review from CHN.
More on the "SEC is down" meme from Mike Miller at Beyond the Arc. This is getting a little old to me, and I expect some of the younger teams to really step up in February and March. We will see.
Blake Griffin and the Sooners flatten Texas. Oklahoma is tough, and we sure could use Weird Willie on our team.

NCAA Football News

Apparently,Gene Chizik is gradually calming the initially stormy Aurburn waters after the Tubberville debacle.
More calls for a football playoff. I used to be one of these. I have learned that it is not forthcoming anytime soon, so perhaps we just need to learn to love the BCS for a while.
Steve Spurrier banned from recruiting at a high school. Well earned, in my opinion.

Other News of Interest

Tony Dungy steps down. Dungy was always a guy who made good decisions, on and off the field. This looks like another one. Go out near the top instead of on the way down.

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Comments

Thanks for the links, Tru

I was looking at the stats and Tennessee is a really good offensive rebounding team. They get 37% of their rebounds at the offensive end. That’s great. We have to make sure we are boxing out and not allowing 2 or 3 chances for Tennessee to score.

Our transition D is going to be tested today…. we have to communicate and get back quick.

Turnovers are always a key, especially playing on the road against a quality opponent. We have played 2 road game this season and both times we had 20+ turnovers. We can’t afford to cough it up that much today. If we do, we’ll be in for a long night.

I expect a really close game. I hope we can get the W. That would be huge.

GBB!!!

by OGETARTS on Jan 13, 2009 9:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Steve Forbes knows Gillispie really well

Forbes was an assistant coach at Texas A&M for 2 years before joining the UT staff.

GBB!!!

by OGETARTS on Jan 13, 2009 9:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

On Patterson vs. Chism

Wayne is a guy that plays to the moment, and against Pat-Pat it definitely qualifies. He outrebounded Greg Monroe at Georgetown, went 26 and 11 against Marquette, 15 and 19 against Heytvelt at Gonzaga and followed that up with a strong performance at Georgia. As a freshman, he played really well against Greg Oden in the tournament.

But Patterson still scares me, and Chism’s biggest weakness is how quickly he gets in foul trouble. If he gets tagged early and often, I’m worried the Vols don’t have an answer to Patterson even if he’s not at his best.

Great site you guys run, I’ve enjoyed interacting with you guys over the last couple of days.

by Will on Jan 13, 2009 9:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks ...

… for stopping by. I’m looking forward to a great game tonight.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Jan 13, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

By the way ...

… that was a great piece you wrote the other day. I really liked it.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Jan 13, 2009 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Hope UT Vs UK Rivalry Returns To 60's-70's-80's Atmosphere

UT was UK’s #1 SEC rival until the 1990’s. I’m gald to see UT back on that (#1 rival) level.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 10:02 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'd prefer it to return to the 90's atmosphere

;-)

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Jan 13, 2009 11:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tubby Smith

Tubby Smith couldnt be loved any more by the minnesota faithful. He has resurrected the gophers and things are only going to get better in the future. The gophers have a young team (only 2 seniors but neither of them are impact players) and have a very good recruiting class coming in next year.

by MinnesotaCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 11:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's A Good Swap

Good for Gophers and Tubby. Nice fit for both.

Good for Cats and Gillispie. Nice fit for both.

They’ll play in NCAA tourney before too long.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

I think that we all (pretty much) agree that Tubby is a good man and coach and we are very happy for him and his success at Minnesota. I think what bothers me so much about the constant “Look how great Tubby is doing at Minnesota” in the press every single day is that it is almost presented as a put-down of sorts – forcing some inept, unnecessary, and irrelevant “comparison” between Tubby and BCG. Like a “Tubby’s soaring while Billy G struggles” kind of thing. THAT is what I am completely sick of. Tubby’s doing good – great! Good for him! I am happy for him! Enough already – that’s all I’m saying.

by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 13, 2009 12:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Inevitable

Tubby is 35-15 at Minnesota (coming off 9-22 season B4 he arrived).

Gillispie is 30-17 at Kentucky (coming off 22-12 season B4 he arrived).

The true test will come in 3rd or 4th season at their new schools.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Inevitable Maybe

…but annoying nonetheless.

by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 13, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

totally agree.

GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 13, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He is a good coach for Minn...

because he will win 20 games most seasons. Although he will not take Minn to a Final Four (face it, if he couldn’t coach his players at UK to a Final Four, he won’t a Minn either), I am sur 20 win seasons and NCAA bids will make you all happy.

by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 13, 2009 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

FF There In 2010 Or 2011

Strong, talented roster both seasons.

He’ll average 25 W there.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

20 W The Last 15 Seasons In A Row

Longest streak of any Div I coach. Must not be too easy to get 20 W every year.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I will never doubt Tubby's ability

to win 20 games. Nor will I ever doubt his inability to make it to the Final Four. He will never … NEVER.. take Minn to a Final Four.

by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 13, 2009 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He Averages 24 W (Not 20) In His Career

And if Clem Haskins can take Gophers to FF, so can Tubby.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And...here... we... go...

(Imagine that in a Heath Ledger/Joker sort of voice…)

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Jan 13, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

excellent..!

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Jan 13, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Just Expect UK To Be >>> Minnesota

Regardless of who’s coaching at which school. No way that Uk results should be < than Minnesota.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Jan 13, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not Annoying To Me

I expect the UK results to >>> Minnesota results.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 2:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"This is just wrong. What some people won;t do for attention"

LMAO….absolutely hilarious video. I remember seeing that during the game. At least he is one fan at the game showing some spunk.

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Jan 13, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gotta admit...

His moves weren’t that bad.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Jan 13, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh c'mon! Let's be honest.

Everything about that was bad. Few things are worse than someone who doesn’t realize they should be embarrassed. I sank down a little in my chair at home when they put that guy on; I can’t imagine being caught in the same camera shot with him!

by Acdixon on Jan 13, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Comments

Some of the comments over at KSR said that guy was a bit handicapped mentally and is just a huge fan. I know that comments over there can often be taken with a grain of salt, but I think there is some truth to it in this case. I have been at games and been seated somewhat near him.

by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 14, 2009 10:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah.

Well, in that case, it’s OK.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Jan 14, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Although kentuckygirl is right to hedge regarding the accuracy of comments on KSR. They ain’t like folks round here, for sure.

by Acdixon on Jan 14, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

better

than anything i could do.

GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!

by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 13, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

For those that have ESPN Classic and are at home...

the UK v UT overtime game from 2004 is being replayed at 4:30. UK won by the way.

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Jan 13, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thanx..!

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Jan 13, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

for what it's worth...

I am picking the cats to win tonight’s game, 71-66

UK was 1-1 against UT last year, but 1-0 with Patterson in the lineup…
Even the loss at UT last year was a very close down to the wire game, in part, because Stevenson DD, 13 &14…

Add Patterson, and UK should be able to battle down low and neutralize UT’s bigs…

take away Lofton, add Maze..? I think Maze has shown that he can be frustrated into making mistakes… Plus, Lofton always stepped up his game because it was Kentucky, Maze will not have that incentive…

UK out rebounded UT both games last year, (one being without Pat), and I expect that to be the case tonight…

Gonna be a good game, a close game, but I think it will be a win for our CATS…

IMHO

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Jan 13, 2009 4:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hrmmm

You mention a lot of “take away from UT” and “Add Patterson to UK” type stuff… but I think you may be forgetting two very important pieces of the UK equation from last year.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Jan 13, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

no, not really...

… We lost 3 guards, and of course, Coury, but this UK team is better then last year’s…

I think UT’s team is weaker… Remember, this is a UT team that was ranked #1 at one point last year..
you take away, Lofton, Jajaun Smith, Jordan Howell and Duke crews… I think they lost as much, if not more then UK did..

Of course, it’s just MHO…

Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.

by vinceuk1 on Jan 13, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lofton was their best perimeter shooter and Smith was their best defender

Those are big loses.

I hope Stevenson can step up tonight. He played very well against UT last year.

It should be a close game tonight. Here is my prediction: UK 75, UT 73

GBB!!!

by OGETARTS on Jan 13, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Latest Bracketology...

I know I know it is very early but I like looking at the projections and how they progress. Lunardi has UK as a 9 seed versus none other than 8 seeded Minnesota. You know the NCAA would love to see that matchup for obvious reasons.

Slower Traffic Keep Right!

by SevenRings on Jan 13, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I promise you we'll be in the same region at the very least

I think Kentucky will rise in the rankings to the point where a first round match-up won’t be practical, but second round? Oh yes. I can see it already.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Jan 13, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It'll Happen ASAP

The NCAA loves those kind of match-ups.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 13, 2009 9:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

FWIW

Jerry Palm (who?) of CBS Sports released a Projecting the Field article yesterday: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11233762/rss

Kentucky as a 7 seed against Ohio State. Completely across the bracket from Minnesota. Of course, he also still has UT winning the SEC, so not sure how much stock I put in his opinion.

by Acdixon on Jan 15, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Palm

He publishes Real Time RPI website.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 15, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Not a name I was familiar with.

Still, I question his choice of UT to win the SEC. It may well happen, but if UK had lost 3 of their last four and opened 1-1 in SEC play, including a relatively narrow win over the consensus worst team in the league and a shellacking by the team initially picked third, I doubt anyone would continue to call them the favorite.

by Acdixon on Jan 15, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs