Kentucky at Georgia: Postmortem
by Glenn Logan on Jan 18, 2009 3:14 PM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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As expected, the Dawgs were no match for the 'Cats today, even in the friendly confines of Stegeman Coliseum. As always, Georgia tried hard and played a tough, physical game, but their challenges scoring the basketball were just too tough to overcome. The Wildcats jumped out to a big early lead, and the scoring-challenged Bulldogs found no real way to gain momentum and put the ball through the hoop.
I always worry about the 'Cats after a big road win like we had at Tennessee earlier this week, particularly one in which so much of the scoring was done by one player. I worry about a tendency of the team to stand around and watch, and fear a regression to earlier in the season when UK would turn the ball over constantly.
Unfortunately for the 'Cats, they did regress in the turnover department with 18. While not the 20+ we had routinely been seeing earlier in the year. Still, 18 is far too many, and somewhat unsurprisingly based on the totality of the season, Jodie Meeks led the way with six. Patterson uncharacteristically added four, and our two best players combined for over half the total number of miscues.
Further impressions of this game are as follows:
- Michael Porter continues to impress in the ballhandling department, registering his second zero-turnover game in the last four outings. If he would only take open shots. He managed only 1 assist, although he made up for it with six rebounds.
- Patrick Patterson is not himself. I suspect the finger injury is affecting his game, as he is neither as sure handed nor as pure of touch as he was a few games back. 15 and 5 are not all-American numbers, and although he was his usual active self, there seems to be something not quite right.
- Jodie Meeks was pretty much himself today. A good performance, especially when Georgia was working so hard to deny him the ball.
- I thought DeAndre Liggins played very well, particularly defensively. 4 assists, two turnovers, one bad shot, one block and one steal. Good line for the freshman. He had more minutes than Porter today, and overall, I thought he was more effective. As he should be.
- Darius Miller was also solid today, two turnovers being the only negative.
- What can I say about Perry Stevenson. He is the glue guy, the player who gives you all the little things you need -- rebounds, blocks, help, points, even an occasional three.
- Ramon Harris played awesome defense on Georgia' leading scorer, holding him to only 8 points.
- Kevin Galloway gave some quality minutes, getting three assists and no turnovers. His defense was very disruptive.
- Josh Harrellson had seven productive minutes, most of which came when the game was no longer in doubt.
- 11 blocks for this UK team. That's tremendous.
- Defensively, I thought the 'Cats played maybe their most complete game of the season.
- Offensively, Kentucky was below average at 48%. Kentucky missed a lot of open and simple shots.
- For Georgia, Trey Thompson sure is good. I don't understand why he only played 22 minutes.
Honestly, other than slightly below average offensive execution, I find relatively little to criticize. UK got beat on the offensive glass, but when your opponent shoots a dismal 31%, to your 48%, that's going to happen 100% of the time. Overall, we beat the Dawgs by five on the glass, which is solid if not spectacular.
Taken all together, this was a very good game for Kentucky, and validation that the Wildcats are now ready for prime time. We may struggle against the very best this year, but I think the Wildcats have made a legitimate case for inclusion in the top 25 next week. I honestly don't expect them to quite get there, at least not in both polls, but they should be very close. Another good week, and they will be there for sure.
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Didn't get to see/hear the game..
Did Meeks get to line for free throws? If so, is his streak still alive?
Unfortunately no
He went 3/4. Hit the first two, missed the third.
Patterson
He missed a few shots against Tennessee that he usually hits too. I think you’re right about the finger injury throwing him off a bit. The only one who could say for sure would be Patterson, but you know he’s not going to make excuses like that. I just hope it’s the kind of injury that will get better even if he continues to play.
Gillispie's best trait
is that his teams don’t let their defense suffer if the offense is struggling. That will provide useful down the road and keep us in games against tougher competition.
Still not a crook!
Also
we really need to get better on the boards. Offensive rebounds could become our achilles heel.
Still not a crook!
I respectfully disagree
When you shoot a much higher percentage than your opposition, you are going to get less offensive rebounds. That is just how the math works out. Overall rebounds is what matters. Rebounds and shot attempts. If there were a stat on GOOD shot attempts that would tell you a lot about rebounding and turnovers.
I totally agree about the defense!
OR's
Our OR% for this game was 31% vs. Georgia’s 33. Neither number is particularly good. Our season average is 36, and Georgia’s is 34.5%.
A very good OR% is about 38. UK’s average is good. 31 is not good, not even mediocre.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
But not today.
On average, we are, though. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
But...
UK has dominated ORs in some games and still lost… for wahtever reason, OR is not playing a critical role in the outcome of games.
by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 18, 2009 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
It's just one of the four factors.
Your four factor that tell the tale of success or failure are:
eFG, TO, OR% and FT Rate.
I think you will find where we have dominated in OR% and lost, our TO’s were the reason. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I find there's only one factor that determines success or failure
Score
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
No ...
… that’s the measure, not a factor. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Liggins Played Well
He could have had more assists if not for some missed shots. Of course, Porter lost some assists the same way.
I’ve been noticing how many turnerovers occur when someone, often Porter or Harris, passes up an open shot . Many turnovers tonight started this way. Funny, usually when you think about shot selection, you think about taking bad shots. This team is passing up good ones. I suppose you have to like the patience and unselfishness.
Overall, nice game. Go Cats!
Porter
passed up at least two today in one possession. VERY frustrating!
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 18, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
That's a very good point you brought up.
With a lot of teams mistakes occur when shots are being forced. Of course this happens with us as well, but we lose a lot of balls passing up open shots to force the extra pass. Nice pick-up Lyric.
I agree totally
Porter especially needs to take the open 3’s. He’s a great shooter and needs to play to his strengths. If not, turnovers happen (and did). Very good points.
Just got back from Athens...
I love going to watch the Cats in Stegman; not only do we bring quite a few fans to Athens (the crowd looked split) but its such a small arena, it’s easy to take in everything. I found myself really watching CBG most of the game, specifically what he did when people were taken out of the game, he is always teaching, and seems to be supportive.
I think we’ve found our 8 contributers to give us that run. I love the ‘small’ lineup we had in at one point (Patterson, Meeks, Miller, Galloway, Porter/Liggins).. we were really able to push the ball and blow the game out of proportion.
Either way, another solid performance by the Cats, lets keep it up and take one game at a time.
Possible shocker in the big 10....
Northwestern is up on Minnesota late in the second half. Honestly didn’t see that coming and it may help UK if another lower ranked team goes down.
UK should be ranked..
Every team they have lost to is headed to the dance. Two of the losses are to legitimate top 10 and Final Four teams. They almost beat UL on the road; UL made a statement Saturday beating the #1 team (I expect UL to win the Big East). 3-0 in the SEC to start and so far they have dominated all three games. Two all-americans starting and a defense that is agood as any in the country. Top 25 has been earned and top 20 is deserved.
Porter was ok today; I can’t compain.
by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 18, 2009 4:02 PM EST reply actions
Don't be disappointed
Rankings are not made in a vacuum. You have to look how the teams did that are currently ranked ahead of UK. I don’t think that UK had any points last week. There were more than a few teams that had points that won this past week but were not ranked in the Top 25. Based on a glance in the current poll there may only be 3 teams that drop out of the Top 25…..and there are likely 3 teams not ranked that UK may not go past.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
I am not disappointed..
rankings do not matter to me all that much. Success in the NCAA tourny is what matters to me. If UK dominates the SEC, wins the tourney (both very realistic baring injury to Meeks or PP), then you will see UK ranked high and even top 10.
If the polls came out today for the first time all season, I think UK would be top 20; but there is this foolishness that everyone voting follows— if the team ahead of you didn’t lose then you cannot be ranked ahead of them. It is nonsense, but it is the way it is..
by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 18, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
I don't necessarily seeing them making the Top 10
…but if they go undefeated in the SEC season, maybe so. But it may not be a big deal anyhow. I still think UK has a chance to get a 3-seed regardless of their ranking. A 3-seed given to the SEC regular season champion and a 1or 2 finish in the SEC tournament could get them that NCAA 3-seed. Of course, their RPI standing won’t help, but I still see the committee properly viewing the SEC as a major conference regardless of the relative weakness this year.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
How good is UL?
They beat ranked teams… they make a living beating ranked teams. Dislike them all you want, but I hope UL dominates the Big East (I expect them too) as it only helps UK.
by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 18, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions
U of L will not dominate the Big East, in my opinion.
But they most likely will be in the top 4 or 5 teams in the league. Actually, I can only think of three teams that might be better than them, and for a fact, it may turn out that none of them actually are.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Alert!! Alert!!
Thanks for coming around….actually I only see two team that are potentially better than UofL and that is Connecticut and Pitt. Fortuneately we’ve beaten Pitt so that will obviously help. I am still concerned about Conn. I think we are definitely better than Marquette and we proved it against ND. So….
…I think we are in the top two in the Big East. We won’t dominate but I think we are at the very top. I think. I hope. Therefore I am a Card fan.
Wasn’t it only a week or so ago that your polling showed us ‘ranked’ about ninth in the league? :)
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Not my polling..
UL is so freaking athletic and Pitino is an elite coach (he may soon prove to be the best in our generation soon) that I fully expected UL to win the Big Sleazy and make the Final Four.
by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 18, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
Pitino the best coach of our generation?
If that’s true, it doens’t speak well about the coaches of our generation.
by Ken Howlett on Jan 19, 2009 12:57 AM EST up reply actions
:) = a little sarcasm, in my posts.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Slight edge to uconn...
and I do mean slight. All in all I think the top 5 or so teams in the big east could beat each other on any given night.
by wldcatsfreak on Jan 18, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
could be..
we will know in a month. UL certainly made a statement beating Pitt. I think UL matches up very well with Uconn.. right now UL should be considered the early favorite. I have no idea why Vill is ranked; have they beated a good team yet??? Anyway, UL has jumped out 4-0 in the Big Sleazy and 3 of their wins were against ranked Big Sleazy teams. It is impressive. Now, I am going to puke for saying so many good things about UL…
by MyBloodRunsBlue on Jan 18, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
No team can dominate this year's Big East...
you’re going to have 3 or 4 teams with very similar records at season’s end.
by mrmondaynite on Jan 18, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
This may seem foolishly optimistic....
But I was talking with a friend during the UK game today and he was trying to make solid case for UKs chance of going undefeated in SEC play. We’ve won our arguably hardest game in Knoxville already and have two road wins. I think more realistically we may drop one in the West and one or possibly two in the east as we still have a few hostile road games
At Arkansas
in February will be a tough game….and should be really fun to watch.
by wldcatsfreak on Jan 18, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
Utilitarian
That’s the best word I can think of to describe today’s Cats performance. Did what they had to do defensively — which is pretty much a given — and were efficient offensively though perhaps a bit too selfless. Put the game out of reach early and never gave Dawgs or their fans hope. Perhaps it speaks more to my attitude than UK’s performance but this was the first time in a long while that i went to the game feeling assured of a win. It’s a nice feeling and one that I had nearly forgotten.
Yeah.
That’s approximately how I see it also. I have heard such adjectives as “workmanlike” and “professional” applied to it as well. Utilitarian is as good as any.
I did think our defensive performance was perhaps the most complete all year. Almost everyone played good defense today, and I think that is what is making Gillispie so happy.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I agree with that...
The offensive performance was steady, but at times (especially early), somewhat unimpressive. We got the job done playing very, very good defense. We are still leaving some open threes, but you don’t get three points because it’s an easy shot. You got to make them to hurt us. Overall, nice job.
Maybe it's me ...
… but I like this year much better so far. We have actually won games by convincing margins. Last year, every victory was a last-minute thriller.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
When did PPat have a complete makeover?
….Did anybody who watched the game on tv notice that when they showed Meeks and Pat’s stat lines at the bottom of the screen w/ their pictures, that PPat’s pic was actually Dwight Perry….He wishes he was Patterson, lol.
gobigbluecatsfan72
by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Jan 18, 2009 5:23 PM EST reply actions
Larry Conley is doing a better job, but oh Mr. Neal is terrible....
I am not sure who is worse Dave Neal, Kyle Macy, or Rob Bromley….Dave Baker is slightly ahead of these guys, but I’d have to say Neal is just clueless….I’d almost rather listen to ole Joe “string music” Dean, lol….Nice win for the Cats, only 6 wins away from another 20 win season…..
gobigbluecatsfan72
by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Jan 18, 2009 5:27 PM EST reply actions
Don't fret.
The end of Raycom is near. The WWL picks up SEC telecasts next academic year.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 18, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
Auburn ...
… will present a more difficult challenge than Georgia. They are starting to play better.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
D Miller is looking more and more comfortable on the court.....
He will eventually play a big role for us. I really like the rotation we have, and hope Liggins stays out of the doghouse. I love the fact that we can score 90 and win, then come back w/ 68 and win by 23. This team is gelling nicely, and it’s time BCG starts getting more respect. I hate to see us lose any game, but I’d rather lose in November than Jan., Feb. or March any time. It won’t be long before the days of us losing are going to be far and few between. Imagine how good we will be next season (barring any injuries or anyone leaving for the Association)…..With what coach Brooks is doing, and the bright future for the Cats on the Hardwood, and the Bat Cats recent success, and the cheerleaders going for a 17th title tonight it sure is a good time to be a CATS fan!!!! I think ole Forty was right when he predicted we’d have 27 or 28 wins this season..
gobigbluecatsfan72
by gobigbluecatsfan72 on Jan 18, 2009 5:52 PM EST reply actions
He really is.
I like his toughness, and he is getting more confident in his game every minute he plays. By the end of the year, he will be a great bit of depth.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
15-1
That was my prediction. I had us losing on the road to either Arkansas or South Carolina. I just never really felt a loss at Tennessee. I have found that we usually take a loss somewhere we didnt expect or really shouldnt have. I would LOVE to have 16-0 and be wrong though! ;)
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 18, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions
@Vandy will be tough too
in that messed up arena they have. Vandy tends to give us a better game than they should. They must still be one of the team that circles Kentucky games on their calendar in bright yellow.
After last year's massacre
I am just feeling a win at Vandy. We HAVE to win at Vandy.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 20, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions
I wonder...
…is the increase in expected wins a matter of the team improving or the realization that the SEC is even weaker than thought?
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Increase?
For me personally that was my prediction from Chirop’s SEC Prediction Fan Post before the SEC season started.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 18, 2009 8:28 PM EST up reply actions
Liggins
Several times today it seemed as if Liggins was playing at a different rhythm than everyone else. The behind the back pass to Patterson, the 100mph fastball to Harrellson. I think that when Liggins slows/ calms down a bit, or the rest of the team speeds up to his pace, this team will be awesome. Of course that will come with playing with each other more.
true blue living in a sea of orange
I like that he takes some risks
Right now he takes too many I think, but at least he is willing to get Patterson in the game. Nothing frustrates me more than Patterson being "open enough’ to warrant a pass, and we don’t make it. Let him work his magic, he’s a superstar and deserves a reward for all that hard work posting up and being double teamed the whole game.
Bounce Pass
Maybe it’s no longer true — after all 50 years is a long while — but it was once said that the long, bounce pass was the most difficult one in basketball. The one-bounce, 35-foot, one-handed pass from Liggins to Patterson for a dunk was a thing of beauty and one that not many can make accurately. Once Liggins knowledge of game catches up with his physical talents — providing it actually does — he’ll be the best UK PG in decades.
Best PG Of The Decades
1940’s Ralph Beard.
1950’s none stands out.
1960’s no PG stands out.
1970’s Kyle Macy.
1980’s Dirk Minniefield.
1990’s Anthony Epps or Wayne Turner.
2000’s Rajon Rondo.
Rondo > Liggins as PG.
So best in 3 years maybe.
by FortyYearCatFan on Jan 19, 2009 9:54 PM EST up reply actions
Without resorting to the hyperbole of history ...
… I will agree that he has great potential, and that pass was remarkable. Very few players I have ever seen have the ability to make a pass like that.
And you are right, his head needs to catch up with his ability. If it does, there is no telling what superlatives may apply.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Jan 20, 2009 12:06 AM EST up reply actions
high expectations
man this game really convinced me we have a legit chance of going undefeated in the sec. I mean our defense is great, and we are still struggling somewhat with turnovers but were getting better at taking care of the ball and if patterson starts playing like himself again (not that hes playing horrible or anything) we could be looking at a good ncaa run come march
Undefeated
As I look over the schedule, I agree that we should be favored in almost every game from here out… but there’s a reason that it took over 30 years for anyone to go undefeated in SEC play at all.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Cats romp..! Steelers roll..!!!
Man, what a day..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Meeks
The only thing I didn’t like about his game was the way Meeks was forcing his shot. Like he felt like he needed to come out and make at least 40, (if not 54) after that monster game against Tennesse. I could tell whether every shot was going in before it left his hands. But he was all over the floor, played good defense and gave maximum effort, so I can deal. If he can settle down and not force his shot (like he did in the Tennessee game) we will be unstoppable.
Meeks only took 16 shots.....
he was not forcing his shots. He may have taken 2 questionable shots all game but that isnt bad in a game like this. If anything he was being more unselfish today instead of trying to take over. We must have watched 2 different games today.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
He forced about 5 threes.
Vs 1-2 vs Tennessee. Some of them were good shots, but he forced them up rather shooting his relaxed, unforced shot. He was very unselfish though and didn’t continue to force shots like he would have earlier in the year. I’m not down on him at all, but I’ve seen what he can do when he doesn’t force his shot and I want more of that. 8’)
Definitely not!
He’s awesome and played a great game!! Just reading my post sounded like I might be, so I wanted to clear up doubt. 8’)
Overall
(my late take after a full day)
Great game for the cats, like other people noticed, we’re starting to get some better play out of our supporting cast. Miller is back to early season goodness, with more maturity and confidence on defense and the offensive set. This is a great development IMHO. Perry Stevenson really stepped up for us in the Georgia game – one of his best games. Porter did a great job at the point, taking care of the ball and putting our team in a position to succeed (needs to shoot that open 3 though!) Harris is back, playing great D and is a HUGE help inbounding especially. Very mature, good judgement. Liggins is starting to get better and made some great plays like we saw early-mid season.. Galloway is getting better.
We’re starting to have a complete team here folks! It’s exciting. If we continue to improve at this same rate, we are going to be a real difficult team to beat come March.
I don’t want to read too much into it, because frankly, that was a poor Georgia team relative to some of their past offerings. But I agree with everyone, I think – barring injury – we should have a dominant SEC season like Kentucky is used to.
Go cats!
Well done.
I agree that we can’t read too much into it, but a road win in the SEC is definitely valuable, regardless of how poorly the comp is playing. We need more of them, and to hold serve at home.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
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