Kentucky at Alabama: Open Game Thread
by Glenn Logan on Jan 24, 2009 2:30 PM EST
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This is the official A Sea of Blue open game thread for the Kentucky Wildcats @ Alabama Crimson Tide basketball game this afternoon at the Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa , January 24th @ 3:00 PM.
Particulars of this game are as follows:
- TV: Raycom
- Gametracker live stats
- Audio (Requires Microsoft Silverlight)
- Radio
- Yahoo! Video
- Game preview
So it really comes down to this game. Win and we're most likely in. Lose, and we don't get to leave purgatory.
The last several weeks, UK fans have craved, some desperately, to get back into the top 25 national rankings. UK's absence from that poll has been a long one, and getting over the hump to get back in has been a major challenge this year because of the relative weakness of the SEC and one very bad loss to VMI at home.
The Crimson Tide are talent-rich but underachieving, as they have been much of the time under coach Mark Gottfried. This year, Gottfried is really on the hot seat, especially after the unexpected and enigmatic departure of star point guard Ronald Steele. Mikhail Torrance has taken over the point from the now-departed Steele. This team is a mix of the young and the experienced, and has tremendous athletic talent.
Things Kentucky needs to do well to win:
- Keep the pace high. Kentucky is comfortable at a much higher pace than the Crimson Tide, and Alabama has a solid half-court defense. Points in transition will be available if the 'Cats can run.
- Take care of the defensive glass. One of the things Alabama does very well is offensive rebound.
- Force Alabama to run half-court offense. UK is one of the best in the country in half-court offense, and Alabama shoots the ball poorly. If UK challenges every shot, the Tide will most likely struggle.
Things that will make it hard for Kentucky to win:
- Taking a bunch of challenged shots. Alabama is very solid defensively, and if UK can't get out in transition, they must be efficient on offense.
- Fail to get back in transition. Alabama doesn't run that much, but they are tough when they do.
- Let Alabama get off to a hot start. Nothing endangers a Wildcat victory more than letting the Tide find a rhythm early.
Alabama doesn't hustle as much as Auburn, and they won't out-quick UK. But they do have big, long, powerful players who can do what Auburn could not -- mix it up inside with the 'Cats, and score in the paint. This bears repeating -- Alabama is very talented, arguably more talented than Kentucky top to bottom. They may be underachieving now, but that could stop at any time, and if the 'Cats give them an early infusion of hope, it could be today -- and we don't want that.
Go, Cats!
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Love this place!
Just had to show my support for this blog…. Also, I’m currently in Denmark so I need this so I can keep up with the Cats and found out more than I would from just a box score.
Go Cats!
Welcome Clay
Enjoy your time here and spread the word. Oh, and post often!
Just curious…why in Denmark? Isn’t the Internet great!
Study Abroad
Enjoying my time here as a study abroad student at the Copenhagen Business School.
Probably should have gone for the fall semester so I could be in town for March Madness :)
Yeah that one's ugly.
I really wish I never would have given Arkansas so much love early. Still, I don’t get how they beat 2 top 10 teams and then absolutely fall apart in conference play.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Well I wanted Pelphrey to get a win.
I cannot figure this team with winning 2 big OC wins first of the season. I thought he had them on track for the SEC.
They're very very young.
That means they are prone to lots of ups and downs. This is clearly their down time.
by BBallSophist on Jan 24, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
Announcers just said UK is the only ranked team in the SEC. Huh?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
BTW - anyone notice Duke beat Maryland by 41 points today? Yikes.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
UK looks slow today. . .pick up the intensity boys. And Porter, seriously, make wide open layups.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Not very good on defense today...
…and no better on offense.
Good to see we are defending the post a little better the past minute or so.
Is UK falling into the 'habit' of playing down with their competition?
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
It's true that it appears that Bama is having more success than most concentrating on Meeks
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
So what...
…maybe against other defenses he’d have 17.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Bama is athletic
And defending well, hard to get it in to them. We’re definitely not playing our game today.
Am I wrong
I thought this Steele kid wasn’t going to play the rest of the year.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
This hurts. Jeez. Ugliest first half of the season I think.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
The offense looks awful
Everyone looks lost, scared and unsure of themselves. I hope we can pick it up.
GBB!!!
I guess they're going to chant airball whenever Porter has the ball.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Really?!?
Our offense is designed to get Stevenson open 3 looks?!? I will now light myself on fire.
C! A! T! S! CATS! CATS! CATS!
Is Gillispie not pointing this out?!?!?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
What is up today???
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
The
problem is that we`re used to Meeks shooting and hitting whenever he gets the ball…not getting the ball as much due to good defense and quick shots by teammates
How many TOs?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Alabama is playing great
I can’t believe they don’t have more teams. I guess maybe they’re doing better now that the other Steele Boot has dropped.
If we
listen closely,we might be able to hear him yelling all the way back here in the Bluegrass :)
by String Music on Jan 24, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
I'm going to cry. I really hope Gillispie peels paint from the walls at halftime, and these jokers come out to play.
SO much standing around, no intensity.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Thanks-
still a long way to go, I’m just waiting for the meltdown.
by yellowhammer on Jan 24, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Well, that's about the worst half of basketball I've seen in a long time
By both teams. There was no part of that first half that wasn’t ugly.
Actually ...
… the defense has been good. Just not that good.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I don't know, I think it's more bad decision making/poor execution by both offenses
Moreso than good defense.
Is 19 the lowest half since the Vandy debacle last season?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
With Meeks being face-guarded ...
… we should use him as a decoy and get the ball to Patterson. Jeebus, this just isn’t that hard. Have Meeks hang 25 feet from the basket and play 4 on 4.
This isn’t rocket science.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Because ...
… he can help on the screen and take a swipe at the ball or take a charge. Just take his man out of the game and play 4 on 4. There is no way they can handle Patterson without helping, and if they help, we’ll have open shots.
Give Patterson the ball at the foul line and let him back his man down.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Hmm
The problem is that three of ALA’s 4 are better than 3 of our 4 in that situation
the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"
But none of them ...
… can handle Patterson. Force a double-team, and they’ll have no help.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Nah
They are stuffing the middle and daring our guys to shoot the three. Hence no touches for Patterson in the paint. SOMEONE has to make a few (or 10) threes before the lane opens up.
the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"
We're acting as if we can't score if Meeks doesn't touch it.
Forget him. Get the ball to the big guy and let him dominate.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
It's amazing. Patterson probably only has 2 touches on offense.
We’re just not getting him the ball.
GBB!!!
Exactly.
Why would you do that? It’s insanity.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
No half court offense.
Also not scoring well in transition. Hence more minutes played than points scored.
Patterson needs to step-up. Ramon Harris is playing poorly as are the rest of the starters.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 3:57 PM EST reply actions
If I were KY..
I would full-court press like a maniac-and also, send a man deep on Bama’s first shot.
We do need to get the tempo up.
This is being played at ’Bama’s pace.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Yeah. If we don't start pushing more we're going to lose this game.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Al Purnell = Raycom.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
As are
Golden Flake potato chips.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions
Just sad.
We have got to take care of the ball and get it to Patterson.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I had hoped after the Auburn slop-fest we would come out to play today. They just look asleep.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Based on the first half alone
The top 25 talk was a but premature. Can’t fault the defense, but this team continues to turn in incomplete and inconsistent efforts.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:00 PM EST reply actions
I was just
going to say that this is not a top 25 team until Patterson and Meeks really take active leadership roles. Talk to the role players, tell them what to do. If they don’t listen, make em listen. We need a some lieutenants on the court.
the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"
turnovers continue to kill us
they have 8 more shot attempts than we do.
just noticed this
Meeks has 6 rebounds already! do i sense a double-double brewing?
UK player collapsed at halftime per raycom
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:06 PM EST reply actions
UK radio says it was Ramon.
Gillispie not on court
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
What's happening? UK player collaspsed in the locker room?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Leach is reporting that Haris collapsedcoming out of the lockeroom
That’s the hold-up and why G is not on the floor
Ramon Harris.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
Shit. That can't be good.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
That's scary considering his past issues...
by BBallSophist on Jan 24, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly
Could be very serious. Head trauma sometimes develops over time.
the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"
Maybe he just fainted
due to his past injury.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Jeremy Cox
to coach 2nd half. A gillispie stays with Harris.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:08 PM EST reply actions
If it was REAL serious
…none of the team would be out.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Not true
Coaches would want players to leave as soon as possible, whether serious or not.
the REAL fake Mr. Bob Dobalina
Formerly known as "senowen"
Yeah but it must be pretty serious for the head coach to not come out the second half.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Gillispie back to the bench.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:12 PM EST reply actions
I agree.
Hopefully just dehydrated and not cardiac.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
You think this game is ugly
…you ought to watch Tenn v. Memphis
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Meeks is the only player with more than 1 basket.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Bad officiating.
Shouldn’t have called T on him
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:21 PM EST reply actions
There's the makeup for the no call on Harrelson.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Go straight up with it!
What the hell? Why duck you shoulder like that when I guy is obviously setting up for the charge? That happens all the time in college basketball, and I don’t get it.
The rest of the team is shooting 4 for 22
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
These refs are hilarious
They’ll call palming, but then they’ll let Josh completely slam that kid on the other end.
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on Jan 24, 2009 4:33 PM EST reply actions
I'm sorry
are you confusing me with an insider?
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on Jan 24, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
LATE whistles
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Found points.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions
Another late whistle
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
SEC Coordinator of officiating
Gerald Boudreaux must be proud. Where did he get these guys? Bad calls abundant on both sides.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:40 PM EST reply actions
Boudreaux was a hack
back when he was a ref, if I remember correctly. I seem to recall many a scream directed at him while watching games.
by wildcatfaninexile on Jan 24, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
both CBS and ESPN list him as having 4
But the announcers said 3 when he went out.
I can’t imagine he only has 3 and is still not in the game
by BBallSophist on Jan 24, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
Tom Leach says he has four.
I think it is four.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
Wait!? What!? A Liggins 3?
Now I’ve seen everything
Wow. What a wild sequence.
Liggins hits a brain-dead three, they get an and-one, and meeks hits a three.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
That was a good pass
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
What a sequence.
Patterson runs the court so well.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:47 PM EST reply actions
Just what the doctor ordered
When we get focused and play some intense defense, we’re easily one of the top 20 teams in the country
by wildcatfaninexile on Jan 24, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
The sign
An alabama student had a whiteboard that said:
Kentucky
- Meeks
—————-
Trash
I think he forgot about Patterson. I don’t blame him, he’s been out most of this second half.
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on Jan 24, 2009 4:48 PM EST reply actions
I didn't know they taught math in Alabama.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
He made a significantly lower number of dumb passes
And he and Miller have had B+ defensive games today.
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on Jan 24, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
When the refs started calling fouls for us...
..we started taking control of the game.
by TheFakeGimelMartinez on Jan 24, 2009 4:51 PM EST reply actions
Nice
Patterson
+ Rested
_________
BEAST
by BigBlueSergeant on Jan 24, 2009 4:51 PM EST reply actions
Best comment of the thread!
Thanks for coming up with this – that sign made me so mad I nearly jumped in the car and started down there.
by bluegrassgal on Jan 24, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
Perry
I love Perry. Just minds his business and puts in a full day at the office. I look at that lanky slim body and think a strong breeze would knock him over. Calm, cool and collected until suddenly he’s like a man possessed.
by bluegrassgal on Jan 24, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah
He has been my favorite player since he arrived 3 years ago!
by stephensmith on Jan 24, 2009 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Great - my HD feed just went out. Daggone.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Ooho back. Nevermind.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
That is sad but true.
Too bad we cant help him out though….
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 24, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
I believe he has passed the point of no return.
by yellowhammer on Jan 24, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
I believe you're correct. As a Cat fan in Alabama, I hear Paul Finebaum.
If PF knows anything, MG is toast.
by bluegrassgal on Jan 24, 2009 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
55-48 cats
1:20 to go.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
oh my
gosh I am going to beat Meeks over the head if he gets hurt going over chairs trying to get the ball. BE CAREFUL MEEKS
Still time. WE have to finish strong here.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Ugh.
Porter seems to have significantly regressed.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 5:03 PM EST reply actions
WE're trying to give it away. Miller was wide open for the inbound.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Right in front of Porter.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
yeah
but it’s easy to get up for you guys. Mark can’t seem to get em to play hard for anyone else.
by yellowhammer on Jan 24, 2009 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
2 players I HATE seeing inbounds - Porter and Miller. Hate it. Have a big man inbound please. Have Harrelson inbound it.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Cmon Deandre.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
UGLY. But road win, in the SEC. Definitely acceptable. Our thoughts are with you Ramon.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Liggins was our 3rd scorer today. Stevenson was our second.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
42 second half points.
that’s more like it.
Two months (!). Two weeks. Two pencils.
by Thomas Hunt Morgan on Jan 24, 2009 5:11 PM EST reply actions
Great win.
Tough road game against a good defensive team. I’m much happier about this performance than the other night in Rupp.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
whew
I hope Ramon is okay.
That’s one more tough road game out of the way.
Made the best out of a crappy situation
Now let’s hope Ramon is okay. Good to see the Cats pull through with a lot of adversity
by wildcatfaninexile on Jan 24, 2009 5:12 PM EST reply actions
Congratulations, Cats!
Nice road win. Hope your guy is ok. See you next time with a different coach maybe.
Tough win. We didn't play our best.
…. but good teams find a way to win and that’s what we did.
GBB!!!
It was very encouraging to see them get a win with Patterson in foul trouble
And a road win at that.
Well
I was planning on putting another pair back on :)
by String Music on Jan 24, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
i'm watching
come on vols – make us look good!
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 24, 2009 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
Just seeing The Summit makes me feel "poetic"
"Say you cant forget that loss at Thompson-Boling Arena?
I said, hey guys, just give it a try with some Funky Cold Medina ;)
by kentuckygirl0724 on Jan 24, 2009 5:22 PM EST reply actions
Stats
Meeks… 27 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals
Stevenson….. 16 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists
Liggins… 11 points, 3 assists
Patterson…. 6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 block shots
GBB!!!
Miller: 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals
by BBallSophist on Jan 24, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions
read that ramon
I read that Ramon was conscious when taken to the hospital. anyone got any other news?
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