Kentucky Wildcats -- I Got a Basketball Jones

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 5, 2009 7:14 PM EDT in Basketball Comment 88 comments

I have a serious Jones for basketball, I can hardly wait the remaining 11 days, 1 hour, 45 minutes and 2 seconds remaining (as of when I started writing this article) before Big Blue Madness. I notice that a lot of Kentucky fans are as anxious as I am for basketball to begin.

But I'm not the only one with a serious Jones for Wildcat Basketball. Check out Rush The Court's reporting of the recent tent city that surrounded Rupp Arena while waiting for the Big Blue Madness tickets to go on sale. It may seem remarkable to some, but quite honestly, it's pretty old news around here. The intensity is up due to Calipari's coming, but we pretty much do this every year. This seems like pretty uneventful stuff to me, but I suppose other schools may find it fascinating, much like when Alabama stuffs their football stadium for practice every year.

Now, let me say right now that this has nothing to do whatsoever with football. Even though the Gridiron Felines have dropped their last two at home, absolutely nobody with a brain had either one of those games as a win coming into this season when they considered the likely victories that the 'Cats are going to amass this year.

So don't think that I am ready to abandon the football team just because they've had a tough stretch. It's just that Wildcat Country is basketball country, and it's getting close to time for John Calipari's charges to hit the hardwood in search for a serious fix of hoops glory. I know that I am undergoing some major hoops glory withdrawal right about now, and I can finally see the end of my suffering just ahead. Can you blame me for saying, "Faster, please?"

As we inch ever so slowly closer to Big Blue Madness (now officially October 16th for everyone, thanks to Billy Gillispie and a few other coaches forcing the NCAA's hand), the time has come to consider what we are likely to see this year. Man, I have been waiting a long time for this consideration, too.

So here Kentucky sits, with the #1 recruiting class in the nation. Add to that the return of Patrick Patterson and the highly under-considered Darius Miller, plus solid four-year players Perry Stevenson and Ramon Harris, and it gets one to thinking about the possibilities. The only thing UK appears to lack at the moment is a two guard. Kentucky has lots and lots of wings, including Darnell Dodson, Jon Hood, the aforementioned Ramon Harris and Darrius Miller, but the only real two guard on the entire roster is walk-on Mark Krebs.

Of course, many have speculated that Calipari will likely consider playing a lot of John Wall and Eric Bledsoe together, and while that might be true, we do have to consider that the first thing most teams will attempt to do to Kentucky is throw a zone or a junk defense at them. The Dribble-Drive Motion is going to force UK's opponents to consider a zone or a deeply sagging man-to-man (sometimes called a "pack line" defense) early, because if you let Wall and Bledsoe spread you out and take you to the rack, it will either be a parade of layups, put-back dunks or foul shots, none of which is good if you are UK's opponents.

So given that, we can expect a lot of zone and "pack line" defense. What can we do about that? Well, obviously we'll hope that guys like Miller and Dodson can knock down the open three, but with only one or two real threats, what's the answer if they're not? Interestingly, it might come from the Kansas vs. UCLA in their 2008 Final Four matchup. Memphis began to utilize the size of Rose and Douglas-Roberts to post up the smaller UCLA guards, instead of trying to blow by them on the face-up dribble. With enough weapons, UK could resort to a similar tactic, even posting up DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson, not all at once but as a part of the motion offense by having Patterson start on the perimeter, but dive into a post-up position if the drive is unavailable.

Because of the ridiculous size UK has on the roster and the uncanny quality depth we can deploy in the front line, there are any number of ways to deploy the front line and create major mismatches for opponents. Not many opponents, for example, would be able to deploy three super-athletic players who can post up and face, all over 6'8", at the same time. Imagine a front line of Cousins, Orton (or Harrelson) and Patterson. All of them can post, all of them can face up (just not that much from the 3-point line) and all are big, strong bodies. The possibilities boggle the mind.

So while we anxiously await the the tipoff to the college basketball season, let's ponder some of the questions. Could UK wind up in Indianapolis for the Final Four? Can we win the SEC outright, in spite of the great returning talent? Can Patrick Patterson learn to play around the arc? Will Darius Miller step up into a starting spot? How good will Darnell Dodson be? What is it that Calipari loves about Josh Harrellson?

I can't wait to find out the answers.

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I'm gonna get me a 2nd TIVO.....lol

cause one wont hold all I am going to want to put on disk……

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 5, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OKAY, call me stupid (you wouldn't be the first!!),

but I think Harrellson might get a reasonable amount of playing time this year and might be a “player.” He shot 33% from 3-point range, and that equates to 50% of two-pointers in my book. That was in a system that discouraged bit players from shooting (remember the hesitation moves?). Given the right encouragement, and used correctly, Josh might be able to make significant contributions.

Also, I’m not any kind of expert on the DDMO—it sounds to me a lot like street ball played by talented players—but all those incredible ball-handlers have to have someone to pass to when they get double-teamed, don’t they. And a 6-10 guy makes a pretty good pass-receiving target, especially if he can shoot after he catches the ball. I guess I’m saying that listing him as a center might be a mistake. Think of him as a big small forward. After all, we’ve got other rebounders, don’t we?

I’m so dang ready for basketball season to start that I’m posting stream-of-consciousness stuff, so forgive me. I’ll try to do better :-))

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Oct 5, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the cooler spell we've had...

…has really solidified something in my brain that basketball season is TRULY upon us.

I can hardly contain myself in department stores when I see the mountains of UK apparel.

There’s something seriously wrong with us!!

by uk1982 on Oct 6, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Need more apparel?

No ….. But probably going to get it anyway. LOL :-)

UK blue is my favorite attire.

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 6, 2009 1:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

uk apparel is like jello

there’s always room for more!

by uk1982 on Oct 6, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What time/station is Big Blue Madness going to be?

"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"

by iam4ukintn on Oct 5, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I believe it is 27 at 7:00 or 7:30 next friday night.....

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 6, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone know if it will be in the internet at WKYT or elsewhere?

No matter where you're at, there you are

by cincyblue on Oct 6, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 guard ...

We may not have Jodie Meeks … but these guys are players and I don’t think we’ll see that “snake-bit” team from last year where everybody was scared to take a shot or make a mistake …. be it Dodson, Miller, Harrelson or Wall/Bledsoe at least one if not more than one will become a very good outside shooter. I just see a completely different team – we had plenty of talent last year – this year we have talent AND leadership …. IS IT BASKETBALL SEASON YET??? for crying out loud – cmon

by ukcris on Oct 5, 2009 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hehe

You are making me feel bad. I haven’t given up on the football team and believe that a lot of the fair weather fans will be back before the end of the season but…..

I too am jones for some basketball.

p.s. I believe this post will prove your point about Kentucky fans being FAR more knowledge when discussing basketball then when discussing football.

by Strangeite on Oct 5, 2009 9:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhh!!!

I’m so very very excited. I don’t have a clue how good we might be able to be. I totally recognize my own impartiality about UK basketball—I’m psyched about EVERY team. I thought we had a good shot LAST year ; ) But I am ridiculously happy that the long UK basketball-less wait is almost over. Of course I’m always thrilled when time for basketball rolls around again—but this year it’s on a whole ’nother level. It boggles the mind to think about all the stuff that has gone down since we last took the court, and it seems like appropimately one million years since March.

by blue kentucky girl on Oct 5, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhh

EXACTLY ! !

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 5, 2009 10:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Word on the street...

…says Dodson can drain it. Jodie is impossible to replace, but with Wall and Cousins coming in, we don’t really need to totally replace his talent level and still have enough to win it all.

But I’m excited to see how these guys do too. I know we’ll be good by the end of the year, but I just wonder how much adjusting it will take for us to get going.

I also still want to see how our football team does against a near-peer team. We’ve only played chumps and national championship-worthy teams so far. Trevard going down is bad news, though. 8’(

by EEWildcat on Oct 5, 2009 10:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can hardly wait

For basketball season to start. I have been anxiously waiting for it, hoping for it, and yes, needing it since I joined ASoB back on the day of the door live feed.

I have loved UK bball since I can remember. We know KY is basketball state. There is no doubt about that, IMO. We will enjoy this season more than the onlookers can comprehend. Count on it!

The outsiders do not get this feeling we have members of the Big Blue Nation experience. It is something they CAN’T understand. It is so far out of their thinking we are often called crazy. That is fine by me. It gives me a more free rein to act as excited as I like. Just call me a wild and crazy fan. I won’t mind one bit. GO CATS !!!
:-)
:-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 5, 2009 10:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I couldn’t agree more a2d2 basketball season is by the best time of the year!

by hummer11092 on Oct 6, 2009 12:25 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

What about

Liggins?

by Gobe Igbloo on Oct 6, 2009 1:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

time to change this

http://www.aseaofblue.com/roster?team_key=l.ncaa.org.mbasket-t.B36

by Gobe Igbloo on Oct 6, 2009 1:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have no control over that.

That’s provided by SB Nation via our stats provider. I’m sure they will change it in due time.

I wish I could change it, but alas …

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 6, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SB Nation

Have any idea how important the updated roster and schedule is to the BBN? I know it is coming, but would a request work? LOL
I know probably not…..

I have a friend at a major online sports site, and I have tried to get the college bball page updated. It ain’t happening there either. LOL…. But it will I know. Can’t be too much longer. GO CATS !!!
:-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 6, 2009 11:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Heh.

Football is bigger everywhere but here, and maybe Indiana and North Carolina.

Fact of life. :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 6, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great year

I am so ready for this season. For the first time in a long time i want to live in kentucky :-). I so proud when i read its not fandom but an idealogy . How true is that. We should have all the pieces to make a deep run. We have the players , coach , and fans to get it done. Its exciting. Plus we play the sec tourney in nashville. Its all there yall. Its going to be a great year.

Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!

by tenken on Oct 6, 2009 1:51 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Oh

Wanted to also shout out a big thank you to those on this site who made doing this via mobile possible. :-)

Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!

by tenken on Oct 6, 2009 1:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

mobile

I forsee major distractions for me now that I can post from anywhere!

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

by chirop1 on Oct 6, 2009 8:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Thank the magic monkeys behind the SB Nation platform.

I had nothing to do with it, but I sure am glad it works. I have wanted mobile commenting for years.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 6, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two Guard Concern

While your concern may be legit, I think this will be a team that will run roughshod over a lot of teams,or maybe even most teams,just because of the overall talent. I think they will create a lot of havoc defensively because of quickness and speed . So much so that teams won’t have many opportunities to set up a zone. The dribble-drive really isn’t about setting up somebody for a perimeter jump-shot anyway. Plus I think Miller and Dodson will give them the perimeter shooting if need be.

by maysvilleblue on Oct 6, 2009 7:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I too have a fever Tru

and the only prescription is more cowbell

First time I shot her, shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...

by btcoop71 on Oct 6, 2009 8:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't Fear the Reaper!!

We would be doing the team a disservice, and every fan of the squad, if we don’t perform the hell out of this.

by Strangeite on Oct 6, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

cowbell is classic...

i was luke warm on will farell until i saw that video years ago -

only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team

by memphis wildcat on Oct 6, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ummm....

My Tickets say that it’s on the 16th? Do you know something I don’t? ;)

by sylvar on Oct 6, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I think you’re right. that’s at least what ukathletics.com says.

by chstrckwl on Oct 6, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What?

I’ll have to fix that, I guess. Not sure how I got the 19th, but …

Whatever. I’ll fix it. :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 6, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh.

Well, at least my countdown timer is correct.

My memory is going bad, I guess. If I start calling Kentucky “Louisville” or some such, you will know that the dread disease has finally caught up with me. :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 6, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

you start doing that and I’ll personally find you and put you out of your misery…It’ll be a mercy killing :)

by sylvar on Oct 6, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Literally LOL

;-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 6, 2009 11:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I should probably update my own living will...

Something to the tune of “If found unresponsive and and wearing any form Louisville Cardinal gear including but not limited to an olde english L Do Not Resuscitate”

by sylvar on Oct 6, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha!

by uk1982 on Oct 6, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make sure you get a DNR from the state

DNR’s made in Kentucky are only honored by ems if you have a dnr order from the state. Your will doesnt count.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Oct 6, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it really memory?

Or just your repressed love for really good basketball?

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 6, 2009 1:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Memory.

I’m sure of it. :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 6, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For some strange reason....

I’m not as worried about a “2” guard as some of the other people I have talked two are. I think the threes will come by committee. Jorts, Dodson, Miller, Patterson, Wall, Bledsoe, Liggins, Stevenson, Ha, and even “Big Cuz” are more than capable of hitting from outside. It doesn’t take one big-time threat if all are willing to take the occasional open shot. Yes, it would be great if we still had Meeks, but dont discount the guys from taking one or two threes a game, if they are good shots, and making one. Besides, which is more dangerous, a team that has one deadly outside shooter, or a team full of guys willing to take one or two a game? The latter is a LOT harder to guard IMHO.

Put on your seat belts folks, this is gonna be one fantastic ride. I love that the whole aura of our beloved cats has changed drastically from last season. I think we all have a little jonesin’ for some basketball action. No offense Pappaw Brooks! GO CATS!!!

by kyfam4 on Oct 6, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oops...

Sorry bout the typos, basketballs got me so pumped up, I forgot to proof-read!

by kyfam4 on Oct 6, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jonesing!

And it is only getting worse! By the time Madness gets here next Friday, I am going to be in very bad shape. Or very good shape! Depending on how you choose to look at it! LOL
GO CATS!!!
;-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 6, 2009 10:24 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Jones for UK-BB

Jones doesn’t even come close to describing the “EXCITE-TIPATION” up here in northeast Kentucky!!!…SOB has definitely helped, but I’m ready for the “BIG FIX”!!!…LOL…those boys and our Coach are gonna make it sooo worth the wait…it feels like March Madness already!!!

PLEASE give date, time and listings for Midnight Madness!!!…also, I’m worried about ESPN owning coverage of the SEC…will we be limited to ESPN only?…do I need to go out and expand my cable service?

"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as much as you please."...Mark Twain.

by KYCatwoman on Oct 6, 2009 10:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Listen gang......we ALL NEED TO CALM DOWN

this year might not go so well….you know….new coach….new players…a lot of freshmen….we have a lot working against us this year…..we have to learn a new offensive scheme…its going to take time….we might not be winning for a while yet……

oops………I meant to put that on the UL site…..sorry!!!!……lol

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 6, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Heh.

Even they wouldn’t buy that. :-)

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 6, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Party pooper....

Do you have to do that? LOL …..I want to be over excited. I don’t want to suppress this feeling. I am a UK fan. I am expected to not think realistically. It is how we do it ABC. Don’t ya know? LOL
:-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 6, 2009 11:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

feeling a little REO Speedwagon welling up inside there A2???

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 6, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ready to get

This party started. That is for sure !!
;-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 6, 2009 11:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh Bball time is nigh!

As others have also mentioned, I’m not too concerned about the lack of a “2” guard, rather it is more important to have 2-3 guys who can hit some outside shots. If those players are Miller, Harrellson, and Dodson then so be it. It matters less what position they are categorized as than if they can hit outside shots and loosen up a zone or help reduce a deficit.

There is no gravity - the earth just sucks.

by JLeverenz on Oct 6, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am way too excited for this basketball

season to get started! If I lived anywhere near Lexington I’d probably be arrested for stalking the players. :)

I love me some football but basketball has always been my sport. I even watched it in Japan when I was visiting there once. It was late at night and there was nothing else on and I got lucky with some international b-ball. Looked like midgets playing ball!

GO BIG BLUE!!

I LOVE COOKING WITH WINE
Sometimes I even put it in the food.

by bluecrip on Oct 6, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks tru, but one question...

when is your next post on uk basketball…this one was good for an hour or so this am – i am ready for MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team

by memphis wildcat on Oct 6, 2009 1:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

'Posting up smaller guards'?

How do you do that in a zone defense? However you are correct that a zone is a simple answer to the DD and the ‘only’ solution is to shoot out of it. Without Meeks on the team it could be a big issue with this bunch.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 6, 2009 1:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Actually ...

… a sagging man-to-man is much more effective, and I expect we’ll see more of that at the end of the day.

The zone has been tried against the DDM, and the results usually favor the DDM. You just do a few small things that the DDM normally doesn’t use, like set a few screens to free the dribbler and force rotation. Once you get the defense rotating, a layup is likely with good ball movement. Plus, as big as Kentucky is, the zone would create more opportunities for rebound put-backs, so even if the 3-point shots don’t go in, it will likely result in an OR due to UK’s size on the front line and lack of block-out responsibilities in a zone.

Pick your poison — layups by the guards or dunks by the big guys. That’s why a sagging man-to-man is a much better option.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 6, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's always the possibility of the

shifting and transitional man-to-man backed by a hyperbolic paraboloid between the ball and the basket. Oh, yeah, that line’s been used before. Sorry, I forgot.

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Oct 6, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point regarding size and rebounding.

But I don’t see Pat, Cousins, and Orton on the floor together….too slow for defense that Cal expects. I still say a zone is better unless KY can show shooting. Sagging man-to-man sounds good but difficult to execute.

What about that suggestion again in posting up guards against a zone defense!?!?

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 6, 2009 9:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Someone made a comment on a story the other day either here

or another site about Cal using our guard’s size against other teams….not many teams out there have the size that we do now from the 1 to the 5….the suggestion was that the guards when faced with that zone use the 3-4-5 as screens on the drive and post up the other guards on the inside….kind of the way Rondo liked to do it in the past….but that only becomes necessary if the outside shooting does not come right away….the other part was speed……Wall and Bledsoe are fast……very fast…..they can use that to catch guards leaning the wrong way and use the 4-5 as a safety outlet on the inside……I think you are right in us not seeing a lot of Patterson, Cousins, and Orton on the court all at the same time, for one reason only……I dont think it will be necessary. Harrellson and Stevenson give us very respectable players in this system to use along with those guys. I cannot remember our frontcourt ever being so loaded in recent history.

We have the deadliest front line we have had in years…..we have better point guards than we have had in years…..the only real question is if Miller, Dodson, and Co. can fill up the basket from the outside. Personally I believe they will be more than adequate, but the part that no one seems to be accounting for is that they will not have to carry the load. This is not the Patterson-Meeks show anymore, no slight meant to PPat. There are just so many options now, that when you combine them with the new offensive scheme, I don’t think we will have to rely on the three as much as in the past….it may be there a lot more if the offense is running right, but I dont think we will have to rely on it.

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 7, 2009 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm...

Can’t comment on Dodson, but if people are counting on Miller to shoot consistently from the outside……well, good luck with that. He just hasn’t really demonstrated the consistent ability in the past. Period.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 7, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His entire past to which you are referring ...

… consists of one year of college.

He was a pretty good perimeter shooter in high school. He will likely be better this year than last, and he wasn’t bad last year at 33%. If you’ll do the math, shooting 33% from the 3-point line is like shooting 50% from inside the arc. In the DDM, you don’t need to shoot lights-out from the perimeter, but you do need to be at or above 33%.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 7, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

granted the sample size is small.

And I am not saying he can’t…he may. I’m just saying Meeks >> than Dodson + Miller. Doesn’t make Miller a bad kid or even a bad player. And that goes double for Hood.

Every team has an Achilles.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 7, 2009 9:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

If we were one-dimensional, it might worry me a lot more

and Miller is not the only 3-pt shooter we have other than Dodson….Hood can drain it…..so can Harrellson….admittedly he has not shot many, but his %’s look good….open looks will be the key…..and Calipari has already said this team is really, really fast….

You probably missed the Calipari talk the other night in which he relayed something he and Bledsoe were discussing after practice…..Calipari asked Bledsoe how it was to guard Wall, Bledsoe tells Calipari “He’s fast, coach…..real fast”

Calipari said “How fast is he, Eric?” Bledsoe replies “Coach, I’m tellin ya….he’s the fastest I have ever seen”….Calipari says “So Eric, is he faster than you?”

Bledsoe replies, “Well, I ain’t ready to go there yet…..”

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 7, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm.....I remember just around this time last year...

…I read the same things about Liggins.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 7, 2009 9:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

You're right

and they are still saying it now…..it looks as though he is going to fit in this new system a lot better….Cal stated that we will see a different DeAndre’ than we saw last year, and I really hope so….after hearing how things really were last year, I am more convinced than ever that DeAndre just needed time to get himself in the college game….and he couldnt buy a break from Gillispie last year, or the fans with the turnovers….to hear Cal tell it, turnovers are going to be commonplace the first part of the year…but they will fade by tournament time….it will just take some getting used to for us fans….we dont respond well to turnovers ….lol

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 8, 2009 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well it will be interesting to see if Calipari can make Liggins smarter.

If he can, he’s a better coach than anyone thinks.

Regardless, my point mentioning Liggins meant to suggest that talk about a freshman before he plays is just that….talk. Everyone is a superstar on the playground. Remember the ‘big beast’ from Hampton or some such place that wasn’t even on the team last year that was going to fulfill all the holes on his team (I can’t even recall his name)? He’s disappeared….and even from my personal memory I’ll admit.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 8, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His name is Matt Pilgrim

and he hasn’t exactly disappeared. I believe his is now an OSU Cowboy and will be suiting up for Travis Ford.

However, your point about all the ridiculous hype that surrounds the newcomers, whether that is incoming freshmen or transfers, still stands. It really is all just talk until they take the floor and prove themselves, and if I wasn’t such a UK-hoops nut, I probably wouldn’t remember the above info about Pilgrim, either. : )

And about Liggins, given all the crazy circumstances that surrounded (either allegedly or factually) him last year, can we please give the "smart" comments a rest and recognize that maybe he deserves another chance? He was "smart" enough to sign with UK, he’s "smart" enough to be making the grades to keep himself here and so at present, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt on his book as well as his basketball "smarts".

by BigSkyCat on Oct 8, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Basketball smarts

My gradepoint gives me no authority to comment on others school smarts. Relax.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 8, 2009 3:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Cal thinks that Liggins will be improved for the reasons

he stated earlier….Liggins is a slasher….no more curling for threes, no more setting picks and letting him shoot jumpers from the corners…..slash and burn every man that gets too close and is too slow. Opening the floor up and going man to man fits him to a T. Gillispie tried to put a square peg into a round hole with Liggins….it showed.

The Pilgrim situation was not something easy to understand. I honestly believe that Matt expected to be a starter, and was not going to be with Cal. Gillispie expected him to be a lynch-pin when Patterson left at the end of last year( which he would have done if Gillispie stayed). Cal sees him as a part-time backup and he wanted to be a starter. PPat coming back sealed his fate….with Patterson, Orton, and Cousins…..Pilgrim was going to be an afterthought. He will do great under Travis. OK St was lucky to get him.

And I can understand the thing about talking about freshmen, but we now have the pre-season player of the year (who is a freshman), we also have a 1-2 freshman combination at the guard spot that no one in the country is any better at, Kansas MAY be as good. And our starting frontline may be 2/3 freshmen, with one of those possibly being a lottery pick with Patterson and Wall next year. Those are some pretty dang good freshmen……

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Oct 8, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reread what I wrote.

It’s pretty clear you didn’t read it the first time.

I didn’t say anything about posting up the guards specific to a zone. That doesn’t make sense. And if the sagging man to man is so difficult to execute, how come Tennessee used it to hand Memphis their only regular season loss in 2008?

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 7, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A little touchy, huh?

Geez, sorry if I touched a nerve. I read it again (just for you) and it sure looks like that’s what you meant.

I don’t know why other coaches didn’t mimic that great defensive genius of Bruce Pearl. Wasn’t he the same coach that Jodie lit up? Too funny.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 7, 2009 9:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, well just to clarify ...

… I mentioned both the zone and the pack line defense (sagging man-to-man). UCLA does not, as far as I know, ever play zone, and didn’t against Memphis. I suggested inverting the guards for the sagging man-to-man. That looks clear to me, and if it isn’t clear to you, well, okay.

Second, I don’t believe I suggested that Pearl was a genius, or any such. What I said was that the sagging man to man works against the DDM, and Pearl proved it. Now, that doesn’t mean it always works — that game was close and Memphis could have won if they had shot the ball better. But it does make the dribble-drive tougher to execute, because it clogs the lanes much like a zone does, essentially by packing defenders in close to the basket and ceding the 3-point shot. If you can shoot 33% against that defense from the arc, you can beat it most times, assuming you are a good defensive team (which Memphis was).

If not, you can have a tough time scoring, because the man-to-man aspect negates the rebound disadvantage of a zone, and the packed-in aspect makes the driving lanes too small to use.

Of course, one way you beat that defense is by screening. You’re in a motion offense anyway, so you screen to free the driver and force defensive rotation, and if the driver gets stopped, he can kick back out to the screener like in a pick and pop, or get to the rim. Calipari is learning that there is no indefensible offense, so you have to learn how to switch gears.

Like any defense you don’t practice, a sagging man-to-man can do you as much harm as it does good. Jodie torched the Vols, but they were in a regular man-to-man. Meeks was just getting good screens and getting freed up for open looks, most of which he made. There would be no reason for the Vols to sag against the ‘Cats, we didn’t have a player who could consistently get to the rim on last year’s team. But this year is different.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 8, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if Wall and Bledsoe is as good as promised...

….It would be plain dumb to play man-to-man whether it is sagging or not. The zone is the only answer which is why KY’s ability or not is paramount.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 8, 2009 4:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, but that's just wrong.

Sagging man-to-man is a defense specifically useful for stopping dribble penetration, especially when matched up against a team with superior quickness and athleticism on the perimeter. It’s also designed to slow the pace of the game, which most teams are going to want to do against UK.

In effect, it serves much of the same purposes of a typical zone defense, except that you give up less of a rebounding advantage. With any combination of at least two out of Patterson, Cousins, and Orton on the floor at the same time (all good if not great rebounders) along with guards and wings who are long and aggressive rebounders, offensive rebounds become a serious concern for teams playing zone defenses. Big enough of a concern to give the nod to the sagging man-to-man over the zone.

by BBallSophist on Oct 8, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, UofL had a great rebounding advantage over Michigan State.

There is no perfect defense. But I can guarantee there will be more zones thrown against UK than man-to-man. But again, that may be because the opposing coaches may not be as smart as you.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 8, 2009 5:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

if Wall and Bledsoe is as good as promised...

….It would be plain dumb to play man-to-man whether it is sagging or not. The zone is the only answer which is why KY’s ability or not is paramount.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 8, 2009 5:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Not at all.

Think about it — in a sagging man-to-man, your path to help is shorter than it is in a typical zone, particularly a zone that embodies man principles where you pressure the guards and try to deny the wing.

The reason more teams don’t employ a sagging man to man is that it will give up wide-open threes. Your guards have to sag back toward the lane, and cannot be out on the shooter. Most teams have at least one guy who can make that shot, so you have to go to junk or get burned. But if your opponent is missing shots, there is no better defense for stopping penetration than the pack line.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 8, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I may give you that.

But the point is somewhat moot. Whether it is zone or the ‘sagging silver bullet’, the only answer remains iutside shooting. And that is the point.

'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'

by HozeKing on Oct 8, 2009 10:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Well ...

… not quite. Let’s look at a couple of the zone defenses most teams use.

First, the 2-3. Against the 2-3 zone, the biggest weakness is the foul line area. Unless the zone is very disciplined, a bit of ball movement will split the guards (particularly with teams who use the man-to-man) and leave a gap around the foul line. Move Patterson, Cousins or Orton into that gap, get him the ball and voila! — high percentage shot. You can also dribble in to that dead area in the middle for the pull-up jumper off a screen.

The thing is, the zone or pack line frustrates the DDM’s main objective — a layup. Layups off the dribble become harder because there are always bodies able to get in between the offensive player and the basket, even if the offensive player defeats the first defender off the bounce.

So the DDM has to change to a more conventional motion offense when a zone or pack line is employed. Normally, the DDM does not want anything but layups or threes, but if you don’t have good three-point shooting, you have to make an adjustment. That adjustment is accepting more mid-range shots than you normally would, which are often high-percentage, when you don’t have good three-point shooting. I understand Calipari also sometimes runs traditional post-ups when faced with a zone or pack line.

But what you generally wind up with is a defensive team running a scheme that they don’t practice a lot, and an offensive team running a scheme that they don’t practice a lot.

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

by Truzenzuzex on Oct 9, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We are going to need to have our own ASoB

DDMO thread. Now I think I should have made an extra special effort to attend the women’s clinic to learn all I could….lol……We talked about it here what seems like ages ago, right after Coach first came. I have been focusing on learning more about football this summer. All the Cliffnotes provided have helped a lot.

There are not set plays right? For instance, we will not see Coach holding up a fist or all 5, to signal a play? They drive and shoot, pass if needed, basically ? He talks about if the team members genuinely like each other it will help them on the court. Sort of knowing what they are thinking and having each other’s backs all the time. If he can get the team playing like that, we would see one fine-tuned machine on the court. :-)

Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!

by a2d2 on Oct 9, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or move the ball downcourt fast enough

that it doesn’t have time to get set up. That’s a distinct possibility with the incoming crew. Only guy we had who could reliably do that last year was Liggins, and he was a threat to throw it away trying to make the spectacular pass at the end of the movement. Hopefully we’ll see some improvement in this area in ’09-10.

No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!

by oldcat'69 on Oct 6, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Long time reader first time poster

I’ve read this blog for over a year now, but nothing has gotten me fired up enough to post a comment until I read this thread. I am so excited for the coming BBall season, I just ordered my ESPN full court package. I think the juxtaposition of the promise of our talent and the unknown of a new regime hightens the anticipation. Too bad our first exhibition game is still a month away. I wish we could play UNC tomorrow. Alright, maybe not, but that is how excited I am.

by finkgolf on Oct 6, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs