Kentucky 90, Indiana 73: Postmortem
by Glenn Logan on Dec 12, 2009 2:37 PM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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PrintI'm taking a big, deep drought of the "John Wall as Player of the Year" Kool-Aid today, because he earned it. Blue raspberry. Mmmm. Good.
Congrats to the Indiana Hoosiers for playing a great first half of college basketball. Maurice Creek is definitely the real deal, and Tom Crean has this team playing at a high level considering how few true big people they have on the roster. Indiana is a team on the rise, and Tom Crean is quite likely a future Hall of Famer. This series will get much tougher for UK in very short order, I predict.
I loved the atmosphere in Assembly Hall today, it was truly excellent. The fans turned out in droves to see this great game, and they deserve all sorts of kudos for creating a terrific atmosphere for this storied rivalry.
There is no doubt whatsoever that this was the best game Kentucky has played this year, by a very wide margin. Almost everybody got involved offensively, due in no small part to the outstanding play of John Wall, which I'll talk more about later. I was very pleased by the way the 'Cats communicated and shared the basketball, and I have no doubt that Calipari was pleased as well. What the coaching staff will not be pleased at was the poor defense in the first half. To Coach Cal's credit, he motivated the team to a much better defensive second half, which resulted in the kind of dominating victory that should reasonably have been expected by a team as talented as this UK group.
More after the jump.
Here are my observations:
- John Wall showed today that he can learn lessons, and will trust his teammates. This was, barring his relatively poor defense, simply an outstanding game for the superstar freshman. I could not be more pleased with how he played, and how well he passed the basketball. When Wall plays like that, I don't think Kentucky can lose. Penetrate and kick, and let your teammates score. Great stuff.
- Eric Bledsoe has really worked hard on his shot, and it paid off in spades today. He was white-hot from the perimeter, and played by far his best game as a Wildcat. Bledsoe played great defense on Maurice Creek in the second half, and that was a big reason that UK won going away.
- Patrick Patterson was again the man, and I am glad to see him get more touches than he did in the UConn game. He made the most of them. And he did a great job on the glass as well with eight boards.
- DeMarcus Cousins was absolutely a beast in the post today. Easily his best game, competition consideration included, that he has played so far.
- Ramon Harris -- Five big rebounds, three of them offensive. I still wish he could score, but he brings a lot of good energy to the team when he is in, and his judgement is very sound.
- Daniel Orton was a little off this game. That's okay, he has been a difference maker in most games, and he is entitled to a clunker now and then.
- Darnell Dodson played better today than in a long while on both ends of the floor. We need his length and shooting.
- Darius Miller should have done more on the boards, but he had the second most assists on the team with four. Seven points, four assists, three rebounds and zero turnovers in 18 minutes is a good line.
- Our team rebounding was really awesome, and blockouts were terrific.
- Our team defense was not awesome. It was pretty good in the second half, though.
- I loved Calipari giving a disappointed Cousins noogies to cheer him up. It worked perfectly.
- Don't know what Cal said at halftime to change our defensive fortunes, but he should bottle it and keep it with him at all times.
No question, the best offense UK has played all year, and decent D in the second half. There are a lot of good things and fewer than normal bad things to take away from this game. I am very excited to see some really good, high-quality basketball, and see it for more than five or ten minutes. Any UK fan who saw this game has got to be pleased, not just with the outcome, but with the process.
More, please.
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Process not just the outcome!!
Nailed that one… the process is what we want to see. Shows these freshmen are retaining the knowledge and gaining more. 2nd half was just another good lesson
Blood.... Blood... Blood makes the grass grow....and mine is BLUE!!!!
Agreed ...
I think those are the two areas we needed the most improvement in, It shows how Cal works with these guys and they appear to be absorbing it like litlle (big?) sponges.
Front to back, certainly our best game...
Line of the game; 13 assists, 7 turnovers!! Will take that any day, every day!
If your wings don't sweep....
BSC-Thanks!
EB- 23 (4/5) 3’s
PP- 19 11 Rebounds
Cuz 14 8 Rebounds (4/5) FT
Wall 11 6 Rebounds 8 assist ( 1 eye poping dunk )
SWEET!!!!
Best Moment
Big Cuz grabbing a leg… Wish he coulda ripped it off lol.
Really seemed he tried to keep his head all game… limit fouls and be the beast he can be!!! Go big Cuz.
Blood.... Blood... Blood makes the grass grow....and mine is BLUE!!!!
Ah ha, said the blind man...
Yeah, that’s a great stat… Tru’s sipping the Blu Kool-aid as a post game refreshement!! :-)
If your wings don't sweep....
clarification?
Did Wall have zero turnovers today?
I guess coach has been telling him all year....
“push it, push it”
and today coach said “no turnovers”
and Wall said, “whatever you want, I can do”
Well, that's being debated
I’ve heard he had 1 on some telecasts, and Cal mentioned on the radio that he may have had one…they aren’t sure.
It was on the one play where he drove too far under the basket and he threw the ball off the bottom of the backboard and it hit out of bounds. They may be counting that as a missed shot instead of a turnover
by BBallSophist on Dec 12, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
I think that 1 turnover comment was about Bledsoe, not Wall
May be mistaken… Any help??
If your wings don't sweep....
Nope
http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2009-2010/uk1212.html
UK’s box score has 1 turnover recorded for Wall. ESPN has 0. CBS Sports has 1.
by BBallSophist on Dec 12, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
Guess we'll have to wait until they are posted to the UK Athletics site...
Thanks!
If your wings don't sweep....
Put the Kool-aid back up Tru
Wall had a turnover and it looks like he has a long way to go yet.
I am personally looking forward
to hearing from all the fans who will insist we are STILL not good ; )
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 12, 2009 2:59 PM EST reply actions
OK, here it is:
Great game offensively; good defense in the second half. Best looking/passing I’ve seen for UK in several years. John Wall made great strides as PG today, but didn’t have his best shooting day.
IU got some good calls, some great rolls. UK missed some shots we’ve been making, but have enough good shooters to pass around the opportunities.
Daniel Orton made one move in the second half that is a glimpse of how good he will be. (Remember, because of injury, in basketball years, he’s only part-way through his HS senior year.)
Ramon Harris’ line isn’t eye-catching, but his hustle/judgment are incredible. Darius Miller still disappears now and then, but, with the same reasoning as for Orton, Darius is only about 2/3 of the way through his freshlman year because of reduced PT last year.
Cuz is making great strides in temper control. His “hands up” after picking up the IU player like a rag doll was Top Ten worthy in the lineup of great pictures.
Patrick Patterson is THE MAN.
Never said we weren’t good, just that we weren’t as good as we COULD BE. After today, I say we aren’t as good as we’re going to be. Other than that, I never argue with a lady.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
a lady??
Me?? Thank you for the kind words, I didn’t mean to be rude. I wasn’t really talking about you, but I realize it probably looked that way ; )
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 12, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't take it as rude. But, you can say anything you want to about me
if this team continues to grow and play like they did today. It’ll be VERY hard to piss me off. :-))
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
Ramon's stats
too bad you don’t get something in your stats line for getting whacked like a quarterback sack while you are in the paint with the ball
Now Oldcat,
it looks like you are staring at a half of a glass of cab and can’t decide between full and empty. Just kidding, it would be absolutely terrible if our team was as good as they are going to be already. That’s why I haven’t been buying into all of this hand wringing by so many posters. You do not want your team to PEAK in November and December. We want to see areas where they are potentially better than they are playing all the way up to the championship game (providing they keep winning).
Speaking of,
think I’ll trundle off the the kitchen and see what’s available. I spent a lot of energy getting this win, and I need a little pick-me-up.
Nah, I’m glad they haven’t peaked. Until today, I saw too much backsliding, but today was different, vastly different. Very few glitches on offense, and nice correction in the second half on defense. Pretty pleased on this end, especially ’cause I remember the old days against Indiana. Very satisfying.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
Miller averaged 21.2 minutes a game
as a freshman. That is a lot of minutes for a freshman. He is at 29.3 minutes a game this year with that starting to be reduced.
Oops, sorry.
Was under the impression that he was at about 10 or so.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
that's because Cal says he only played 5 minutes as a freshman....
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 9:01 PM EST up reply actions
At my age, how in the world
did I get caught believing a coach? Should have looked the data up myself.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
I wonder why he keeps saying that?
I thought Miller played quite bit for a freshman last year yet Cal makes it seem he never got in the game. Maybe trying to make excuses for his lack of development??
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Dec 13, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
cal's way of lowering expectations...
and taking the pressure off of him, i guess.
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 13, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
Not sure if any undefeated team has
played a tougher schedule than us … Syracuse maybe – but not Kansas
the major development today was not UK's HUGE win over IU,
rather, Seth Davis picked Kansas to win the Nat’l Title — Well, that’s one team we don’t have ot worry about.
I think Kansas is good enough to overcome even Seth Davis ;-)
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
My two cents
the anti-hype: a win over IU is nothing to brag about. Not this year anyway.
the hype: we have a new coach, a new system, and start 3 freshmen. And it’s only Dec 12. Lookin’ darn good.
Yeah, especially when IU was shooting lights-out...
Never got rattled, just continued to play. In reponse to one of Tru’s comments after the 2 or 3rd game, I said if we can get better by one minute per game, we’ll be pretty good at the end of the year… I think we’re ahead of schedule!! :-)
If your wings don't sweep....
what was the deal with the zone?
did we run the 1-3-1 zone on one possession? What’s up with that? Is that some of Cal’s showmanship?
I thought it looked like a 2-3,
but was so shocked to see it that I didn’t get a good look. Of course, when Orton missed his man on the baseline, Coach called off that little experiment.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
This was indeed
a great win for us as a team, and it has to be extremely satisfying for the fans who wanted just a bit more from our young John Wall. He certainly didn’t disappoint anyone today (any reasonable person, that is) and he’s only going to get better in all areas. Oh, lovely day.
Tru, I’m so very pleased you are finally quenching your thirst with the oh-so-tasty blue liquid and I’m ecstatic that Wall was able to do the things he needed to do in order for you to drink. Wonder if daniel is getting a little thirsty?? : )
Oh, and I too just loved that little moment between Cuz and Coach. It was truly and "awww" moment for me and I thought it was so cute, and even more importantly, and like Tru mentions, it was rather effective as it is just what Cousins needed at that time. Love it.
Oh my.
It just occurred to me what you meant here. Duh.
I was referring to daniel, you know, who posts here, as he was hesitant about all the Wall hype. I wasn’t referring to the “Ort-ster”. I think Orton is great (and daniel, too, of course). So sorry if that was confusing…..: )
Yeah, I was confused...
But’s that’s a normal state of mind, so I’m good!! LOL Thanks for the clarification…
If your wings don't sweep....
about confusion being a normal state of mind....
that’s pretty funny, but I’m probably not much better, today especially. First off, I’m blonde, so that probably explains a lot all on it’s own, : ) and second of all I’m not feeling all that well today, so……….blondeness + Theraflu + Nyquil, definitely = a confusing and possibly incoherent post. I’ll do better next time, I promise. : )
No worries...
Hope you get to feeling better! Based on daniel’s posted description of himself (in one of these threads) after the game, I think he was having a bit more than kool-aid yesterday… hehe He may need some of your Theraflu & Nyquil today himself, but for some different reasons!! :-)
If your wings don't sweep....
I was happy to see him give Cousins the "noogie" on the bench
He really has a good relationship with his players … breath of fresh air from the last two years.
did you see cuz jump
when Cal reached out to him initially? like he was spooked or something…..
I have kleptomania,
but when it gets bad,
I take something for it.
Liggins sighting...
Did I see Liggins on the floor at the end?
waiting on a new banner being raised into the rafters of Rupp..........
good for him
waiting on a new banner being raised into the rafters of Rupp..........
by cdnWildcatfan on Dec 12, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
Whatever the problem is with him, I hope it's resolved
Depth, especially late in the year, is a good thing.
Right, Ken.
Can you imagine the speed with a three-guard lineup of Wall, Bledsoe, Liggins? HOOOLLLYY COW. If Liggins has learned not to turn the ball over by trying to be spectacular, his return could be a good step.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
and
a good step towards success next year sans wall
waiting on a new banner being raised into the rafters of Rupp..........
by cdnWildcatfan on Dec 12, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly!
With Bledsoe turning into a shooting guard with great range, Liggins could be somebody next year.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
I came looking for this post
just to ask the same thing..Did I see Liggins today? We could really use a backup ball-handler to spell one of the youngsters here and there…i hope he is turning a corner and we see a lot of him…
Liggins will never be a point guard for Cal.
He doesn’t have the intelligence for the job. I think he could get Ramon’s minutes next year.
He Wasn't PG In HS Here In Chicago, Either
He played wing more than PG.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 12, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
Any postgame comments about Liggins?
How in the world does a guy get benched for weeks, with nary a word from anyone to the media, and then play again, still with no comment from the staff? Or was there a comment?
it HAD to have been a grades issue, right?
’cause the semester just ended?
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 12, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
I've heard Cal
say for the last couple of weeks about Liggins — “He’s doing better,” but with no commnet on what he’s doing better at.
Can I get cred
For the kook aid reference?
Great 2nd half great rebounding great post game analysis. In my drunken state I’m calling a cab and I fully expect john wall to be driving it. Go kittens! 14-0 non conf here we come
by daniel81 on Dec 12, 2009 3:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Yeah, we'll give you credit for it...
Sorry you lost your bet… Would like to have see us up by 20 at the end!
If your wings don't sweep....
So you are picking us
to lose to Louisville?
Ken howlett
Is a stud. Check his a.c.t somebody
by daniel81 on Dec 12, 2009 3:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
My only concern..
is the number of minutes that Wall and Patterson must play right now. We need that number to go down some, and the bench to step up. If we could get them under 30, that means others are helping out. Long term, this is needed.
Oh, gosh, I hope he's Jodie reincarnated
when we play Brucie’s boys in orange.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
Question
Why did UK stay in a zone thought the first half while getting burned on the perimeter and stayed man to man the whole Uconn game whilst getting taking to the basket ad-nausea
Nobody's perfect...well there was this one guy but we killed him.
Anonymous
But
What about the Uconn game should a zone have been used there
Nobody's perfect...well there was this one guy but we killed him.
Anonymous
thats
Doubtful LOL
Nobody's perfect...well there was this one guy but we killed him.
Anonymous
Re: Dmerit
One would think so, especially since UConn is such a poor outside shooting team. But, I think there is something to Cal saying he hasn’t had time to insert a zone.
Rebounds
That is the eye-popping statistic from this game. 44 to 22? Wow. That’s the game right there.
Indiana rebounding
I looked at the box scores for their games against Pitt, Maryland, and Mississippi. They were outrebounded by 9 in those games combined (avg -3 per game).
Updated stat today:
UK 45
IU 22
I thought..
the spacing, and ball movement was much better today. They ran more set plays in the first half, than the entire game against UConn.
Spacing
Tru and I talked at half and that was one of the things we talked about — Their spacing has been pretty good all year, but today it was excellent for the entire game. And that’s one of the keys to UK being ultra-successful offensively.
10-0
Did anyone think we would be 10-0, I thought 8-2, maybe 9-1
I did not
Our play has not been spectacularly better or worse than I expected. But I expected a little worse, this early with all the new kids, new coach, etc.
What has impressed and surprised me most about this team
is the maturity of John Wall, which I feel, has made a huge difference in how good they are, compared to how good I thought they would be at this point in the season.
Yes it has..
and it is starting to show with the other players as well. It can, and appears to be catching. Withstanding the first 8 minutes of the game showed this to be true.
DDMO Progress
Haven’t watched for a second time but my first impressions are:
1) The reason for the offensive efficiency was due in great part to understanding and execution of the DDMO and yet there is much to learn.
2) After the 18-0 run UK appeared to just toy with the Hoosiers yet still executed better than expected which is proof to me that there is a surprising level of confidence.
3) Cats were for the most part stronger in holding their position under the boards which partially explains the large disparity in rebounds but one can’t overlook the athletic advantage UK enjoyed in the front court.
4) It appears to me that no one is enjoying this more than Patrick Patterson. He appears to be a man at peace with his decision and his situation. No one is more deserving either.
Great time to be Blue, more after review.
"Learn(ing) without thinking begets ignorance. Think(ing) without learning is dangerous."
-Confucius
As I wrote in the preseason
Patterson deserves to be on a great team, and I believe that hope has been fulfilled.:)
A comment about all the arguing
It is interesting to see our fans on ASOB argue with each other about how good our team is, and whether some of us are mentally ill, and whether some are just negative, after a 10-0 start and the most hype and national media props in many years.
It may seem bad, but it’s really just a testament to how much Cat fans know about basketball, how much they love this team, and how hungry we all are to claw back to the top. There are just different personalities among the fans. Some of us are trying to manage our expectations. Others are trying to revel in the glory of the moment. Some are thinking ahead, know that if we are going to get to the top of the mountain, there is much work still to be done. Some enjoy analysis for its own sake. Some like to argue and debate.
Cat’s Rock!
Give me the moment,
it is all that we really have.
Yeah, Gobe,
put me in all those camps, including the one about mentally ill—I’m crazy about UK basketball!!
-love the team-yep; hungry for the top-yep; different personality-yep, that’s me; managing expectations-yep, that’s me, too; enjoy the moment-better today than in a long time, because it was a step forward, and not an aberration; etc, etc, etc
All in all, not TOO bad.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
Well, I'm the one who lightheartedly made the mentally ill comment,
but I deleted it. After thinking about it, I thought it in poor taste, and insensitive.
On ESPN's college basketball page
there’s a headline that says “Rumors: Wall recruiting top prep Leslie to UK.” Naturally it’s an insider’s article so I can’t read it, but this makes me so happy. Several others have mentioned how awesome both Wall and his hype (deserved or over-the-top) are going to be for our recruiting, and it looks like this is happening already…at least going by the one-line headline of an article I can’t read : ) If anyone is an insider and would like to share what this says, that would be very sweet!
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 12, 2009 4:41 PM EST reply actions
Wall's been on Leslie since before the season began.
He’s been in his ear a lot.
by BBallSophist on Dec 12, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Not ESPN But Confirmation
"Learn(ing) without thinking begets ignorance. Think(ing) without learning is dangerous."
-Confucius
10-0 Baby!!!
…AND I’ve got Drexel tickets!!!!!!!!!!!
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Dec 12, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions
Carry the ASOB banner for us, girl.
It’ll be a great night to be in Rupp.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
You got it oldcat!
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Dec 12, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions
I'm currently in a bidding war on eBay for Drexel tickets.
I hope they have something kickass prepared to signify the event, if it happens (lord pleeeease let it happen that night, haha)
Go Cats and Go Canes!
by KentuckyCane on Dec 12, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
2000th win....
i have tickets to long beach state – was not counting on a loss, just the only time i could get up to lex
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
we're getting new unis?
Go Cats and Go Canes!
by KentuckyCane on Dec 12, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
Another though:
I LOVE that the fans of a school formerly coached by KELVIN SAMPSON decides to go with a “cheater” chant!! Priceless.
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Dec 12, 2009 5:34 PM EST reply actions
I totally agree, but
the fans didn’t hire Sampson. My Indiana friends didn’t like the hire…for the same reason they said I shouldn’t like the Calipari hire. But that’s been debated here and elsewhere endlessly, and I agree w/ everything Tru has said on the point.
by mrmondaynite on Dec 12, 2009 5:47 PM EST up reply actions
Even so
You would think they might want to chant something else. It would seem that “cheater” might hit a litte too close to home.
It is not worth an intelligent man’s time to be in the majority. By definition, there are already enough people to do that.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Dec 12, 2009 6:06 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't know
that Pitino attended the game.
The best
eight day run by KY basketball this decade.
Did U Miss The 2003 Season?
Those Cats won 26 games in a row.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 12, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions
How many do you think this team will win in a row?
I don’t see a real test until we go to Gainesville in January.
by mrmondaynite on Dec 12, 2009 7:30 PM EST up reply actions
agree...
that will be only our second test in an unfriendly environment…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 8:20 PM EST up reply actions
True....
i was thinking about away games
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
i'll be there!
Bought my tickets today :-)! Living in Miami for the past 4.5 years I’ve been trying to get to this game since I was a freshman. I will try my damndest to help ease the atmosphere for the big blue, haha. I hate no other school more than UF and I can’t wait to see them go down!
Go Cats and Go Canes!
by KentuckyCane on Dec 12, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions
No, I did not miss that season.
I don’t recall the cats winning 26 straight in 8 days though. Give me wins over UNC, UConn and IU over a three game stretch all nationally telivised. Personally, I think it’s even sweeter than an SEC tourney championship.
That 2003 Team Was 12-2 Versus Ranked Opponents
Undefeated (19-0) versus SEC opponents, first time since Alabama swept SEC in 1956.
I’ll take 26 W in a row over the 3 nice W this season.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 12, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
Eight Day Run
Not whole seasons. Eight days. Come up with a better 3 game stretch. Maybe there was one. I can’t remember it though. EIGHT DAYS.
W Over Fla In Gainesville Then Sweeping SECT = 8 Days In March 2003
The W over Fla meant the Wildcats swept the Gators as #1 team (first time) and #3 team (that time) in 2003 season.
The SECT sweep meant the Wildcats went undefeated versus SEC opponents for first time since Alabama did it in 1956.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 13, 2009 7:05 AM EST up reply actions
oh, no...no, no, no, no, no
not sweeter than an SEC tourney championship.
by Gobe Igbloo on Dec 12, 2009 10:47 PM EST up reply actions
Anybody heard from ABC??
Didn’t see him around today, hope he’s just on travel back home??
If your wings don't sweep....
Always have to look after your buddies!
I love giving him a hard time about that damned hat of his!! :-)
If your wings don't sweep....
watched the game with my uncle today......first thing we have done that was not
funeral related all week. Just the two of us with a pizza and a remote…….we needed some time to do something better……no internet there, so we just watched and laughed……..and enjoyed an afternoon with a fire going and no reasons to cry for a change……needed that so badly….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
thanks.....sorry I couldnt be here gang.....I missed it......but the hat WAS on........
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
What you did was SO much more important
really…..but I’m still glad you thought of the hat ;-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Didn't see you had posted when I posted right above...
Missed giving you hard time about the hat Bro! Agree with a2d2, what you did was much more important… Glad you had a good day, you’ll remember this one for a long time!
If your wings don't sweep....
thanks Eagle......really had fun.....watched the girls win today too.....
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
And LOUISVILLE L-O-S-T (At Home) AGAIN
Western Carolina 91-83 over the Cards.
Maybe Pitino can De-Sypher the Cards’ weaknesses.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 12, 2009 6:21 PM EST reply actions
Did anyone see this picture on KSR? It's unbelievable! Best picture of John Wall ever.
I left TN and now I am back in the Bluegrass... just in time for Football and Keeneland! Life is great!
Seriously, Folks
Since Forty brought up Sypher, there was talk at the peak of the scandal that it might somehow impact, maybe even overshadow, the coming UL season, and that was belittled by some and taken as fact by others. Considering Cards horrendous start how do you view the Sypher impact? Or is it just a case of injuries and loss of players?
"Learn(ing) without thinking begets ignorance. Think(ing) without learning is dangerous."
-Confucius
WW,
I don’t know how it could NOT affect the play of the team. Coaches are much more than sports teachers, at least in situations where the “coached” are young people. These guys are role models, and if your role model has been discredited, then . . .
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
Alan Cutler heckled by Coach Cal after the game
Cal having fun with his old pal.
I loved watching the team work together today. This is going to be so much fun. Good thing they didn’t start the season out as great as they can be. I don’t know if my psyche could have taken it all at once. I think we all need the gradual increase to great basketball. They didn’t want to leave us in permanent shock. LOL ;-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
beautiful....
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
Tru - about time you drank the kool-aid...
I know you have been concerned with Wall’s ability to play with in the team….
Had you not admitted to drinking some kool-aid today, i was going to mention that Wall is #2 in the nation in assists per game and that sounded like a guy who trusted his temamates — but i won’t say anything (but i guess i just did)
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 6:36 PM EST reply actions
Trust me.
I will spit it in the floor if I don’t see continuity.
It’s too easy to read your own press clippings. I am on alert for that. :-)
But all that aside, this was a game that I am truly proud to drink the Kool-Aid. John Wall responded well to his coach, and did all the right things today. The mark of maturity, and I am really glad to see it. I hope it continues. If it does, I see great things for the future of this team.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
You mix
Four Roses with your blue Kool-aid? Do you call that a Wall Flower?
Oh, God ...
:-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Dec 13, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
See??????....I told you you would miss out on the buzz if you didnt.....lol
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
I will not continue to debate a man...
with some Four Roses in him…
Just glad we are moving closer.
I will say, I was hestitant to drink the Cal Kool-Aid when he was hired but you helped me see the light. I figure the least I can do is return the favor by handing you shots, er, glasses of Wall Kool-Aid….
Cannonball, cannonball comin……
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
today was an example...
of how Wall deferred to Bledsoe when IU tried to to take his scoring away. This is great for Eric’s confidence, and shows on tape to opponents, take away Wall, we’ll go with our other weapons.
Strong effort
I feel like after the John Wall-fest at MSG our guys decided to make it a team thing. Lots of good contributions across the board. Just what we need at this point.
I do know this much after that game.......I am now promoting the going undefeated for the rest of the
year. And maybe even longer. I want that Louisville game so bad right now I can taste it.Oh how I wish Gardner Webb was on the schedule again this year……VMI too…….
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
but how can we go undefeated if we are 6-4...
or is it 5-5, i can’t remember….
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
Another thing Tru - how about the zone....
1-3-1 was the last thing i thought Cal would try…Not sure i ever remember seeing it in memphis..
i am almost of the opinion he went to it to keep the game close. i mean, what coach goes to a zone when the other team is on fire from deep. but i guess cal figured we might as well practice it for when we need it later in the season.
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 6:55 PM EST reply actions
According Post Game Zone A Tribute To Rupp
Who Cal says designed the 1-3-1. Perhaps someone else can speak to the verity of that.
"Learn(ing) without thinking begets ignorance. Think(ing) without learning is dangerous."
-Confucius
i saw rupp coach...
but my first recollection of the 1-3-1 was under Hall. in fact, when i saw it, i was taken back to 1978….
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 8:22 PM EST up reply actions
He said that Rupp did it ...
… so he would try because of our length.
I like a coach that understands and respects the past, but we have work to do on execution. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Coach Rupp was accused of using a 1-3-1 in the early 60s.
He responded that the defense was a “shifting and transitional man-to-man, backed by a hyperbolic paraboloid between the ball and the basket.” So he did use it if not design it.
One of the real masters of the 1-3-1 was Ray Mears at UT. In 65-66, Rupp had worked a series of specific offensive moves to force the baseline “1” to go one way, then Conley worked the ball to another Wildcat on the other side of the baseline. Riley and Dampier shot well from the baseline and we won in Memorial.
When we went to Knoxville, however, Mears had implemented a wrinkle that involved the middle man (Howard Bayne) in the 1-3-1 working the opposite baseline from the back man, and UK was slow to adjust, losing its first game of the season by 7 points.
Rupp didn’t like Mears much. He often said he was “the only sane coach in the SEC, because he had a paper to prove it.” It was an insensitive reference to some well-publicized emotional problems Mears had had some years before.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
OC69...
Just to add to your comment… During Cal’s postgame he said that Coach Lancaster showed it to Rupp but he didn’t want to have anything to do with it. So, Coach L started having the JV play it and Rupp, after watching it during a couple of games, decided to give it a try… Cal said he and “another Coach” (sorry, didn’t catch the name) read about it some book. Wonder where Coach Lancaster saw it??
Nice historical reference, and I’m shamed to say, I wasn’t aware of that factiod! ‘Course, there are a ton of Rupp stories I haven’t heard yet…
If your wings don't sweep....
i believe the other coach was Robic
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 12, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
it was fun to watch
the game today, best half court offense we’ve seen all year, the boyzz just keep gettin better and better
I Was Extremely Impressed...
with the level of progress I saw today. It was very good to see the team executing the offense as well as they did including offensive rebounds for second chance points and the passing on offense to include everybody with touches. Words can’t do justice for how happy I was with Wall’s leadership as a true point guard today and it was great to see Bledsoe exploding with his shot percentage! All around a great W for our CATS!!!
I cried myself to sleep (literally), pounding my pillow the night Laettner made me hate Duke. I would still love to punch Laettner in the face!
Couldn't have said
it better myself!!
This was a road game in front of a big hostile crowd and we kept our composure in the face of some great shooting that IU put up in the first half. We didn’t play great defense but it was better for 40 minutes than any game we’ve played this year. We played inside outside basketball all day and came closest to the DDMO than in any other game. OFFENSIVE rebounding and boxing out….the fundamentals that win championships!!!
This is the kind of game those of us cautioning about handing Wall player of the year honors after 9 games were looking for. This was a TEAM victory with EVERYONE contributing!!! NO standing around looking lost while Wall was out of the game. BTW…..I read several posts denigrating IU and IMHO, they looked at least as good as UNC and better than UCONN…at least in the games against us. If we’d played this kind of game in the prior 9…..none would have been closer than 8 points. HUGE step forward!!!
"Fundamentals that win championships!!!"
I agree that they took a huge step forward with the fundamentals today! I know we have an unbelievable amount of talent with our #1 09-10 recruiting class of freshman, and we have the weapons to go deep in March, but it is just so good to see a game like this come so early in the season. It was good to see them play “smart” ball to come from behind early in the 1st half when IU was lighting it up from behind the 3 in a hostile environment.
I cried myself to sleep (literally), pounding my pillow the night Laettner made me hate Duke. I would still love to punch Laettner in the face!
One other point..
watching Coach C give Big Coz a noggie says sooooooooo much about the man and his coaching. What parent seeing that wouldn’t want their kid playing for this man?
Yeah, I loved that!
I cried myself to sleep (literally), pounding my pillow the night Laettner made me hate Duke. I would still love to punch Laettner in the face!
That was great
especially because I think Cousins needed it more than most.
No matter where you're at, there you are
Which was why he got it
Very observant coach that knows his team, good timing by the TV folks to catch it. What a great change from the previous coach.
I thought we had the right coach when they announced Cal. Everything he has done this year, from traveling the state, to what he says in the media, to how he handles his kids; says greatness. The program just has to make sure it stays squeaky clean, and we’ll be running near the front for a long time.
Very good game
This one went about as I expected, with Indiana giving a game effort in the first half before falling to UK’s superior talent, but that IU team is going to take some teams down in the Big 10 this year.
I really hope we get to see a lot of the other half of the team (Stevenson, Liggins, Harrellson, etc) over the next four games to get them some time and confidence and give the main guys a slight break headed into conference season.
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
Cal's Big Noogie on Cuz!!!
Don’t think he minded a bit huggin’ on “Big Cuz”…sweat and all…RickieP would have never let his fancy suit get all crinkled up!!!…LOVING COACH CAL!!!…and I think Cuz kinda liked it too!!!
Great game all around…GO BIG BLUE!!!
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as much as you please."...Mark Twain.
"Cals a Cheater" chant
Has that happened in other games?
Coming from IU. Hello, pot, my name is kettle.
No matter where you're at, there you are
Cal ties Rupp
10 -0 best start ever for first year Kentucky coach.With a win next week,Cal would best Rupp.
i thought rupp's record was 11-0??
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 13, 2009 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
Rupp Started 10-0 In 1930-31
But L the next 2 games.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 13, 2009 9:45 AM EST reply actions
Tru...
I bet you are very excited to get the SEC blog poll (Basketball) going this year..?
Gonna be nice to be able to put Kentucky’s name at the top…!
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Tru..
With the week the Cats had, is there any chance moving up in the polls? No “cupcakes” this past week, as opposed to other undefeated teams. I ask only so we have sometime to talk about until the next game. The SOS should go up dramatically I would think. I know the polls don’t really mean anything to anyone but the fans, but it’s sure nice to have UK in the top group again, and for ever, hopefully.
I don't think so.
Everyone above us won just like we did. It would be hard to justify moving UK up, even though we had some good victories.
Unlike college football, though, the polls in basketball don’t mean much. I would expect us to be somewhere at or near a top five team all year, barring injury. That’s close enough for government work.
But Kansas, Texas or Villanova will have to lose to somebody before UK moves up, I would expect, in the major polls. We might move up in power polls, though.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Heh.
Yeah, that will be fun. Speaking of that, I have to get that thing working today. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Dec 13, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
BCG Era Worse Than Appeared
I know it’s over but this DeCourcey comment is interesting:
Raw recruits
The accounting on the Billy Gillispie era at Kentucky is starting to be completed, and simply from a basketball standpoint things probably were worse than imagined.
Friday, shooting guard Konner Tucker announced he was leaving Wake Forest after earning only a few minutes of playing time in the season’s first month. What does this have to do with UK? Gillispie had secured a commitment from Tucker before being dismissed. Forward Dakotah Euton, from whom Gillispie secured an early commitment when Euton was a ninth grader, signed in November at Akron. That’s a strong mid-major program, but it’s not like Carolina came surging in to steal Euton once Gillispie was out of the way.
Not only was UK not winning enough, it wasn’t recruiting the talent to be successful in the future.
Same piece has comments on Vandy’s early disintegration.
"Learn(ing) without thinking begets ignorance. Think(ing) without learning is dangerous."
-Confucius
and i thought BCG was a strong recruiter...
he did get orton (and to a lesser extent patterson) but wow…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 13, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
Decourcy
Is often wrong.
Gillispie signed plenty of good recruits.
That was not his problem.
by FortyYearCatFan on Dec 14, 2009 6:36 AM EST up reply actions
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