North Carolina Tar Heels @ Kentucky Wildcats: Open Game Thread
by Glenn Logan on Dec 5, 2009 12:30 PM EST
in Open Thread
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PrintNorth Carolina Tar Heels at Kentucky Wildcats, Dec 5, 2009 12:30 PM EST
It's time for the biggest game (so far) of this young season and a game that will tell both teams how far they have come, and how far they have yet to go. North Carolina is a giant rival of Kentucky, perhaps second only to the Louisville Cardinals just a short drive down I-64.
Particulars of this game are as follows:
Date & Time Sat., Dec. 5, 12:30 p.m
Coverage TV: CBS Radio: BBSN
GameTracker 
Online Audio 
Location Rupp Arena Lexington, Ky.
As you can see from my pre-game analysis and Ken's follow-on article, we here at A Sea of Blue are taking this game most seriously. Win or lose, we consider this one of the two biggest games of this regular season. Others may disagree, but that's how I see it.
For the North Carolina perspective, be sure to visit Carolina March, the SB Nation's outstanding North Carolina Tar Heel blog.
More after the jump.
What UK needs to win this game:
- John Wall to put pressure on the defense and accumulate help fouls;
- Get the ball to Patterson and Cousins as much as possible;
- Make free throws;
- Minimize turnovers.
What the Tar Heels need to win:
- A big game from Deon Thompson;
- 38% or better 3-point shooting;
- Win the turnover battle;
- Keep UK from winning the offensive rebounding percentage battle
- Don't send John Wall to the line a lot.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Big Blue Nation, this is the one we have been waiting for. Gird your loins for battle.
Go Big Blue!!
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john wall hurt
john wall has left the game with a leg injury early in the second half. read the sbnation stream here for updates http://www.sbnation.com/2009/12/5/1186982/kenutcky-freshman-john-wall-leaves
by Alex Goldstick on Dec 5, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
almost got here too late.......in Gatlinburg today folks.....snow is awesome
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
thought about doing this from the hot tub, can see the big screen
from here, but water worries me with this laptop
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
just my luck....lol.....and it would happen with us tied with 30 sec to go and the ball
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
need help...
Am headed to my sons bball game – pls post the score from time to time and I promise I will only check it when my son is out or at a time out!
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 5, 2009 12:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
what is going on?
Are we playing bad or they playing good?
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 5, 2009 12:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
John Wall is the most exciting player in college basketball
That’s what’s going on
9-7 UNC
It's time. . .
A little of both.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Dec 5, 2009 12:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Now that is speed!
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Dec 5, 2009 12:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions
sorry memphis cat
it is so amamazing to see and we are all just making exclamations instead of giving you play by play
balls to the Wall
so nice to watch this on tv
and not have to stream it online.
by the way, this wall kid is pretty good
my unc friend just texted me..
He said “too bad he is only one and done.” Even without watching I knew who he was…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 5, 2009 12:50 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I haven't seen many games yet.
Is Miller’s offense and the team defense playing way above previous games? OR WHAT?!!!!
Nice run by the Cats
Miller is especially impressive.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Dec 5, 2009 12:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
thank goodness for tivo
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 5, 2009 12:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Too buys watching and cheering to post much...
What a wonderful thing!! :-)
If your wings don't sweep....
OMG
made it and the foul, that was crazy
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 5, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions
oh wow
they realllllly want to win this game. So do I : )
27-11. This is NUTS
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 5, 2009 1:03 PM EST reply actions
how scared did the larry drew
look trying to guard wall on the fast break
..and they
look like they’re having so much fun. Pinch me. I’m beyond amazed at what a difference a year can make.
wow, you scare easily huh
I’m so sure if UT football was putting it all over FLorida or whoever, you wouldn’t be going nuts too.
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 5, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
How much fun is this right now?
Taking it to the Heels like they tried snake their girlfriends.
Love it!
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I dont know what we did to deserve this, but I will do it every day if someone will tell
me what it is…..
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
on the yahoo sports basketball page
it says unc 33 kentucky 17
Still a lot of game left, but a good lead at half time would be
HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!
I expect a little run out of UNC now.
Hope I’m wrong.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
SMOKIN'
I don’t know that we can look much better?? Lost a couple of balls, but other than that, I haven’t seen much to complain about!! LOL
If your wings don't sweep....
3 for Wall!!
This is awesome, gotta keep up the intensity
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 5, 2009 1:12 PM EST reply actions
Cuz needs to look to pass
when he’s 2-teamed like that
my question exactly.....it looks like they are leaving it all on the floor
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
Coach Cal-
Seems to be trying to rest them for short spurts-
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Patrick just a bit slow
on the alley oop. Or Wall a bit too high.
Keep it up guys...
Long way to go.. keep the pressure on.. take a 10 point + lead in to half and we’ll be sitting nice
did uk end the 2003 season #1 in the country?
cbs is saying we havnt been top 5 since 2002
avoiding turnovers
Holding on to the ball (orange).
I am just so impressed with our defense.
It is far and away the best we have played defensively all year.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Three-
Good minutes from Harrelson would help rest us some..
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Harrellson ...
… let Zeller get a layup and a put back.
C’mon, big guy! Get with the program!
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Good timeout
UNC starting a run, UK players a bit tired?
Harrellson
been beat a couple times but did alter NC shot on one possession. Prob won’t be back in after break.
Wow.
Great half of basketball by Kentucky.
The defense was just beyond my wildest hopes. We challenged nearly every single shot, and the ones that went in were just tough shots.
I feel warm and fuzzy all over. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
only thing i can complain about
is that cousins is 1-5 at the free throw line. I guess that improvement was just temporary
Whether or not we'd be competative has been answered!!
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Well I am about to
to off to my kids game(contrary to a certain opionion my kids do come first) but root them on guys. What a great first half. Beautiful. I was so nervous before. They are so young but they came to play! I am so proud of my boys!
Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!
Wow,,,no Whew
This felt like the good ole’ days! I don’t know what to do next…but I am not wanting to move…so that I don’t change anything ….
hey guys, during the half
I posted a fan post of congrats to Chirop1, who got married yesterday. If you want to add your wishes to it, it becomes sort of a “guest book” for the groom from ASOB buds
One more half!!
Just keep up the pressure… first 10 minutes will be huge.. (understatement)
We got a little tentative with about 3 minutes to go...
FT’s are the only thing to complain about so far! Hopefully they will come out with the same intensity in the 2nd half.
GO CATS!!
If your wings don't sweep....
ABC...
Where ever you got that hat, keep the same in the second half!! LOL
If your wings don't sweep....
Time for poise & maturity!
UNC will not roll over for us.
Our boys better be ready to bring it in the 2nd half!
I’m concerned about fatigue vs. Carolina’s deep bench.
Anybody got a link to stats on minutes played per player?
our leading scorers
played more minutes than theirs
How long has it been since we were all this happy?
even though we are collectively afraid to exhale yet
too long indeed
I am reminded that I spent many years expecting games like this (minus Wall) whenever the team took the court. Sometimes they lost but the expectation of a great game was every game. I will be overwhelmed if that comes back.
The key is the next 5-07 minutes
As UK adjusts to RW’s half-time adjustments
No matter where you're at, there you are
4 weeks without Wall
…and we’ll be even better in March.
(not hoping for it, don’t get me wrong)
nothing wrong with a hard foul.....just dont let the man make the shot!!
Remember, we're having fun now!!!
oh geez
I don’t know if I can take this pressure : _
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 5, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
Okay another Coke bear commercial to change things up :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
AARRRGGH!
Wall leaves, and the decision making goes to crap.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan