Kentucky Wildcats @ Connecticut Huskies -- Open Game Thread
by Truzenzuzex on Dec 9, 2009 9:00 PM EST
in Open Thread
655 comments
Kentucky Wildcats at Connecticut Huskies, Dec 9, 2009 9:30 PM EST
This is the official A Sea of Blue Open Game Thread for the Kentucky Wildcats at the Connecticut Huskies tonight in the Big East-SEC Invitational. Particulars are as follows:
Date & Time Weds., Dec. 9, 9:30 p.m
Coverage TV: ESPN Radio: BBSN
Online Audio 
Online Video via ESPN360
Location Madison Square Garden New York, N.Y.
John Calipari's young charges take on Jim Calhoun's talented and experienced Huskies tonight in one of the most legendary basketball fora in the nation. This will be a big early-season test for Kentucky.
More after the jump.
John Calipari and Jim Calhoun have an acrimonious relationship that festered in the days of Calipari's stay at UMass. There are no real signs from either coach that they wish to discontinue the rivalry, so I am sure that Calipari would very much like to coach his team to victory, perhaps a bit more than usual. Particularly in the Garden. And it should be delicious again. I'll bet "Johnny Clam Chowder can't wait.
So anyway, let's look at what UK needs to win:
- John Wall to be John Wall. But he needs to cut down turnovers.
- Get the ball to Patrick Patterson. A lot.
- DeMarcus Cousins to play to a higher level than versus the North Carolina Tar Heels.
- Continued solid three-point shooting.
- Continued great rebounding.
For UConn, they need the following:
- Somebody to stay in front of Wall at all times.
- Much better offensive rebounding than they have been doing for most of the season.
- Strong play out of their less-heralded players.
- Prevent UK from running too much.
- Get good looks inside, and make the threes they take.
UConn isn't quite as talented or as deep as North Carolina, but they are a solid, deep basketball team with two really good guards. They are much more than good enough to hand Kentucky their first loss, and if UK doesn't bring their "A" game, it will most likely happen.
Go, 'CATS!
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UK-Connecticut
Reminds me of Chuck Aleksinas, a Cat in 1977-79, from Connecticut and transferred back to the Nutmeg state and was drafted by the Bulls.
"Learn(ing) without thinking begets ignorance. Think(ing) without learning is dangerous."
-Confucius
which reminds me
there was a Chuck Verderber (sp?)
by Gobe Igbloo on Dec 10, 2009 12:28 AM EST up reply actions
Hope Wall is really 100%
Looking forward to this one. This team is really exciting to watch. I hope Wall is over his tendonitis and ready to go full tilt.
Will any team find a way to slow him down? UNC had a strategy to contain him and it really didn’t work. Will the UCONN backcourt be able to slow him down?
The legend continues ….
Go CATS!!
I don't think you can get over tendonitis
He has to live with it. He will be fine. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Whatever .....
Whatever he has (had) he won the game for us tonight. I think it was the best any body has played against him this far …. HE WAS BETTER!!
This team still can (and will) improve … winning is always a good thing …
Wall had alot of help tonight too … Patterson with big shots and Cuz with the double double
Dang Wednesday night games...
Really need to be sipping a bourbon, but I gotta work tomorrow! Who’s in charge of scheduling?? LOL
If your wings don't sweep....
We
must be wearing out blue uniforms tonight. DeMarcus has on a blue headband. Color coordination??…..LOVE IT! : )
long time lurker, rare poster checking in
to say:
LET’S GO BIG BLUE!!!!
by jmcclellan13 on Dec 9, 2009 9:39 PM EST via mobile reply actions
bledsoe
needs to stick around. he’s going to come in handy next year.
by jmcclellan13 on Dec 9, 2009 9:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
good lord!!
what a duo they make!!
by jmcclellan13 on Dec 9, 2009 9:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions
now that's a comment I don't understand
by Gobe Igbloo on Dec 10, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
okay....I think I get it
the comment is probably obsolete now
by Gobe Igbloo on Dec 10, 2009 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
this is incredible
I don’t want to say too much yet, but this is solid basketball at it’s finest. except for the tiny fouls. let’s go Cats!!!
by jmcclellan13 on Dec 9, 2009 9:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions
this is not something you normally ever get to witness, I think
these stretches like this are not of this planet. this is so incredible to watch, it makes me cry. Oh dear, I could cry til April if they keep this up.
how was that not a foul on ramon
the replay clearly shows contact
Worst refs
we’ve seen this season, so far at least
I very rarely complain about the refs
but neither of orton’s fouls were actually fouls, harris’s foul wasn’t a foul, one of cousin’s fouls wasn’t a foul, and miller’s foul wasn’t a foul. This is getting ridiculous
honestly
I’d like to hear the commentators say something about this
calhoun
got in the fefs ear at the 12-0 time out and things havent beeen the same since….
Lets get it on!!!!
Sure did...
Cal’s been trying to work ‘em too, but I don’t think they are listening to him…
If your wings don't sweep....
U Conn hasn't shot hardly any jump shots at all!
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
no way that wasn't a foul on dodson
no way, the way this game has been called
finally a made shot
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 10:22 PM EST reply actions
Told you last game
Wall is too selfish, bledsoe is copying him. Why in the eff would you sub up 12-0? Get the effin ball to Patterson
by daniel81 on Dec 9, 2009 10:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Settle down folks!
Keep in mind we’ve got a young team, new coach, new offense, etc. There are going to be times like this -— but they won’t last.
we need to get out the windex
and starte cleain the glass…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 10:27 PM EST reply actions
We got to stop this Dyson kid from driving to the basket!
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
They obviously haven't seen UConn play this year.
Dyson is having a TERRIBLE shooting year, yet we are guarding him inside his jersey
by lacrosse_cat on Dec 9, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
True, but...
I’d be willing to take my chances. We will obviously not fare well letting him do this all game.
by lacrosse_cat on Dec 9, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions
Well...........I was excited in the beginning because of our d
Someones got a hole in their pocket………….the d fell out.
afraid dickie v is right
we need to play some zone – however, the only coach that plays zone less than BCG is Cal – never recall seeing it at memphis – never…..
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 10:31 PM EST reply actions
silver lining to fouls...
orton, wall, cousins will be well rested
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 10:32 PM EST reply actions
Yeah.
It was ugly. Just the worst half UK has played in a while.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
deep down i agree
but, man, i want to win…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
I think ...
… you take what you are given. If the zone works, use it.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Well ...
… it could be a lot worse. We had serious, serious foul trouble.
Calipari needs to consider a zone. What the heck, this is just silly.
I think it was a good job by Calipari to make sure nobody picked up three. That was smart, and worth a six point deficit. They stuck it to us, now, we need to respond.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Yeah.
Really, all we need is good, fundamental effort. Quit taking the quick shot and get a good shot.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
A Zone
The first couple of possessions wouldn’t be a bad idea. Just to see how it would work…
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
yes, but
Cal plays less zone than BCG…..
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
Still disagree on the zone
This team is too talented to no match up man to man and rebounding is already and issue. 23 points? 12 of which was in the first 4 minute, Unacceptable.
Out of bourbon.
Damn.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Its a sad thing.
I ran out in the first half too.
by lacrosse_cat on Dec 9, 2009 10:43 PM EST up reply actions
HA HA...Sucks to be you!! (kidding, of course) : )
Ok, so I’m on my husbands laptop while watching the game and it’s having some issues (I can’t reply to anyone’s posts??) but man alive people, let’s just chill.
Long stretch of basketball to go yet, have some freakin’ faith……
im not worried...
but just stating the obvious……if they are playing like crap..they are playing like crap..some things..like boxing out becomes, or should become inate way before college ball.
Lets get it on!!!!
We're fortunate-
To be down only six. The second half will be a different story!!
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Cal sending a message...
2 fouls in 1H you sit – even Wall
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 10:44 PM EST reply actions
my character is fine. Cal can quit working on it, and show the boys how to get the score back up.
by StillCatwoman on Dec 9, 2009 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
What bush league by espn
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Looks like we're going to get to the line a lot in this half...
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Orton didn't touch him!
Honestly, what an awful, awful call, among many tonight
That was the worst in a long line of terrible calls.
No, that one was.
Got to turn down the volume-
Dickie V. is awful!
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
If Dickie V. is not talking about Duke
then he is much improved.
by Gobe Igbloo on Dec 10, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
2/7 "free" throws...
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 11:00 PM EST reply actions
We'd better the hell hurry up...
Or that guy in Indianapolis is really going to have something to write about!
http://www.1070thefan.com/sterling/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10075522
by anotherbrickinthewall on Dec 9, 2009 11:00 PM EST reply actions
hey tru
pennies 2 – just joined
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not Pennies...
I’m not Pennies…but I have been checking back to that site after Pennies posted links earlier. Seems like he has something new to say every day….
by anotherbrickinthewall on Dec 9, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
Patterson with our
Only three. Love it.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
A couple of more 3's will open up the lanes for some good passes to the bigs...
If your wings don't sweep....
PP's stock is going......↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Refs are outrageous!!!
Someone said we are beating ourselves, but I think it is the refs beating up on our guys. They can’t get in a pattern because the refs are making bs calls to throw them off.
I wonder why-
Wall isn’t pushing it up the floor anymore?
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
i htought it was uk ball
but cal got on wall not ref…..and he was right there
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions
wall
every blog and journalist wants to crown him, he has a LONG way to go
by daniel81 on Dec 9, 2009 11:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
i think LONG is a bit much
has some things to learn but not a LONG way to go…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 9, 2009 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
I have an aunt
thats 88, huge cat fan….I hope shes ok
at the risk of sounding like a Duke fan....
Who are these refs? Orton can’t buy a charge. That last one was a momentum changing alley-oop busted up by Orton’s take and no call. Walker carries the ball out with him and it’s UConn ball? In the words of Charles Barkley, Turrble
by jacobbleedsblue on Dec 9, 2009 11:21 PM EST reply actions
yea pretty much
worst called game since the tubby era
Dyson doesn't get knocked down,
he runs into people, falls, and gets the call.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
WALL!!!
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
I mean really
Vitale is saying he’s already better than derrick rose. Rose got his team to a title and was a top pick, wall has played 7 games. Wall is good, but he ain’t john Stockton yet. Let the guy play and quit with all the walking on water crap.
by daniel81 on Dec 9, 2009 11:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
At least
I don’t have bite the ends off my fingers this year. We have an ability to escape these scares that comforts me.
by jacobbleedsblue on Dec 9, 2009 11:25 PM EST reply actions
remember I think it was the 96 Cats that got down in every game but won and won....
were they the ones? We won a banner that year, right? and by mid year I learned to trust that they would always come back….
But under Pitinoball
….it was not hard to believe we were going to win, even when the other team had a double-digit lead, which I think did happen sometime.
Under Tubbyball, I was always afraid we were going to lose, but we usually won.
by Gobe Igbloo on Dec 10, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions
That timeout was almost funny
Was that Dodson that was 1 on three wondering what the hell to do? :-)
yeah, apparently his teammates were fine with letting him play the game by himself
by StillCatwoman on Dec 9, 2009 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
Coach told every player
attack, attack, skip, attack, attack
by Gobe Igbloo on Dec 10, 2009 12:50 AM EST up reply actions
hahahaha
That was Billy’s What the H*** should I do now look
by jacobbleedsblue on Dec 9, 2009 11:30 PM EST reply actions
Wall is killing them.
And orton fouled out
by jacobbleedsblue on Dec 9, 2009 11:32 PM EST reply actions
12-20 (60.0%)
"Come test me every day if you want," says Pujols, "Everything I ever made in this game I would give back to the Cardinals if I got caught."
interesting....lol
UK scores, announcers say, “nice shoot”
Uconn scores, announcers say, “YES…!!!”
lmao
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
WTF
Cousins with the “special” shot and then bledsoe fouls out
by jacobbleedsblue on Dec 9, 2009 11:37 PM EST reply actions
Stop putting the ball on the ground in the post
Thank god Wall is playing
by shepslaw on Dec 9, 2009 11:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Time to step it up on D.....
and for goodness sakes, BLOCK OUT….
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
foul them
make them win it from the line
by jacobbleedsblue on Dec 9, 2009 11:44 PM EST reply actions
Boot in the rear for Cousins
Cal needs to do something, everytime he gets the ball he bounces it off the ground. How about turnmg around and shooting it. I am not impressed with Cousins this game.
by shepslaw on Dec 9, 2009 11:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
nice foul ratio
I thougt we bought games in MSG.wait…we throw kem for cash there :-)
Changing how you think will change what you think.
by wilson452 on Dec 9, 2009 11:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions
honey, is it your birthday today???
That’s an interesting idea, I might have something for that. : )
well folks
I believe it now…..the cats are for realll
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
its also my oldest grandsons as well….he’ll be 4…and you ??……..lmao..just kiddin
I'm like ....why are they sending ME this stuff?? hahaha
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
lol.....this game
is a good way to start your celebration….hope you have a great one
The cats
have used 4 of their 9 lives already. We need an easy game.
Good "D"
I should be more clear, Cousins can play some defense. His Offensive game is offensive.
by shepslaw on Dec 9, 2009 11:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Whew...
I’ll take it…but I’d sure like to see them play as a team for more than a 3 minute stretch
These guys are killin' me!!
Well gang, as always, great spending game-time with ya!
If your wings don't sweep....
How many key rebounds
has he gotten this year?
it seems like he always gets the big one.
goodness gracious
Wow. That was….exhilarating to say the least.
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 9, 2009 11:54 PM EST reply actions
Wall is
just unreal at time, painfully human at others.
I know but
in those unreal moments he makes me cry, you get the feeling you are watching something basketball sacred.
by StillCatwoman on Dec 9, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions
that last drive of his
was so beautiful. You just think when you see stuff like that, ah, that’s what basketball should look like. I totally agree stillcatwoman, there’s something rather moving about it—like viewing a beautful piece of art or something. Not to overstate it or anything ; )
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 9, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
I do not want to sound demanding
Cause I am Happy but we should beat this time by 20 by March. I think Cal believes that too that is why he keeps saying what he says
Not so sure
best guards we have been up against by far.
I am not dissin' Uconn
But Miller was not a factor. Bledsoe struggled. Dodson only 5 points. Orton can get much better. Cousins should start playing 40 minutes and stop throwing ball at basket. Too many turnovers.
But Hey if we win every game by 1 point…….and my heart survives, I HAPPY
Me too,
and all I did was sit on the couch and watch a game.
you were sitting? I was standing on my coffetable part of the time
by StillCatwoman on Dec 10, 2009 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
One dog
had the recliner, the other the coffee table, all I had was the couch.
Close wins now will lead to big wins later.
This team has beaten the two teams (back to back) that all of us thought might hand them a loss.
YEah
I got a Number 7 Tee that is very tattered….Need a Number 8. Counting Championships….What a great idea
I was
totally laughing when that lady who interviewed Cal post game rollled her eyes after she said he is the mort disappointed undefeated coach in america :)
Kentucky bretheren united once again! Thanks Cal!
I believe
this team is going to have to lose for Coach Cal to regain his credibility.
Listening after these close wins,
you would think he is a UK fan.
That was extremely stressful
and rewarding. I was mentally prepared for a loss, but still totally confident in our potential to win every game. I never lost faith, which is something I haven’t felt with recent teams.
Pulling it together at the end for a close finish is just as much of a win as winning every game by 20+ points. We don’t look like a national championship team quite yet, but we exhibit certain qualities. National championship teams always find a way to pull wins out of nowhere, and we’ve managed that so far.
I agree with LyricSmith; this same game played in march should have been won by a lot more. I expect, as I always do, that the team will improve by the end of conference play; the last half of conference games last year were so completely disappointing, and this feels more like the UK ball I’m used to.
by tyler cottrell on Dec 10, 2009 12:16 AM EST reply actions
happy bd a2
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 10, 2009 12:25 AM EST via mobile reply actions
happy bd a2
And good job on pennies – I think you got twice today, er yesterday!
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Dec 10, 2009 12:26 AM EST via mobile reply actions
must go to bed now
Not really wanting to because I’m still pretty hyped up, but think how lovely the day will seem tomorrow… (even though I have to get up early for work and it’s gonna be like 20 degrees). What a night! 9-0, wow.
by blue kentucky girl on Dec 10, 2009 12:26 AM EST reply actions
Postmortem up now ...
… for all you night owls. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
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