Morning Newspaper for February 6th
by Glenn Logan on Feb 6, 2009 8:49 AM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats News
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The big sports story of the last 24 hours is Michael Phelps, multiple Olympic swimming champion being photographed taking a big bong hit somewhere in South Carolina. That little indiscretion has cost him a suspension from swimming and at least one major sponsor. Moral of the story: If you are famous and going to smoke the ganja, have your fellow-stonies check their cameras and cell phones at the door.
Now, for the news.
Kentucky Basketball
- 'Cats, Gators off for a week. Gillispie says that the 'Cats have many things to work on. I'll say. But based on the coach's comments, I'm not sure "just continue[ing] to make better decisions" would describe the solution to the problem. Also, I guess Stevenson is a better perimeter defender than Josh Harrellson, but if we have either one of those guys doing much perimeter defending, we have real problems.
- Mark Story says fans yelling "shoot!" isn't helping the Wildcats. I understand what is driving the fans, and it isn't what Story thinks. Nobody really doubts that we need to try to get Meeks and Patterson the ball, but turning down every open shot merely emboldens the defense. They see it as a validation of their strategy -- it makes them play harder and gives them confidence.
You can't do that. You have to take (and make) wide open, unopposed shots often enough to keep your defender honest, but it isn't just that. Confident defenders are better defenders, and right now, our failure to take open shots is giving teams tremendous confidence in their defense. You can blame the fans if you want, but right now, nobody in the entire SEC thinks Porter will take that shot. Teams have just abandoned guarding him and concentrated on clogging up the lane for Patterson. Make a couple, and suddenly, Patterson has more room to maneuver.
There is more to basketball than just getting it to your stars. I am (fairly) sure Gillispie knows this. It's better to take an open shot and miss than to fail to take it every time. It makes no sense to guard a non-shooter at all. Even a 20% chance is better than a turnover or a challenged shot.
But I do like the last suggestion Story makes. I'm all about that one. - Can Kentucky right the ship? I sure hope so.
- Larry Vaught thinks Kentucky fans believe the sky is falling. What's new about that? How about this for a damning quote: “I think we surprised Kentucky with our defense inside on Patterson,” State’s Jarvis Varnado said. “They never really did anything to adjust to that or anything special to try and get (Jodie) Meeks open.”
Yikes, Billy G. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is ... well, you know. - Gainsville.com interviews Jodie Meeks.
- Jodie Meeks has been up. Now, not so much.
- Danny Jett says that booing is for the birds. He's right.
- Coach Gillispie has some comments in Arkansas.
Kentucky Football
- Jody Demling comments on UK's sleeper recruit.
- Hal Mumme's prognosis is good after surgery for prostate cancer.
- Rivals ttalkss about Kentucky's recruiting class, as well as the rest of the SEC.
- Kenny Colston says that Rich Brooks has raised the bar in recruiting for Kentucky. Let's all hope it only continues to climb.
- ESPN's bubble watch.
- Tom Leach comments on the MSU game.
Other Kentucky Sports
- UK Hoops ends their losing skid at four. At least we can beat South Carolina in something.
NCAA Basketball
- Are Gary Williams and the athletic department at Maryland getting ready for a messy divorce? It seems that the athletic department is costing Williams on the recruiting trail, and one wonders how long such a confrontational relationship can be sustained.
- Wisconsin upsets Illinois.
- California defeats Washington.
- Vandy escapes Alabama
- Pat Summitt gets to the summit. 1000 wins. Congratulations.
NCAA Football
- Chris Lowe looks at some of the recruiting nobodies in the SEC who turned out to be ... well, somebody. A couple of Kentucky players figure prominently in here.
- Breaking down how the Top 25 fared in recruiting. Here's a hint -- the rich get richer.
- Kyle King writes an open letter to Urban Meyer. Heh.
- Kevin Scarbinsky tells Lane Kiffin to "Wise up, grow up, shut up." Ouch.
- The SEC smacks Lane Kiffin down for accusing Urban Meyer of cheating. If Kiffin is trying to upset the applecart in the SEC, he is absolutely getting that job done in a big way. In just a few months on the job, Kiffin has managed to piss off almost everyone in the entire conference (except maybe Bobby Johnson and Rich Brooks) and half the folks in Knoxville. Some think that his comments might make life for the Vols a little tough on the road next year.
In related news, Gate 21 likes Kiffin's chutzpah.
Other News of Interest
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Comments
The Kiffen thing is beyond hilarious
Maybe Al Davis was right (I hated typing that), and Kiffen is immature in many of the things he does.
Kiffen
I guarantee Meyer is already drawing up a gameplan to hang 70 on him.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
I thought I'd bring attention to
Bryan the Intern’s comments this morning over at KSR. http://new.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=13551
Nothing extraordinary , and it’s stuff some of us have been saying all along, but it’s a nice reminder that being a UK fan isn’t really something you’re allowed to root for when they’re winning, and expect immediate results when they’re not (or jump ship).
Again, nothing in there says you’re not allowed to criticize your coach or playing or the fact that we’re losing, but calling for heads and having no patience is unwarranted.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Not surprised...
by the recruiting nobodies list. Rich Brooks has done an excellent job since he got here, not only of finding those “hidden jems” (great talent evaluation), but also of developing players once they get here.
Hopefully BCG has the same knack for developing talent and we’ll find ourselves with a pretty good team next year. Or maybe Porter will work on his shot and start shooting decently from behind the 3 pt line. Which would solve a lot of problems RIGHT NOW. I mean, didn’t he say that he thought of himself more as a 2 guard? Can’t the shooting guard typically hit the kind of open shots he’s had lately?
Porter shot 40% from three point range last year
I have no clue what happened to him.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
reminds me of the delk experiment
that pitino performed. not saying porter is in delks shooting class, but is the same situation of trying to make a 2 into a 1. of course, bcg has fewer options….
by memphis wildcat on Feb 6, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
Personally...
I split time between point and 2 in high school and when I had an open shot, I don’t remember worrying about what position I was playing. I took the shot. Sometimes it went, sometimes it didn’t.
I can’t think Porter is worried about his position either. He just needs to shoot the ball and get over it.
Xbox Live Gamertag: hoopchi
I'm not sure he's really that good
His freshman year Porter shot 34.6% on 26 attempts (9/26) then shot 41.9% on just 31 attempts (13/31). There’s not a whole lot of difference between those two percentages when you’re only talking about a difference of 5 attempts. He’s currently shooting 27.2% and has actually taken more 3pt FGA than in either previous year (13/48). He’s certainly not that bad, and I think that if he will get himself in a place mentally where he is ready to take open shots we’ll see that number go up considerably. I don’t think he’ll shoot 40% here on out, but I think he can get it up to 35% or so which will still be pretty valuable.
...when you let other people tell you what success is, you already have no chance of ever finding it. - Doug Glanville
He Shot Over 40% On 3-Pt FG In His HS Career
MCHS played the Best Of The Best in Calif HS play from 2003 through 2006 with Porter (and Adrian Oliver) at guard spots.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 6, 2009 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
Yes,
and I wore a size 6 in high school. That certainly doesn’t mean I am automatically going to wear a size 6 now, unless I work at it.
My point: High school results and traits don’t necessarily translate to latter years. But, thank you for the information, as always. : )
Understand That BUT
Porter can shoot 3-pt FG better than he has this year.
He should not be starting PG. Liggins was recruited for that, with Gallaoway as back-up.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 6, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
Also, 3 pt line was closer
in HS and the past 2 years. Could be he’s feeling the heat from the further-back 3 pt. line.
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 Doubt It
I think his PG role is taking away from his shooting ability.
Bradley was PG and Jasper his back-up last year. Should be Liggins, Galloway this year.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 6, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
Bigger defenders
Most of the perimeter defenders especially in conference are going to be quicker and taller than he faced in high school. Could have something to do with it. I also agree with Forty about his point guard responsibilities. He is thinking too much.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Porter
If you guys remember, Porter back around the C. Michigan/UL games Porter seemed to regain his confidence and was making shots. Then all of the sudden he seemed to lose his mojo, almost overnight.
We discussed that situation here at ASOB.
Sadly, he’s never regained that positive energy he had in mid-OOC play.
True
Handling the point is obviously having an effect. I just wish that he could spot up and hit that open three. There’s a reason everyone’s yelling for him to shoot. Most guards would kill to be that open as often as he has been the past few games.
You all can make excuses for Porter....
but you are only as good as your percentage. I keep hearing how he is out of posiition….fine then move him to the 2. Porter would be not be a better shooter at the 2 position. Its not like he is missing contested 3’s. The shots he has been missing have been wide open.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
Oh I definitely agree about him being in the PG position.
But he played it a lot last year when Jasper was hurt.
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 should add that what I'm really getting at
Is that he’s not that strong of a shooter, but he can shoot the ball. I don’t know if he’ll ever take the wide open looks that he’s been getting.
I agree with 40 that the PG should be Liggins backed by Galloway. Porter should come in for short stretches, and there should be a SET PLAY run for him to take a three. Run 2 of those in 5 or 6 minutes, then yank him. I would guess his percentage made will jump. I think he’s a better shooter knowing he should take the shot, rather than being told to find Meeks or Patterson and then finding himself on an empty court for 15 seconds to set for the shot. Run the play for him (hell, it definitely won’t be hard to get him open), and let him jack 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.
he’s not that strong of a shooter, but he can shoot the ball
TOTALLY agree!! I have been saying this to people over and over. I have never thought of Michael Porter as an exceptional shooter, but I dont remember ever having the feeling of “Nooooooo” when I would see him get set to shoot the three. I just dont get it. I KNOW that he CAN do it. I have SEEN him do it.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Feb 6, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry
Not sure what is up with the bold print there.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Feb 6, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
Haha. I thought you were just THAT excited about my comment.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
LOL
Well, I was pretty excited about it! ;)
by kentuckygirl0724 on Feb 6, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
...and he is not shooting over 5'9" guards either.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Nor Was He In HS
MCHS plays the very best competition in Calif HS play.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 6, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
Competition
Ive heard you say this a couple times and I just dont buy it as an argument. The very best competition in Calif HS play is still worlds away from a major D1 conference season. The quality of defenders is certainly better. Sevenrings is correct though that the shots he has been missing have hardly been contested. I think it’s all more mental.
DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!
Read My Reply
He said, Over 5-9 Guards.
I said, Not In Calif HS Play.
Nowhere did I compare Calif HS to Div I competition.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 6, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Wide Open Looks and Confidence
I agree that Porter has the ability to shoot. I also agree that the PG duties have taken away from that. Competition level has no direct correlation since he often goes unguarded these days from ouside the arc. I think all the mental effort required and the pressure of running the point have taken a toll. Also, I am reminded how completely criticized he was early this season. I think Porter is mentally tired and his confidence has been shaken. I hope he is rejuvenated by a break.
Thanks
Now, had I mentioned something about how Galloway was about to break out, I would have come across as a genius. For maybe the first time ever!
Bravo
Porter has worked very hard to do what Coach Gillispie wants him to do. Porter is a college junior and he had never played point/lead guard before, but he did it because Coach asked him to.
Coach recruited Liggins and Galloway to play lead guard and run this team. Sometime between June and November, Coach decided that his recruits weren’t up to the task and asked Porter to fill in.
That’s why he gets playing time. It is obvious that Gillispie does not want him to shoot the ball. Ever. He is following orders.
In this situation, criticism of Porter is unfair. He should be lauded for carrying the burden of Gillispie’s poor judgment. He should also shoot the ball when he’s open; what does he have to lose? He goes to the bench and nobody boos him.
Porter is a career 33.3% shooter in college
He certainly has the ability to shoot the 3 – his HS days are proof enough of that, but as others have pointed out there is a big difference between what a guy does in HS and what he does in college. My point is that expecting to Porter to shoot 40% in college is unrealistic, but if he shot 35% that would be plenty valuable and should be doable since he is getting so many wide open looks.
Tru mentions his release being different from the previous two years. I don’t have a clear image of that in my head so I can’t comment on it, but it might make a good subject for some video analysis.
...when you let other people tell you what success is, you already have no chance of ever finding it. - Doug Glanville
I know exactly.
Porter dramatically changed his release motion to get the ball away quicker. In a weird twist of irony, he no longer needs to — he is being conceded anything he wants. He could shoot a set shot if he wanted, and take 15 seconds to line it up.
Porter’s release wasn’t broken, he just thought it wasn’t quick enough. I thought it was fine. His new release is broken.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
He pushes the ball
instead of shooting it.
Noticed that. Maybe time to go back to old form, or is it too late?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
VMI getting some good press in this weeks SI
i know losing to a 131 rpi team at home is not a good loss; however, it is not as bad as it appeared at the first of the year:
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1151492/index.htm
by memphis wildcat on Feb 6, 2009 11:39 AM EST reply actions
Lane Kiffin and stuff
He gives me another reason to not like the orange team from down south… He has no proven head coaching experiance and it is showing…
I have not heard anyone talking about Maryland fan base ready to run a coach who has won a Championship as they bashed some Kentucky fans for wanting Tubby to move on… Double Standard???
The sky is not falling and Tru has helped me realize this in many ways with his postings but I still say that we have gone from one of the leaders of the packs in basketball to not even being part of the herd right now and I think there are many factors that have caused this and it is certainly not all on BCG… If UK does not make the NCAA tourney then hard hats may be required headwear…
Brooks is doing a great job (something I thought he could not do) but now let’s win nine games and get a bigger bowl…
ShagOnSports - "people should know when they are conquered"
Maryland
Their results are CONSIDERABLY weaker in recent years than UK was in 2006 or 2007.
No valid comparison between the 2 situations.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 6, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
Forty, have you considered adding bran to your diet?
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
Non Sequitur Reply
That oughta keep you busy (looking it up) for a while.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 6, 2009 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
Non Sequitur Reply
1. An inference or conclusion that does not follow from the premises or evidence.
2. A statement that does not follow logically from what preceded it.
by kentuckygirl0724 on Feb 6, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Is absurd to the point of being either confusing or humorous..
…just a joke. Let’s relax.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
somebody's got to keep us honest and looks like
Forty is our man….
its a love/hate relationship – i love to read his replies to everyone else but i hate to read his replies to me.
But he keeps it real and in a civil tone – also, i started following the cats the early 70’s – my first live game was at memorial col. but i have to say forty has probably forgotten more than i will ever know about the cats…..
by memphis wildcat on Feb 6, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
I have an idea to help the team win
The priority should be GETTING ME POWER. I haven’t had power in my home since last Tuesday, the first day of the team’s first losing streak. They’ve lost each game since I’ve been homeless. Coincidence?? Talk about a depressing week and a half—itinerant living, my property a disaster, and the Cats losing every which way. I think the first priority of anyone who would like UK to win another basketball game is ensuring I get to leave my dump motel and go back home again. How ’bout it??
by blue kentucky girl on Feb 6, 2009 1:39 PM EST reply actions
Damn.
That sucks out loud. I think you’re right — we’re losing because you’re miserable.
What a serious drag. I almost feel guilty for not losing power. :-(
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Double Damn
…gives me pause to quit complaining about my 18" of snow out in my yard since Thanksgiving.
'..when they bring a knife, you bring a gun...that's the Chicago way..'
all that snow has sucked
but at least we haven’t had any real snowfall in weeks. plus it hits 50 tomorrow!
GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!
by UKWildCatFanatic on Feb 6, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry to hear your very bad news.
I have felt blessed and very fortunate that I never lost power. I do know that my family in Marion County lost power and water and only about 1/2 of the families have had it restored. One guy I talked to today said he finally got his back last night after nine days. Hopefully you can go home very soon and get the Cats back in winning mode.
blue kentucky girl
So sorry to hear about your power problems, and all that goes along with that.
Good luck getting back to your regular routine.
Tourney Projections Right Now
Per fox sports sight we are a 7th seed in greenborough. So, as bad as it seems right now we are as of now in the tourney. We are a really good team and the game on tuesday will either show it or we take a huge step back. What ever the outcome of the game I will stil love UK as I have for 30yrs now. I truly bleed blue.
Why Carolina Owns College Hoops
Blistering tempos and crack shooting have UNC, Duke and Wake Forest trading stints at No. 1
— Headline from today’s Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Reasons citied: innovative programs; run & shoot offense attracts best (NBA quality) players.
Cites Kentucky & Arizona as programs on the wane
The article is somewhat shallow, but it provides an interesting perspective.
Funny That Memphis And Kansas (NC Finalists In 2008) Aren't Listed As Top Dog Caliber
Arizona, definitely. They lost a great coach.
Kentucky, definitely NOT. UK reamins a top tier program.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 6, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
Corroboration Required
Please provide credible substantiation (nationally recognized authority) that UK is an extant top tier program. It is not now nor has it been for last few years.
Absolutely
UK ranked in Top 5 among Div I programs (either 1990 thru 1997 or 1998 thru 2007) in following categories:
(1) Most W. (2) Best W-L Record. (3) Most W in NCAA games. (4) Best W-L Record in NCAA games. And (5) Etc, etc, etc.
In 2008 and 2009 (so far), U R correct.
UK is no longer a top program. Big dropoff.
by FortyYearCatFan on Feb 7, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
Pshaw
You’re taking the short view of things.
All last summer there were ratings that ESPN rigged up and online voting by Gary Parrish for all time teams and a handful of other lists. We discussed them here ad nauseam in the absence of anything else to do.
Kentucky was always top 5 at the very least in each of those polls. Two bad years does not automatically topple you from the list of the elites.
You also want “credible substantiation” that “UK is an extant top tier program”? How about that little stat that says we have the most wins in college basketball? You don’t get that without being a top tier program. One or two years on the “bubble” doesn’t invalidate that.
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
Rivals link.....
I don’t know if there is a problem with my computer but the Rivals link above takes me to Gmail…. Weird.
Me too.
If you hover the cursor over the link and look below, it shows you the link is to google. Tru?
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
Oh didnt you hear?
Google has officially taken over the internet now, all links now lead to the great google…. welcome to ASeaOfGoogle!
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