How much have we really improved?

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 2, 2009 10:01 PM EDT

The pundits are lamenting the changes to the UK Basketball Roster since last year, and although this does not appear to be judgemental, it does bring to light some of the really hard choices that had to be made during the offseason by not only Coach Cal, but the players themselves.

No judgements being passed here either, Just a look at what was and what is. This article by Brett Dawson catalogs the changes in the UK roster since last year, but he only goes so far. And now, to quote a recently passed icon in journalism, "the rest of the story".

Dawson's article lists the names and faces that we know all too well. We have all had our say about what we do and do not appreciate about what has hapened since Cal's arrival (and before).

So here we go, position by position here is the good and bad......IMHO.

Center: '08-'09

We really had no TRUE center last year.Now I may get disagreements about this, but I dont think that Patterson's true spot is at the 5. He is a really great PF, who did his best to carry the Cats while playing out of position.

Patterson, Carter, Harrellson, Stevenson

Center '09-'10

Now we have two true choices at the 5 and a really good backup plan. Orton and Cousins make for a truly big combination we have not seen here in a long time. Improvement by Stevenson and Harrellson make this a true strength for the Cats this year.

Orton, Cousins, Harrellson, Stevenson

Power Forward '08-'09

We were not weak at this position last year as much as we were inconsistent. Play at this position was one of our true conundrums. Harris and Stevenson swapping out time with Stewart last year made us erratic at best. When Stevenson slid to the 5 and gave Patterson a rest for brief moments, it actually seemed like it flowed better.

Stevenson, Stewart, Harris, Patterson

This is where we shine with experience this year. We will be difficult at the very least for teams to handle, because Patterson stronger and rested by not having to play 38 minutes a game is going to be a beast.

Power Forward '09-'10

Patterson, Stevenson,Harrellson, Cousins

Small(shooting) Forward '08-'09

2008-2009 made us look like we didnt have players at this position because it was bypassed because all of the offense had to go from Patterson to Meeks and back..

Stewart, Harris, Miller

Small(shooting) Forward '09-'10

We have better players and shooters here now. It will show when the season starts. Maturity and the ability to not have to worry about making mistakes will give us something here we have not had for a while.

Miller,Dodson,Harris

Shooting Guard '08-'09

This is where we have the question mark that no one seems to be able to answer. Losing Jodie Meeks is going to hurt. Really hurt. We have recruited the best there is out there to fill the slot. What we do not know is if they will be able to fill the shoes.

Meeks,Galloway,Slone, Krebs

Shooting Guard '09-'10

We can make people afraid of us if this spot is a strength this year. And we have good kids in the slot. If they fullfil their promise we are making people afraid.....very afraid.

Hood, Miller, Bledsoe, Krebs

Point Guard '08-'09

Porter, Galloway,Liggins

The point. The point........no more hashing this out, we were unacceptable at the point last year. No blame being passed, no lamenting over what should have been done.

Point Guard '09-'10

Wall, Bledsoe, Liggins

We may not be the best in the country at this spot, but we will be very close when all is said and done.

Overall, our grade last year would have come in somewhere around a C-. Now my honest assessment would be A. I do not want to get over the top and give this team an A+ yet. Give me 30 wins and a finals victory and I will print a retraction about how wrong I was at this time and how my faith should have been stronger.

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Comments

Great Post

We’ve come a long way baby! It could take some time for this team to jell, but by the time the SEC schedule starts, I think we can be special…Watch out Miss. State, Vandy, Florida and Tennessee!

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

by iam4ukintn on Aug 2, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

Excellent post

I agree 100% on Patterson.

Splitting-hairs about the differences in the “2” and “3” position is probably pointless, because basically they’re the same position just on different areas of the floor, but I would also include Dodson as a potential shooting guard.

As anyone can see, there has been a huge infusion of talent, albeit young talent, but talent none-the-less. This team, by seasons end, should be a very good ball-club. One that could pose a strong challenge to make the FF.

Once again, great job ABC!

by Ken Howlett on Aug 3, 2009 12:13 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks gang.....probably should have been more in depth

but until we see just what these kids can do together, we wont know.

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

Isn't Hood a 3?

He’s 6-6

by BleedinUKBlue on Aug 3, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah.

He can play the 2, though. He has a pretty good handle and decent quickness off the bounce.

Darnell Dodson can probably play the 2 as well.

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

by Glenn Logan on Aug 3, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I honestly think Hood will be a better 2 than 3

but he is very versatile and can do both….

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Dodson

I keep forgetting about Dodson! It’s like a suprise every time I see his name mentioned.

This should be a really fun year…

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 Aug 3, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

Tink, that is the one word I really want to see this year

FUN…..I want it to be fun to watch, and I want it to be fun for those guys to play….I am tired of it being so much work to be a fan….last few years have been a LOT of work.

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

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 Aug 3, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

This is good

I like the way you broke it down ABC. Much of the improvement from last season will come as much from players shifting to a better position (Patterson to PF most notably) as it will from an influx of talent. I think you might be stretching some of your position assignments at SG from last season, but that reflects more on the lack of personnel at that position than anything else and really emphasizes even more how important Meeks was – there almost literally wasn’t anyone else who could play the position.

One small (very small) formatting recommendation: this would be a little easier to read if you used a header for each position before discussing each season. Maybe put the years in bold too. That would help break up your fanpost into smaller pieces and make it easier to both read and to go back and look at specific position information.

Rec’d.

There is no gravity - the earth just sucks.

by JLeverenz on Aug 3, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Didnt think I would make the front page JL....lol

I’ll be more careful to format better in the future….There is still a lot I have to learn about this blogging thing….and I am still trying to figure out how to stay out of the T-Shirt business….lol

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Always ...

… write as though it will wind up on the front page. That way, you might find it there even more. :-)

Nice job.

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

by Glenn Logan on Aug 3, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Thx Tru....will improve....

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

By the way, just a tidbit

for all of the $$$ people out there….Florida gives Urban Meyer another 750k, while the UofF is cutting its operating budget by 43mil. Anyone think that there will be screaming and griping at Florida over that one??

Florida, like us, pays its coaches out of another group’s money.

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

Meh.

I think that has been done to death now. Nobody listened the first time, and Meyer isn’t likely to go all Calhoun on anybody. :-)

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

by Glenn Logan on Aug 3, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions

A really nice comparison

With the 2008-09 team to the present we have this season. It is a world of difference…almost too good to be true.

by kykat51 on Aug 3, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

ABC

great post – i would add two positions:

Bench 2008-09 – not sure what to say as there was not much PT for the bench and when there was, there never seemed to be a way to properly analyze what was going on
Bench 2009-10 – could have a 5 star coming off the bench – at the very least could have 2 4-stars. most of second 5 could start at any other SEC school.

Coach 2008-09 – will paraphase your comments on the Point Guard position – its been hashed out – unacceptable. not lamenting or placing blame, etc…..
Coach 2009-10 – for a coach that has never won a game at UK, he has set the bar high – and seems to enjoy doing so. He wants to be here and loves the atmosphere. that is half the battle given the pressure cooker known as UK basketball. has already done some great coaching with the incoming recruiting class.

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

by memphis wildcat on Aug 3, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

I was trying not to rehash old arguments

or open old wounds….lol

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I appreciate that, ABC. ;)

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 Aug 4, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I Would Give "D' Last Year BUT

I agree on “A” this year.

Most talented UK team since 2002 and perhaps since 1996.

by FortyYearCatFan on Aug 3, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

Well Forty, I did give em a c-....lol

I wouldnt have given the D considering they made the NIT…..

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I would Have Given Better (Higher) Grade In 2008 Season

Started slow, rallied nicely, tailed off at the end (due to injuries). Despite 18-13 overall, C or C+ grade.

In 2009, started very well (16-4) then faded badly at the end to 22-14. Despite better record than 2008 team, I’d give a lower grade in 2009.

by FortyYearCatFan on Aug 4, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

WOW! ABC, well done!

Isn’t exciting to watch how the improvement has unfolded. Sure we wish that everybody could have returned, but with a change in the boss the organization will see natural changes.

I agree 100% percent with your current analysis, but I caution there are so many unknowns out there that can really surprise all of us. These include:

Will we really be able to run the full DDMO with this team?
Will Patterson be able to play the three ?
Will the big guards (Miller, Dotson, Hood, Krebs) dominate the 2 spot or will we see a smaller quicker lineup of Bledsoe and Wall play the PG and SG positions?
Will Cousins be so dominate that we will have to find a place(s) in the lineup for him to play a large amount of minutes?
Will Orton’s California experience cause him to be the lock at either PF or Center?

I know nothing of Dotson. Hood and Miller are my sentimental favorites. If any one of those three become a viable replacement for Meeks, Patterson has another great year and the freshmen (Wall, Bledsoe, Orton, and Cousins) dominate, with the rest of the team, we should be hard to beat day in and day out.

by Blueobsessed on Aug 3, 2009 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

I think Patterson will play wherever Cal wants him

but Cal wants him at the 4…..And I would not be surprised to find a lineup of Orton, Cousins,Patterson,Dodson,Wall when we see really big teams and big lineups….i.e. Mississippi State

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

The genius of this coach is that he is willing to play the style of ball that fits this team

I expect a faster pace overall game with the guards pushing the ball up the court off an outlet pass from rebound made by the big men. If the freshmen cannot dominate in the middle, I would expect to see Patterson move inside. I just don’t see that happening, though. IMO Cousins and Orton will be tough for people to handle. The question will be if they can stay with the tempo set by Wall and Bledsoe. At the pace I expect,, the bigg boys will tire and fresh legs will be supplied by “My Three Sons” (Stevenson, Harrellson and Patterson). Dotson, Miller, Liggins and Hood should provide plenty of fire power at either the 2 or 3 spot. Remember they don’t have to make the shots, just get it to the rim for the big boys to rebound and slam it home.

by Blueobsessed on Aug 4, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Good job, ABC!

Give me 30 wins and a finals victory and I will print a retraction about how wrong I was at this time and how my faith should have been stronger.

We will all be looking forward to that retraction…!

This is where we have the question mark that no one seems to be able to answer. Losing Jodie Meeks is going to hurt. Really hurt

Yes it will. But probably not forever. Or all of the time. Or maybe even as often as we fear.

I recently looked at copy of Bravo Blue! , reliving the 1995-96 season by the Lexington Herald-Leader, and came across this little excerpt:

A stereotype died at last at the Superdome. It had lingered for several years in fading health, then sputtered around through this tough winter, barely extant but still audible. You shouldn’t hear it anymore. The Kentucky basketball team shot 5-for-24 from three-point range in a SEC Tournament semifinal against Arkansas, and it meant absolutely nothing. Twenty-one percent and not worth mentioning. It settled over the game like a fine mist of nothing. … With Kentucky’s inside game considerably more considerable than earlier in the decade, and its defense more relevant than ever, it is time for those blue “3” signs— cute as they are— to give way. Times change.

Now, in addition to reminding me of just how much I loved Chuck Culpepper’s writing in the Herald-Leader, it reminded me of what an inside game, and DEFENSE, and perhaps most importantly—- having the lead can all do when it comes to wrecking an opponent’s carefully laid plans against us. Do I wish Jodie was still on the team? Yes. Am I going to worry very much about the fact that he isn’t? Nope.

That team shot 10-of-20 three-pointers in its early season 10-point loss to UMass, and 3-of-9 in its NCAA Semifinal win against that same team a few months later.

Do we need to find some players who can shoot well enough from long range to keep the opponent at least a wee bit honest, and keep us from getting completely bogged down and frustrated? Sure. But DEFENSE and transition play (how many dunks is this group going to have this season?) are what I would rather be hanging my hopes on. And I think we are going to have lots of both this year.

Enough even to get that retraction of yours… :-)

by Sonic on Aug 3, 2009 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

I think the schemes will bring the defense out to the ball much more than in the past few years

I will make this statement….if we do not defend the 3 MUCH better than we have in the past, someone will rip us a new one as soon as they spot that weakness. Better coaches on the other sidelines dont make that mistake….and that is what got us beat on at least 5 of our losses last year.

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Mark Krebs

I’m an alumni of the same high school as Mark, and he is a hard working kid. He gave up a scholly to walk on at UK. It’s nice at least one of the walk-ons be retained, and possibly get a scholarship. The NCAA allows 13 scholarships per Division I schools for a reason. Only so much playing minutes are available per game. Is it better to have few, or less walk-ons who will get no live minutes because of the numbers, or have only scholarship players available for those minutes? That’s open for debate. But with this team, Mark should see quite a few minutes against some of the lesser talent on this schedule.

by UK1972 on Aug 3, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

I really think that

if it is still out there then Cal gives him the scholly…..only reason for that not to happen is that someone becomes avalable out of the blue

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe a

7’ Chinese PG? Just quoting Coach! :)

"Learned to love the Cats at a young age, via tape delay."

by ukpastor on Aug 4, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Never say never pastor!!!.....lol....

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 4, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Star Power

Last years starters
1-Porter**
2-Meeks****
3-Harris***
4-Stevenson****
5-Patterson*****

This season projected starters

1-Wall*****
2-Dodson****
3-Miller****
4-Patterson*****
5-Cousins*****

and the “second wave”

1-Bledsoe*****
2-Hood****
3-Harris***
4-Stevenson****
5-Orton*****

by -Zoso- on Aug 3, 2009 6:28 PM EDT reply actions

Add Liggins and Harrellson in case of injuries to the "second wave"!

by Blueobsessed on Aug 3, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

OH. MY. GOD.

Wonder if anyone wants to play a JV schedule this year. I just hope we have enough basketballs on the floor to keep the “stars” happy.

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

by oldcat'69 on Aug 3, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldnt play my JV guys against this lineup.....lol

why would a team want to get beat twice in a week?….lol

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Fun

This is going to be a fun season for sure. I am ready for it !

by kykat51 on Aug 3, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions

nice work ABC

by Bluehound on Aug 3, 2009 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

Thx....BH

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

now that basketball is taken care of

I just hope were playing football on New Years day

by Bluehound on Aug 3, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

THAT is one I would love to see myself.

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Are we ready for some football?...YES

Nice post ABC…..The lack of a schedule to see for b-ball is taking a toll on my patience though….LOL
:-)

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

by a2d2 on Aug 4, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions

ABC

good post…now when is the b-ball schedule coming out???

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

by KYCatwoman on Aug 3, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

patience grasshopper....

schedule will be anounced on a TV special….have not heard the airdate…..and I kind of like this development…..just another way to fill the airwaves with good vibes and keep the anticipation building

Remember, we're having fun now!!!

by ALLBLUCAT on Aug 3, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Patience is wearing thin...

I won two tickets in the lower arena to my choice of one of two games. I am dying here to see the schedule and find out which game I will be going to. The wait is killing me but it is worth it.

by kywineman on Aug 3, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

That's awesome!

How did you manage that?

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 Aug 4, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Silent Auction...

at a charitable event. The tickets are part of the Governor’s block of seats so should be good ones. Now to auction off me and the tickets…..

by kywineman on Aug 4, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Only 2 recs for this?

Make it 3

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

by btcoop71 on Aug 3, 2009 8:51 PM EDT reply actions

What we have is the envie of 90% of the college basketball WORLD

So many different combinations will make it hard for teams to prepare for us and double teaming Patterson is out of the question. Another great article. This is fast becoming my favorite site thanks. GO BLUE OR GO HOME

by UK1FAN on Aug 3, 2009 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Another few days and ASoB

WILL be your favorite site. Absolutely the best, hands down…..Glad to have you !
:-)

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

by a2d2 on Aug 4, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

As a neutral observer, I’d say UK has improved at 4 positions, gotten worse at shooting guard, and has improved depth and (as much as it pains me to say it) better coaching.

by don'tshootmei'macard on Aug 3, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions