Kentucky Wildcats 72, Auburn Tigers 67: Postmortem
by Glenn Logan on Jan 16, 2010 6:48 PM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
Email
PrintWell, I said it was a cat fight, and it was. The Kentucky Wildcats narrowly defeated a game Auburn squad that came back from a 19-point first half deficit to tie the game at one point.
Great effort by the Auburn Tigers, they probably played their best game of the season today, particularly defensively. Auburn gave us no end of difficulty getting their hands on basketballs inside the paint. It was as though Kentucky was a step slower than the Tigers today.
In the end, though, this team once again showed its remarkable aplomb. Losing a 19-point lead should rattle a normal team, but this is a team full of AAU heroes who have overcome 19-point leads themselves, and know that the effort of such a comeback usually falls short. Poise is something that can't be taught, and this team has more poise at the end of games than most teams full of seniors.
This Kentucky team has absolutely no killer instinct, and does not understand that in the arena of college basketball, when you find yourself with your foot on the neck of your opponent, you draw your sword and take your trophy. This young UK team allows their opponents to get up off the mat, and that is all because of their youth, really. One day, and it could be any time, an opponent will get up off the mat and take the game away from these young guys.
But that day was not today.
Here are some quick observations:
- John Wall had his worst game of the season, by far. He almost looked human.
- Eric Bledsoe reprised his spectacular performance versus the Florida Gators with a relatively uneven outing that included many turnovers and some very poor judgment driving into the lane.
- DeMarcus Cousins was pretty much as he always was. He was tough inside, and although his defense wasn't great, he did well overall. Cousins is learning to pass out of the post. Great to see.
- Patrick Patterson had a great first half, and a not so great second half. He did make some good passes out of the post, but when the game was on the line and you expected a lot of touches by the talented junior, it didn't happen for some reason.
- Darnell Dodson just struggled defensively, and didn't do much offensively.
- I said the 'Cats could not afford to sleepwalk through this game, and in the second half, that's exactly what they tried to do. Let's hope this time the message is received.
- DeAndre Liggins did all kinds of good things on offense and defense, and his huge rebound near the end of the game was absolutely beastly. This guy is earning his minutes with great play.
- Darius Miller, once again, disappeared for much of the game. But he did have one huge three and two very impressive blocks. But Miller is not defending well at all in the half court, and his number was barely called when it comes to rebounding.
- Giving overmatched teams hope is never a good idea.
- Perry Stevenson contributed some very good minutes today. The thing I like about him is that he defends well away from the basket, and makes the simple play.
- Daniel Orton had a so-so game today. He seemed to struggle with the quicker Auburn players.
207 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I'll second that
I think the streak can continue while our youth is gaining experience through the struggles as well. Some of the streak may be dependent on a little luck if our 2nd half play keeps up the way it has for too much longer.
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!
Your last statement
is why they need a couple of losses in the season………..they need to learn that you have to put your foot down and never let up or it will happen in the tourney.
Amen, Vince
But I bet practice isn’t going to be pleasant the next few days… lol
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
So Tru, do you think an opponent "will" ?
I know they could. Not so sure I can say they will. Just askin’ :-)
GO BIG BLUE !!!
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Yes.
If we let Tennessee up off the mat, they will take the game and our manhood.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Never a proponent of a team needing a loss,
but if it happens I hope it happens to a bad team. That will teach them a lesson.
Heh.
They didn’t see the game. They are just winging it.
Everybody had a hand in winning this game, but Liggins and Cousins were two of the biggest reasons.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
ESPN online headline....
Kentucky stays unbeaten on Wall FT’s…. lol
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
you know,
it’s quite possible that like us, the team doesn’t believe everything they hear or read, either. : )
You
could be right but there are alot of egos out there…….wall almost cost the game, he didn’t win it.
Nor do I. He had probably his poorest game as a Cat,
But he didn’t come close to almost costing us the game.
SB Nation says-
Kentucky survives trip to Auburn… more appropriate, I think.
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
At the 1:44 mark...
wall split 4 defenders to help push out the lead. not saying he won it, but he did step up at a key moment late in the game
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Jan 16, 2010 8:24 PM EST up reply actions
Brain death while on TV ...
… is such a tragic thing. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
i turned it off
as soon as the game was over. i am waiting for the ravens and colts game before I turn it on again. too much nonsense and talking heads.
I have kleptomania,
but when it gets bad,
I take something for it.
LOL
Louisville – Georgetown players fight before the game…!!!
er, their LADY teams..OMG
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Every SEC team wants us bad...
We wouldn’t have it any other way!!
"You are what you are and you ain't what you ain't"
Forida was for a few years...
…but for the last 3 years, not so much…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Duke?
Maybe they and UNC sort of split that honor in the ACC.
by blue kentucky girl on Jan 17, 2010 10:07 AM EST up reply actions
Memphis does come to mind.......
but its mostly recent history. UK has been the Big One for years, even when other SEC teams were highly ranked. Now, how about football? Any team that is everyone’s Big Game, year in and year out?
Uof L/GT women fight before the game?
Just saw that on ESPNU
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
18-0 at this point in the season is GREAT
but we lost the second half by 8 and that’s not what a GREAT team does against an average at best Auburn team. Auburn wasn’t playing great….we were playing terribly in the second half that I watched.
Cheer that we’re 18-0 all you want but play like we did today in the tournament and we’re going to get beat by someone who’s probably better than Auburn.
You can't fix "stupid"!
I agree but one of the days when they strip PP
the ball won’t bounce directly to Stephens under the basket! We shouldn’t NEED those kinds of plays to win a game!
You can't fix "stupid"!
Lucky Plays
were plentiful for Auburn too. It will TAKE those kinds of plays to BEAT this team.
The bigs have learned how to read the double team. Wall and Bledsoe must now learn how to read when the defense is collapsing underneath the basket on a break, to stop driving at the foul line and make a 5 – 10 foot shot or pass it out to the wing for a wide open 3. Wings will need to learn to set up for a shot. Give Auburn credit for testing tthat ability. Open 5 foot shoots are easy. Very Easy.
Really, this game was still only close because of missed free throws.
of course we're gonna get beat...
…that’s why they play… but enjoy what we have and try not to worry….
that has always killed me with UK fans…
Nothing personal man….
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Don't have a problem (well of course I do but....)
with getting beat if we put our best effort out on the floor but you can’t turn it on and off like a light switch and that’s what this team seems to be doing.
You can't fix "stupid"!
I will agree that
today was not our best effort.
BUT, I am of the mind that these are the boys (along with Coach Calipari, of course) that have helped to deliver us from the depths of suckage and I am not about to turn my backs on them, or doubt them now. So we lose a game? At this juncture, so what? I love our team and a loss isn’t going to change that nor do I think it’s the end of the world.
by BigSkyCat on Jan 16, 2010 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
recommend
while I laugh on the floor…..deliver us from suckage :-D
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
deliver us from suckage
Yea, though we’ve walked through the valley of the NIT…we shall fear no evil…
Sorry for the possible sacrilege : )
by blue kentucky girl on Jan 16, 2010 9:01 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
the more i watch
the more i feel like they’re absolutely going to lose a game (or two) at some point.
then the last 5 minutes of every game kinda slightly makes shift back, but just a bit.
GO BIG BLUE!! GO BIG BLUE!!
by UKWildCatFanatic on Jan 16, 2010 7:06 PM EST reply actions
Remember why Rupp called one of his teams the fiddlin' five?
They’d fiddle around and then start playing toward the end to get the W.
This team is like that, maybe?
Problem is, I’m too old for this shit. :)
No matter where you're at, there you are
I can't wait for Spring Training
At least I know the Reds are going to stink and my heart can rest.
No matter where you're at, there you are
Need a SS and a LF
END may not be ready to take LF, but I’d give him a chance. If not, move Votto to LF for Alonso at first.
First time I shot her, shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...
OMG... I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone...
18-0
- in the country
start 3 freshmen, that’s 3 FRESHMEN
new coach
new system
winning tough road games while taking everyone’s best shot
and that’s STILL not enough..???
I’m confused… But, I usually am, so it’s all good…. lol
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
To those who much is given.....much is expected!!
All that you said is true and we are truely blessed especially looking back at the last 4 years. The point is that ALL that isn’t going to mean anything if this team gets to the tournament and lays an egg.
Let me rephrase that……it will have been a GREAT season but look at Tubby’s season when we went into the tournament with the #1 seed and didn’t get to the final 4……any banners hanging in Rupp for that season??
You can't fix "stupid"!
oh lord...
…you just woke up Forty….
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
by vinceuk1 on Jan 16, 2010 7:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Agree. UK's current Rotation of 8 players....
Wall, Bledsoe, Cuz, Orton (Freshman) + Miller and Liggins (Sophmores with limited time in 08/09) + Patterson (Junior) and Razor (Senior) = close games, lots of physical and mental mistakes.
Great News. We have Coach Cal and these kids have incredible skills and time to make adjustments.
Don’t worry be happy :)
Blue, you and Vince are right...
Lot’s of things to be happy about! Got a week to learn FT shooting (from the ground up), new schemes, etc. You ever reach a point in your hobby (whatever that may be) that you don’t get any better?? You keep grinding away but not seeing any improvement?? And then, suddenly, everything seems “easy”?? I think that’s where this team is at right now…
They’ve plateaued a bit, that’s all, and Auburn had a good game plan today… Don’t forget, they’ve played back to back road games, SEC type, for the first time as a team. Cal’s got a week to get back on course for a game next Saturday, I’ve got faith…
If your wings don't sweep....
Yeah Eagle.....There is something about a slump....is it January? My mind is going....lol
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I head that said before...
Also the “sophomore” slump, but we ain’t got many of them!! LOL
Bottom line, they gritted it out and won… If we play this way for the rest of the year, I’d agree, we’ve got something to worry about then. Until then, I’m happy to let Cal work his magic and enjoy the results. Have you heard that we’re 18-0?? ;-)
If your wings don't sweep....
By the way, everyone else have trouble with the internet post game audio?
No matter where you're at, there you are
One point that actually might be relevant :)
This team is the 15th youngest, in Div 1.
No matter where you're at, there you are
Honey, try this.
Courtesy of John Clay. This is where I usually watch all the post-game stuff. It’s not up immediately after the game, but it’s still pretty timely. Good luck…. : )
You are SO welcome. : )
and, I know that cincy said audio, but hopefully he has the capability of watching this video, too. That’s my hope anyway. ; )
Thanks BSC
I got the video.
Cal was so subdued I had to turn the volume up to hear him. My goodness, this is a weird, talented team. We can stink and still win :) Not complaining, heh heh. Not even sure Pitino’s championship teams could have won today with such an off game in foreign lands.
I’m still looking for Leach’s postgame audio. It’ll get posted somewhere, later on.
Meanwhile, 18-0 with a team that Cal has to tuck in at night. Wow.
No matter where you're at, there you are
Leach
Do you frequent Leach’s site? If not, here is the link. I’m not super familiar with it, but I do go there on occasion and I’m sure what you are looking for will be on there eventually.
I go there regularly but he doesn't link to the postgame
Youtube will have it by tomorrow. The UKAthletic link was down today for some reason. and I couldn’t pick it up on my am radio where I was at.
Kind of funny. Sitting in front of a couple thousand dollars worth of equipment and I’m scrambling for an AM signal.
No matter where you're at, there you are
Positives
I think be pushed and getting the best effort of every team you play can only help come tournament time. I am not concerned by the let down as much by the fact that I am seeing no improvement over the last few game…except from Liggins—I think this game marks the place where he passes Harris on the depth chart.
I suspect the small rut is a result of Calipari introducing more offense and defense. This is a win I will take and offer this prediction: Next game is a much more focused effort.
Dribble Drive
I think has been used more as a recruiting tool this year than an offense. I like the fact that Cal understands the post players and modifies his system to fit.
dribble drive is MIA
agree that Cal sees these guys aren’t quite ready for it…wait till March tho!!!
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as much as you please."...Mark Twain.
Today I think..
the coaches had an off game. I don’t think they had the team ready for the second half. I’ll leave the players alone today. Again, everybody’s best shot should be expected.
I'll say it just once
Tru:
It’s is a contraction of it is. It pains me to see such excellent commentary marred by such sophomoric grammar.
chronic
Interesting Avatar
Didn’t Reagan say “Tear down this Wall”
LOL :)
No matter where you're at, there you are
It pains me to see grammar marred
by such dickhead-ary.
by blue kentucky girl on Jan 16, 2010 8:27 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmm...
You join ASOB @ 5:01 and then post a comment @ 5:03 that, not only insults the crowd gather here, but takes a shot at our beloved green bug??
Who was it that said, “Don’t go away mad, just go away”?? Move along…
If your wings don't sweep....
;-)
That comment was crap! Tru spends waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time putting things together for us to cheer/argue/disect/comment/fuss/feud and kick about to let that one pass….
If your wings don't sweep....
so uncool
I’m a grammar nerd myself, but why be a douche about it? Tru doesn’t have an editor and does this site as a fan in his free time, in addition to a real job. And this site is AWESOME, thankyouverymuch.
by blue kentucky girl on Jan 16, 2010 8:47 PM EST up reply actions
thankyouverymuch
is FOUR words. Without a space. So there : )
by blue kentucky girl on Jan 16, 2010 8:58 PM EST up reply actions
And this individual does a drive-by comment??
That’s what I mean… Pretty ungrateful if you ask me, even if he does work for UK!!
If your wings don't sweep....
Yeah, he does...
But that’s not really the point. Don’t join a blog and then immediately insult the Boss, ya know?? Where’s my referee’s flag when I need it!! LOL
If your wings don't sweep....
Gotcha Eagle. My point is that this person...
is a ’troll" , their mission accomplished and is more than likely gone from the ASOB. Now, Tru can eliminate this person from returning under that name anyway :)
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
by JLeverenz on Jan 17, 2010 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 7 recs
If you are a nerd
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
Thanks JLev for the link
but I was so nerdy (NOT, but like those comics), I right-clicked on your comic and found it earlier…
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Since's response
First time I shot her, shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
I feel really badly about laughing at this. Somebody was surely hurt badly.
But the photo combined with the caption is funny.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
i liked RR but really...
this guy was prob one of my former English instructors!!!
"Get your facts first, then you can distort them as much as you please."...Mark Twain.
Congrats Since, you've earned it
First time I shot her, shot her in the side.
Hard to watch her suffer, but with the second shot she died...
Dear Since:
It isn’t the grammar, it’s a simple misspelling. It happens. Thanks for pointing it out, but politeness is a virtue, and referring to a typographical error as “sophomoric grammar” is rude.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Sorry. I apologize.
I am actually quite a faithful reader of this blog. It is really the only blog on the Wildcats that I enjoy reading. I’m sorry I upset so many people. One thing I always forget about this kind of writing is how easy it is to sound rude. I’m not even sure why I quite popped off like that. Anyway, again, I apologize, Tru.
chronic
No problem at all.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate it.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Welcome aboard, Professor.
Until this comment of yours, I was going to suggest you read the community guidelines (link upper right, above fanposts), but now I won’t. :-)
As you’ve probably seen, we have a little bit of everything here. You’ll enjoy it.
No moral victories--it's all about Ws and Ls!!!
OK this
is sad………about like the door watching………..my heart is pumping over a NON SEC game just so my cats can go number one……..I am obsessed I tell ya
Yeah sad, but we are here rooting for A&M too....lol...just like watching the door and the gate
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
looks like it could be.....not sure why a technical though
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
beat them by at least one?
well, we certainly couldn’t beat them by LESS THAN one ; )
by blue kentucky girl on Jan 16, 2010 8:34 PM EST up reply actions
I thought it was funny, vince : )
by blue kentucky girl on Jan 16, 2010 8:36 PM EST up reply actions
lol.. Thanx...
or should say, thanks…! Don’t want to anger the grammar police…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Oh yeah, he's obviously such an awesome dude,
we want to make sure and not offend him so he’ll stick around.
by blue kentucky girl on Jan 16, 2010 8:44 PM EST up reply actions
You folks realize that game's score was the exact same as our game?
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Tru - I am thinking the glass is half full...
You said:
This young UK team allows their opponents to get up off the mat, and that is all because of their youth, really. One day, and it could be any time, an opponent will get up off the mat and take the game away from these young guys.
I say: One day, and it could be any time, an opponent will NOT get up off the mat and these young guys will put the game away – in a BIG way … :)
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on Jan 16, 2010 8:32 PM EST reply actions
You never know.
Maybe nobody will get up off the mat. It happens, but we wouldn’t have to worry about it if the team would “get it” when it comes to the killer instinct. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
A Koan
You know about a glass being half empty/half full? You assume it’s water; but, nobody tells you what’s in the glass. Isn’t that a factor? Think about it.
No matter where you're at, there you are
CBS Sportsline...
Wall’s free throws keep no. 2 Kentucky unbeaten
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
McGriff Returns To UK
Being reported that Wesley McGriff will be UK’s new secondary coach. McGriff has been with Miami Hurricanes for last 3 years and was on Guy Morris’ staff in Lexington. Also coached at EKU.
"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale." --Thomas Jefferson
Very good game by Liggins!
What an amazing rebound at the end! How he managed to keep his pivot foot was a mystery to me – but he did it. Solid game for Perry Stevenson too. Otherwise I agree with Tru. John Wall has fallen off a lot since the SI cover and all the press, seems like to me. He’s still great though, just mortal.
Worst Half To Date
All aspects of basketball considered, all facets of UK performance considered this was the worst half of the season. Rather bold I admit but after watching the game for a second time it seems to me that yesterday’s second half was woeful on defense, offense and especially focus and effort. Perhaps no other number speaks more eloquently than the meager 34-30 rebounding edge for the Cats (actually trailed 11-9 in OR’s). In addition Auburn had 10 steals which indicates more concentration and tenacity. Specifics:
1) Obvious that Bledsoe’s homecoming led to a star-search mentality and errors.
2) Wall is increasingly allowing accolades to affect his game. What 19-year old wouldn’t?
3) Patterson aka Black Kool-Aid needs a little less Kool and a lot more Aid; zero shots in second half is unacceptable for him individually and for the system, plus 5 rebounds isn’t something about which to write home.
4) Walker for Gators and now Reed for Tigers, why is it that UK can’t defend a small, quick PG? Will Courtney Fortson be the next to light up Cats?
5) Am I disappointed? Surely you jest. No rational fan (is that an oxymoron?) could be chagrined with an 18-0 record but it seems that a regression is in place which I suppose could be expected but considering the extra practice available is a tad perturbing.
"The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale." --Thomas Jefferson
This is who the Cats are
I think at this point we have to accept that this is who the Cats are. In much the same way the ‘98 team was defined by constantly overcoming halftime deficits, this team will be defined by letting big leads slip away into becoming close games. It will cost them eventually because when a game comes down to the final possession you allow luck to play a factor in the outcome – a fluke shot, a bad bounce, an official’s call or no-call – something.
It’s funny, because on the one hand if UK was winning every game by 15-20+ and was never challenged in the 2nd halves, we would all be wondering how they would handle late game pressure. As it is, we know they handle late game pressure pretty well and have some guys who can take control at the end of games. On the other hand sometimes talent, experience, and poise isn’t enough because fluky things happen in sports – you just hope they don’t happen on the way to a title.
3 > 2, except for very large values of 2.
Yeah ...
… that may be so. A lot of it is youth and thinking they are supermen.
I think that’s pretty much it, though. This is what they are.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Dear Coach Cal,
I know the team can handle late game pressure at home and on the road. I’m ready to start winning by 20.
Sincerely,
A UK Fan
Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."
I hate to say it
but this group most likely will never develop killer instinct simply because they are freshmen.Not going to happen in 2 months with a bunch of underclassmen.On the bright side,this team still has alot of upside.The killer instinct that fans look for come from experience and from the fear of losing,and knowing what that feels like.
But,I really feel this group of players are going to be special.Even today we seen growth in Cousins learning to pass out of the double team.Cal even spoke on the radio last week about they are now just starting to work with the Big men.
A message for the grammar police
I want everybody to know that in high school I learned to talk good. Then I went to college and learned to talk even more better.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
[UPDATED 01/18/2012]
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
