Big Blue Linkapalooza: Post-Florida Edition

by Glenn Logan on Feb 7, 2011 9:22 AM EST in Kentucky Wildcats News

Todays commentary and links from around the Big Blue Nation. Not as much hand-wringing as I might have expected. No matter the outcome, Kentucky played pretty well, and certainly well enough to win. Some defensive breakdowns, tough shots and calls that didn't go their way hurt the 'Cats, and they just weren't tough enough to overcome that.

Todays links

Is the ACC a lost cause when it comes to March? :: Beyond The Arc

The Mountain West, based both on the RPI and Ken Pomeroy's ratings, is better than either the SEC or ACC.
Cats not relying on tired excuses :: Cincinnati.Com
I don't buy the fatigue angle. I think these kids are well conditioned enough that it isn't a factor.
John Clay: UK basketball, the good and the bad | University of Kentucky Sports News | Lexington Herald-Leader

Bad news: Kentucky has already lost four two-point decisions this year. Until this season, Kentucky had not lost a game by two points since Mississippi State in the 2007 SEC Tournament. Since the 1999-2000 season, the Cats have lost eight two-point games. Four of those have come this year.

I'm ready to chalk this up as karmic payback for all the close games we won last year.
The Leach Report
Check out Tom's exclusive podcasts, links and listen to his show every weekday on 1080 AM in Louisville.

More after the jump.

Rush The Court :: Morning Five: 02.07.11 Edition
Calipari noncommittal on SEC race :: Lexington Herald-Leader
Now is not time for Kentucky basketball to push panic button :: courier-journal.com

But this loss on Saturday, while disappointing, wasn't the kind of loss that sends a team into a tailspin. And probably shouldn't send its followers into one, either.

Exactly right.
Katz: Observations from the week :: ESPN
Brennan: Observations from the week :: ESPN
Did officiating impact UK’s last-shot strategy at Florida? :: Vaught's Views
Larry Vaught accuses official Ted Valentine of "showboating" in the Florida game. I think he has a point, and there is no question that from the angles I saw on replay, the fifth foul on Josh Harrellson was a very bad call. I must have watched that replay 10 times at all speeds.

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Comments

Fatigue not a factor-

Brandon Knight plays more minutes than anyone on this team, and he does not appear to get fatigued. He played a great game in my opinion, and even had a smile on his face some. That was good to see. He seemed relaxed and ready to play…

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

by iam4ukintn on Feb 7, 2011 10:25 AM EST reply actions

Fatigue

Yeah, I’m not buying fatigue as a factor wtih this team at all either. Glenn summed it up well in his assessment of the Florida game with “lack of offensive diversity and defensive intensity”. Right now we have very little fire, heart, communication, and leadership. But I like the fight they have even though it seems more like “we’re not going to be embarrassed” rather then “we’re going to win this game”.

I like the zone look and have to believe it would be a good strategy against a very physical Tennesse team. I would like to see Jones defending more in the post along with Harrelson…………although Jorts has been pretty lackluster in league play. Playing a more smothering defense could definitely cause turnovers leading to more transition points, which is something I think we need to balance a lack of size inside.

As well as they’ve been playing at home I would like to think they can sweep the rest of the games at Rupp. As far as the road games, I think we can pull off a win at Arkansas but Vandy and Tennesse are really iffy unless they turn it around on the road quickly. So hopefully we have a 22-8 record heading into the SEC tourney.

Cal can’t provide the team with intensity from the sideline. They’ve got to step it up and get serious as team to finish out this season strong. Staying positive that will happen! Go CATS!!!

by slidemank on Feb 7, 2011 10:29 AM EST reply actions

Florida loss

I have had a couple of days to think about the game Saturday and I feel the Cats played well in a very hostile environment. The loss to the Gators wouldn’t be a factor at all if not for the 3 losses before. Also,I would be tickled to death if this team is 22-8 come SEC tourney time.

by maysvilleblue on Feb 7, 2011 10:37 AM EST reply actions

Amen!

UK has really handled the road environment well as far as hanging in the game. They’re just missing that extra umph to get them over the hump and win. It would be an entirely different story if they were just melting down and losing by 10+ points. That being said, they are relying on their athletic and scoring ability to stay close in these games. Just imagine if they had effective team play and leadership…………they would have won all the games they’ve lost by 10+ points. Yep, 22-8…………I’m sticking to it!

by slidemank on Feb 7, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

I feel the same.

I thought they played decent, showed a lot of heart in coming back from that deficit and put themselves in position to win, and the shot just didn’t go down. It was a good shot, with the right guy shooting it, he just didn’t nail it—them’s the breaks. As losses go, I was pretty sanguine about it, then was surprised to see an awful lot of anger and/or hand-wringing from other fans. I’m not saying they SHOULDN’T feel that way, or that they’re wrong or whatever—they should feel free to go ahead and feel however they want :) I was just a little surprised by what I took to be a quite negative reaction. Actually, I’m not really the type of fan to EVER get angry with or feel somehow betrayed by the team or the coach…I don’t figure they actually owe me anything. I’m more of a go-with-the-flow and cheer ‘em on whether we’re great or terrible kind of girl. But even if I was the more critical, tough love kind of fan, I can’t see why I’d chose a two point loss to a bitter conference rival on their famously rowdy home court to bring it out. Obviously, the general reaction is not so much about the Florida game as the general suckiness on the road. Now, I’m not of the opinion that the team is secretly awesome and it will reveal itself in due time—actually I think we have some major issues that are likely to prevent a deep run. I just think it is so, so much more fun as a fan to just cheer for the team you have, rather than stress about the one you wish you had.

by blue kentucky girl on Feb 7, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

Well said

by maysvilleblue on Feb 7, 2011 1:50 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, BKG

Any of our losses on their own is not a big deal, it’s the general suckiness on the road. Close losses are the most frustrating because you can go back and look at a dozen plays that would have made a difference, whereas in a blowout you just say ‘well they were all over us today and we didn’t show up’.

by bigbill992001 on Feb 7, 2011 9:13 PM EST up reply actions

Zone defense-

Might be a good idea against Tennessee. Especially if Hopson’s ankle will not allow him to play. Tennessee’s inside game is a worry though. Williams and Fields could be a handfull. I hope Vargas builds on his effort against Florida and comes to play…

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

by iam4ukintn on Feb 7, 2011 10:39 AM EST reply actions