Alabama Crimson Tide at Kentucky Wildcats (2): Open Game Thread
by Glenn Logan on Jan 21, 2012 11:45 AM EST
in Open Thread
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PrintAlabama Crimson Tide at Kentucky Wildcats, Jan 21, 2012 12:00 PM EST
Welcome to A Sea of Blue's open game thread for the Alabama Crimson Tide at Kentucky Wildcats basketball game this afternoon in Rupp Arena. Game particulars are as follows:
| Alabama @ Kentucky |
|---|
| Kentucky vs. Alabama Sat., Jan. 21 - 12:00 p.m. ET Rupp Arena Game Notes: UK  | UA |
| Coverage |
| TV: CBS Radio: UK IMG  CBS Sports Live Video Live Audio Text Updates |
The Tide come into this game on a bit of a roll but not the kind a team wants to be on, having lost two SEC games in a row, one on the road to Mississippi St. and the other at home to the Vanderbilt Commodores. Now, Anthony Grant & Co. are faced with a challenge that is arguably far more difficult than either those efforts.
The Tide and 'Cats come into this game as the two best defensive teams in the conference by a wide margin. Both teams really get after you defensively, so we can look forward to a fairly modest and even slow pace with both teams working hard to get open shots.
For the Crimson Tide perspective on the game, be sure to check out our good friends at SB Nation's Alabama blog, Roll 'Bama Roll.
For Kentucky to succeed today, they must:
- Continue their excellent defensive rebounding. Kentucky has done a good job on the defensive glass in the last two games, and that needs to continue.
- Attack JaMychal Green. Alabama has a lot of good players, but Green is the most dangerous as both a scorer and rebounder. Like Kentucky with Anthony Davis, the Tide are a lot better with Green on the floor, and Green is somewhat foul-prone.
- Make open shots. Kentucky missed many open looks against the Arkansas Razorbacks. They can't do that against a strong defense like Alabama.
- Take care of the basketball. Alabama pressures constantly on defense, and turnovers account for a significant portion of their offense.
- Force Alabama to shoot threes. Alabama is one of the worst three-point shooting teams in America. If they make them, they will be tough to beat, but the Tide would much rather shoot twos than threes.
Make no mistake, this will be a tough game against a talented, defensive-minded team with a chip on their shoulder. They are well-coached and solid at every position, and their freshmen are very good. Kentucky must not only take this team seriously, they must actually play reasonably well to win, and probably must bring a B+ or better game to avoid an upset.
This is the toughest SEC test to date. The Wildcats must find a way to pass it.
Go, 'Cats!
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I like playing the first game
Don’t have to wait for someone else’s overtime.
Every one ready to watch the Cats take on the Tide?
Go Big Blue!
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
I really don't "need" to win a ball game...
But I really NEED this one… Living in ‘Bama, I’ll be in deep ka-ka if they sneak a win today!
If your wings don't sweep....
Same here - won't be able to show my face at work on Monday.
by bluegrassgal on Jan 21, 2012 12:02 PM EST up reply actions
"Horseland" not really winning an Emmys.
Then I remember “He-Man” and have to remember who their target audience in at that hour on a Saturday morning…..
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
MKG looked like he fell hard.
And my heart stopped.
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
Like Aggressive Attitude
Thus far.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
that's a big loss for Bama
good news for the Cats
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Who the heck is screaming while my boy is trying to make a free throw?
Do. Not. Like.
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
oh Trevor Lacy
You could be shooting airballs for UK right now
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Mmmm... Don't know about that???
Rumor mill here in ‘Bama is that folks are questioning how he’s eligible?? Supposedly scored in single digits on his entrance exam…
If your wings don't sweep....
Wonder how it would be possible to score in single digits?
by bluegrassgal on Jan 21, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Supposedly the Butler HS coach gets all his players "good" grades...
Translates into poor test scores.
If your wings don't sweep....
I mean if you are serious about it and have made it this far without any issues. Not
trying to be rude.
by bluegrassgal on Jan 21, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
Not taking it that way...
Just passing along the poop I’m hearing. Guess we’ll see what develops, but I’m hearing this from more than one person that is hot into the HS basketball scene here…
If your wings don't sweep....
Holy cow!
MKG!!!
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
that really sucks
and after they already lost MacDonald before the season started
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Strickland Our For Season
Didn’t know that, terrible.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Aggresion Continues
Best defensive board play in a long while.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
sports commentators ought to be required to get psychology degrees
Considering how much time they spend talking about what players think/feel
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Regression On D. Boards
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
pretty poor shot on that last o-board though
I assume he was actually trying to get it to MKG, but there just wasn’t anything there.
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
That's a great thing!
Means he’s penetrating and kicking the ball to the open shooter…
If your wings don't sweep....
he's being very aggressive on defense
getting up on guys, coming over to double team. I wonder how much of that is scouting report/game plan.
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Seeing more life
in the boys than I’ve seen in a long time… really like they way they are going after the ball at every opportunity …!!!
by BleedsBlue_N_TN on Jan 21, 2012 12:27 PM EST reply actions
Overall
I think they playing at a higher level than against Arkansas. Rebounds on both ends, fast hands on D (especially Miller), attacking the man with the ball, getting quick outlet passes, hitting the threes, …….. the list goes on. Impressive.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
Say what you want...
I like Grant as a coach, think he’s good for the SEC…
If your wings don't sweep....
An excellent coach.
Just would like to see him smile one time – of course, we may not give him any reason to smile today.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
I can't remember - where was he before Alabama?
by bluegrassgal on Jan 21, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed. And I'll be thrilled if 'Bama can get to the Dance this year as they were ROBBED last year.
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
by jords on Jan 21, 2012 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, I think so too...
But, in the end, for the team, I think a deep run in the NIT was better for ’em that a short stay in the NCAA… YMMV.
If your wings don't sweep....
I can't remember that story either (must be getting old). What happened?
by bluegrassgal on Jan 21, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Selection Committee madness.
’Bama won SEC West, but no dance ticket. Not cool.
Then again, at the time we were all confused on how VCU landed an invite. Oops.
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
it's more than conference play though
You don’t get bonus points for “winning the SEC West” and Alabama didn’t do anything in non-conference play. IMO they didn’t have any place to argue about getting left out.
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
I am an SEC homer, and will fully admit to bias.
But thought they deserved a shot. However, to Eagle’s prior point, they were more likely to succeed in the NIT than the NCAA tournament.
Either way, I like it when the SEC proves we’re about more than football and UK basketball. Love seeing the seeds of success growing at ’Bama and UT.
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
And as much as it pains me...
I’m kinda liking what Martin is doing at UT! Give him a year or so and I think he’ll bring a good team to the floor…
If your wings don't sweep....
perfectly fine
For me it’s more about bubble teams in general than Alabama specifically. If you don’t want to be left out then go win more games. If a team gets left out it’s their own fault.
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
a lot of stupid passing decisions
These guys are smarter than that.
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Missing some close-in shots today...
Playing pretty well, but missed a bunch of gimmes!
If your wings don't sweep....
Ok..this is a pretty good bama team defensively.
Hope they don’t miss a lot of gimme baskets.
not really
A lot of runs by both teams. Davis has missed a number of shots he normally makes, Bama doing well on the offensive glass to get 2nd chance points.
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
I didn't see MKG get the first foul
when did that happen?
Bama is putting a body on him every time and it might be throwing him off a bit??
If your wings don't sweep....
Battling the beef today.
Bama putting bodies all over him.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
Why would Wilt sit after just finding his stroke??
How can guys in a rhythm??
http://www.JohnWallWear.com
'Bama sho nuff getting after on the glass...
Need some boxouts in the worst way…
If your wings don't sweep....
Our post defense is getting a little better
but it has not been good. Not reacting as well as needed to physicality
Kentucky is just not doing well against the physical Alabama on the glass.
We lack toughness with MKG out.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
This game does not appear to be a blowout as I thought it would be,
It will definitely be a nice learning experience for the CATS though.
You really thought this would be a blowout?
Well, okay…
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on Jan 21, 2012 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
The way we played against Razorbacks gave such false hopes
Although I agree the two teams are in diff leagues.
I bet the ref realized that
after he made the call. Maybe we’ll see a make up call.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
*shakes head*
I don’t understand how some of these calls are made sometimes.
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
is that joke?
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Ha! No, I was being serious... Thought he fouled out in the UNC game??
If your wings don't sweep....
how could you forget this?
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
by JLeverenz on Jan 21, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Which in retrospect
was just a teaser of what was to come. How nice.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
It's a CBS photo
Here’s the link for more from December games.
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
I love the caption on that page. Perfect!
Anthony Davis blocks John Henson to give UK a win over UNC. Davis’ home planet has still not been disclosed by Kentucky sports infromation.
I don't think you're a real UK fan ;-)
Who are you and what have you done with Eagle?
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Zing!! Nicely played...
I know he fouled out early in the season, who was it against??
If your wings don't sweep....
Old Dominion
Forgot, had to go look it up
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
OK, so I'm not totally hungover then... ;-)
Just partially lost my mind!
If your wings don't sweep....
would prefer not to see him try a behind the back dribble on the baseline though
ultimately worked out, but that’s an OOB turnover waiting to happen
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
Glad to be ahead with MKG out...
But, Bama gets Mitchell back in the 2nd.
If your wings don't sweep....
losing MKG to the bench really seemed to change things
He was the catalyst on their early runs
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
I think so
Foul trouble
Statistics is the part of mathematics that God didn't invent. - Ethan Smith
More impressed with Bama
They’ve managed to give us a good run. Hope we come out and play a typical CAT second half.
Considering Bama is likely
playing at their most intense level of the year – I’ll take it. Nice half against an inspired team. Grant had them ready to play.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
This Jacobs is a surprise to me
A throwback to the old Bama players
Low turnover game
Only 5.
Post defense needs to pick up and we need to play more physical
Second half game thread up.
Not because of comments, but hopefully for the sake of mojo. If ever one was needed, this is it.
http://www.aseaofblue.com/2012/1/21/2723558/alabama-at-kentucky-second-half-open-game-thread
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
We are in good shape, I think.
We are very active – lots of effort. Some stuff not going the right way but that may even out before it is over. MKG needs to play more in the second half, and Davis needs to get some shots to go down and get things going his way. The Alabama beef is bothering him a bit, so need to make some minor adjustments to help that out. Then you have Jacobs playing his best game ever and Alabama, who normally hit 1 out of 4 from 3, going 75% in the first half (3 for 4 last I saw). Would have been nice if we could have created and sustained a little more separation score-wise, but I think that will come.
Kentucky Basketball - The Reason for Living
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