Kentucky Basketball: Cleveland State in the Rear-View Mirror
by Truzenzuzex on Nov 25, 2009 9:47 AM EST
in Basketball
2 comments
Kentucky handily defeated the Cleveland St. Vikings yesterday afternoon in the Cancun Challenge, but what can we take away from that game? Well, I'm going to do a riff on Spencer Hall's "College Football Alphabetical" to explain it.
A is for AAU: That's the basketball Kentucky's young guys are still playing. In the AAU, you can break guy's ankles and look like the second coming of Earl the Pearl Monroe because much of the competition is decidedly inferior. But when you take college players, particularly players with a year or two under their belt for granted like that, you get miscues.
Too often, Eric Bledsoe and John Wall showed their disrespect for the opposing player by trying to blow by them like their feet were encased in lead. They found, after a combined nine turnovers between them, that not only are the Viking guards not shod in lead, but they are also capable players. Learn that lesson, guys -- respect your opponent.
B is for Bad Cuz: DeMarcus Cousins let his emotions get the best of him, and threw a high elbow in retaliation for some earlier contact that could have gotten him ejected from the game. He was very fortunate that the officials did not do so. DeMarcus needs to learn to harness his emotions, and keep those elbows close to his body.
C is for Careless: Careless with the ball, careless with positioning on the court, careless with this Rolls Royce of a team. Kentucky players must learn to make the simple play, not the remarkable one. I saw far too many remarkable plays that wound up as turnovers or other negative plays.
D is for Determination: Ramon Harris was determined not to be shifted to the end of the bench, and he earned a whopping 19 minutes last night -- fifth on the team, one minute behind Daniel Orton. Harris only had a couple of points, but he had 8 rebounds, one assist and two steals, and played arguably the best perimeter defense on the team. Calipari played him a lot for a reason.
That's the extent of my alphabetical, though. Spencer goes all the way to Z, and I just don't have that kind of patience.
More after the jump.
2 comments | 0 recs |
Kentucky 73, Cleveland State 49 -- Postmortem
by Truzenzuzex on Nov 24, 2009 7:14 PM EST
in Basketball
29 comments
The Cancun Challenge is certainly providing a challenge for the Kentucky Wildcats. Not only did the Sam Houston St. give us plenty of challenge, but the Cleveland St. Vikings also proved tough enough to challenge the 'Cats -- for a half.
Nice effort by the Vikings of Cleveland State. They out-hustled and outworked Kentucky for most of the game, and refused to be bullied or pushed around, matching UK's physicality inside and proving that hustle will offset talent most of the time. The Vikings were tough, gritty and determined. Unfortunately for them, they weren't big enough or skilled enough to handle the Wildcats.
This was an ugly game by any measure. Tons of fouls, players pushing and shoving, two intentional fouls, turnover after turnover. Ugly, ugly basketball.
Cleveland State could not throw the ball in the ocean from the beach. They were ice-cold from everywhere, but UK kept giving them the ball before they could get off a shot. I can't wait to see the stats on this game, they should prove instructive.
But in the second half, the Wildcats began to take care of the ball and force the Vikings to beat them without a bunch of extra possessions, and that wound up being too tall an order for the shorter Cleveland State team. After the first five minutes of the second half, the game was really no longer in doubt, and Kentucky improves to 5-0 and advances to the championship round of the tournament, while the Vikings move on to the consolation game.
More after the jump.
29 comments | 0 recs |
Cleveland St. Vikings @ Kentucky Wildcats: Open Game Thread
by Truzenzuzex on Nov 24, 2009 4:30 PM EST
in Open Thread
293 comments
This is the official A Sea of Blue Open Game Thread for the Kentucky Wildcats @ Cleveland St. Vikings. Game particulars are as follows, courtesy of UKAthletics.com:
Date & Time Tuesday, Nov. 24 4:30 p.m
Coverage TV: CBS College Sports (coverage details) Radio: BBSN
Online Audio 
Location Cancun, Mexico -- Cancun Challenge Tournament his afternoon's game winner will go on to play the winner of the Virginia Cavaliers vs. the Stanford Cardinal game later tonight. The rest of the games will be played tomorrow.
More after the jump.
293 comments | 0 recs |
Kentucky vs. Cleveland St. -- Cancun Challenge
by Truzenzuzex on Nov 24, 2009 3:34 PM EST
in Basketball
40 comments
The Kentucky Wildcats will be taking on the Cleveland St. Vikings this afternoon at 4:30 PM. Those of us fortunate enough to work from home will be watching, but for many 'Cat fans out there, it will be tough to get home in time even to see the second half. Never fear, though -- A Sea of Blue will be running an open thread, as always, and we'll try to remember to post the scores and stats often for those who are stuck at work.
The Vikings are an interesting team who made the NCAA tournament last year, upsetting Wake Forest in the first round before falling to Arizona in the second. Fortunately for Kentucky, a lot of that powerful team has moved on, and the Vikings bring in a bunch of new players to go with the two starters and two reserves who are returning.
More after the jump.
40 comments | 0 recs |
Blogpoll Ballot -- Week 12 Draft
by Truzenzuzex on Nov 24, 2009 8:47 AM EST
in Football
8 comments
My blogpoll ballot has basically calcified in place as far as the top ten is concerned.
For the first time all year, the top ten did not change. At this point in the season, many teams are either done or nearly done with their regular season, and with the exception of some rivalry and league championship games which could prove significant, there is not a whole lot of movement likely. We do no that either the Alabama Crimson Tide or Florida Gators are going to take a hit, but I would be surprised if the Nebraska Cornhuskers found a way to challenge the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 championship.
More after the jump.
8 comments | 0 recs |
Kentucky Football: Giving Thanks to Those Deserving Much More
by Ken Howlett on Nov 23, 2009 11:12 AM EST
in Commentary
52 comments
Still basking in the afterglow of unexpected victory after Kentucky's 34-27 triumph over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, I suddenly find myself in a thankful mood. Thankful for not only the UK win, but upon reflection, thankful for those who have propelled the football program forward in 2009, instead of settling for a "rebuilding" year. It would have been easy for the team to call it a year after starting quarterback Mike Hartline was injured six games ago, but this squad has persevered.
We've settled for less than acceptable results in the football program for far too long around these parts, but now, with four straight bowl games imminent, and a possible 4-4 SEC mark (and gasp, second place in the SEC East) looking UK squarely in the face mask, it's time to give up the kudos for those who go to battle every Saturday ... to those who fight through pain and injury ... and to those who sacrifice. A little recognition for achievements not enjoyed at Kentucky in a very long time is also in order, so after the jump, join me in giving some props to the warriors who are right for the fight ...
52 comments | 4 recs |
The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Weekend Happiness Hangover Edition
by Truzenzuzex on Nov 23, 2009 8:54 AM EST
in News
33 comments
And what a weekend it was. The Gridiron Felines show that they are not going to look gift horses in the mouth this year, as they took advantage of a 4-0 turnover margin to upend the Dawgs in Athens.
Then the basketball team showed why almost everyone has them in their top five by effortlessly handling Rider, 92-63, in a game that was arguably not as close as the score. This Kentucky team is only limited by their own willingness to learn and work hard, and as the competition gets tougher (beginning tomorrow night), we will see if Calipari's coaching and system will take hold early, or late.
Returning to football, it is simply beyond belief that UK managed to pull out a victory in Georgia on Saturday if you look at the box score. But one thing that deserves further highlighting is just how well UK's special teams played. Kentucky got outstanding field position on every kickoff. A missed PAT and a poor Ryan Tydlacka punt were really the only blemishes on an otherwise sterling special-teams performance.
Another point that needs a little extra emphasis is the ridiculously outstanding play of Sam Maxwell. Who would have believed that Maxwell would come into the starting line up this year and outshine Micah Johnson? True, Micah has suffered from a turf toe injury that has limited his mobility the last few games, but Maxwell has stepped it up to a very high level.
The news follows the jump.
33 comments | 0 recs |
Kentucky 34, Georgia 27 -- Postmortem
by Truzenzuzex on Nov 22, 2009 12:16 AM EST
in Football
126 comments
It's time to party, Kentucky fans! The Big Blue Nation has pulled a notable upset on the road versus a Georgia team that absolutely shot themselves in the foot not once, but so often that they were operating on one leg and a peg from the knee down.
Georgia utterly dominated Kentucky in every respect except for the one that mattered -- the final score. Georgia played a beautiful first half, and came back in the second half and did nothing but turn the ball over. This was not a good game by the Dawgs after that first half, and they really lost their composure in the second. I want to thank them for the effort, and my understanding is that they treat visiting teams with the greatest respect and classic Southern hospitality. But today, the Red Clay Hounds were their own worst enemy.
The first half of this football game was one of the most frustrating I have ever had the misfortune to witness. The play calling was weirdly inept, the defense as desperately needing an intravenous infusion of Viagra to cure its impotence. Georgia was running, passing, and dominating Kentucky utterly.
The domination was particularly complete on the lines. UK's O-line could not keep Georgia out of the backfield. The UK D-line got pushed around like they had four 150 lb. guys instead of 300+, and Joe Cox had enough time to brew a cup of coffee before looking for his receiver. At halftime, I was beginning to fear that UK was going to be uncompetitive for only the second time this season.
But when UK came out and forced a fumble for an immediate score on the opening kickoff of the second half, I knew we were back in the ball game. I figured that a close loss was likely, but how wrong I was. UK came out and reversed the line domination completely on defense, and mostly on offense. Georgia got frustrated and began throwing the football to UK players, with disastrous results. In the final ignominy, the Dawgs turned the ball over on the Kentucky one-yard line.
More after the jump.
126 comments | 0 recs |
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Wildcats Football Schedule
| @ Miami (Ohio) | Sat 09/05 | W 42 - 0 |
Louisville
|
Sat 09/19 | W 31 - 27 |
|
Florida
|
Sat 09/26 | L 7 - 41 |
|
Alabama
|
Sat 10/03 | L 20 - 38 |
|
@
South Carolina
|
Sat 10/10 | L 26 - 28 |
|
@
Auburn
|
Sat 10/17 | W 21 - 14 |
| Louisiana-Monroe | Sat 10/24 | W 36 - 13 |
|
Mississippi St.
|
Sat 10/31 | L 24 - 31 |
| Eastern Kentucky | Sat 11/07 | W 37 - 12 |
| @ Vanderbilt | Sat 11/14 | W 24 - 13 |
|
@
Georgia
|
Sat 11/21 | W 34 - 27 |
|
Tennessee
|
Sat 11/28 | 7:00 PM EST |
Next Game
Southeastern Conference Standings
(updated 11.22.2009 at 3:35 AM EST)
| East | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Florida Gators
|
8 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
|
Georgia Bulldogs
|
4 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
|
Kentucky Wildcats
|
3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
|
Tennessee Volunteers
|
3 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
|
South Carolina Gamecocks
|
3 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Vanderbilt Commodores | 0 | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| West | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
7 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
|
Mississippi Rebels
|
4 | 3 | 8 | 3 |
|
LSU Tigers
|
4 | 3 | 8 | 3 |
|
Arkansas Razorbacks
|
3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
|
Auburn Tigers
|
3 | 4 | 7 | 4 |
|
Mississippi St. Bulldogs
|
2 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
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@
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Wednesday, Nov 25, 2009, 9:30 PM EST
Cancun Challenge - Moon Palace Resort - Cancun, Mexico
Southeastern Conference Standings
(updated 11.25.2009 at 4:05 AM EST)
| East | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
|
Kentucky Wildcats
|
0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
|
Florida Gators
|
0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
|
South Carolina Gamecocks
|
0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
|
Tennessee Volunteers
|
0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Vanderbilt Commodores | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
|
Georgia Bulldogs
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| West | Conf | Overall | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | W | L | |
| Mississippi Rebels | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
|
LSU Tigers
|
0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Mississippi St. Bulldogs | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
|
Alabama Crimson Tide
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
|
Arkansas Razorbacks
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
|
Auburn Tigers
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Wildcats Basketball Schedule
Next 5 Games
| Stanford | Wed 11/25 | 9:30 PM EST |
| UNC-Asheville | Mon 11/30 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
North Carolina
|
Sat 12/05 | 12:30 PM EST |
| @ Connecticut | Wed 12/09 | 9:30 PM EST |
|
@
Indiana
|
Sat 12/12 | 12:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
| Cleveland St. | Tue 11/24 | W 73 - 49 |
| Rider | Sat 11/21 | W 92 - 63 |
| Sam Houston St. | Thu 11/19 | W 102 - 92 |
| Miami (Ohio) | Mon 11/16 | W 72 - 70 |
| Morehead St. | Fri 11/13 | W 75 - 59 |
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