Most of the Shabazz Muhammad news that's fit to print in recent weeks has been pro-UCLA. First, a Scout.com report ($) indicated that Muhammad, along with fellow Kentucky target Tony Parker, was leaning towards the Bruins. Then, a FOX Sports West story quoted Muhammad as saying:

"Losing is a bad thing to do, but UCLA is a good program. I like Ben Howland and Coach (Phil) Mathews but they're still there and I'm still looking at them really hard."

Even with all the rumors swirling, Kentucky head coach John Calipari isn't giving up. Coach Cal swung by Las Vegas recently to watch Muhammad (who plays for Bishop Gorman), along with Anthony Bennett (who plays for nearby Findlay Prep). After Calipari's visit, Nation of Blue's Garrett Tucker caught up with Muhammad's father, Ron Holmes, to ask about the rumors. Holmes refuted the notion that Muhammad has already decided to sign with UCLA.

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Well, this has been all the rage around the Big Blue Nation, so I think it bears discussion here. This:

In this video, if you haven't listened by now, or can't, here is the substance of what Digger Phelps says from this article by Eric Crawford:

"This is important," he went on. "We've been with you at Kentucky. This is Vandy's home game (cheers). This is Vandy's (pause) listen to me. Listen to me. It's their home game."

...

"You (UK fans) are a part of it. But you show respect for Vandy. I don't want any nonsense. I don't want any incidents. Don't ruin this for College GameDay."

More after the jump.

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Click here for an explanation of how the DSS is charted and what the ratings and box score represent.

The Kentucky Wildcats faced their biggest road challenge since playing at Indiana back in December and emerged with a big win against a determined Vanderbilt team. Defensively the game featured all the elements that we've come to expect from the Cats - excellent field goal defense and very few free throw attempts for the opponent along with a few forced turnovers and some not-so-great defensive rebounding (particularly in the first half).

Calipari wanted the Cats to force Vanderbilt to the interior and in the first half that seemed to be what the Commodores wanted to do to as they repeatedly dumped the ball inside to Festus Ezeli. Anthony Davis played well (also, water is wet) and the other Cats applied considerable pressure on the perimeter to force tough shots from that area. The result was a terrific defensive stand in the first half that saw Vanderbilt struggle to a 76.7 Offensive Efficiency.

In the second half the Cats backed off the swarming defense that marked the first half and the Commodores were able to knock down some long 3's that included a 10 possession stretch early in the second half where they went 4 of 5 from distance. That got them back in the game, but the rest of the half was marked by spotty shooting and an inability to string together perimeter shots thanks to the Cats' defensive pressure. In the second half the Commodores offensive efficiency improved considerably to 129.0. They were held scoreless over their last 7 possessions though when UK put the game away.

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After a satisfying victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gym Saturday, the Cats will take the coming weekdays off to prepare for their final five regular season games. With a pause in the schedule, let's take a minute to reset where Kentucky is and where they'd like to be over the coming weeks.

1. At 11-0 in the conference with three home games remaining, the Kentucky Wildcats are a lead pipe cinch to win the SEC and take the #1 seed in its post-season tournament. UK's closest competitor, the Florida Gators, were swept this week but remain second overall at 7-3. Sure, the Cats have loftier goals, but winning the league still bears mention. You can go ahead and plan your SEC tournament weekend now, as Kentucky will play at noon on each of March 9, 10 and 11 as long as it advances.

2. With the Ohio St. Buckeye's loss to the Michigan St. Spartans yesterday, there is now some separation between Syracuse, Kentucky and the rest of the candidates for #1 NCAA seeds. The Missouri Tigers are looking good at 23-2 overall with recent wins over Kansas and Baylor. Beyond that, the picture is muddled, with Ohio State, North Carolina, Duke, Kansas in front. Despite 2 losses this week, Baylor is still in the mix at 21-4 and Sparty's win at Ohio State puts it in the conversation at 20-5.

That's a lot of tradition at the top. Very cool.

3. Assuming UK doesn't collapse and remains on the one seed line, my next question is who ends up #2 in its bracket. The NCAA has not done the Cats any favors since Cal took over as Head Coach. That isn't an accusation, it is a fact. I've have one eye on this as a potential storyline. That is why I'm rooting for North Carolina to right the ship and earn a #1 seed. Yes, I know we've already beaten the Tar Heels and are much better than we were when we first played. Personally, though, I want no part of them before the Final Four. UNC is still the second most talented team in the country and starts 3-4 NBA-ready players. Those teams almost always do well in the tournament. If the NCAA is looking to give UK the finger, no better way than to put UNC in our bracket.

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There are games that you live for. This was one of them.

Congratulations to the Vanderbilt Commodores for an outstanding game of basketball. Vandy fans will tell you that they played poorly in the first half, and we must agree because it is true. The Commodores made a ton of errors in the first half and discovered, to their ultimate woe, that they could not guard Kentucky one-on-one. It was a lesson painfully earned.

But learn it they did, and in the second half, the Commodores showed the proper respect for the talent of Kentucky by going to a zone defense. It didn't change the ultimate outcome, but it did change the entire complexion of the game, giving Vandy enough room to maneuver. And maneuver they did, shooting lights-out from the perimeter, including a 28-footer from John Jenkins (who has no theoretical limit on his range) that raised the challenge to a level unseen by the Wildcats in a long time.

I cannot praise Vanderbilt's determination enough. They were singularly amazing, and I have rarely seen a team so willing to accept instruction from their coaching staff as Vandy's players did. I have nothing but respect for this Vanderbilt team, and had this outcome been reversed, I would not be disappointed. This was a tough game from a tough, mature team, and frankly, the last thing I want to do is disrespect such a determined. and skilled, opponent.

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That half needs no exposition. It was one of the most dominant halves against a high-quality team I have seen in quite some time.

I want a lot more of this.

This is your official open game thread for the #1 ranked Kentucky Wildcats at the Vanderbilt Commodores basketball game tonight at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, TN. Game particulars as follows, courtesy of UKAthletics.com.

Kentucky @ Vanderbilt
Kentucky at Vanderbilt Sat., Jan. 11 - 9:00 p.m. ET Nashville, Tenn. Game Notes: UK | VU
Coverage
TV: ESPN Radio: UK IMG Live Video via WatchESPN Live Audio Text Updates

Kentucky brings a 16-game winning streak into the Music City tonight, as well as the top ranking in the country. There will be fans hanging from the rafters in Memorial Gym tonight, a place which has hosted SEC basketball games since well before I was born, and before my mother and father were wed.

Vanderbilt is coming off a comfortable home victory over the LSU Tigers, breaking a two-game losing streak. Defeating Kentucky tonight would give a much-needed shot in the arm to a program that, in the eyes of many, has underachieved significantly this year despite the injury and suspension of senior center Festus Ezeli.

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Some things of interest:

• Awesome DeAndre Liggins story in the Orlando Sentinal
• UK's Vandy strategy hinges on Davis-Ezeli matchup.
• UNC exposed, Ohio St. built to last.

Talk about whatever you like, this is an open thread.