More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

John Calipari imploring his team to defend ... at least that's what I hope he's doing.

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Nobody ever said defense optional basketball isn't fun to watch.  Well, wait, allow me to amend that statement -- UK does play pretty good post defense, allowing opponents to make only 19 of 61 two-point shots (31.3%) through their first three games.  But when opponents make a combined 33 of 69 three-point attempts (47.8%), as did Miami and Sam Houston State, their abysmal two-point average is rendered a little less meaningful. 

As the numbers shout to us, the perimeter "defense" ain't pretty, but isn't it good enough (for now) that these 'Cats are capable of illuminating the scoreboard at a blissful rate, especially if teams choose to run and gun.  Of course, some of UK's future opponents will opt for the Morehead blueprint of slowing the game down by using up as much of the 35-second shot clock as possible.  What's encouraging, though, is that these youthful 'Cats have been tested by both offensive philosophies, and have thrice come out the winner.  But, as sure as Nicholas Cage will drop a cool two-million on a Cessna, UK's competition level will be increasing in the very near future.  For a look at where the 'Cats need to improve, and where they are thriving, follow me after the jump.

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More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

Enjoy the great Wall while you've got him.

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With the official start of the Kentucky basketball season now less than 36 hours away, the sense of anticipation among Big Blue backers is palpable.  Found on message boards, blogs, sport's pages, and Starbucks throughout Kentucky, are opinions (some good, some lame), prognostications, and some downright emphatic enunciations about the prospects of UK fans witnessing a gloriously historic season.  And really, who can blame them?

For a program and fan-base accustomed to Final Four runs, SEC championships, national accolades, and local adulation, the previous four basketball seasons have been the equivalent of an unwanted killjoy.  We've seen two coaches depart, one of his own volition (sort of), and the other of his own hand.  We've seen bad basketball, bad decisions by those trusted to make good decisions, and generally an unsettled feeling within the basketball program.  It hasn't been fun, regardless how one may choose to spin the distaste-full events.  And if sports are supposed to provide a fan with one thing, that thing would be enjoyment ... an escape, if you will, from the every day problems and trials of life.  We don't want to be made to lament the state of the program.  We want to celebrate victories, and discuss how much enjoyment we derived from our 'Cats schooling the Gators, Vols, and Cards on the art of winning, and winning decisively.

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More photos » by Butch Dill - AP

Randall Cobb, doing it all.

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With Kentucky coming off a season-saving, come-from-behind 21-14 victory over Auburn on Saturday, we find ourselves at the mid-point of the season.  The first six games of the 2009 season have regaled us with many great individual performances, several disappointing developments, and a record about where most (in the preseason), thought it would be.  So, in keeping with the positive vibes surrounding UK athletics at the moment, let's honor those players and units that have achieved beyond the expected:

Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Randall Cobb (Sophomore Do-It-All Dynamo) -- The Alcoa, Tennessee native has simply been electric for nearly the entire season.  Cobb has ran for 239 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and three touchdowns, as well as being a danger as a receiver; 24 catches for 322 yards (13.4 yards per reception), and another four touchdowns.  In an effort to get the ball in his hands as many times as possible, the coaching staff has Cobb returning punts (although I'm not happy about it).  He's hasn't broken-off a long one yet, but he's averaging a healthy 8.9 yards per punt return (3rd in the SEC).  Cobb is also averaging 129.5 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, and returns) per game (5th in the SEC).

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At long last.  Since the April hiring of John Calipari as Kentucky's new basketball coach, the Commonwealth and all its zealous UK contingent have patiently awaited mid-October; the beginning of a new hoops season.  Finally, four years of mediocrity are now behind us, and so, in the spirit of celebration, here are my 10 reasons for UK fans to party like it's 1998: 

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More photos » by Mary Ann Chastain - AP

"What am I going to do now?"

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University of Kentucky sports are entering the time of year where the hotly anticipated basketball season overlaps with football season, leaving us with much to discuss.  So, in an attempt to kill four birds with one stone, here are my four topics of the day:

The Failed Two-Point Conversion 

Like most everyone else who roots for UK, I found the decision to utilize Will Fidler at quarterback and Randall Cobb at receiver, for Kentucky's attempted two-point conversion to tie on Saturday, a puzzling one, at best.  Although I felt UK lost the game because of dropped touchdown passes (of which there were two) and poor special teams play (with the exception of Lones Seiber), one has no choice but to question why the UK coaching staff opted to have an inexperienced signal-caller under center for the most crucial offensive play of the game.  Couple the facts that Fidler had been occupying space on the bench during the Cobb-led drive for six immediately prior to the conversion attempt, with Fidler's lackluster performance in the second half, and it only causes my head to ache even more enthusiastically.

To continue reading, please send $15 to the Couri ... oops, I forgot, A Sea of Blue's opinions are free ... after the jump.

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More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

Beating Florida will get more than a yell out of UK coach Rich Brooks.

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... the LSU Tigers limped back to Baton Rouge with an "L" in the column that counts.  Oh, how sweet it would be to witness (Saturday) a replay of UK's epic performance against Les Miles' national championship squad.  Not because I despise Gator quarterback (and choir boy) Tim Tebow, or his sometimes pompous head coach Urban "What Were His Parents Thinking?" Meyer, rather, losing to the Gators has become an unfortunate rite of passage for UK fans under the age of, well, any age actually, and it's time it stopped.

Since 1986, the last time UK beat Florida, the Gators have out-shined the 'Cats by a cumulative score of 927 - 412 -- Average score: Florida - 42, UK - 19.  That's embarrassing, or at least it should be.  And making matters more despicable, the futility Kentucky has suffered goes back even further, for before UK's 10 - 3 victory in '86, one has to go back to 1979 to find another good guy win, this one a 31 - 3 Wildcat victory.  So, if one is slow on the uptake, what that means is UK is 2 - 28 against Florida in their last 30 meetings.  Hopefully, UK is exhausted from being the nail ... it's now time for Kentucky to be the heavy hitter (apologies to Darryl Isaacs). 

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More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Derrick Locke carryin' the mail -- A sight Card fan should come to appreciate.

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With Kentucky gearing up to face the Louisville Cardinals at Pizza Hut Commonwealth Stadium ... uh, rather, just plain ol' Commonwealth Stadium, it struck me that this year is the first UK vs. U of L game since 1998 that the 'Cats should be a large betting favorite to win, and win big.  Am I overconfident?  Am I delusional?  Maybe so.  I'll let you, the faithful reader make that determination after you peruse my four reasons UK will pummel the Evil Birds on Saturday afternoon.

What will serve as an appetizer for A Sea of Blue's coverage of the battle for the Governor's Cup may not be bacon-wrapped shrimp, but it's a start.

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Picture is unrelated. Via pictureisunrelated.com

So I, like some of you who can manage to distract yourselves from the "Guiding Light" episode that seems to be the everyday lives of Rick Pitino and Billy Gillispie, have been reading quite a few preseason picks for the SEC lately.  And I'd say 4 out of 5 of them have Kentucky finishing dead last in the SEC East.  In most years, I'd say that's par for the course and work on mending my tent so I could camp out for Midnight Madness tickets.  But if the last three years have taught us anything, it's that Kentucky doesn't totally suck at football anymore.  You've read what Ken, Tru et al. have had to say about the team.  It's probably better (if reports from camp are true) than it was last year, and even though last year was tough to swallow, it still ended in a bowl win.  So you'd think that other people might notice, right?  Wrong.  This one from Team Speed Kills in particular just really grinds my gears, disclaimer by the author notwithstanding:

Kentucky

 

DATE	OPPONENT	OUTCOME
5-Sep	@ Miami (OH)	W
19-Sep	Louisville	W
26-Sep	Florida	L
3-Oct	Alabama	L
10-Oct	@ South Carolina	L
17-Oct	@ Auburn	L
24-Oct	Louisiana-Monroe	W
31-Oct	Mississippi State	W
7-Nov	Eastern Kentucky	L
14-Nov	@ Vanderbilt	L
21-Nov	@ Georgia	L
28-Nov	Tennessee	L

Kentucky just wasn't very good last season, and they made it to bowl season largely on the back of a terrible non-conference schedule. The terrible non-conference schedule is back, but I just don't see improvement from the Wildcats that many of the other conference teams will make. Going with Mike Hartline under center over Randall Cobb didn't inspire confidence, and losing Jeremy Jarmon was the last straw.

One SEC win.  One.  With two All-America candidates in the defensive secondary.  With one of the few QBs in the league with actual game experience.  With a freaking stable of thoroughbred running backs and receivers that can apparently catch the football now. 

Are we still dealing with this?  The cupboard behind last year's starters wasn't bare, folks.  If Coach Brooks says we're better than we were last year, I believe him.  Some might chalk that up to coach-speak, but if there's one currency we know Papa Rich doesn't trade in, it's BS.  So am I right to get my shorts in a wad every time I read something like this, or should I just suck it up and let the Cats prove it on the field?  I'm inclined to do both, but let me know if you see it differently.

UPDATE:  Here's a link to the story.