North Carolina at Kentucky -- Open Game Thread

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 1, 2007 1:19 PM EST in Basketball Comment 5 comments

This is the official Open Game Thread for North Carolina at Kentucky.

This is always a huge game for Kentucky, and this year is no different. Both UNC and Kentucky have young teams, but Kentucky does have the advantage of senior leadership, and the Heels do not. However, Carolina has a more talented and much deeper team than UK.

The Fake Gimel Martinez will be assisting me with the live blog this afternoon, and we will be using the Coverit Live liveblogging tool again. Of course, you can always leave comments in this thread if you prefer, we will be checking them from time to time.

My keys to the game:

Bradley and Crawford must return to form
Patterson must continue his stellar play and avoid foul trouble
Somebody must guard Deon Thompson.
We will need production out of Stephenson and Stewart
A third guard (Legion?) must step up and give us some scoring.

This game could jump start the Cats' season, or it could drive them deeper into the doldrums. Patrick Patterson believes Kentucky can win this game, and I do as well. UNC is not playing particularly good defense right now, and Ty Lawson is likely to be at less than 100%, if he plays at all. That's huge, because Lawson is simply too quick for Bradley to guard.

This game will give us a very good idea of how far the Cats have come since the loss to Gardner-Webb, and what the Cats' prospects for victory will be in the future, at least until some of the injured players return.

Enjoy the game, I'll be opening the liveblog about 10 minutes before tipoff.

GO, CATS!

Note: Transcript of the liveblog below the fold.

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Comments

UNC

Great effort by the 'Cats.

Lots of things to like about the game.

Offensively when they get their ball reversal going, they create a lot of open shots. The feed to the post needs work, but future games should prove to be more fruitful in that area. They crashed the boards hard for the most part.

Someone besides Patterson, Crawford, and Bradley has to step up in the scoring column. That trio had around 80% of UK's scoring. That is not good. With the absence of Meeks, someone, anyone must confidently take shots.

Defensively, for 32-35 minutes I thought they battled tough. Green was left open on 3-4 treys, but overall UK challenged shots. The youngsters hurt them at times, but that is to be expected.

I think Stevenson, at least for now, shows the most potential at being a low post threat. He is athletic, and has shown some good offensive moves. If only his defense can continue to improve I feel he will add another dimension to this team. Plus, he obviously needs to get stronger.

I was impressed with the overall effort. The execution is getting better. Progress has been made since the first week of November, there simply is no denying that.

IU next Saturday. UK has a chance, I feel, to upset the Hoosiers. If only the game were at Freedom Hall or Rupp, I would feel much better about UK's chances though.

Natural progression dictatew that by January this team should be performing at a pretty high level. Not Top 10 caliber, but perhaps Top 35-40. If that comes to fruition, the SEC East should be a terrific race this year.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 1, 2007 4:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ken, I think you're exactly right ...

Kentucky came out and competed. The lack of depth hurt us, ad did our youth.

But we competed hard and actually got the result under double digits at the end. I loved the way the Cats continued to play hard even when the result was no longer really in doubt.

If we keep working hard and improving, by January, we may be in a position to compete with top teams. We clearly aren't there yet, but they guys are making progress.

I loved the look on Patterson's face after he was taken out at the end. It was a look of deep distress and unhappiness.

I love that. People who hate losing like a boil on their nether regions. That's what will make Patterson great here. Losing sucks huge to him.

It sucks huge to me, too. :-)

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 1, 2007 6:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am proud

of the effort. UK will not compete with players like Coury and Porter startign and playing serious minutes. However, the bright side is that this experience will add to the bench strangth down the road. The talent difference between UNC and UK was remarkable and greater than I was expecting. However, Patterson was the best player on the court and no way UK loses the next four in a row!

by BeatUL on Dec 1, 2007 6:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Patterson

I caught a glimpse of Patterson as he left the floor at the end of the game.

I, like you, like to see a kid upset with a loss. If they're not upset they shouldn't be wearing the Kentucky jersey.

If I were coaching I would line the lockeroom with players who despise losing with a visceral hatred. Those are the players that will put in the work, to ensure they, and therefore the team, succeeds.

You have coined the catch-phrase--"Losing sucks huge!" Lets hope we don't have to use it very often.

by Ken Howlett on Dec 2, 2007 12:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs