Tennessee Tech at Kentucky -- Quick impressions

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 22, 2007 5:47 PM EST in Basketball

A win is always better than a loss. That is one of those realities nobody can ignore, and a win against an overmatched team is no exception.

I must say, when I heard Meeks would be out with injury and Bradley and Crawford out with ... whatever, I was fearful that we would wind up with another embarrassment. They don't bother me quite as much now as they did earlier, but I still hate having to write post mortems about losses. That is one sucky part of blogging that we could all do without.

It is indisputable that the weird lineup Gillispie put on the floor (Perry Stevenson at the 3 ?!?) was offensive to the basketball sensibilities of us all. As basketball bluebloods, we are not used to seeing walk-ons and players who looked really bad last week starting. It gave the game an otherworldly, almost, "Can you believe this?" kind of feel.

But in spite of their ... poor execution, that lineup showed more hustle and genuine Wildcat aggressiveness than I have seen from this team all year. It was inspiring, in a weird, Tim Burtonesque, creepy kind of way. Somehow, my mind flashed back to that DiGiorno commercial where Steve Spurrier's team takes the field in drag. It was ... unusual.

Some other impressions:

Joe Crawford played the first 10 minutes of Kentucky basketball in his entire 3.5 years at UK, defending with passion and passing to open players. More, please.
Bradley played like Bradley, but 12 points in 13 minutes is doing what he is good at.
Jared Carter is making progress, as slow as molasses in February, but progress nonetheless.
Kudos to Gillispie for sticking to his guns, if that's what he did.
AJ Stewart is becoming a pleasant surprise on this team. Mike Williams isn't.
Michael Porter played 28 minutes, and is still deficient in the A/TO ratio -- 3 assists, 5 turnovers. The kid does work hard, though.
Perry Stevenson has never played 34 minutes before, but he did today. Only Patterson and Ramon Harris played more. And he played pretty well, too, with 8 rebounds 2 blocks and 2 steals.
How's this for a line: 3-6 shooting, 2-5 from 3, 10 rebs, 8 ~~pints~~ points (I drank the pints, not the player), 2 assists, 2 turnovers in 40 minutes. Chuck Hayes as a sophomore? No, Ramon Harris. He never came out of the game.
Patrick Patterson is going to be SEC freshman of the year. 24 points and 15 rebounds. 'Nuff said.
Kentucky played the best defense they have played all year. I loved the effort, the positioning, and the hustle. Warms the cockles of my heart.

This was a nice Christmas present for me, especially the second half. I really liked our effort today, this was the first Kentucky-worthy effort I have seen all year, even for a rebuilding effort. Let's hope this is something we can build on.

As an aside, perhaps we should continue to bring Bradely and Crawford off the bench. Maybe that will keep them hungry.

0 recs | Comment 16 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

AMEN

TRUE enough said what a relief good win can relax for christmas

by sgray62 on Dec 22, 2007 7:28 PM EST 0 recs

Tru

How many games have you seen in person?

by run and gun on Dec 22, 2007 9:22 PM EST 0 recs

Hmm...

Maybe 10 or so.

I usually make it to 1 to 3 games per season.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 22, 2007 11:06 PM EST up 0 recs

just curious

thanks.....you do an excellent job of reporting, analysis and moderation....keep up the good work

by run and gun on Dec 23, 2007 11:52 AM EST up 0 recs

I thought it was a good win period...

... by a team that was far from full strength, yet they found ways to play like they were. Nice job, 'Cats.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 22, 2007 10:20 PM EST 0 recs

GatorPilot

You sure seem to have an unusual fixation on all things Cats

by run and gun on Dec 22, 2007 10:25 PM EST up 0 recs

I like SEC basketball...

... and I do find the Cats very intriguing for many reasons. One is the fanbase, which more or less lives up to the billing it gets when relentlessly discussed/dissed/abused by talking heads or sportswriters. Two, such a history/tradition of winning on the hardcourt. Kentucky's accomplishments are awe-inspiring. Three, UK's amazing basketball facilities, and enormo-dome b-ball arena. And four, your 'Cats are what we Gators consider to be our main rival, even if those anti-affections are not reciprocated (which I understand; there are blue-bloods out there which beat us to the punch.)

And finally, I just really enjoy UK fans. Your fanbase, particularly the online flavor, is unusually objective about current and past teams and extremely knowledgeable about basketball. Try browsing some other blogs sometime and evaluate the quality of comments you find -- it's nothing close to what Kentucky sites get.

So I guess you're stuck with me... unless Tru tells me to go away. I do try to keep the schadenfreude and etc. in check, but any that leaks out is truly all in good fun. Hell, at the end of the day I simply love good college hoops and good college football.

Orange & Blue Hue http://www.orangeandbluehue.com

by Gatorpilot on Dec 23, 2007 1:11 AM EST up 0 recs

I think most ...

if not all enjoy comments from supporters of other teams particularly those who tend to really add perspective to the comments. I appreciate your comments especially for that reason.

Not only that, but you have been a friend of this blog since before I took over. I am not only glad to have you here, I value your input, just like I value that of all my members.

We are fortunate here at A Sea of Blue to have a community of members that really understands the mission and objectives of they blog, and respect both, even though I haven't written them down yet. If you peruse Kentucky sites, you will find several that have great difficulty keeping their blog or message board from falling under the influence of the kind of rampant negativism and destructive commentary that drives away many more members than it attracts. At the same time, nobody wants to be an echo chamber where dissenting views are not tolerated.

A Sea of Blue has been exceptionally fortunate, and I am proud of the fact that we draw fans from other teams, such as yourself, who offer the kind of commentary that adds value to the discussion. I can't take credit for that, and frankly, don't need to. But it does make me very happy.

And good-natured ribbing is certainly fine. Of course, we here at Kentucky can be as sensitive to smack-talk as the eye is to grit. Even though we have many in our fan base that love to give it, they can't take even a little. That's part of the "entitlement mentality" here at Kentucky that I would love to see our fans abandon, but I am afraid I am doomed to disappointment.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 23, 2007 9:58 AM EST up 0 recs

thanks

though your interest in Cats far outweighs my interest in Gators, I respect and enjoy your insights....I enjoy the perspective of friends behind other SEC lines but few take the time to blog here.....thanks

by run and gun on Dec 23, 2007 11:54 AM EST up 0 recs

Strange how we

see things so differently,of course my seat was in front of my TV,and I saw a taem (UK) that was husteling but looking more like a NAIA team than a contender for the National Championship.Horrible shooting,turnovers that good Middle School teams won't make,and a man defense that is still seriously lacking.And if the opponent had been better,the outcome at least the first half might have been different.
Maybe I'm too picky,but after having coached for over 30 years I look at things a little differently.

by UKats on Dec 22, 2007 11:25 PM EST 0 recs

Well ...

I don't think there were many UK fans thinking this team was NC caliber this year, and our slow start and numerous injuries have pretty much removed the last vestiges of irrational exuberance.

Still, this team is certainly getting better, although they looked offensively unfortunate in the first half, they certainly played quality defense. Yes, the opponent was weak, but they have beaten at least one quality team this year. So I think, overall, the game was a real positive.

I think we should stop comparing them to sub-D1 teams and just get behind them. No, they don't look that great, but you wont find a Patrick Patterson playing for an NAIA school.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 22, 2007 11:36 PM EST up 0 recs

Speaking of Patterson...

A little off topic, I know, but how long do you think Patterson will stick around before he gets NBA eyes? It would be nice to see him as a Kentucky senior, but I don't think that will happen.

Even more off topic: isn't it funny how well Texas is doing this year without Kevin Durant?

"The three point line should be moved back. It shouldn't be the same in Division I as it is for eighth-grade girls."

by MNBlue on Dec 23, 2007 9:53 AM EST 0 recs

My guess ...

is that Patterson will be around at least two years. As good as he has been, there are two things that will hold him back this year:

One, unless our team improves, he will be seen as a "system" player, i.e. somebody that looks better than he is because the team surrounding him isn't very good.

Two, very few players are truly good enough to come out in their freshman year, and there are a good number of power forwards who are better positioned this year. Another thing is that 6'9" is not great PF size these days in the Association. Patterson needs to look at playing a big 3 in the NBA, and hone his game facing the basket, and improve his range at least out to the college 3-point line.

Notice Michael Beasley, who is exactly the same size as Patterson, but he will be a 3 in the NBA. He is the modern prototype for wing forwards in the NBA, even though he is playing the 4 in college. Patrick doesn't have to have Beasley's perimeter skills to play in the Association, but he does need a better handle and a bit more range on his jumper. But he will develop both -- he has time, and has been blessed with great form and athleticism.

He'll get there -- probably not until 2009 or 2010, though.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 23, 2007 10:19 AM EST up 0 recs

Patterson

Patterson would certainly go first round after this season and stick on an NBA roster BUT he would need a couple more seasons of development to make any kind of impact on an NBA team.

I think he has his head on straight and judging from comments made by him and his parents I can see him staying three years.

6'9 isn't huge for a four but its certainly not undersized. Antonio Mcdyess, Elton Brand, Zach Randolph are a few examples of 6'9 power forwards. Tru is right that the trend is to go bigger but most of these bigger fours are stepping out on the perimeter and not playing in the paint as much. There is a big need for a guy like Patterson in the league.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Dec 23, 2007 1:45 PM EST 0 recs

Impressed ...

That Ramon Harris could play so well after 8 PINTS!

Four or five is usually enough for me to start making uncomfortable phone calls to my exes ... he grabbed double-digit rebounds while tanked.

That's something even Eddie Sutton could be proud of.

In all seriousness, I felt there were times in this game that the Cats showed their first true glimpses of what they could accomplish.

It helped that TTU couldn't hit the earth standing on it, but Crawford's 5 dimes, Razor's two threes and AJ's strong outing show that if/when the Meeks-Jasper-Patterson group ever comes to pass, these have been valuable -- if painful at times to watch -- minutes given to guys who may not play 35 minutes come march, but who may not find themselves with 20 minutes of better basketball.

It's the longview.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Dec 23, 2007 1:54 PM EST 0 recs

True.

This is the hard way to get experience, but it could pay off at the end of the season. I know that many people don't think we'll make the NCAA tournament, and I have my own doubts, but we have to remember there are many paths to the tournament for Kentucky.

If/when we get all our players back, I am confident we can finish in the top three in the SEC, and that will give us a chance to get to the tourney by winning the SEC tournament. It would help if we are peaking then, and as far as we are from playing good ball right now, I rather doubt if we will peak too early.

by Truzenzuzex on Dec 23, 2007 2:24 PM EST up 0 recs