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Penn Quakers @ Kentucky Wildcats (10): Open Game Thread

By Glenn Logan

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Tonight, the newly-minted top-ten Kentucky Wildcats face off against the Penn Quakers out of the Ivy League in Rupp Arena. Game particulars are as follows, courtesy of UKAhtletics.com:

Penn @ Kentucky
Game Notes Kentucky Game Notes Get Acrobat Reader | Penn Game Notes Get Acrobat Reader
Date & Time Mon., Jan. 3, 7:00 p.m. ET
Coverage TV: ESPNU
Radio: BBSN
GameTracker
Online Audio
Text Updates
Location Rupp Arena
Lexington, Ky.


The Quakers have not provided top 100 teams a lot of reason to quake in fear, although to be fair, they have some serious injury problems and none of these young men receives an athletic scholarship. That means they are essentially an enhanced intramural team, and although we might be tempted to look down our nose at them in a basketball context, never forget that the Ivy League fields some very competitive teams who can pull major upsets.

These guys may not be world-class athletes, but they are smart, well-coached, and play to win every game. They are worthy of our respect, lest they earn it in the most unpleasant way possible for us.

Here are the things I want to see out of Kentucky:

  • A continuation of the Louisville game. Good shooting, determined defense, especially in transition. The Quakers are not a running team, but they are opportunistic and do not play a total slowdown game.
  • Josh Harrellson to continue his streak of fine play.
  • Good ball movement. Ball movement really bedeviled the Cardinals, and if we can just get Terrence Jones a little more involved, UK could rival some of Kentucky's best ever moving the basketball.
  • No taking the opponent for granted. After beating Louisville in the Chicken Ranch, the Wildcats might be tempted to take this game off. They should resist that temptation.
  • Engagement from Calipari. I have seen far to many coaches take these games as excuses to make points rather than coach.

Here's what I hope we don't see:

  • Complacency.
  • A hangover.
  • Low energy level.
  • Stupid turnovers.
  • Matador defense.

This is no time to take our foot of the gas. Lets do the work.

Go, 'Cats!

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