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Welcome, ladies and gentlemen of the Big Blue Nation, to the A Sea of Blue Live Game Thread for the Robert Morris Colonials vs. Kentucky Wildcats. This, as you are well aware, is a rematch of the 2013 opening round of the NIT, which Kentucky famously lost to the Colonials, 59-57. I am sure that the returning Wildcat players remember that particular affair with something less than enthusiasm.
But that is the past, and the past of a very, very different Kentucky team. Coming off the difficult loss to the Michigan St. Spartans, this is by no means a cupcake game for Kentucky. Even though the Wildcats are bigger, stronger, and for the most part more skilled, RMU is a very solid, well-coached basketball team that didn't come here to let Kentucky take out the NIT game on them.
What I hope to see
Improved play from Kentucky's back court. It was not very good versus the Spartans.
The beginnings of a coherent team beginning to emerge, and an improvement in the coherence of the group as a team.
Good 3-point defense. We need to stay home on the 3 and force RMU's shooters to become drivers.
Attack the paint. I expect this will be no problem at all.
Better zone offense. RMU will have to zone if they hope to win, or utilize a sagging matchup zone like MSU.
Better coaching. I thought Coach Cal was not his best against the Spartans.
That's what we have. Let's hope to convincingly avenge the loss earlier this year, and get this team back on a roll.
Go, 'Cats!