A Sea Of Blue - Kentucky Basketball: Texas A&M At Kentucky 01.12.2013Online Home of the Big Blue Nation: Kentucky Wildcats Sports for the Discerning Fanhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46621/aseaof-fav.png2013-01-12T19:03:35-05:00http://www.aseaofblue.com/rss/stream/36338072013-01-12T19:03:35-05:002013-01-12T19:03:35-05:00Texas A&M at Kentucky: Postmortem
<figure>
<img alt="Elston Turner went nuts today, and Kentucky went down at home." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UVzTinNlOg6svakrSgnHzf7_mRg=/0x661:2667x2439/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6472459/20130112_ajw_sf6_067.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Elston Turner went nuts today, and Kentucky went down at home. | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Texas A&M shot the ball at a torrid pace and defeated Kentucky at Rupp Arena in their first try since 1978.</p> <p>Congratulations to the Texas A&M Aggies on an outstanding victory. They played the game exactly like they wanted to, and with the help of one of the hottest shooting performances we have ever seen in Rupp Arena, defeated Kentucky in a game that was much closer than the score. The ugly bulge came at the end due to what amounted to a Kentucky surrender, something that UK patrons are not used to seeing under John Calipari, and which actually drew the first boos in the John Calipari era at Rupp.</p>
<p>I know you'd call me on it if I blew a bunch of sunshine up your collective Big Blue backsides, so I'll refrain from doing that. This was, in no uncertain terms, a devastating loss that Kentucky could not afford to absorb. This team is officially on the bubble now for the NCAA tournament, and the way they are playing right now, I'm not sure that they won't lose to Tennessee on Tuesday. The team absolutely gave up after a backbreaking 3 by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176017/fabyon-harris">Fabyon Harris</a> from the right corner, and that's not acceptable for a Kentucky basketball team.</p>
<p>Kentucky didn't shoot horribly, but they didn't shoot particularly well, and they absolutely could not stop <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53719/elston-turner">Elston Turner</a>, who missed only 5 of 19 shots, many of them reasonably well-defended and under tremendous pressure. That sometimes happens, but from a coaching and team standpoint, you have to find a way to respond. Kentucky did take a four point lead with about 5 minutes to play, but they couldn't keep it for longer than a few seconds. A&M had all the answers, and Kentucky finds itself asking all the questions.</p>
<h4>Individual observations</h4>
<ul>
<li> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175893/nerlens-noel">Nerlens Noel</a> played with great passion and effort. He did all we could reasonably ask of any Wildcat player in any game. Noel threatened a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 7 blocks.</li>
<li> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175895/archie-goodwin">Archie Goodwin</a> had what I consider to be a terrible offensive game and a good defensive game. He managed 17 points, but it was on 6-16 shooting. He had four turnovers and a couple of rebounds as well. Goodwin did everything he could do against Turner, but sometimes, even your very best is just not enough.<br>
</li>
<li> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123991/ryan-harrow">Ryan Harrow</a> did not have a good game, but a lot of badness it came after the game was mostly over. He scored 14 points on 5-13 shooting, but had 5 turnovers (although two were meaningless) and looked anything but confident when crunch time came.<br>
</li>
<li> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175897/willie-cauley-stein">Willie Cauley-Stein</a> was hampered by fouls and was never really a factor in the game. He had 6 points, but only 3 rebounds.</li>
<li> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52236/julius-mays">Julius Mays</a> continues to struggle shooting the ball, but he made a big three that gave Kentucky hope and put the Wildcats up four. 2-7 shooting the ball for 7 points. No rebounds, but four dimes. In his defense, I liked the shots he took, and overall, I though he played pretty well. His shooting form will return, hopefully soon.<br>
</li>
<li>I think <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145570/kyle-wiltjer">Kyle Wiltjer</a> was on strike this game. His energy was low, he didn't score a point, and took only 2 shots in 19 minutes. His defense wasn't as horrible as against Vandy, but with only 2 rebounds to go with a doughnut, he was just a body on the floor at best.</li>
<li> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175899/alex-poythress">Alex Poythress</a> actually had a decent game. We are going to have to get over the idea that this guy is a stud, he just isn't. He is pretty much a typical freshman, and I question his high rating coming out of high school He had a good line, 14 points on 4-8 shooting, made all 3 free throws, had 6 rebounds and 3 offensive. Honestly, that's about as good as he gets. Defensively, he was just okay, but maybe a little better than he has been.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Team observations:</h4>
<ul>
<li>I guess this is just what we are going to get rebounding-wise. It bodes ill for the future, because we are losing the rebounding battle to teams that are smaller as well as to ones that are just as big. It's frustrating, and apparently, we're just stuck with it.</li>
<li>Kentucky just doesn't get it on offense. I can't really expound upon it because it's hard to put my finger on. One play, we do okay, and then the next possession we look like a high-school team. I know why, though -- this team has no idea what it wants to be. They want to win, but they don't know how, and they don't have a go-to play or player. Everybody is a player, but none of them know what the objective of each play is, and they have no idea when or who should take the shot.</li>
<li>Goodwin is getting up far too many shots for this team in bad situations. Either we need to make him a go-to player or ask him to fill a supporting role. I think he's confused about his role as well.</li>
<li>Calipari's magic tricks don't seem to be working on this team, at least yet. Maybe it will later.</li>
<li>77% from the line. in a loss. I can't wait to do it in a victory.</li>
<li>I'm not enamored with Calipari's coaching the last two games. We should have pressed this team and forced the tempo, some double-teams to force Turner to give up the ball make sense to me. This isn't rocket science, and I've seen enough basketball to know this wasn't Calipari's best coaching job.<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>We are going to have to face reality and get off the happy train, this team really isn't getting much better. In fact, they have hit a plateau, and have none of the identity that last year's team did at this point. Even 2011 didn't lose a game at home, and they had established an identity by this point as well.</p>
<p>This year's Kentucky team has no idea who it is, and has decided, apparently, that they are going to give only as much effort as they want to. There's really not much Calipari can do about it this year. Unless they come off that position, they are going to lose more home games, and could possibly (but I still don't consider it particularly likely) miss the NCAA tournament altogether.</p>
<p>All that should not take anything away from the performance of Texas A&M. Let's be honest, they were just the best team in the building today, and they played like it. Turner was amazing, UK had no answer, and that's just that.</p>
<p>Next up: The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/tennessee-volunteers">Tennessee Volunteers</a>. If I were a Vol fan right now, I'd be licking my chops.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2013/1/12/3870324/texas-a-m-aggies-83-kentucky-wildcats-71-postmortemGlenn Logan2013-01-12T16:57:03-05:002013-01-12T16:57:03-05:00TAMU at UK: Second Half Game Thread
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<p>Here we are, down to another Texas team at the half. To be fair, Texas A&M has played about as well as they possibly can, keeping the tempo right where they want it. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53719/elston-turner">Elston Turner</a> has been unconscious from everywhere, and has 25 points at the half. The bad news for TAMU is that the rest of the team only has 11.</p>
<p>This, quite frankly, was a case of Kentucky simply failing to fire for much of the first half. Kentucky only has 5 turnovers, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175895/archie-goodwin">Archie Goodwin</a> has 3 of them. Goodwin is playing with abject futility, but to his credit, he keeps attacking and attacking. He only knows one way to play, and that's balls-to-the-wall.</p>
<p>Another problem area has been, no surprise, rebounding. Kentucky is struggling on both the defensive and offensive glass, and getting pushed around a lot underneath.</p>
<p>The 'Cats must come back in this half and speed up the game, force the Aggies into challenged shots, and shoot the ball better. 44% won't get it done.</p>
<p>Go, 'Cats!</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2013/1/12/3870122/texas-a-m-36-kentucky-31-at-the-half-second-half-game-threadGlenn Logan2013-01-12T15:45:04-05:002013-01-12T15:45:04-05:00TAMU at UK: Live Game Thread
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<img alt="The Maui Monkey wants to see rebounding domination by Kentucky today." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c9vTFpo_hUkCQaqanYtjlpEFjqw=/0x276:822x824/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6462405/photo_aug_23__5_56_12_pm.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The Maui Monkey wants to see rebounding domination by Kentucky today.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Texas A&M makes the trip all the way from College Station to Rupp Arena to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.</p> <p>In their second SEC tilt of the year, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kentucky-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Kentucky Wildcats</a> welcome the Texas A&M Aggies into Rupp Arena today. Game particulars as follows, courtesy of <a href="http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/011113aaa.html" target="_blank">UKAthletics.com</a>:</p>
<p> </p>
<table style="width: 200px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody> <tr><td><img src="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/kty/sports/m-baskbl/auto_bsimini/8256133.jpeg" height="93" alt="Gameday" width="216"></td></tr> <tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #0060a9; color: #fff; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; padding: 3px;">Gameday Information</th></tr> <tr><td style="padding: 5px;">Kentucky vs. Texas A&M<br> Sat., Jan. 12 - 4:00 p.m. ET<br> Lexington, Ky.<br> Game Notes: <a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/kty/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/release/release_20130111aaa.pdf">UK</a> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fget.adobe.com%2Freader%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2F2013%2F1%2F12%2F3869722%2Ftexas-a-m-aggies-at-kentucky-wildcats-live-game-thread" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/icon-acrosmall.gif" border="0" height="10" alt="Get Acrobat Reader" width="9"></a> | <a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/kty/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/release/release_20130111aaa_tam.pdf">TAMU</a> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fget.adobe.com%2Freader%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2F2013%2F1%2F12%2F3869722%2Ftexas-a-m-aggies-at-kentucky-wildcats-live-game-thread" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/icon-acrosmall.gif" border="0" height="10" alt="Get Acrobat Reader" width="9"></a> </td></tr> <tr><th style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: #0060a9; color: #fff; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; padding: 3px;">Coverage</th></tr> <tr><td style="padding: 5px;"> <strong><a href="http://www.ukathletics.com/mbbgameday/">Gameday Live</a>: Online video, audio, blog and stats</strong><br> TV: SEC Network<br> Radio: <a href="http://www.ukathletics.com/multimedia/affiliates.html">UK IMG</a><br> <a href="http://my.textcaster.com/ServePopup.aspx?id=1594">Text Updates</a> </td></tr> </tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>Both teams are coming off victories, Texas A&M against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arkansas-razorbacks" class="sbn-auto-link">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> at home, and Kentucky against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/vanderbilt-commodores" class="sbn-auto-link">Vanderbilt Commodores</a> on the road.</p>
<p>What I hope to see today:</p>
<ul> <li>Intensity. Kentucky lacked it last game and it cost them.</li> <li>Patience. Kentucky was patient in the first half, but lost it in the second half, along with their collective minds. The Wildcats seem to play the game without any real identity. It's not too late for them to find one.</li> <li>Find ways to offend the zone. This point needs no exposition, although it's not a sure thing that Kentucky will see a zone given Billy Kennedy's preference for man defense.</li> <li>Better shooting from three. Kentucky has had a couple of games where really poor 3-point shooting have hurt them.</li> <li> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145570/kyle-wiltjer" class="sbn-auto-link">Kyle Wiltjer</a> defending somebody. He has to start sometime.</li> <li> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175899/alex-poythress" class="sbn-auto-link">Alex Poythress</a> play better basketball. Poythress' basketball IQ over the last few games has been room temperature at best.</li> <li>Something from <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52236/julius-mays" class="sbn-auto-link">Julius Mays</a>. He was a complete non-factor in the last game, and repeatedly turned down open shots.</li> <li>REBOUNDING.</li> </ul>
<p>This is a game that, given the poor performance of Kentucky less than 48 hours ago in Nashville, you have to figure that Kentucky could lose, although <a href="http://www.kenpom.com">Ken Pomeroy</a> has UK favored in this game by a significant margin, 71-55. I would love to have that result, but I am not that confident in this team at the moment. They had too many issues at Vanderbilt for us not to be somewhat concerned about this game.</p>
<p>Go, 'Cats!</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2013/1/12/3869722/texas-a-m-aggies-at-kentucky-wildcats-live-game-threadGlenn Logan2013-01-12T13:45:54-05:002013-01-12T13:45:54-05:00Preview: Texas A&M at Kentucky
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6l-VVaO7SPSPRz4nM3jagHdJoaE=/0x1:1000x668/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6458701/136384927.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Lyons</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Texas A&M Aggies make their first appearance in Rupp Arena today as members of the SEC.</p> <p>The Big Blue Nation welcomes the Texas A&M Aggies to historic Rupp Arena today for their first game as an SEC team. Texas A&M is coached by Billy Kennedy, former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/murray-st-racers">Murray St. Racers</a> coach in his second year at TAMU</p>
<p>One other thing that TAMU and UK have in common is former coach Billy Gillispie, who was head coach at TAMU before being lured to UK. I'll just leave that right here.</p>
<p>Here's the team comparison via <a target="_blank" href="http://statsheet.com/mcb/games/2013/01/12/2013-01-12_texas-am_vs_kentucky">Statsheet.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<table frame="VOID" rules="NONE" border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="3">
<colgroup>
<col width="149">
<col width="88">
<col width="88">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18" width="149"><b>Rank and Records</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#5A0808" width="88"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">TAMU</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER" bgcolor="#0062AB" width="88"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">UK</font></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18"><b>RPI</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">#59</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">#52</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18"><b>Strength of Schedule</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">#96</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">#55</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18"><b>Overall</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">11-3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">10-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18"><b>Conference</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">1-1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">1-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18"><b>Home</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">9-1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">8-1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18"><b>Away</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">1-1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">1-2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18"><b>Top 25</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">0-0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">0-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" height="18"><b>RPI Top 50</b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">2-1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="CENTER">0-4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<h4>Series History</h4>
<p>Texas A&M and Kentucky have met only rarely over the long and distinguished history of UK basketball. The last time the two teams met was in the UKIT back in 1978, and were again facing the Wildcats as a defending national champion. TAMU prevailed in that game, ranked #11 at the time and the Wildcats ranked 17th.</p>
<p>Overall, Kentucky is 2-1 against the Aggies.</p>
<h4>Personnel</h4>
<p> </p>
<table frame="VOID" rules="NONE" border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="14">
<colgroup>
<col width="34">
<col width="130">
<col width="53">
<col width="43">
<col width="40">
<col width="36">
<col width="59">
<col width="45">
<col width="43">
<col width="45">
<col width="43">
<col width="43">
<col width="43">
<col width="43">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" height="17" width="34"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">NO</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="130"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">NAME</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="53"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">Status</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="43"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">POS</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="40"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">HT</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="36"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">WT</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="59"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">CLASS</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="45"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">MPG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="43"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">PPG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="45"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">FG%</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="43"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">RPG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="43"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">APG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="43"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">SPG</font></b></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT" bgcolor="#800000" width="43"><b><font color="#FFFFFF">BPG</font></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="18">32</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124442/kourtney-roberson">Kourtney Roberson</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">238</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SO</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">21.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">6.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">59.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">6.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="17">35</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/99984/ray-turner">Ray Turner</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">233</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">23.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">11.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">58.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">6.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="18">11</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">J'Mychal Reese</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">177</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">FR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">29.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">7.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">40</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">2.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">2.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="18">12</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176017/fabyon-harris">Fabyon Harris</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">5-11</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">173</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">JR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">26</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">10.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">41.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="18">31</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/53719/elston-turner">Elston Turner</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">S</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">209</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">33.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">15.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">44.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">2.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="17">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">Andrew Young</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">MR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">247</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">JR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">14.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">38</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="17">13</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146217/jordan-green">Jordan Green</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">MR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">184</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SO</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">16.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">37</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="17">21</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176021/alex-caruso">Alex Caruso</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">MR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">175</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">FR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">22.4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">4.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">39.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">3.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="17">4</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/124440/keith-davis">Keith Davis</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">C</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-10</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">231</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">JR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">5.9</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">25</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="17">33</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146218/grant-jolly">Grant Jolly</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-8</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">223</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SO</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">40</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="18">42</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/125327/jarod-jahns">Jarod Jahns</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">F</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-6</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">205</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">SR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">9.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">56.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1.5</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="17">10</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/125325/blake-mcdonald">Blake McDonald</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">5-11</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">172</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">JR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">2.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.2</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT" height="17">15</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/176019/kyle-dobbins">Kyle Dobbins</a></td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">R</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">G</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">6-0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">164</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="LEFT">FR</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">1</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.3</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0.7</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
<td style="border: 1px solid #000000;" align="RIGHT">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>S= Starter<br>MR= Major Reserve<br>R= Reserve</p>
<p>Elston Turner is TAMU's best player and leading scorer. He averages over 15 points per game, and is a good 3-point shooter at 43%. If you think you have heard his name before, he used to play for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/washington-huskies">Washington Huskies</a> before transferring to A&M after the 2010 season.</p>
<p>Ray Turner (no relation to Elston) is the leading rebounder for the Aggies at 6.7 per game.</p>
<h4>Four Factors</h4>
<div style="margin:0px auto;text-align:center">
<a href="http://statsheet.com/mcb" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;color:#999;font-family:sans-serif;font-size:11px">College Basketball Stats</a><br><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://statsheet.com/charts/chartlets/2013/01/12/mcb_games_2013_01_12_2013_01_12_texas_am_vs_kentucky_567523.js"></script>
</div>
<p>The Wildcats are a better shooting and ballhandling team, but not by a lot. TAMU is a slightly better offensive rebounding team, which can be said about almost every team in America versus Kentucky.</p>
<p>Overall, neither team has a big advantage in the Four Factors.</p>
<h4>Analysis</h4>
<p>On paper, Kentucky should be a significant favorite at home. Kentucky is not a great offensive team, particularly lately, but the Aggies are even less efficient than the Wildcats. The Aggies are a better 3-point shooting team, but Kentucky is significantly better close to the basket. In their last game, a victory against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/arkansas-razorbacks">Arkansas Razorbacks</a>, TAMU only managed an offensive efficiency of 109, but they were very efficient defensively at 81.</p>
<p>Texas A&M has an advantage on the glass, particularly offensive rebounding, but Kentucky is the better defensive rebounding team. How the rebounding battle shakes out will have a lot to do with the overall outcome of the game. Neither team turns the ball over a lot, despite Kentucky's struggles versus Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Defensively, Kentucky is vastlly superior. A&M is ranked only 128th in defensive efficiency, where Kentucky is ranked 4th in the nation. A&M shoots free throws better at 70%, so if this becomes a free throw shooting contest, the Aggies will have an advantage</p>
<p>Overall, Kentucky is and should be favored to win this game, but the Aggies are much better than Vanderbilt, and we saw what almost happened there. If Kentucky plays solid basketball like they did in the first half at Vandy, and takes better care of the ball, they should put themselves firmly in control of the ball game.</p>
<p>The real question is, can Kentucky avoid the problems that the zone has presented. Kennedy does not like to zone, and probably won't unless Kentucky gets a significant lead, but if he does try to use it due to UK's recent struggles scoring on a zone, we'll see if Calipari has finally figured out how to get this team to deal with it effectively.</p>
<p>In summary, I like Kentucky in this game, but Texas A&M is fully capable of defeating them in Rupp Arena, and although they are not as good as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/baylor-bears">Baylor Bears</a>, they are big and athletic enough to play with Kentucky at every level. Kentucky really needs a good performance in this game for all kinds of reasons, and if they fail to deliver, this could be the beginning of a very long conference season.</p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2013/1/12/3869330/kentucky-basketball-texas-a-m-at-kentucky-game-previewGlenn Logan