Today, the Tennessee Volunteers and Kentucky Wildcats faced off in Thompson-Bowling arena not so much in a basketball game, but in a battle of wills. This was, paraphrasing the irrepressible Les Miles, big-boy basketball both literally and figuratively. Kentucky had a lot go against them in this game, but despite that, they out-toughed the Volunteers in what is undoubtedly the best game of the SEC season so far.
First of all, congratulations to Cuonzo Martin and the Volunteers for one heck of a game. They absolutely played this game to win, and although they did not, it was not for lack of effort or determination. There are no household names on this Volunteers team right now (although I think we can all see that Jarnell Stokes will become one), but they played very big and very tough. Well done, and expect to see Tennessee make some noise in the SEC this year.
For Kentucky, this was toughness that we have been needing. Offensive execution is still a mess, for some reason, but a lot of that can be attributed to the very sticky and tough man-to-man defense played by the Vols. The Wildcats were badly handicapped by foul difficulty, and at one point, I was very concerned about how Kentucky could defend Tennessee inside. But Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Anthony Davis began stripping the ball away from the Tennessee post players, and Kentucky got some separation. Despite missing free throws and giving Tennessee the chance to get back into the game (which they promptly did with a couple of threes), Kentucky managed to do just enough to hang on for a victory.
After looking at the stats, it's clear that Kentucky's defense won this game. On offense, the 'Cats just struggled to get anything done for the second game in a row. This offensive futility needs to be addressed, and that right soon. Darius Miller, in particular, is finding excuses not to be involved in the offense, and I don't like his game right now. Teague is also looking very inconsistent, and everybody is giving the ball away far too much.
But let's not blame it all on Kentucky. Tennessee had a lot to do with it, and arguably was mostly responsible for the play looking so poor out of UK's back court. The front court held it's own, and against the size the Vols were able to put on the floor, that's something positive.
By the way, did I not mention that Jarnell Stokes could affect this game? And he'll affect a lot more before this season is over. But this is a very good win for Kentucky. It's always tough to go to Knoxville and win, and this Tennessee team is really showing that they are under-appreciated.
0 recs | 176 comments
Congrats, y'all
our defense has gotten better recently, but it’s hard to imagine playing much better than this on that end. And y’all just made shots. That three (MKG?) late and a couple of those inside moves were just clutch offensive plays by great players against good defense. I wish our offense hadn’t disappeared late, but there’s not much to do when guys are making those shots. Well played.
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
Thank you.
You guys played tough basketball, and really tough defense. I was way impressed, and nearly much more so than I wanted to be.
How you guys feeling about Cuonzo now? I like what he’s doing, myself. All you need to do now is get some wins, and with Stokes apparently ready, I strongly suspect you will.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
I've been somewhat optimistic about Martin all along
and I don’t think very many Vol fans were onboard. It was sickening how many people suggested that we keep him three years and then hire Pearl back when the show cause ends.
But signing Stokes sent a message that Cuonzo wasn’t messing around, and the consistent improvement, culminating with our last three defensive performances (held Florida, MSU, and UK to 60.0 PPG—while scoring 61.3 PPG ourselves, no less) have made me quite optimistic. He can coach a defense. And our halfcourt offense is probably better than it’s been in my lifetime, and that’s with a bunch of scrubs and throwaways. I’m excited about what he’s building.
But it might be a slow process, because we’re dreadful at the point. Trae Golden is a 2 playing the point, and when the drive is taken away (as it was tonight by your ridiculous shot-blocking), there’s not a lot he can do. And our PG depth is such that Josh Richardson and Cam Tatum (starting wings) are the two backups. But the teamwork between Maymon and Stokes in the post is encouraging, especially after so little practice time.
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
I guess I didn't answer the question as to how the fan base in general is feeling
we have a number who are convinced he’s the answer and a few who are still in wait and see mode. We are, after all, 8-8 with losses to Austin Peay, Oakland, and Charleston, and people are comparing to Pearl, who happened to have Lofton, JuJuan Smith, and CJ Watson in his first backcourt.
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
I think Martin is a keeper
And his players are more talented than they get credit for. Maymon is a beast, and Stokes is becoming one. The other guys played really hard as well. They are a formidable foe.
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
well this was Stokes' first game
you have to understand we’ve been trotting out Golden/McRae/Tatum/Maymon/Hall all year. McRae is possibly talented but plays no defense and has zero shot selection. Golden can take over a game when he’s on, but he can’t play point guard, and when you take away the drive, he lets it affect the rest of his game. Our back-up point guard was benched after a complete inability to bring the ball up the court, so we now have our two wings as backup PGs. Tatum is a career role player who disappears for long stretches. Hall is a career underachiever who appears to have woken up in the last three games. And Maymon has been the go-to guy much of the season.
So basically we’ve had two good players, an inconsistent role player, and a fat lot of nothing after that. That’s been changing over the last couple weeks, but. . . go watch our game against Austin Peay. Or the second half against Charleston. Or the second game against Memphis. It’s been rough.
But we have seen a lot change in the last couple weeks (better defense and some “where was that your whole career” from Hall), and Stokes is only going to help. We’ve dug ourselves in a hole that means we’ll need 9-7 in SEC play just to make the NIT, but I think that’s still on the table. And I do think Martin is a keeper. Thanks for the kind words.
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
aww, you are very sweet. thank you.
I was totally nervous for this game today and I guess that just shows the respect that I have for UT basketball. Not sure where it came from, exactly, but it is definitely there for me.
I don’t want to discount your players as I thought they did a great job, and fwiw, I really like Stokes, think he has a great future for your team, is a great player, and is a great cover/feature story for your team (I didn’t mind one bit that he was fawned over and over and overy by Jimmie) but for me, your coach did a great job and I was impressed.
For you personally and b/c we are fellow SEC fans, wishing you a good season.
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
Great to see...
the Cats continue to find the will to win these games where they are not hitting on all cylinders. I’m perpetually hopeful that we will soon see one where they put it all together and then move on from there.
On the bright side, they have now matched their conference road win total from last season!
TXCat - January 14, 2012
Great road win against an under-ranked Tennessee team
As you said, Glenn, always tough to Knoxville and win. Stokes is going to be a monster, and we WILL be hearing a lot about him throughout the rest of the season. Despite what Jimmy Dykes said (186 times) I do think this kid knows how to stretch pre-game.
Atrocious refereeing aside, this game provided some good lessons. Looking forward to see how we apply them in the next few weeks.
2-0 on the road, Kids!
jords - January 14, 2012
Comments
Cats only had 13 turnovers in the game, well within the range Cal says he accepts.
A couple of Teague’s turnovers are attributed to the two charging fouls on him, both of which were suspect calls. Other than that, he only had three TOs. In addition, he held Golden to 2 points, when Golden had averaged 20 in the two previous games.
What can you say about Davis? (I think he had 4 blocks and only 2 steals — big on the steals though). He had one putback that I could not believe he could contort his body to make. And the postup move with the short jumphook in the second half shows real progress.
MKG just continues to come up big in big games — UT, UL, UNC. I’d like to brag more on him, but his play and his stat line say it all.
Miller and Lamb simply did not play well, except for the big FTs Miller hit late. Glad to have a been-there-done-that at the line at that point.
I, too, noticed improvement in Wiltjer’s defense. He’s not there yet, but improvement nonetheless.
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
Oh, and thanks Glenn for the rapid postmortem
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
Most welcome. Good comments.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
Well ...
… one of them wasn’t suspect, it was flat wrong. The other one, I just couldn’t be as certain, and I forgot to record it.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
I just re watched the 1st half on ESPN3
There was one blatantly wrong call, “the charge” towards the end of the half. The 1st Teague charge was just that, a charge; still it was a 50/50 call. On the other hand, there was a block call on Lamb earlier in the half that I listed as 50/50. If you’re going to call 50/50 calls charges, call them all charges, likewise if you call 50/50 calls blocks, call them all blocks, that way the kids know what to expect. It is that lack of consistency that has the kids shrugging their shoulders and looking at the refs dumbfounded.
I was surprised at how many fouls I noted as good calls. Some of them were stupid fouls, like fouling Stokes shooting from the elbow with the shot clock expiring. That was such a stupid foul it makes you want to think it is a bad call, it was just BAD execution on Miller’s part.
After seeing that the refs weren’t as bad as I remembered in the 1st half, I decided not to redo the 2nd half, maybe later.
sweasyf - January 15, 2012
And I will say it again,
That those bad charges calls did not knock Teague off his game is wonderful news going forward.
darkandbloody@gmail.com - January 14, 2012
Agreed
sweasyf - January 15, 2012
Burly posts
There’s no team in the SEC that can match the skill and poundage of the Maymonn and Stokes duo. Moultrie at MSU is too skinny to qualify. UT will be much harder to defend as Stokes gets caught up this year (to say nothing of next year). I was very impressed with the way Davis and Jones played on defense the entire game. When those two play at the level they played today, UK is very hard to score on. I’d give the game ball to Davis because his defensive impact is so enormous, but I liked how Gillie’s play improved as the game went on. He’s been starting games out with some questionable decisions lately, but he’s always there for UK in the end.
I’m getting ready to genuinely argue for Ant Davis as National Player of the year. Also, we should all take a moment to revel in the fact that UK can win a game in a hostile road environment when getting next to nothing from Doron Lamb.
KDH2011 - January 14, 2012
Davis is certainly ...
… a candidate for NPOY, in my view.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
National writers and NBA scouts
are falling in love with MKG just like we are.
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
MKG is swoon-worthy for sure.
blue kentucky girl - January 14, 2012
He's not perfect, but he's great
His mistakes almost all come from trying to hard. His effort really is exceptional and contagious.
KDH2011 - January 14, 2012
+1
sweasyf - January 15, 2012
Blocks Charges
I have waited for the opportunity to bring this up and Glenn you have provided it.
Now this is not exclusively or even primarily a Kentucky point, but it seems to me that the basket arc is having the unintended consequence of creating a barrier to the basket.. In the SEC and the Big Ten ( not so much the WCC and I don’t watch much else) it seems to me that the secondary defender is getting nearly all of the close calls if they are outside the arc. So a play that last season favored the offensive player has not swung to favor the defensive player.
Like today Stokes nearly had his feet set ( no mean feat for a size 20 feet) and he only leaned a little, so he got the call. Same thing happened later in the game when Teague was moving away from contact, but the defender got into his landing area. He was almost set, so he got the call.
So my question is: Is anyone else seeing this? And again I don’t want this to be a UK issue.
darkandbloody@gmail.com - January 14, 2012
I've noticed it
In addition, the NCAA arc is smaller than the NBA arc, perhaps too small to do anything other than bias the official. When the official is watching whether the defender’s feet are outside the arc, he is taking his eyes off the play as to whether the defender is moving or set.
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
I think you are right about this
I haven’t noticed it as much in the ACC games I’ve seen, the block/charge calls seems to be about what you would expect to see. The thing is, for UK it is not just a road phenomenon – they get whistled for a lot of charges in Rupp too, but they don’t seem to get the same calls when they are the secondary defender.
JLeverenz - January 14, 2012
It may be a case of the refs needing to adjust to the new rule....
They could be focusing on the feet too much . Who knows though.
However, I like the rule.
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
I like the rule too
And an adjustment period is almost certainly part of it. But it seems as though some refs are going from judging “was he there in time?” and then making the call , to merely “was his feet outside the arc” and then calling a charge if the answer is “yes”.
JLeverenz - January 14, 2012
That's how I see it happening. The defender is allowed to lean and sway so long as his feet are outside the arc.
BCinVA - January 14, 2012
I've been saying this since they announced they'd be putting an arc on the floor
that, rather than defenders actually trying to play defense, they were going to step in front of drivers with the sole intention of trying to draw charge calls. And this tactic has been rewarded inordinately. I want defenders to defend, and offensive players to have a fair shot. I don’t want acting and playing to try and draw cheap whistles.
Too many times an offensive player has come straight down well in front of a defender (who flopped) and been rewarded with a charge, not to mention the 50/50 plays which go without fail to the defender.
kcgard2 - January 14, 2012
Absolutely.
I saw the same issue very early on and wondered about it. Seems to have come true and it affects our game negatively. It is not good for the DDMO. But maybe in the tournament they will call it correctly?
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Stokes feet were moving quite a bit when contact was made, and he was sliding right.
But I have noticed it in the Kentucky games for sure. I don’t think the refs have done a good job using that line.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
you could tell from the back angle
but when they showed the replays from the FT line, he looked dead still. Like, to the point that I didn’t realize they were the same play for a while. Could tell why they made the call they did (depending on where the ref was standing, of course)
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
I think Stokes got there but I am
not sure he got there before Teague left his feet. It seems they are giving the defense all of the calls outside the line and that is not what was intended by the rule.
Grasslands1 - January 14, 2012
I couldn't agree more
The refs are missing this call much more with the arc. I think they are just taking it the easy way. Outside the arc, charge…no need to look at anything else. I see the offensive player adjusting (like in the case of Teague) only to have the defense slide underneath and get the call.
LyricSmith - January 14, 2012
The other thing about charges (that I've noticed in both CBB and the NBA)
Is that when the offensive player completely telegraphs what they’re doing and obviously has their mind made up from the 3 point that they are going to go right there no matter what and dunk the basketball…. it favors the defender. On the charge call on Stokes, that was the case. If Shaq had suddenly materialized there hands raised with a flamethrower mouth, the Kentucky fella would have tried to dunk the ball.
Stokes didn’t have his feet set before the player got in the air, but the player was also in the air for far too long when there’s players around the rim. If you try to power balls through defenders you’re not often going to get the 50/50 call (which that qualifies as at best for Kentucky) at the rim. Go up there with some finesse, try to adjust around the big body that came up, and see what happens.
bobothevol - January 15, 2012
And that is exactly what Rose does with the Bulls - maybe one of the best finesse players around the rim
KansasUKCat - January 15, 2012
I Think
We Need To Get More Iso Post Up’s For Easy Baskets It’s No Way Jones , miller , in kidd g shouldnt man handle they man
RIP SEAN TAYLOR 21 - January 14, 2012
Fla St is up 22 on UNC
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
Check that -- 30
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
This....
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
UNC down by 29,
Dickie V. is speechless! Yes to the former, Not to the latter.
kywineman - January 14, 2012
I am really enjoying it
I’m not going to read anything into it as far as UNC’s national title chances go, but it is fun to watch while it’s happening.
JLeverenz - January 14, 2012
FSU 10-21 from 3
they are dropping bombs on UNC’s head
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
always helps
But they are beating UNC to rebounds and getting 2nd chance points too.
I bet floundringaround is loving this.
JLeverenz - January 14, 2012
Indeed...everything going their way and they are winning the hustle battle too
They would beat the Lakers playing like this :)
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
It's so crazy
I was at the Clemson game last week when FSU got absolutely killed by 20 – they look like a totally different team now. The road will do some strange things to teams.
JLeverenz - January 14, 2012
Makes our win today look even better.
kywineman - January 14, 2012
yeah
FSU is better than Tennessee, but when it’s a tough win against a blow out, the relative quality of opponent really doesn’t matter all that much.
UNC will still be a favorite though: Duke got thrashed by Georgetown a few years ago and still won the NC.
JLeverenz - January 14, 2012
just what I was thinking.
It was gone over and over again about “what high seed would fall??” before today. Sooo glad it wasn’t us on the losing end of that convo.
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
One thing I know about L Hamilton teams...
they will flat out guard you. They usually have an erratic offense.
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
yup
For as much deserved praise that he gets for his defense, the offense is always such a black hole that it is hard to take his teams seriously as a contender (conference or otherwise) for an entire season.
JLeverenz - January 14, 2012
Lol.
normally your Lakers statement might mean something, but, honey, not this year.
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
Oh Snap!
:) Kobe and Bynum are gonna get it going
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
Too many one and dones no doubt ...LOL
jpbluekat - January 14, 2012
I felt better about Marquis this game than any other I can remember
.
I think he is the strongest finisher of all of Cal’s guards at UK so far. And by strong I mean just that, strong.
That ability to drive with physical strength will come in handy during the tournaments. He really was the victim of some poor calls today that will hopefully be more balanced in the Big Dance.
.
HSLex - January 14, 2012
Yeah, I think 3 of his 5 TOs were the reuslt of "offensive fouls"
2 TOs is a good game for any PG, IMO. Those two were really dumb, in this game, but he has the ball in his hands way more than the other guys. Teague is a good finisher, and by far the best ballhandler on the team. He definitely has his flaws and limitations, but just about every player in college bball has them. Unfortunately for Teague, he’s following three straight PGs who weren’t really in that group, so UK fans are really piling on him sometimes.
He makes bad choices, but just about every freshman does that. MKG is quite guilty of that charge himself, for example.
FTR though, Teague’s best game was definitely the South Carolina game. You should have felt much better after that one!
kcgard2 - January 14, 2012
I don't think I saw too much of that game.
.
I can’t even remember what happened. Was that game opposite some NFL playoffs? That might be why I missed it.
Of course I probably should not have admitted that. Probably a good thing other members can’t vote someone out of the BBN for transgressions like that…..
.
HSLex - January 14, 2012
shame on you !! lol
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
Well if you are gonna get beat....might as well get blown out
FSU brought their big paddle today and have used it liberally
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
Wow Roy took his team off the court with 14 seconds left
doesnt want them to get trampled by the fans….pretty smart if u ask me
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
Strangest thing I have ever seen in college basketball
Roy left his walkons on the court to fend for themselves.
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
lol, no doubt
he’s like “hey guys, you’re on your own”
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
Roy got "the important people" to the lockeroom
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
Yeah, I noticed he was out front.
So much for the Captain going down with the ship.
kywineman - January 14, 2012
that was pretty funny
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
Announcers said it was Leonard Hamilton's suggestion.
He didn’t want any stain on a great victory.
kywineman - January 14, 2012
The announcers were oblivious.
Roy did the same thing earlier this year. But if he’s afraid the players and coaches might get injured in the rush, shouldn’t the other team evacuate the premises for the same safety reasons? They never do. So what makes Roy do this? Did one of his players get hurt once? Does he feel the fans will be selective in whom they injure? It’s odd.
Wheatgerm - January 14, 2012
Darius Miller (on the floor) was also in harms way at the end of IU game...
the remaining 5 UNC players ( that played the last few seconds) were the “spear catchers”. Not sure why the entire team did not just safely leave the floor.
blue oregon - January 14, 2012
In Ancient Times
these shock troops were called “spearcatchers” and for good reason!
Bluegilla - January 14, 2012
lmao
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
I'm pissed at UNC for hurting our SOS.
But I’m pretty happy with FSU for taking them down. I guess I am just a conflicted soul.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Officiating in the UK game
IMO, there was considerable “home cookin’” in this game. Two of the fouls on Jones and one or two on MKG were way suspect, in addition to the terrible calls on Teague. Doug Gottlieb correctly pointed two of them out at halftime.
Also, what was the technical call? The official “heard something” from across court in a jammed arena of screaming fans?
Big Blue Daddy - January 14, 2012
Read his lips?
kywineman - January 14, 2012
This is conference play. There will be calls and they won't favor us on the road.
Have to deal with it – and today they did.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
I thought a couple of the calls
were suspect, but for the officials now-a- days the game moves rather quickly and I’m not really all that surprised nor offended that they missed a few. Probably missed a few both ways, so for me, it isn’t really a talking point.
Now, if a call had outrightly and directly affected the outcome of the game that would be different, but in this case as with most cases in my opinion, it did not.
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
Your probably right, BSC,
But to me it seemed worse in this game. Momentum can shift on questionnable calls as it did in the first half.
Big Blue Daddy - January 14, 2012
I would have to go back and look to see if the calls were worse in the 1st vs 2nd half,
and I’m too lazy for that! I have the impression we dealt with those calls better in the second half than the first. That is the part we control, so I think that is a good sign.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
There were more than a couple.
I counted no less than four unquestionably bad calls, two that were 50/50 that went against us, and another couple that were really doubtful, and all of them went against UK.
I rarely complain about the officiating, but it was very one-sided today, for whatever reason.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
I can think of one foul (on Josh Richardson, IIRC)
that was 50/50 and went against Tennessee. I noticed two bad ones in our favor (the Stokes charge and one of the Jones fouls). So while I’m not sure I’d say one-sided, I agree that Tennessee got the better of it.
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
The technical was a very questionable call.
I am convinced it was not just wrong, but profoundly wrong. The call that precipitated it was the charge call that was wrong, there was a foul called on Jones that was clearly wrong versus Stokes, and the last charge against Teague was, in my view, wrong, although I confess I didn’t get the benefit of a replay on that one.
But there were also several calls that should have gone against the Vols that did not, like the blatant hook right in front of the officials against Jones just before he fouled out. There was also an excessive contact shove on an inbounds play that is a foul 8 out of 10 times against a UT player that was ignored. I could actually go on.
Complaining about the officiating, especially in a victory, is not what I normally do, but this was a particularly egregious case.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
I can't say anything about the technical, because I don't know what happened
but the Stokes and the hook on Jones were the two I had in mind
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
Yup
I try to ignore the terrible officiating, chalking it up to a general terribleness among current refs. But today it was horrendously bad and one sided. If it’s bad both ways, I usually try to let it go. Today was not one of those days, however.
Numerous calls that were blatantly incorrect and several calls that should have been made (like the hook that Jones got, or several elbows that got thrown out on UT screens). It was bad. I won’t even get started on the phantom technical that Cal got….
And how that ref that can’t count to five still gets work is beyond me.
wildcatfaninexile - January 14, 2012
ok, I just want to say one more thing on this issue
and then I’ll shut up, I promise.
Here’s my thing with complaining about the officiating. I just don’t get how a 45-60 year old-ish man who is physically exerting himself, to boot has the mental and physical capacity to pick and choose who and what team he is going to make calls on and against and how he is able to keep 20+ kids in uniform straight and then from those 20+ remember who has how many fouls and so on and so on. I’m sort of of the mind that if it’s bad officiating, well, that’s fine, but it has to be either bad or good across the board. There is no way these men can differentiate.
Sometimes it isn’t fair, that’s just the nature of the job and the limitations of the men who are doing it. They are only human.
I mean, maybe that is their job to do so, and I just don’t get that, but the above seems almost an impossible an in-human task to me. Sometimes I think that complaining about the officiating and saying they are one-sided is giving these men waayyy too much credit, if that makes sense.
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
Referee friends have told me the team in white
always get the calls. Really they have. I know it is not as easy as that but that is their mentality.
Grasslands1 - January 14, 2012
have you got something against men in that age group ??
hmmmmm …..lol
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
They do make an effort to even up the calls.
I read something about this last year.
Wheatgerm - January 14, 2012
I wish I could be as non-cynical as you are
but there is far too much evidence. Quite frankly, if you don’t think the refs work under certain directions, I don’t think I (or anyone?) could convince you otherwise.
kcgard2 - January 14, 2012
working under certain directions
is one thing, and I never said they didn’t I just don’t think they are out to get anybody or one team in particular. Well, not most of them anyway. Call it non-cynical, or whatever, that’s fine.
And, why would you try and convince me not to think something? I’m perfectly fine thinking what I think and you are perfectly welcome to think what you think. We’ll both be fine because of it, I’m quite sure.
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
Do you mean in a specific sense, like refs (NCAA whoever) don’t want UK to succeed? In that case I agree, no conspiracies on that level.
If by “one team in particular” I can read “the visiting team,” then I strongly disagree.
You are right, at the end of the day, everyone will be fine believing what they want. I wasn’t trying to disparage your thoughts in any way. It was a poor effort on my part of trying to express the degree of my conviction. Sorry for that misunderstanding.
kcgard2 - January 14, 2012
Great win
Definitely at least four lousy calls. We always get home cookin’ in Knoxville. The fifth foul on TJ was a really bad call. A few of the charges were questionable in my opinion. Thankfully, these calls did not cost us a win. I really wish Miller and Smooth would start knocking down some shots though
iam4ukintn - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Have we ever had this Ayers ref before?
UK1972 - January 14, 2012
Nobody can figure out the tech.
I think it was just a ref deciding he was going to call one, and just waiting for the slightest provocation. I’m not even sure where he found it, and he possibly just made it up from scratch.
But I will say that I was not there, so maybe there was something that none of us could hear.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
I would love to have that ref in court and question him on how he could have
heard anything from across the court with 25,000 people screaming. It looked like Cal had already calmed down. No jury would believe the ref. But I am not sure Cal didn’t want one. The calls were going against UK and Tennessee had the ball. It only cost us one point because the first free throw was missed. Plus the coach has to show his team he is fighting for them just like he expects them to fight for the team.
Grasslands1 - January 14, 2012
...and why was he watching Cal instead of the game?
jpbluekat - January 14, 2012
Anyone know if he was the one that also officiated the WKU 6 players on the court game?
a2d2 - January 14, 2012
lol good point
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
My son in law informed me we had one official from that game.
I don’t know, but he heard it somewhere.
a2d2 - January 14, 2012
we shud have had an all SEC crew
who was WKU playin in that game ? I forgot, and to lazy to look it up lol
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
I looked. That was not right. Calling him now. :-)
a2d2 - January 14, 2012
lol
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
According to the WKU Herald,
Ayres officiated the WKU game with six players. The official box score has three totally different names. Ayers called the T on Cal, right?
a2d2 - January 15, 2012
yes, I think he did call the T
Bluehound - January 15, 2012
Maybe he anti-Kentucky basketball - any Bluegrass team
KansasUKCat - January 15, 2012
Don't know who called which games
But when I read about the WKU game they listed which conferences the refs worked for and all but one or two worked for multiple, one did have SEC in his list
StLHugo - January 14, 2012 via Android app
Yep
he was indeed
wildcatfaninexile - January 14, 2012
I was three rows from the top of the arena and heard Cal say
nothing. But he did step toward (onto?) the court and yell something. Not sure if what he said was directed at the official or the team. His behavior wasn’t out of the ordinary but I kind of felt the T coming.
stray cat - January 14, 2012
I thought the Cats played significantly better in the second half.
UT played about the same as the first half. Some a major improvement in my opinion. Although my definitions of “significant” and “major” do not agree with everyone’s definitions. Nice to see us win. This is the game I expected to see going into it.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Uk shot 50% in the second half and out rebounded
UT in the second half while also holding UT to under 40% in the second half. So UT was not quite as good but their defense was solid all game. If UT had played defense like that for Pearl they might have made a final 4.
Grasslands1 - January 14, 2012
Did I say the second half enough?
Grasslands1 - January 14, 2012
Come on Tru
I know you’ve got a man crush on MKG and deservedly so, but Anthony Davis was the best player on the court today. He was the one player who could make his own shot. I think we’ll do better on the road in the SEC than last year.
chicagoblues - January 14, 2012
We've already tied road conference wins.
So I think you have a good chance at being right on your prediction. Maybe 14-2, + or – a couple for the conference slate.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
I don't agree.
And I don’t have a crush on MKG. I really don’t. But his stat line, and effort, in my view were better.
But your dissenting opinion is certainly valid. Davis was very good. Your advocacy is worthy, but you are incorrect about my feelings about Kidd-Gilchrist. I call them only as I see them when it comes to the game ball.
Glenn Logan - January 14, 2012
I did love those two assist by Davis.
They need to go to that play a little more.
Grasslands1 - January 14, 2012
Game within a game
At the 6:59 mark, with the game tied at 54-54, I texted a friend at the game (he is director of alumni affairs at UT — so, essentially, he lives life as a permanent frat boy), saying “It’s on now!”
From that moment until the McBee 3 at the 0:45 mark, UK held UT scoreless. 6 minutes, while we went on a 8-0 run. Defensive intensity, got all the loose balls, better offensive execution, and luck.
My next text to him, when TJ picked up 5th foul: “Can’t breathe.” I thought we would get a steady dose of Hall and Stokes after that. They tried, but AD and MKG kept stripping the ball in the lane.
We gotta do that for 40 minutes or it will bite us in the ass.
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
It will never happen for 40 minutes.
Basketball is a game of runs.
kywineman - January 14, 2012
No need to get "technical" on me
Just sayin’ they need to bring the intensity for both halves of basketball.
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
I still say Stokes is a game changer.
And we did not get Golden’s best game. You have to give credit to UT for making this a good game, and for those who though losing Pearl would take the luster off these games I think they don’t have to worry about that anymore. Golden and Stokes will make some hay at some point in the next year or two. Not to mention the fact they have a decent team of guys around them.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Maybe we are the reason
Golden did not have a good game?
kywineman - January 14, 2012
Definitely.
I am sure we shut him down – although I did not watch it that close to tell what we did against him. But I suspect you are right. I just think he will rebound from this and have more really good games.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
y'all shut down his driving ability with your shot-blocking ability
when he can’t drive, he doesn’t get into a groove, and the rest of his shooting suffers. That, I think, is his fault. But shutting down the drive in the first place, was on the D.
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
*thought
My spellng has been affected by the W.L. Weller 12-yr old bourbon. Which is not bad.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
I think you are right in that they
will “make hay” in the next year or two, for a game or two and that’s totally cool for them. For a whole season, however? I’m not so sure. They all had a great game, sure, but just like when we watch our guys, this game and success in March is about consistency and nothing from today tells me that the the Vols have it spades any more than we do.
I like our victory from today and I’ll ride with our guys all the way.
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
I agree.
I did not say they are better than us. That is a difficuylt comparison to make – and I did not make it. But they suspect they will be a decent team and do reasonable well for themselves, BSC.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Oh never mind. I just can't type.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
got it.
Enjoy the bourbon!
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
I'm done on the bourbon!
It is back in the cupboard! Where it belongs at this point. I’ll take a nap instead.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
BOURBON!
who said Bourbon? I’m in :)
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
These Saturday games start entirely too early.
It’s not civilized.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
I hear you.
I’m in the mountain time zone, for goodness sake. Our game today started at 10:00 for me. 10:00 am, I tell you!
BigSkyCat - January 14, 2012
I got a fifth of crown for Christmas
along with the glasses as well, might have to crack it open in a bit lol
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
You need to tell this to UT fans
But I agree. Looking forward to the next few years.
Incipient_Senescence - January 14, 2012
I respect Martin. Good coach.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Warning: UT will be dangerous when they come to Rupp
With Maymon, Hall, and Stokes on the inside, if they start playing with more consistency, they could become a terror.
Look at it, they’ve got size, athleticism, heart, shooters, and they’re deep. Plus solid experience against top flight competition (Memphis, Duke, UK, etc.).
They could be the surprise of the SEC as the season wears on.
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
They will definitely grind you down and make you play their game
SevenRings - January 14, 2012
I'm convinced.
They have what it takes to make some teams have a bad day. Just ask Florida – and that was without Stokes. He will only get better.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Do you this this is the second coming of the "fiddlin' five"?
UK1972 - January 14, 2012
this=think
UK1972 - January 14, 2012
Isn't that the 1958 team?
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
OK, I get your reference
They just keep fiddlin’ around until the end and then wake up and finish the job. Yeah, I can see it.
Of course, I ain’t quite old enough to have ever seen them play, nor have I seen tape, so not sure if anything else about the comparison is appropos.
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
I am too young for that too,but if you mean we will achieve the same result -
I’ll take it. I am hoping this team will continue to grow from this point and the “fiddlin” part will get better. We’ll just have to see. Regardess – same result and I’ll be a happy guy. Don’t think we’ll see Seattle in the championship game, though.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
1958 team lost nine games
So I hope it is not a direct reincarnation.
jdogblue - January 14, 2012
That comparison also points to how important it is for AD to be in the game at the end
If we continue this trend of waiting until the end to really hit the gas, then our key weapon defensively, who changes the entire complexion of our defense and how other team approach us, has to be available.
When AD gets in foul trouble and is unavailable at the end of a game, we’ll really see what our team is made of.
ESPN does do the +/- stat for college bball boxscores, but I bet it is huge for AD.
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
Some cool stats to consider
AD has 82 blocks. He needs 83 to tie Mel Turpin and Andre Riddick for UK record.
At his current pace, he finish with 174 blocks, topping the current SEC record of 170 by none other than Jarvis Varnado. Still, that would be 30 short of the NCAA record of 207 set by The Admiral, David Robinson.
The team is also on pace to break the team record for blocked shots set by UConn in 2004 (315), if they play enough games (38 or more).
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
Here's hoping for two more games.
31 + 3 (SECT) + 6 (NCAAT) = 40.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Thanks, I hadn't done that math
Give him 40 game sand maybe he’ll give Robinson a run for his money!
And, remember, Robinson played in the Patriot League (or whatever it was called then) and did not have nearly the level of competition. Of course, at the end, he had to play UK in the tournament. I don’t remember if he had a good game against us anymore. I do remember that we won.
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
True - SEC hasn't been blowing the doors off but they have been better than the Patriot league.
Patriot league? Ugh.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
I think in those days it was actually called
the Easy Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC).
I’m an Army grad from that era, so that is what I remember and Navy, of course, was in our league.
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
That does sound more familiar.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
I meant "East" not "Easy"
Freudian slip maybe?
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
I think he had a great game against us, like 30 sum points
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
Yeah, he had an awesome game against us
in a losing cause. “Robinson finished with 45 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots and the Rupp Arena crowd gave him a standing ovation as Kentucky soundly defeated Navy 80-69.” (From: http://wildcatbluenation.com/2011/10/10/favorite-kentucky-wildcat-basketball-memories-part-1/). King Rex finished with 22 points to lead UK.
And, I was wrong, the game was in January, not the NCAA tournament. Time will do that to you.
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
I can relate lol
but I remember watchin it
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
I seem to recall it was on Super Bowl Sunday...
when the Giants with Phil Simms beat the Broncos…
jpbluekat - January 14, 2012
you know
I do believe you’re right
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
It was our first year...
in Florida… I also remember sitting on the beach the previous fall listening to the Cats beat the Gators…maybe I should hit the beach again next fall…LOL
jpbluekat - January 14, 2012
good idea lol
Bluehound - January 14, 2012
KSR is talking about a clean sweep
but there are 2 more basketball games between UT and UK this year. I wish there were as many comments after UK women beat UT as there are after UK men beat UT, but maybe some day……
UK1972 - January 14, 2012
Ky Wildcat Hoops is awesome!
I think they are the best we’ve ever had.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Vol Nation is shakin' their heads riuht now
First, the football team loses to UK. Then the LadyVols drop one to UK.
They gotta wonder of this Mayan calendar thing is affecting their teams!
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
Church tomorrow.
If the world can just hang on one more day I’ll be prepared.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
That was a reply to Wing.
GriffinRC - January 14, 2012
Huh? I thought church was today at 1200?!?
wingke6 - January 14, 2012
A growing up game for UK ....
I think most every road game in the SEC for us will be similar to this one. But, I think we progressed today and will continue to progress. Same for UT … next time we see this team they will probably be much better …
ukcris - January 14, 2012
Just rewatched the game on ESPN3 archive.
Stokes is going to be a beast, but on 2 of his 4 buckets down low, he catches the ball, comes down and then “repositions” both feet before going back up and not just by an inch or two, but big time. That’s traveling; at some point those giant dancing feet are going to get seen.
BCinVA - January 14, 2012
I thought that several times during the game
it looked like he was moving his feet all over the place – no wonder he got great position numerous times.
kcgard2 - January 14, 2012
Also, props to the other Wildcats of Northwestern for knocking off Sparty today!
BCinVA - January 14, 2012
Big Blue Nation, loud and proud
A lot of blue in Thompson-Boling today. Was happy to read Cal’s tweet that he heard the Go Big Blue! chant. Hope the rest of the nation heard it, too. We Are UK!
stray cat - January 14, 2012
After Further Review
Some surprises. Some foreseen. Let’s begin with the surprises. UK won, I predicted a loss on GOG and it wasn’t a ploy to garner 3 points but considering the Vols games versus Gators and on road at MSU and recognizing UK’s difficulties against physical, defense-dominated teams such as those of Cuonzo Martin and that it was on the road, I deemed a loss likely. Quite pleased that I was wrong. Other surprises: Cats played better than the first viewing showed especially on defense, Teague had a better overall game than it initially appeared, Cats out-boarded an older, more physical team on the road, Doron Lamb had his second consecutive sub-par performance (it appears Lamb is more affected by physical, in-your-face defense than any other Cat, plus he has difficulty creating his own shooting opportunity), improved defense versus screens or perhaps it was Vols ineptitude in screening and few pick and rolls, Vols barely adequate guard play, Stokes impact, and Cats improved poise, and (tah-dah!) AD’s spin post move, need to see more.
The expected: Cuonzo Martin’s team performed exactly as predicted, no foolishness, aggressive and disciplined play (big improvement over Pearl and UT fans will come to appreciate it); Calipari made excellent in-game adjustments and substitutions further confirming (I hope) that he is more than a recruiter) — as for his technical, can’t tell if it was intentional or not, or deserved, either way it’s impact on the outcome was problematic but I perceive small; Cats’ inability to create space under the basket (somewhat due to lack of bulk but mainly poor technique).
Other observations:
Officiating was no worse than what I usually see in NCAA — blocking-charging call is, with speed and athleticism of today’s athletes, mostly snap interpretation — but I do agree that the arc has been counterproductive. Could it be that Wiltjer is actually improving defensively? Certainly appeared so today. Miller’s indecisiveness on the late-game in-bounds play was typical of his diffidence. Evidently Mk-G had some strong words for his teammates at half time, seemed to be effective — and a child (Kidd) shall lead them.
Wild Weasel - January 14, 2012
Proud of my team
And I am Impressed with Tenn. We are 3-0 in SEC going into a two game home stand. Very sweet! Tenn. Played with heart and class and I can see their rebuild is becoming more like a tune up.
Very good game!
LyricSmith - January 14, 2012
Tennessee has a good team
They really were physical. I think there were some terrible calls if even UK hater Doug Gottlieb said they were bad. I love the way UK has won these last two games. They as a team had to man up to win and they did. Our offense should be much better than this. But last years team would have lost both games this week so its all good. Our D is sick as usual. Tennessee coach Martin really preaches D and it was evident. Excellent analysis as usual Glenn.
michael26 - January 14, 2012
I like this comment.
I think these were both worthy wins for UK against tough, determined opponents and good, supportive opponent crowds. And may I go further and say both Auburn and Tennessee fans were extremely classy, from what I could tell, in their opposition. It makes Indiana fans look even worse by comparison.
We have a stout defense, and it has rescued this team repeatedly. If we can only get the offense in overdrive, we’ll be unstoppable.
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
Makes you wonder if this team couldn't've won
the UConn game in the Final Four last year. These guys seem to find a way to win even when baskets are hard to come by. This could come in handy playing in a dome where the shooting touch disappears and the going gets ugly.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
Indeed.
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
I agree
I love that UK is winning when the offense isn’t easy. It’s a great sign for the tourney. To win the title, a team usually has to win at least one game when their shots aren’t falling. UK is really showing that ability.
KDH2011 - January 15, 2012
Haven't read through all the quotes yet, and may be repeating some stuff up top, but here's my nickel's worth...
Watched the game on DVR due to some commitments in the afternoon, but here’s what I saw:
1) Smooth has GOT to learn to fight through the pick! He got burned a couple of times against Auburn, and then again today. Shooters ended up making wide open, or barely contested, 3 balls.
2) We, as a team, have to quit over-penetrating! What’s wrong with a pull-up jumper off the glass from 10’?? Not Sports Center material?? Whatever… When we do that, as we did yesterday, we pick up a foul and turnover, plus it’s a 4-5 point swing the other way (if the opponent makes a bucket). Gotta fix that before tourney time…
3) We’ve got a pretty big front line at 6’-7 (x2), 6’-9 and 6’-10. Why are we consistently getting out-rebounded??
4) Stop taking shots when there’s no one under the basket for the rebound! Goodness… How hard is it?? We only did it a couple of times yesterday, but 4 or 5 times against AU. That too needs to change…
I think the difference between this good UK team and a the possibility of being a great UK team is the culmination of a lot of little things. If we can tweak those up by tourney time, we’ll be a pretty tough out!
EagleTDL - January 15, 2012
Amen on number 2
jdogblue - January 15, 2012
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