I have a weird habit of being a night-owl on weekends -- well, at least on Fridays and Saturdays. During the week, I'm not so much. I have no idea why, so don't ask.
This is pretty much stream-of-consciousness stuff, and likely not all that interesting, but I feel like writing something, and the Internet, Al Gore bless it, gives me the freedom, for good or ill, to do it. Even well after midnight when nobody cares.
I really loved what Kentucky did today. Tennessee played great. They didn't play perfect, but they executed their game plan as well as can be expected of a team in their situation, and they gave UK a major challenge that I wasn't sure the 'Cats were up to. I want to mention, purely for reasons of self-importance, that I pointed out that this game would be hard and that an upset was more than possible. I also pointed out that Jarnell Stokes could make an impact. I admit, I didn;t expect him to come in and score nine points and get four rebounds, but still.
Another thing -- I didn't realize how truly big that kid is. He reminds me of Jarred Sullinger, and that's a scary thought. He doesn't quite have the kind of game Sully has, but that guy is a major hoss, and Tennessee should ride him like Secretariat. He can, and just might be, the foundation of a major contender there if Martin can just be competent in his recruiting. Here's another thing, just in case you're wondering -- he's not eligible for the NBA draft in 2012.
I really think that UK has done a great job winning both at Auburn and at Tennessee this week. Yes, I know Auburn isn't great, but let me tell you they played good basketball in that game, and by my lights, Calipari did no better job of coaching his team than his former player and assistant, Tony Barbee, did coaching his.
Speaking of coaching, it is my considered opinion that Calipari is not getting Marquis Teague to play well. Teague made some good plays today, and as someone rightly pointed out in the comments, at least a couple of Teague's turnovers were due to bad calls (one for sure) by the officials.
But even with that said, Teague really made a lot of mistakes, and he really didn't look that much like a point guard to me. He is too focused on scoring, and he isn't that good at it. Yes, he can get to the rim when he wants, and that's really important in the NBA where a charge call requires that you build a 25-story building over the spot, and the offensive player to bring a wrecking ball and dynamite before it's called. But in college, it's a real problem, and either the officials are getting more and more blind, or Teague is leading the league in charges. He needs to be leading the league in assists and fast-break layups.
But I don't blame Teague, I blame Calipari. He has to figure out how to get that young man's attention, and what I see is a player who doesn't really pay attention to what his coach is telling him, and a coach that lets him get away with it. I don't like that. It may work for Cal, and my perception is probably wrong, but guess what -- that's how it looks to me.
Terrence Jones is coming back around, but I can't quite figure out why he left in the first place. Oh, I get the injury -- that finger is a problem, and even though it isn't bothering him as bad now, I saw a couple of winces and hand grabs today. It's true, though, that we tend to live our lives vicariously through the players, and I just know if I had Jones' size and skill, confidence would never be my problem. But then again, I might say the same thing about staying sane and enjoying my money instead of going bonkers and killing my ex-wife like O.J. Simpson. So there you go.
Darius Miller is just a complementary player. As I said to Larry Glover on his show on Friday, you just can't change a player's nature, and Miller's nature is that of a complementary player -- he just isn't a star, and he isn't interested in being anything other than what he is. I am as guilty as the next guy of trying to will him into a 15-8 stud, but that just isn't Darius. I am finally reaching the seventh stage -- acceptance and hope -- regarding Miller. He does some really good things, just not star things.
Anthony Davis, on the other hand, is a star. He is a star in ways that defy reason, and logic. Some of the balls he got to today just ... they just look like violations of physical laws, and the biomechanics of human anatomy. I saw him snag a ball impossibly high above the rim, and even though I didn't have time let my jaw fully hit the ground like a cartoon character, I was awed nonetheless. He gets balls that cannot possibly be gotten by human beings. It's otherworldly, utterly indescribable to someone who isn't an obsessive college basketball fan. He looks like some kind of half-alien, half-human hybrid from worlds where Mister Fantastic is commonplace and uni-brows the dominant facial characteristic.
Finally, I have been accused more than once of having a man-crush on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. You know, I should -- he represents all the things I hope for in a college basketball player -- but I truly don't. I have come to expect a certain level of excellence from him, and if anything, I hold him to a higher standard than his peers, even to the upperclassmen. Why? Because when a guy constantly sets a higher standard, we all come to demand it every game.
I love all these guys in a different way, like a father loves his children differently. It isn't that you favor one over the other, you just have different expectations of each one, and they hit different parts of your heart. I compare it to a flavor you really enjoy -- but what person enjoys only one flavor? We love many different ones, but in different ways, and for different reasons.
Well, that's it. If you made it this far, you are truly dedicated, and give yourself the A Sea of Blue Purple Heart for putting up with the editor's half-mad musings in the middle of the night. I hope the pain was not too great.
1 recs | 118 comments
Many of us
have similar interests and habits. Came back to read the earlier post one more time…..and delighted to find a new one. Good points all around about the efforts, the plays and the challenges that Davis and MKG present to defenses
CAWebb - January 15, 2012
Speaking of similar interests and similar habits....
Seems as thought Roger Ayres has a problem officiating a game fairly if the name Kentucky is on the jersey. In the WKU game against ULL seems as though ULL had 6 players on the court for the last 30 seconds of overtime. To see many of the calls he made yesterday (the 5th on Jones, Teague charges, T on Cal… I dvr’d the game and replayed it several times and he called very few fouls on tenn. but had rabbit ears to hear Cal across the court on the T, binoculars to see other fouls and then completely missed the one right in front of him he called on Jones. I guess if we plead for less bias… it would just get worse… you know 6 players on a court for 30 seconds is a long time… he didn’t even have take his shoes off to count that high…
FOXTRAIL - January 15, 2012
I Will Join You in Late Night Musings...
But I am doing on my phone so pardon the typos.
My musings…
Do you ever allow yourself to go down the path of wondering what next year would be like if the new cba for the NBA had raised the draft age limit?
I am glad polsen got a scholarship, but do you think we had a shot at stokes if we had one to give? Cal does not like Memphis kids – which I get – but I think he could have had a shot at him if a scholarship was available.
Any chance terrance Jones comes back for his Jr. year? I know the chances are about like you know where freezing over, but…
With the number of players leaving this year, next year will be the toughest year so far for cal. Good that he is looking at his best class ever.
Anyone getting tired of ole Roy? I used to like the huckleberry hound routine but leaving 5 walk-ons on the floor while you head early to the bus just seems weak….
Guess I will call it a night…..
memphis wildcat - January 15, 2012 via mobile
Yes, I think Kentucky would have had a VERY good chance of landing Stokes, ....
as well as that Pittsburgh freshman center Khem Birch who transferred to UNLV, if we’d have had a scholarship to offer.
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
Stokes ...
Said he was a big Calipari fan and considered red shirting for UK …. but wanted the chance to play …. Here’s a link ……..
ukcris - January 15, 2012
http://www.kentucky.com/2012/01/15/2028905/kentucky-tennessee-notes-vols.html
ukcris - January 15, 2012
At this time, ...
I think we lose Jones, MKG and Davis to the NBA and Miller and Vargas to graduation.
If we get Shabazz and Bennett next season will be just fine. We may also still get Amile Jefferson.
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
Lamb stays then?
kcgard2 - January 15, 2012
In my opinion, yes he does, ...
unless he’s willing to go in the bottom of the second round. He’s good at most everything but hasn’t shown the consistent caliper of play necessary to be drafted in the first round. In the last 10 games he’s scored: 24 26 9 12 10 9 10 14 4. That’s not the kind of production from a 2-guard you invest a 1st round pick on, imo.
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
I think his defense would post similar numbers ... on again off again
ukcris - January 15, 2012
I believe you have to include...
Lamb and Teague as probably leaning toward leaving. With who is on the bench, who is coming and who could still commit there could be a log jam at the 1 and 2 if they stay.
memphis wildcat - January 15, 2012 via mobile
Well, Teague certainly wants to leave, ...
but, again, the best he could do right now is the mid-to-bottom of the 2nd-round, and that’s my heart talking because right now he’s not in many mock drafts at any level, e.g., Draft Express :click here: doesn’t list him at all.
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
Unless Theri Performance Improves
Considerably Jones, Teague and Lamb are undrafted — many players at their respective positions are better in performance and potential.
Wild Weasel - January 15, 2012
I think jones, ...
based solely on potential, would still be drafted somewhere in the bottom of the 1st round, if the draft were held today. But, I agree, if both he and Lamb don’t dramatically pick up their game, they could easily drop off the draft board at any level. Still a lot of time, but Jones has hurt his stock substantially and, unless he’s the hero of a Championship run, no way he improves on last year’s probable draft position, imo.
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
I think right now Jones is in the best position to up his stock.
Yeah, he got in a funk just before he hurt his hand. Yeah, he is struggling to put up numbers like he did before he hurt his hand. FLIP SIDE: Hurting his hand is a good thing: He has learned that he can still contribute even if he can’t really grab and manipulate the ball. (See UL game). He has been doing so. and he has been increasing his scoring as well lately, TJ will be fine by years end and I think he will likely be a lottery pick. (We need him to get back there again if we will do good this year).
Lamb: His stock goes down daily. Shooters are a dime a dozen in the NBA. You gotta play D also. Jodie Meeks could shoot lights out and is fighting for a job. DL will lose a job right now if he had to go pro.
Our kids: most will be gone, I only see Wiltjer coming back. AD, MKG and Teague will be gone. The only one that is problematic is Teague. After Cal’s last bunch of PG’s he MUST go. Otherwise, like the possibility that TJ might drop this year; you could count on Teague dropping next year. Very different in my mind. Teague could use the extra year, but the legacy won’t allow it. TJ could use the extra year to learn to go right and it will pay off by the end of this year.
Cals’ wonderful recruiting edge might just hang on Teague this year. If he doesn’t go or gets lost in the draft; some of that “magic” might get lost on the next batch of kids. Who will get that next 6-star PG prospect at that point?
sweasyf - January 15, 2012
I think that point guard
is the one position that suffers the most under the one and done system. It is the position that requires the most learning, often of new skills that had not been developed in high school. If Teague doesn’t go then we have two point guards next year and no room for another. So we might miss one year of recuiting an exceptional point guard. Two years down the road we are probably back in the hunt and I don’t think an incoming freshman will be overly concerned about what happened a couple of years before.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
I think that ole Roy's actions were despiciple (in my best Sylvester the Cat voice)
If I were the parents of those walk ons, they would be walk offs today. He should have stayed on the floor until all of his team was off.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
at the very least
He should have stayed with the walk-ons. I would like to think that mkg would have stayed back if cal had done something like that…..
memphis wildcat - January 15, 2012 via mobile
I would like to think that Cal would never do that.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
No doubt in my mind
Cal and MKG would never abandon their teammates.
kydamcat - January 15, 2012
and they say nothing good happens after midnite.. nice thoughts.
I particularly got piqued with the “favorite flavor” phrase which got me thinking of ice cream which led to flavors for certain players. I’ll start with: Miller – Vanilla, Jones – Rocky Road, MKG – Rabbit Tracks, Lamb – Cookies and Cream, Davis – a taste that can morph into every one’s personal favorite at the same time.
Oh well, guess I’ll have a bowl and turn in.
hoboat33 - January 15, 2012
Cherries Garcia!
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
that would have to be Cal. ;-)
hoboat33 - January 15, 2012
Cal would have to be some Orange Leaf flavor. ;-)
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
Glenn, I take it you are single...
or part of your musings may land you in a bit of trouble.
LOLInteresting rambles for us late nighters, and I appreciate them.
And before any of us start grousing about how the team is struggling to win against “less talented” squads at this point of the season, let us remember what last year’s January was like and what they were like by March. Cal keeps saying this group is ahead of last years, and I am not inclined to argue with Him (for one thing i=he knows a sight more about them than I do).
If they can learn the necessary lessons and still win, even if the wins are ugly, I will accept that. Better that, than what happened to the Tar Heels at the hands of Florida State today. That type of “learning experience” I can do without.
blenheim bard - January 15, 2012
Regarding the complaints about struggling
with less talented squads, look at Louisville and UNC. Most so called experts will tell you that Pitino and Williams are better coaches than Calipari. I feel that last year’s team would have dropped at least one of those SEC road games so far.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
No, been married for 25 years next year. :-)
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
Put Davis up high on offense
Running the offense with Davis up by the free throw line is working and I’d milk it until somebody figures out how to stop it. He pulls people away from the basket and makes good decisions. Yesterday, two of his passes to MKG cutting to the basket were ridiculous and if his defender gives him space he’ll make them pay.
chicagoblues - January 15, 2012
That was a Davis pass to MKG
after receiving the ball from Teague in a high pick-and-roll that led to MKG’s huge three that put UK up by four. Yes sir, that is working well.
jdogblue - January 15, 2012
For some reason, the entire post is not posting
. . . pass to MKG after receiving the ball from Teague on a high pick and roll that led to the huge MKG three that put UK up by four.
jdogblue - January 15, 2012
When he and Lamb (or Miller) do the high screen-handoff
Lamb and Miller do a great job of driving to the stripe and lobbing to AD, who has curled behind his defender to the basket – tailor made alley oop. Though AD often gets fouled on the play which leaves me in suspended animation for a moment, because if AD goes down to injury, put a fork in us.
kcgard2 - January 15, 2012
"...the officials are getting more and more blind..."
I think you have hit the nail on the head… the officials are not handling the new circle under the basket well at all, imo. They are allowing defenders to jump/slide over in front of the driver to draw a charge and letting the circle make the call – stupid. I don’t know what they are going to do about the situation but they have to change how they are handling those circle calls because it is a disaster. And that isn’t the only thing, the amount of uncalled fouling in the last two games has been incredible. For example, just look at the handful of Gilchrist’s jersey the defender has in the picture above – no call.
Not sure why you’ve singled out Teague. I think it’s true that Teague is still wandering in the wilderness but I think the physical play and fouling is playing hobbs with his game management. It’s hard to manage a game when everyone is getting the piss beat out of them. This was an ugly game, Auburn was an ugly game, and any game where a team plays us straight up physically will be an ugly game. It’s not as though Jones, Davis and MKG didn’t make many mistake; 5 turnovers to 1 assist, but Teague held Tennessee’s leading scorer, Trae Golden, to 2 points. Lamb and Miller were MIA for most of the game – plenty of critcism to go around.
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
The play you are referring to above was called MKG dunk and +1
I do agree though with your assessment about the circle, until the refs get comfortable with the circle I think we are in for a lot of yelling at the tv. My neighbors probably think I am nuts because I live alone and yet I am yelling like the refs are in my living room. I did see a few Tennessee players grab Kentucky jerseys when players were making cuts in the lane that seemed fairly obvious yet the refs didn’t blow a whistle. When you have a Jay Bilas look a like ref though that is to be expected.
The White Mandingo - January 15, 2012
Thanks, Mandingo, ...
that’s what I get for trying to remember individual plays after midnight and a couple+ glasses of wine. :-(
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
I agree with this
They can use that circle as a real crutch, like NFL officials are doing with the instant replay. On some plays, it looks like the NFL guys are not even trying to make a good call, but will just let the replay sort it out. The problem is that even that doesn’t work if their mistake includes blowing a play dead that shouldn’t have been. I would rather have replay than not, but the downside is that it can become a crutch.
The ‘block vs. charge’ can be a difficult call to make at full speed, for sure. That is why I don’t understand why officials don’t use a sold “tie goes to the….” plan. Right now, it looks like what they are using is this:
When what they should use is:
.
HSLex - January 15, 2012
Correct me if I'm wrong
but isn’t the circle further out in the pro game? I think it should be moved out so that the charge or block would have to happen before the ball handler leaves his feet. He must be given room to come down and this would accomplish the stated purpose of reducing the chance of injury.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
I don't really know...
.
I am thinking they should not call anything unless they really do know one way or the other on these calls. If you can’t really tell, then swallow the whistle.
It may cut down on some of the flopping, as well. This isn’t supposed to be soccer. Maybe part of the problem is that they feel compelled to call something when there is contact, so they just make something up.
.
HSLex - January 15, 2012
Restricted arc
Three feet from the basket in college and four feet from the basket in NBA.
jdogblue - January 15, 2012
A charge should be called...
when a defender has established position to deny the man with the ball a path to the basket, not when the only purpose is to deny him space to come down after the shot and create a foul.
jpbluekat - January 15, 2012
That's the best way to put it.
.
And then I would add… “and only then when the referee knows for darn sure that is what happened.”
Otherwise, you are stifling a kid’s desire to create offense, and that could end up making things boring to watch.
.
HSLex - January 15, 2012
when you have Doug
Gotlieb saying UK got robbed as he did at the top of the halftime show – and in a fairly animated manner – you know the officiating is bad!
memphis wildcat - January 15, 2012 via mobile
Good Article Glenn
I am the last to comment before bed so I’ll get on to sleep now.
oldcat73 - January 15, 2012
Coach Cal does have some experience coaching point guards
I too am distressed that Teague seems to be disinterested/detached/distracted when Cal is instructing him and that really needs to change before March. Nevertheless, I’m willing to give Calipari the benefit of the doubt at this point (no pun intended) given his track record with PGs.
The two road wins in conference this week were not particularly beautiful, but they were WINS, and they key has been defense, composure and a ‘will to win’ (which last year’s team didn’t learn until late). What’s amazing to me is that our two best, most consistent players are Davis and MKG, both freshmen. I’m getting anxious to see our experienced players (Jones, Lamb, Miller) with Final Four experience step up to their level. If/when that happens, #8 is a done deal. Point blank. Period.
ukcats81 - January 15, 2012
Teague
You are right Teague is not looking Cal in the eye when Cal is coaching him. But I also noticed that with Davis yesterday too. In the old days, no player ever looked directly at Pitino when he was giving them a good gnawing. Not sure why, but it does not necessarily mean the player is not listening. I have a feeling that if Teague was completely blowing Cal’s comments off, he would be sitting.
jdogblue - January 15, 2012
Cal was very complimentary of Teague's defense during post game
UT’s leading scorer, Trey Golden only score 2 points. Probably Teague’s best defensive performance to date
cthom - January 15, 2012
Indeed.
Cal said Teague guarded for the first time this year. Trey was averaging 20 points the last 4 games, and Teague made a point of stopping it. He also said that the stat line notwithstanding, Teague played a good floor game. He just had a couple of sloppy plays. Clearly, Cal has a better opinion of Teague’s performance this game. He even included Teague among the 3 freshmen who displayed a will to win.
There’s a certain inertia that comes with making someone the focus of criticism. It’s hard to change your opinion of them on a dime. You need solid evidence over time to meet the burden of proof that you’ve established in your mind. So it’s always going to be the case that we stay on these guys longer than they deserve once they start playing better. There’s always a delay with moving averages. At the risk of being whipsawed, we should probably live more in the present.
Wheatgerm - January 15, 2012
Oh, I agree with living in the present.
And I agree that Teague played good defense today, but he has been doing that, for the most part, all year.
What he isn’t doing is getting his teammates involved. To me, that’s job 1 of a point guard. Brandon Knight was one example of a guard playing the 1 spot who was not a point guard, he was what I call a lead guard.
Teague, in my view, is the biggest reason we are struggling on offense. He over-penetrates, he takes too long to reset, and he has trouble deciding when to shoot. He needs to get better, and he will, but how soon is the problem.
Needless to say, I don’t agree completely with Calipari’s assessment in this case. Much of his commentary lately has been designed to take the pressure off his players, but this is a case of “Who you gonna believe, Cal or your lyin’ eyes?” I’ll take my lyin’ eyes.
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
We are in substantial agreement.
Wheatgerm - January 15, 2012
I am inclined to go with the professional
who knows his business and whose job depends on success. Mental bridges need to be built before physical rivers can be crossed.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
I understand.
The fact is, though, that these professionals often do not tell it the way they see it. They have to be concerned about their team’s psyche, and criticism in the media is not something Calipari as ever done, even when it may have been objectively warranted.
In fact, Calipari has notably never really been critical of his players in the media. Taking that as an indication that he is pleased with them is naive. In fact, he notably praised only part of Teague’s game yesterday, mainly the defense and his “floor game,” which is a fungible, ambiguous term used mainly to add depth to commentary.
We all accept coachspeak at face value too often. I’m going to stop doing it.
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
I wouldn't credit Teague for that
I’d credit Davis
Incipient_Senescence - January 15, 2012
Not painful at all Glenn
I really enjoyed reading it. Stokes reminded me of Sullinger as well. Cal has admitted more than once he is perplexed on how to get Teague where he wants him to be.
I also realized when it comes to our teams, I tend to skip stages 1-6 all the time. I suppose I find it beneficial, concerning blue, to just jump to stage 7 out of the gate. It works for me. Thanks for realization.
a2d2 - January 15, 2012
I'll Take Any W In Knoxville
Ever since 1966, the W in Knoxville has been tough to come by for UK.
I’ll take this one any way it comes.
FortyYearCatFan - January 15, 2012
This team is getting a lot of experience
for the survive and advance world of the NCAA Tournament. If this continues all the way to #8, we might name this team the Survivors.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
Yeah, I can't help but agree.
Like Nashville, it’s a tough place.
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
Halfway Through The Season > Cats Are 17-1
How many UK teams have been 17-1 or better in post WW2 era?
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/teamslist.html
Not many. Only 2010 – 1996 – 1993 – 1978 – 1970 – 1966 – 1954 – 1951 – 1949 and 1947 teams have been 17-1 or better at this point in the season.
FortyYearCatFan - January 15, 2012
Word usage, Glenn
As a web author you’re held to a higher standard …… Miller is a complementary player, not a complimentary one. Otherwise, great comments!
Kindaoldcatfan - January 15, 2012
Ah, thanks. You're right, that's un unacceptable faux pas. I'll fix it right away.
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
dang, you're good
I fancy myself a pretty good editor/grammar Nazi, but I did not really grasp the difference between complementary and complimentary until you said this. I’m kind of pissed you have bested me, but I do appreciate the knowledge ;)
blue kentucky girl - January 16, 2012
How Time Does Fly
Courtesy of Jerry Tipton at Kentucky.com:
Happy birthday
To Mike Scott. He turned 45 on Saturday. … To Richard Madison. He turns 47 on Monday. … To Dirk Minniefield. He turns 51 on Tuesday. … To Shagari Alleyne. He turned 28 on Saturday. … To Jay Shidler. He turns 54 Sunday. … To James Lee. He turns 56 on Tuesday.
Wild Weasel - January 15, 2012
I loved watching the Blonde Bomber!
Thanks for that one WW. Made me feel like a kid again, just for a minute. And I needed it today.
bob in bg - January 15, 2012 via Android app
Shidler
i won’t soon forget his performance in the Illinois Class A state tourney in 1976. Well over 30+ ppg in 4 games.
He was expected to choose IU. In fact, UK didn’t even recruit him until the HS all-star games in spring of 1976.
FortyYearCatFan - January 15, 2012
had a beer with Jay
bout ’79 or ’80
Bluehound - January 15, 2012
One of my favorite posts!
The late night seems to have a nice effect for your writing. I really liked this. Informative, funny and right. I’m with you too, married and on the weekends if I go to bed before 3am something is wrong. I guess when the wife and kids are all tucked in my mind can purge all the thoughts from the week before.
*I agree with your points. I’m not sure how Cal can get through to Teague but its on him to do it.
*It must be hard for TJ sometimes. He moved to Kentucky from Oregon. I know from experience, I lived in Seattle WA for 5 years, that it is tough to be so far from family and friends. It’s got to be hard for him being under all the pressure and make no mistake about it, Kentucky is a different culture than the West Coast. I really like Jones and I feel for him because it must be difficult to stay focused some days. The OJ line had me rolling!
*Darious is just not a star like MKG. It’s hard to accept but it’s true.
*I love your science fiction input on Davis. Very funny to let my mind wonder on planet unibrow. The humanoids there must enjoy basketball very much.
*MKG makes the one and done rule all better. Everyone has to admit, having him for one year is better than not at all.
I think UK fans are a little unique in the way we make our players like family members. It’s just how we do it. It’s nice to see some top talent embracing it and riding the wave after they are gone.
166leslie - January 15, 2012
Growing up in Lexington, Ky and having lived now for 20 plus years in Oregon...I can agree
the NorthWest is indeed a very different culture than Central Kentucky. A.D. physical likeness is out of this world…brings to mind the physical appearance of superior Ja Ja Binks. However, if I recall correctly Ja Ja was way too physically awkward:)
blue oregon - January 15, 2012
Glenn, I found your late night musings hit or miss
But that paragraph on Anthony Davis was pure poetry. He does do things that should be impossible.
sweasyf - January 15, 2012
This is so true ....
I reached acceptance last year.
SevenRings - January 15, 2012
Yeah, but I actually miss last year's Darius
he was significantly better last year
kcgard2 - January 15, 2012
Great thoughts Glenn
Welcome to the Darius Miller acceptance club.
Here’s the thing – it’s perfectly okay to be a complementary player. Every team needs guys who, over the course of an entire season, are not going to wow you or put up big numbers, but do things that help facilitate the offense and defense and every now and then will have a big game.
Miller is that guy on the team and it is a role worth celebrating, not resigning oneself to.
JLeverenz - January 15, 2012
I suppose we should consider...
that if Darius had played up to expectations he would probably also have left last season for the NBA…
jpbluekat - January 15, 2012
The counter to that is whether those expectations are legitimate
If I started saying that Lamb was disappointing because he does not score 30 points a game and thus not “meeting expectations” I would very justly be called a lunatic (and perhaps other choice words).
This is what kills me about people who criticize Miller – they always use the “not meeting expectations” line and yet never actually say what those expectations are.
JLeverenz - January 15, 2012
in my opinion
“potential " is a better word than expectations, and he clearly hasnt played up to his potential except in spurts, but he’s still my favorite player on this team
Bluehound - January 15, 2012
I think it runs into the same problem though
What exactly is Miller’s potential? Is he a good basketball player? Yes he is. Does that mean he ought to be scoring 15 points a game? He could, but would that help the team? Points per game is dependent not just on skill and ability but also opportunity.
Miller’s UK career has been filled with some of the best players to come through the program. Those guys want shots too, and fortunately Miller is the kind of player who doesn’t need to lead the scoring column to help the team win or fulfill his own ego (note: that is not to suggest that players who do lead the scoring column do so to satisfy their egos).
This is where a more sophisticated stat such as Offensive Rating is so useful – Miller has been an incredibly efficient player since his freshman year. The only reason that doesn’t translate into more points per game is because of shot attempts. That hasn’t stopped his teams from winning though.
JLeverenz - January 15, 2012
well said
Bluehound - January 15, 2012
Thanks
I just wish people would appreciate Darius for what he is instead of what they think he should be.
JLeverenz - January 15, 2012
I should say "more people"
Because there are plenty who do.
JLeverenz - January 15, 2012
I think everyone
just wants the best for him, hes like one of our kids lol
Bluehound - January 15, 2012
Indeed
a2d2 - January 15, 2012
thank you!
that’s my thing on Darius. Yes, he’s a complementary player and not a star, and what in heavens in wrong with that?
blue kentucky girl - January 16, 2012
After Even Further Review
No late night musings for this ol’ Cat — nice to wake up to though — but on a cool (66), rainy (unusual and unwelcome in January) Sunday i did have time to selectively watch the game for a third time and focus on individual (mostly UK) players. Here’s a few things that came to my attention:
1) Doron Lamb’s body language is noticeably poor. I wouldn’t exactly call it pouting but he’s definitely uninspired coming off the bench. Reminds me a bit of Jones vs IU, perhaps the sophomores are a tad envious of the media glare focused on frosh.
2) Much attention is given to the hustle and aggressive play of MK-G — unquestionably deserved of course — but the more unexpected facet is the dearth of mistakes he makes, excellent fundamentals especially for a freshman.
3) On post-mortem I commented on AD’s late game post-up spin move — notice that he’s quoted as never using it previously — looking at it more closely reveals just how unorthodox yet effective it was. Perfect that and he’d be hard to guard.
4) Darius Miller. Perhaps I should just stop on commenting on his performance and enter the acceptance posture some have so stated and perhaps I will but the disappointment of not having senior leadership and how much it detracts from this team is too much, for now, to ignore.
5) Just possible that this game was the best perimeter defense UK has played to date; on the other hand Vols’ lack of a penetrating guard/wing made it easier. Arkansas should show it it was a one-time improvement.
6) Closer scrutiny of Stokes impresses me even more than the initial exposure. Rebound, post move, hit the open 15-footer, all impressive but perhaps more attention grabbing was his drive to basket. Not to be hyperbolic but it reminded me a bit of LeBron James HS video — a man among boys.
7) It was not my imagination: Wiltjer really is improving on defense. Far from adequate but better anticipation which visually appears as increased quickness. Kept hoping he would post up but just not physically capable now.
That’s it, back to NFL — no I don’t plan to watch Duke vs Clemson.
Wild Weasel - January 15, 2012
Perfect that move, ...
and there aren’t more than 2 or 3 guys in the NBA who could guard him. imo. :-))
TeamWeaver - January 15, 2012
Precisely what evidence of "lack of leadership" are you citing?
Not making shots? Not having big scoring games? Not coming down with big rebounds? While those things can sometimes be considered “leadership” the lack of them do not suggest the opposite. The practice reports on Cal’s website have frequently credited Miller with aiding the development of MKG by pushing him in practice. That’s good leadership.
Trying to determine leadership through a television screen is like trying the guess the number balls in a closed box.
JLeverenz - January 15, 2012
That is true.
You can get a feel for who is leading by example, or who is most vocal. But that doesn’t necessarily reflect actual leadership.
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
Too Numerous To Mention
Failure to make the pass to an open Marcus Teague at crucial time yesterday causing a wasted time out — not a senior/leader play — is the most recent. Passing up open shots in favorable spaces is nearly routine with the most egregious being last year’s loss to Ole Miss when he was unguarded but chose to pass to closely covered DeAndre Liggins. When it falls to a freshman like MK-G to have to call out his teammates at half time, as happened yesterday, it is demonstration of lack of senior leadership. As stated, I may accept it but doesn’t mean I can’t wish for something more.
Wild Weasel - January 15, 2012
I stand by my earlier statement
Plays on the floor give very little – if any – evidence of “leadership”. They do give evidence of good or bad play. Darius Miller has certainly had his share of bad plays over the last two years. So has every other Junior/Senior to ever play the game of basketball.
Miller hit’s a big 3 going into halftime against Auburn, but I guess that isn’t “leadership”. He hits two big free throws after Tennessee has cut a lead to 2 points and Lamb has just missed the front end of a 1-1. I guess that isn’t leadership either.
Leadership appears in many forms. The fact that Kidd-Gilchrist is the kind of player who will get after teammates in a visible way does not mean that Miller isn’t doing anything by comparison. I have referenced this before and I’ll do it again – it is just as absurd as the people who claimed Tayshaun didn’t care about basketball because he wasn’t overly demonstrative on the court.
The idea that “I don’t see it therefore it is not happening” is facile and unfortunately far too prevalent in sports where too often character is judged by skill and ability.
JLeverenz - January 15, 2012
+ 1
Bluehound - January 15, 2012
Let's See What Calipari Has To Say
Regarding Miller following the USC game:
“Ech, ech, ech,” Calipari said before regaining his verbal footing. “Every once in a while, that’s what he is. Just passive.”
“They trap, he loses it,” Calipari said. “Has open shots, doesn’t take them. Drives to pass instead of being strong and score.”
Character should not be confused with leadership — you can’t have effective and long-lasting leadership without character, but you can have character without leadership
Wild Weasel - January 15, 2012
I think the main point is ...
… Everyone can’t be a leader. Some have to be followers. And leadership manifests itself in many ways.
It isn’t as if Calipari has benched Miller. in fact, if you’ll notice, he has moved into the starting lineup.
Glenn Logan - January 15, 2012
hitting 1 in 1 at end of last night's game....
getting a back down basket time and time again this season when the team was struggling, being the only one early on that knew how to beat a 1-3-1 by taking it to the free throw line.
those would be the other side
memphis wildcat - January 15, 2012
Leadership is never giving up,
pushing your teammates to play harder, stepping to the line and calmly sinking critical free throws, etc.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
If All Of Those Items Were Corrected
UK would be 18-0 instead of only 17-1.
FortyYearCatFan - January 15, 2012
See UK Recruits
ESPN3 has outstanding HS BB from Springfield, MA, today and tomorrow. First game today saw the Caleb Tarczewski (Arizona)-led St. Thomas defeat Amile Jefferson’s (uncommitted with UK offer) Friends Central 67-57. 7-footer Tarczewski had 22 & 8, while Jefferson 14 & 5.
2013 Nerlens Noel and 2014 Wayne Selden at 4 p.m. today.
Tomorrow 2012 Tony Parker at 11 a.m., Shabazz Muhammad 1 p.m., and 2013 Jabari Parker and 2012 Anthony Bennett at 3 p.m.
Wild Weasel - January 15, 2012
Wrap Up Of Day 3
Spalding Hoopball Classic results.Skills Challenge at 8:30 on ESPN3.
Wild Weasel - January 15, 2012
Late Night with Glennnnnnnn LOGAN!
GL,
You are obviously onto something with the Night Owl Gazette given the response.
Keep ‘em coming.
Makes it a lot easier for us Left Coasters since your midnight is my nine pm.
I think I’ve decided to move to Step 7 on the entire team and our coaching staff.
They are trying very hard, they are improving in most significant ways and they truly are playing as a team looking out for one another. That is rare and wonderful to see.
I plan to enjoy the ride wherever it takes us in this magical season.
ukfastcat - January 15, 2012
Davis' move
TW,
He said he’s been working on it in practice with the coaches.
I’m sure that helped, but what I saw was an elite motor genius just making that ball go in when his team needed it badly.
The upside of this year’s team is arguably higher than any other in UK history.
They will keep on improving right up to their victory in the Final game of the season and still have left a lot more room for improvement on the table as they head off into their successful futures.
ukfastcat - January 15, 2012
As a first comment since getting back I will point out this.
Even though Teague seems to be still struggling a little bit with the Calipari PG model, the team seems to be farther along than past year’s at this point. Like some folks above, I tend to not question the coaching moves as long as the product is in good overall condition and the wins are coming. This seems to be the case.
Common sense says that Calipari is not going to hit on every single point guard he recruits perfectly. Teague’s struggles seem to be of a mental lapse nature, not one of the overall playing and coaching type, which leads me to believe that he is making mistakes in the heat of the moment. I personally would have benched his butt on a couple of occasions, in an attempt to get his attention. Cal seems to think that him playing through those mistakes is a smarter move. Cal gets the millions per year, so there we have it.
Greg Alan Edwards - January 15, 2012
When Teague stepped to the free throw line
late in the UNC game, you could see the absolute panic in his eyes and he promptly missed the free throw. I have watched his eyes in recent games at the free throw line and that deer in the headlights look is gone. He has hit some free throws in clutch situations lately and I suspect that the rest of his game will continue to improve with experience.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
Teague
One would hope that Cal is in contact with his brother, Jeff, to enlist some help getting through to his younger brother. Jeff is where Marquis wants to be. He will get there sooner than later if he stops talking back to his coach, actually LISTENING to the instructions and putting in the extra time like Brandon did, to work on the things Cal is telling him he needs to improve. Cal has told us all the problem repeatedly in his interviews. Teague, like all the superstars in HS and AAU, was expected to be the one and only “man” and was free to just get as many points as possible with sheer talent and superior motor skills. it looks to me like MT would actually be a better slashing, scoring 2 than a PG at this point in his development. For those who say he can’t shoot, that is not necessarily the case. His midrange jumper is servicable, his stroke from three is quite smooth and both would be drastically improved without the stress he is feeling learning the point guard position “on the job”.
He will be what he will be for us this year. If he is only what he is now and that means he can lock down the opponent’s best scorer like he did at UT, I’ll take it. I’ll fervently hope for better PG skills, but I’ll take it.
It does put a lot more pressure on MT when Doron and Darius are not shooting they way they can. Two treys, with one coming late from MKG, are not going to get it done against the better teams or even the mediocre squads in hostile road environments.
It is better to say we “escaped” this week than “won”.
I’ll take that, too.
ukfastcat - January 15, 2012
BBN - Video
Check out this youtube video I found of yesterday’s game! It’s a “Big Blue Chant” during the game ! We are everywhere !
http://www.everythingkentuckyonline.com/2012/01/video-go-big-blue-chant-at-thompson.html
Sam Henson - January 15, 2012
awesome .. we have to be the best traveled team in basketball ....
IT’s always been hard to get a ticket at RUPP … now you have plan early if you want seats at a road venue … I was waiting for a friend to come up with some good seats for the Carolina game and almost all of the lower level seats are already gone ….
ukcris - January 15, 2012
Been the case for many years
That’s why these other schools want to win. So as not to hear “Go Big Blue” in their own gym.
sweasyf - January 15, 2012
In an unrelated note that loud THUD you heard was Indiana coming back to earth ...
Ohio State smoking them at the half 35 – 14
ukcris - January 15, 2012
Indiana's always been bad
but I didn’t expect Urban to fix Ohio State’s offense that quickly
Incipient_Senescence - January 15, 2012
It probably won't take as long as you might think ... many of the top football recruits now considering OSU
read here …. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1021483-ohio-state-football-recruiting-2012-whos-in-whos-out-and-whos-still-on-the
ukcris - January 15, 2012
Ohio State's stocked with talent, they'll be good sooner rather than later
but the halftime score was just begging for that joke to be made
Incipient_Senescence - January 15, 2012
missed it ......
ukcris - January 16, 2012
I saw the end of that game
maybe the media will shut up about Indiana for a while, now that they know they can’t handle being outside of Bloomington
cats4life - January 15, 2012
It seems all I heard yesterday was UK's road woes...
but I think about 7 ranked teams lost on the road this weekend.
jpbluekat - January 15, 2012
The only road woes UK has had lately
is that they are not winning by enough to satisfy the fans.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
maybe some fans
I’m tickled to death
Bluehound - January 15, 2012
the bad side of BBN
memphis wildcat - January 15, 2012
Actually it was comments on ESPN....
in every UK segment they seemed to point out Cal’s road record…
jpbluekat - January 15, 2012
They might want to take a little time
to discuss Duke and UNC on the road this year.
kywineman - January 15, 2012
Lady Cats* Rally To Remain Perfect
Trailing by 1 at the half and by 9 with 11:00 to go Mitchell’s Minxes turned up the defense to defeat #24 USC 66-58. UK 5-0 in SEC.
Wild Weasel - January 15, 2012
good article Glenn
a lot of good comments and opinions, all of which are good, a very good thread
bottom line…..we all love our team, and we want sevenrings to have to change his name …this year !!
Bluehound - January 15, 2012
I felt really good about this game
Tennessee played their hearts out and we kept our cool, chopped wood and won. now, the ending did bother me. the cats do seem to relax a bit too soon. our rebounding looked much improved. we got the defensive rebounds we should have, that’s a huge improvement. I thought Teague played a solid game through some horrible officiating. Davis was Davis, MKG was Mr Hustle, and Jones played well in the time the refs gave him. Wilt gave us a spark. On the negative side, Lamb was invisible and Miller nearly so.
cat stevie - January 15, 2012 via Android app
Notes from the game Saturday
Great article Glenn,
I attended the Game Saturday. I have been to several UK UT games in Knoxville. They usually don’t end well. A few observations from the game.
The UT fans are really high on Martin. He seems to be building a defensive and hustle work ethic. It showed Saturday. I beleive we were lucky to have met them as early as we did. Stokes will lift them up a notch. This should work to our advantage in league seeding this year.
Stokes is big on screen, he is a beheamoth in person. I saw someone refer to him as Wes Unsel type. He has great skills. I wish we had him on our team.
I hope that UT is able to rebuild after the Pearl debacle.
I know that MKG is our MVP, but Davis is the best defensive big man I have seen in person. His instincts are amazing, and his athleticism is freakish. Our front court with MKG, TJ and AD are the best defensive front line in basketball. They would start on many NBA teams.
Jones got a lot of bad breaks but he played very well. I think he is getting ready to have a breakout game.
The Satuday victory was exactly what we needed. These are the type games we will struggle with. I hope we continue to improve our offensive flow. UT caused us to loose our offensive focus.
Go CATS You have another tough opponent next Saturday against Alabama.
big-cuz fan - January 16, 2012
Thank you!
And thanks for reading. :-)
Glenn Logan - January 17, 2012
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