Andy Lyons - Getty Images
The Arkansas Razorbacks got to watch Anthony Davis do this over, and over, and over last night.
I think we can safely say that the Kentucky Wildcats had a pretty good game last night, despite some 3-point shooting woes and generally doing only an adequate job of putting the ball in the basket outside of ten feet. The good news is, most of Kentucky's shots were considerably closer than that, and they made a very good percentage of those.
Most of us are wondering if this is the moment when Marquis Teague "gets it." Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist got it a long time ago.
Now, for the news:
Not Ready for Super Tuesday: Kentucky Wildcats 86, Arkansas Razorbacks 63 // Arkansas Expats
Notebook: Davis' block numbers are incomparable at UK // CoachCal.com
Not that Jay Bilas needed a record to confirm it, but on the night Anthony Davis broke Kentucky’s single-season record for blocks, the ESPN analyst tweeted that Davis is the best shot blocker in the country.
"And, it is not close," Bilas said. "He covers up the rim from ten feet in. Tremendous."
Word.
SEC Morning Five: 01.18.12 Edition // Rush The Court
Kentucky has been called for 39 charging calls this season while only drawing nine charges on the defensive end. In fact, UK point guard Marquis Teague was called for charging three times by himself in the Tennessee game on Saturday. Wildcats coach John Calipari seems to have an answer. "Either these guys — when we leave our feet — are unbelievably quick to get into position," Calipari said of the number of charges against Kentucky "Or some of them should be blocks." Ding. Ding. Ding. I happen to agree with what some have already written on the matter, and the matter is not unique to Kentucky. The charge circle has made the call more difficult for referees. Officials seem to focus on whether or not the collision took place within the circle, and not whether or not the collision was a charge or block.
I think this is becoming the consensus.
Liggins to ZagsBlog: Cats could win it all
Former Kentucky standout and Orlando Magic rookie DeAndre Liggins believes his alma mater is better this year than it was a year ago when it reached the Final Four with himself and fellow rookie Josh "Jorts" Harrellson of the Knicks.
Preach, Brother Liggins.
No. 2 Kentucky waltzes past Arkansas // USATODAY.com
"I know they're definitely thinking about it when they come in the hole and they've got to shoot the ball," said Davis, who had 14 rebounds. "It's definitely in their mind — where's Anthony Davis?"
Heh. Yes, AD, I strongly suspect that's exactly what they are thinking.
University of Louisville junior forward Rakeem Buckles suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during the Cardinals’ game at Marquette on Monday and will miss the remainder of season and all of next season with his second career knee injury. He tore the ACL in his right knee last season.
Man, that's just sad. I feel really bad for the young man. I even feel bad for the Cardinals, they are truly snakebitten this year.
Two road wars have been won to date but I'm afraid the most difficult road battles are waiting in Starkville, Nashville, and Gainesville. But make no mistake the other remaining battles on the road besides those three will be every bit as difficult as Auburn and Knoxville was, that's just the way it is when the Blue & White rolls into town across the south.
Nerlens Noel dominates in individual matchup with Mitch McGary at Hoophall Classic // masslive.com
The highly-anticipated individual matchup between Brewster's Mitch McGary and Tilton's Nerlens Noel, however, was what set this game apart. And inside that matchup, Noel, the No. 3 player in the class of 2013, according to Rivals.com, was the clear winner.
We need Nerlens Noel.
The Duke Conundrum // True Blue Kentucky Forums
Duke is not one of the top programs of all time. Duke does not have a history and tradition of being great. Duke is only great because of Coach K. After Coach K retires it is very likely Duke will return to an average program.
Could we not have said the same thing about Kentucky in 1970, and Adolph Rupp?
Let's be honest -- Kentucky was not a great basketball school before Rupp got here. In fact, Duke can lay claim to two NCAA finals before Krzyzewski got there. They were very successful under Vic Bubuas and Bucky Waters. That success continued under Bill Foster in the 1970's, and when Krzyzewski got there in 1980, the program's success exploded.
So with due respect to the author, I do think Duke will be successful after Krzyzewski leaves. I just wouldn't want to be the guy who tries to fill his shoes.
Mark Story: Dropping in on UK's new rivals // Kentucky.com
Conversely, when Kentucky hired a major coach away from Texas A&M — a men's basketball coach named Bill Gillispie in 2009 — that did not exactly make up for losing the Bear.
Heh. Too right.
Mark Story: UK, Tennessee finally on the verge of real rivalry // Kentucky.com
The Wildcats have topped the Rocky Toppers this school year in football, women's basketball and men's hoops. This is the first time UK has beaten UT in all three of the most visible sports in the same school year since 1984-85. It is only the third time it has ever done so (1981-82).
Wow. Didn't know that, but it's nice to hear.
2012's First Oversigning Controversy Comes At Alabama, But It Won't Be Last // Team Speed Kills
Interesting. Nice problem to have, but it's still a problem, as they say, especially for the kids involved. Seems the new rule isn't quite as effective as I'd hoped.
With John Calipari in attendance, Shabazz Muhammad, recruiting Priority No. 1 for the Kentucky Wildcats showed why he is the top-ranked recruit in the class of 2012.
"If you’re in control of the ball, you’re the one responsible for your actions …" the national coordinator said. "Once a guy leaves the floor, the defender can’t move." Adams acknowledged that the calls are subjective.
Okay, then tell your guys to call it that way. We are having people moving after players leave the floor, and getting called for charges.
0 recs | 37 comments
With all due respect...
…to the referee. I believe the defender has to be set. That’s the entire point right? If I drive into a guy and he’s still moving his feet and I run into him, he got in my way. If his feet are set I got in his way right? Isn’t that charge/block 101? I agree that the refs have a thankless job, but its still their job to not only make these calls but get them right. Try working at a burger place and put the bun upside down, yea it still works but some ones gonna yell at you.
phatcatfan - January 18, 2012 via mobile
That's what I have always been told...
Their feet have to be set, and they can’t be moving…
iam4ukintn - January 18, 2012
I don't like the way charges are called at all
the rule is there to prevent offensive players from just steamrolling defenders. It was not ever intended (IMHO) to be used as a defensive tactic, which is what it has turned into, and it really takes away from the aesthetics of the game in a big way. Play honest defense, and if the offensive player is just excessive in forcing contact, that should be a charge. That’s not how it works at all anymore.
kcgard2 - January 19, 2012
The defender need not be set.
He may maintain legal guarding position while moving his feet. That’s always been the rule, as far back as the ’70s, anyway. Billy Packer used to explain it, and Jay Bilas in recent years, though he did just say that it has become far too easy to draw a charge.
We have it in our heads that a charge requires the defender to be stationary, both feet firmly planted on the floor, not leaning one way or the other at the moment of contact. A statue. But it’s just not so. Perhaps Glenn can follow up with citations to authority.
It would be a dangerous game for Cal to instruct his players to start sliding into the shooter. That requires the most delicate judgment, and one that may simply exacerbate our foul problems.
Wheatgerm - January 19, 2012
Exactly right.
You can be in legal guarding position and still be moving your feet. What you must not do is lean into the path of the opponent, either with the upper or lower body. And both feet must be down before the opponent leaves the ground for a field goal try.
Glenn Logan - January 21, 2012
Looking back at the beginning of this season, and the college basketball landscape overall,
It amazes me how much that happens each year blows seasonal predictions out of the water, and just how out of sync some prognosticators can be. And as much as I cannot believe I am saying this, I think I feel worse right now for Louisville than what I did for UT when Pearl sank the ship.
I did not expect us to be this good,this soon, and I certainly didnt expect them to be this bad, ever. Time to throw up a few prayers, Hail Mary’s or whatever each of us does every year to recognize how thankful we should be for what we have.
Rick Pitino is getting a boatload of Schadenfreude, Bad Karma, Lousy run of luck or whatever you wish to call it. If the man has any unused favors out there, he might want to start calling them in.
If Coach Calipari did anything wrong in a past life, or has greviously offended anyone at anytime, it looks as though he has paid his dues and has eclipsed the incident.
And someone needs to get this charge-block thing under control. Or I am afraid a championship might get decided by it.
Greg Alan Edwards - January 18, 2012
Another UL Injury
Scout.com is reporting that Card freshman Kevin Ware tore knee meniscus during practice.
Wild Weasel - January 18, 2012
I feel for UofL.
We may call them “little brother” but that just means we love beating them up ourselves but otherwise wish no harm right? Like a real life little brother lol.
phatcatfan - January 18, 2012 via mobile
CC says that UL is reporting it as a minor knee bruise. We'll see.
Very sad about Buckles.
The Cards needed him badly.
bob in bg - January 18, 2012
UofL got the kiss of death...
when “someone” boasted bout going undefeated…the baketball gods have spoken…. :)
kentuckyrules - January 18, 2012
BREAKING NEWS THIS JUST IN
Roy Williams has resigned as basketball coach at the University of North Carolina, effective immediately. He has just been hired as the new captain of the cruiseship Costa Concordia. A spokesman for the cruise line said Mr. Williams has clearly demonstrated that he has what it takes to be a ship’s captain. He cited the recent game at Tallahassee as an example of his leadership qualities and loyalty to his staff and crew.
UKCat - January 18, 2012
nice ;)
i have a few Tar Heel friends who will love that “newsflash” hahahaha
bluecrip - January 18, 2012
Lol...
iam4ukintn - January 18, 2012
Very Funny!
I was actually laughing out loud
LyricSmith - January 18, 2012
Classic!!!!
LOL!
UKWildcats #1 - January 18, 2012
UKCat...
NICE!!!
oilliecat - January 19, 2012
Nice comment by Liggins
Its a good thing he went pro. I’m afraid if he and MKG were playing for the same team (or even against one another) that the universe just might explode.
sweasyf - January 18, 2012
The comments from the NCAA National Men’s Basketball Officiating Coordinator
are absolutely, positively… ludicrous.
As if that is not ridiculous enough, he follows it up with this Dynamic Duo of quotes:
Followed by:
So what the heck does that mean? That these referees are “correct” in 75% of their subjective, judgment calls? According to who… him?This guy has a bright future at the NCAA.
.
HSLex - January 18, 2012
The defender definitely does not have to have his feet set
if the offensive player lowers his shoulder or pushes off with his arm or whatever. Maybe that’s what he’s talking about. In terms of a “normal” charge however, I’ve always thought the defender had to be set.
KDH2011 - January 18, 2012
I did not get the impression that he was referring to offensive players
shoving off when he made the first quote that I cited, or I would have expected him to qualify it as such. But you are right in that is an example of when a defender would not have to be set.
This call is such a potential momentum changer, I just can’t believe that there are not clear requirements explained here (however hard they would be to put into practice). There is too much left up to subjectivity. I have said before in other comments, more refs should “subjectively” decide to just swallow their whistle and not reward a bunch of soccer-style flopping around by slow defenders.
(I do freely admit that my feelings about giving the advantage to the offensive player on this call could conceivably be because Coach Cal is currently recruiting the best athletes in the nation. If one day we are the team with the less athletic players, I might switch to trying to favor the defense….)
Plus, even the guy from the NCAA who is making up a figure as to how often this call is “correct” admits it is wrong about 25% of the time. How the heck is that acceptable?
.
HSLex - January 18, 2012
46.4% of statistics are made up on the spot
jdogblue - January 18, 2012
That is only 75% accurate.
kywineman - January 18, 2012
and it's probably at least 37.5% ficticious......
Greg Alan Edwards - January 18, 2012
Its typical double talk to excuse bad calls...
the defender does not need to be set when he is moving along with the offensive player, such as when a shoulder is lowered or the offensive player changes direction and moves into the defender. A defender sliding into an offensive player’s path before they were in position to guard is what we are talking about.
jpbluekat - January 18, 2012
NCAA
Are they required to hire idiots, or does it just work out that way?
BCinVA - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Pearl will be available-
In a few years…
iam4ukintn - January 18, 2012
No
Only 75% of the NCAA hires are idiots. They are wrong about 25% of the time.
BlueCollarMan - January 18, 2012
Solution to the charge/block dilemna
Have one of the referee’s taken off the floor and be an courtside official much like the NFL has in FB. Any critical play that is arbitrary such as an unsure questionable call could be reviewed in seconds, like the commentators do presently. Have this individual be the one with the last say. Seriously it wouldn’t take an experienced person no more than a few seconds of getting it right over 90% of the time rather then the quoted 75%+. Two ref’s on the floor and one on a monitor.
KansasUKCat - January 18, 2012
I knew that DeAndre was smart-
And Ira Combs should read ASoB. We could have told him that Starkville, Nashville, and Gainesville were going to be tough months ago…
iam4ukintn - January 18, 2012
Well, it had to come sooner or later........
Greg Alan Edwards - January 18, 2012
That's pretty crude.
Glenn Logan - January 18, 2012
Came from CC's own comment section.....believe it or not......
Greg Alan Edwards - January 18, 2012
awesome!
i….must…..share……
bluecrip - January 19, 2012
Greg!!!!
That is cute!!!!
oilliecat - January 19, 2012
UL and the injuries
Something seems wrong about all these injuries popping up on a continual basis. Why would one school have to endure all this. I wonder if it’s their training and strength program gone wrong or too strenuous of a practice sessions. Surely it cannot be just bad luck or karma.
KansasUKCat - January 19, 2012
I felt the same way
when Gillispie’s kids were suffering shin splints.
Wheatgerm - January 19, 2012
they are trying to get away from sPitino
and his henchmen ;j
bluecrip - January 19, 2012
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