The Alabama Crimson Tide came into Rupp Arena with a chip on their shoulder, but they leave with a tough loss courtesy of the Kentucky Wildcats' second half free throw shooting.
Congratulations to the Tide on an outstanding game. Hanging 71 points on Kentucky in Rupp Arena is no mean feat, and even though Alabama has shot the ball poorly from three all year long, they did not today, shooting 71% on 5-7 shots from distance. Alabama's defense held Kentucky to only 43% on their home floor, while shooting 48% from the field themselves. The Tide had a chance to win this game on the strength of pure perseverance and good shooting, but saw that opportunity slip away in the waning minutes thanks to outstanding free throw shooting from Kentucky.
For the 'Cats, I am very happy with the outcome, but very unhappy with the way UK played the game. Kentucky missed many open looks yet again, got handled on the offensive glass, and made some really brain-dead plays that you simply can't make in hard-fought games. I thought UK was lazy on defense at times, and although it's really difficult to maintain intensity for 40 minutes, there were too many times where the only player in the game with more want-to than Alabama was Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who wound up fouling out. Talented timidity is losing proposition, and Alabama definitely pushed the Wildcats around in their own house.
In the end, though, Kentucky won the game and in a good way -- making free throws at crunch time when they struggled earlier in the game to make free 15 footers, of which they were granted an incredible 40. UK scored 35% of their points from the free throw line, and legitimately left six or seven points on the floor.
Superlatives:
-
Darius Miller played like a senior today. Despite only making 2 of five, he made 2 of three from the arc and really defended well. Despite getting only 2 rebounds, he was 5 of 6 from the line with 4 assists, 2 turnovers 2 steals and a block. At the end of the game, Miller really asserted himself and was a huge part of the late offense, when he was needed most. Game ball.
-
Doron Lamb was back to his old self today. He wasn't perfect, but he was very good, scoring 14 points on 5-8 from the field and grabbing 4 rebounds. He also committed only one turnover, and I liked his defensive intensity, it was much better.
- Anthony Davis struggled in many ways, but he made his free throws and came within a rebound of yet another double-double. He also had a huge block down the stretch, then put the game out of reach with two free throws.
- Terrence Jones played well also. I think six rebounds is too few, but 15 points is good, to go along with a couple of blocks and a steal. His free throw shooting was off, but he made late ones, when they really needed them.
-
Marquis Teague, did some good things running the team, which is nice to see.
- Kentucky as a team blocked nine shots and had only 8 turnovers. Very good.
- I thought Kyle Wiltjer played really well. He had a rebound, a block, and a three.
Not so superlative
- Kentucky as a team looked lazy on defense to me, and I didn't like it. Too many breakdowns.
- Marquis Teague shot the ball too many times, missed too many easy shots, and took too many challenged shots.
- Anthony Davis was manhandled, and he didn't respond.
- Terrence Jones is still not producing at the level we need.
- There is no excuse, whatever, for shooting only 67% on 40 free throws. This team should be shooting closer to 75% from the line than 65% on that many attempts.
- Some dumb fouls today, and the one at the end of the game particularly galls me. Lamb made a dumb, obvious foul at crunch time 75 feet from the basket and acted like he couldn't understand the call. Play like a man, for heaven's sake.
- UK's zone defense needs a lot of work before they trot that out again.
- Kentucky allowed the post to be fed too easily. They should have double-teamed the post more from the top.
A win is a win, and I'm happy about this one as ugly as it was, but this team is capable of so much more. When are we going to see it? I guess I'd be happy to wait until March, so maybe I should wait until then to ask that question. Nevertheless, I'd like to see a sign that they are beginning to get it. Maybe next game, when the Georgia Bulldogs come calling on Tuesday.
Go, 'Cats!
They can expect to see this style of play from their opponents to rest of the year.
UK1972 - January 21, 2012
"UK's zone defense needs a lot of work before they trot that out again."
Trot with it they did. For teams that don’t really “play” a zone, zone defense is an excuse to take a break and quit chasing your guy all over the floor. In reality, a good zone requires a tremendous amount of effort. Teams that play it well, like Syracuse, know this and they put in the energy to make it effective. As long as our guys use the zone to take a collective breath, it will look like it did today.
sweasyf - January 21, 2012
We say this everytime and yet nothing changes
The White Mandingo - January 21, 2012
As a general rule, zones do allow you to rest.
Especially if you’re a big man. You may not like the energy we put into ours, but there it is. The only time a zone needs a tremendous amount of energy is when the offense is whipping the ball around effectively, both inside and out. If you watched Syracuse yesterday, you saw them almost fall asleep in the zone. For 30 minutes, their zone required no energy at all. Only in the last 8-10 minutes did they start extending it in an attempt to make something happen.
Wheatgerm - January 22, 2012
zone is easier.
I played a little basketball in high school. That was a hundred years ago, but still, we always sort of let out a sigh of relief when asked to run zone. It was way easier than man. It just is. You are guarding a space rather than chasing your man all over the floor.
BigSkyCat - January 22, 2012
Game ball
I thought long and hard about that and decided I would not award one. Miller’s 4 assists and 2 steals came within the first five or six minutes of the first half, then we didn’t see much from him until he hit the late free throws. Thank goodness for his senior leadership on late free throws, though.
Post defense was not good, as you point out, until some late double teaming. If I was coaching Davis, I think I would tell him never to put a body on an opponent in the post. Just lay back and keep him guessing. Davis simply does not have the weight for traditional post defense.
Teague did do a couple of nice things, but I think this was a regression for him. His defense was not good at all on Releford — made him look all conference.
Loved MKG’s energy, but the double side of that sword was the foul trouble. Cats are clearly a different team when he is on the bench.
jdogblue - January 21, 2012
One other thing on Davis' post defense
By bodying up in traditional post defense, he gives the offensive player the chance to “feel” him out. Green and Jacobs used that to their advantage. I think laying off would mess with their minds.
jdogblue - January 21, 2012
From my "organized" bball experience (LOL)...
if you chose not to body up on D, that does allow the offense to get very deep in the key, and if they get the ball (because the passer see’s YOU behind, so they will get it in usually) you then risk fouling because then you have no choice but to move to the offensive player who is most likely making a play to the hoop as you move up.
I would work sometimes, may be able to get the entry steal from time to time, but it only works best on a missmatch, like a guard defending a PF. Davis just needs to work on his “hex-step” defense for denial :).
kentuckyrules - January 21, 2012
Must realize that a W against UK may be a ticket into the Tourney for some teams, get their best.
UK1972 - January 21, 2012
Every team, every game
One of my work friends is a huge UT fan with a kid in Knoxville. He swung by my desk after we played and said “congrats, we almost got you, beating you all is huge if we end up on the bubble”. Everybody sees us in that light.
sweasyf - January 21, 2012
Ditto
bluegrassgal - January 21, 2012
My game ball would be to the coaching staff
They didn’t commit a single turnover, didn’t miss a rebound that came their way nor did they pick up a foul, not even a Technical. Plus SIX wildcats scored in double figures today. Great coaching to get McDonald’s All Americans to share like that.
It looked like pretty much the entire team had an off day today. Kinda like that West Virginia game in the tourney two years ago. We were lucky that we were as balanced as we were. The kids just toughed out this one on a day where we looked sloppy.
If the coaching staff ever wants me to give them another game ball, we’d better not have anymore days where the whole teams looks like they are in a funk.
sweasyf - January 21, 2012
+1
jdogblue - January 21, 2012
What is with folks that don't understand KY is playing hoops??
Individual dropped in the middle of the game and stayed an hour! What the crap?? Got to the point where the DVR kept starting back up and I’d hit Pause, then it would start up again. Person finally took the hint and left… Gonna have to get my “KY is playing, don’t bother me” sign back out…
As we’ve seen from Cal’s teams in the past, if you get physical with them, they’ll back down a bit and that’s just what Bama did to us today. Nice to see that we could fight through it, but 8 buckets in the second half is about 8 too few. Lesson-learner today, hope Cal will use the film as a teaching point…
EagleTDL - January 21, 2012
Take a page out of my play book. We won't answer the phone
or the door during a game. I will go in the other room and watch if necessary.
bluegrassgal - January 21, 2012
Ha! Thanks for the advice...
Silly rabbits!
EagleTDL - January 22, 2012
Despite some of the broken defense and offense...
I think this was another good learning experience on what to expect coming very soon. When tourny time hits, ALL games should/will be close, and will not be blow-outs like we are used to. I think this toughens us up a lot and makes us better.
To me, instead of criticizing the ‘Cats, I would rather compliment the Tide for bring it ALL and leaving nothing questions. Sometimes teams will bring it, but we showed that even when a team is bringing it 120%, we can still stop the flood. Good work by the cats, I especially liked Jones attitude today, even though he got called for some stupid fouls that probably shouldn’t have, he did excellent. We need Miller to keep this up too until he graduates :).
kentuckyrules - January 21, 2012
you nailed it....
i was a bit frustrated (ie spoiled by last 2-3 games) but bama is a whole different ball game than Ark, UT and Auburn.
to me, this is EXACTLY what we want now – unless we are going to beat everyone by 20 from now until April. however, that is unrealistic….
memphis wildcat - January 21, 2012
Bingo
I didn’t like the defense, but otherwise I saw a UK team that held off an inspired Alabama squad that would have beaten most other teams on Saturday.
I also thought Jones showed some signs of life that, coupled with Teague’s improved decision making (although let’s not talk about taking it out of the circle with 4 seconds to shot), auger well for then heart of SEC play.
Five minutes to go and I was convinced that the TIde was going to pull the upset. They didn’t, and I credit these young men and their coaches for toughing it out and not allowing this to happen.
Roll Cats
BeachBubbaTex - January 22, 2012
Not Exactly A Gem
We definitely regressed today. I pretty much agree with what Glenn wrote. I think we lose this game if it’s on the road. This may sound crazy but I think AD is our best defensive player as well as our worst. When he has time & space he is the best shot blocker in the country but when someone bodies up on him, he is only average at best. I have trouble coming to grips with that. I could go on and on about the deficiencies of the team in this game but at best it was a step or even two backward & I can’t imagine the coaching staff can be pleased.
Bluegilla - January 21, 2012
Green took Davis to school today
first time all year that i though Davis was completely outclassed on the court, because he was. Physical and smart bigs scare me against Davis, who doesn’t have the size to counter them effectively.
kcgard2 - January 21, 2012
in 10 years of following Cal's teams, i never thought i'd hear this:
the game was won:
memphis wildcat - January 21, 2012
At least in the 2nd half, right??
We weren’t so good in the 1st… 4-11 in the 1st and then 23-29 in the 2nd. Shows we can perform under pressure, at least…
EagleTDL - January 21, 2012
Tennessee is starting to pull away from UConn
Stokes is playing like an absolute monster.
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
I know, right? I'm sitting here routing for UT. The world is
truly upside down!!!
bluegrassgal - January 21, 2012
And my Noles are playing Duke really tight!
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
Davis
Davis at least showed he was human and not some sort of cyborg robot today. What I like about him most today is that even when every shot seemed to bounce out, he still played hard. He and MKG seem to play hard on almost every play. Jones can be such a beast but he often lets missed shots affect the way he plays. I saw that a couple times out of Teague today where he did a great job penetrating but the layup didn’t fall and he hesitated just a second or two in disappointment while his man Releford was streaking down to the other end to beat him.
cthom - January 21, 2012
Jones still isn't fully back
and I am just hoping that he will be by tournament time, basically.
kcgard2 - January 21, 2012
UK's early run was as good as it gets
but after Grant’s timeout our aggressiveness disappeared quicker than pride on a Jerry Springer show.
That Bama was going to be physical was known to all, I just wonder how the 3s by Bama unsettled our team. Even Cal had dismissed the Tide threat from outside.
hoboat33 - January 21, 2012
He said on the pregame that he figured the tide would make 10 against us.... jokingly but it wasnt far off
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
Very good game
1) Rupp must be the best shooting arena in the country. The opposition shooting is sometimes amazing.
2) Like Glenn said, I don’t understand why we didn’t double the post more.
3) The difference between this final score and a 15 point win is David making four more shots. As someone said, Davis is getting pushed a bit while in the air.
4) I am not that hard on Teague about Releford. Kid had a career day and was allowed to walk with the ball at least twice before he shot. Sometimes you can’t stop them and you can’t stop anyone if they get an extra step.
5) I think our DR problem is resulting from two things. First, our 4 and 5 are ending up away from the basket too often because of switches. Second the 1,2, and 3 are not blocking out as they should and “leaning” up the floor wanting to run.
I really enjoyed this game. When the opposition plays their absolutely best game of the year and you are having a bad day and you still control the game, that is great.
Never really had a second favorite team in the SEC since Nolan left Arkansas, but Bama is now it.
darkandbloody@gmail.com - January 21, 2012
Fla St giving Duke all they want at home ...
ukcris - January 21, 2012
Fla State knocks off Duke 76-73 ... Duke goes down at home to the Seminoles
ukcris - January 21, 2012
The Noles are going to be a tough tough out in the NCAAs
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
I'm thinking they are due some respect in the polls ...
ukcris - January 21, 2012
They might get some votes
but their losses werent pretty. I think they need another solid week before they crack the top 25
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
knowing Florida State
they will manage to lose just enough games to still manage to find themselves squarely on the bubble
blue kentucky girl - January 21, 2012
Very Possible
although this team seems to have found their offensive id with the 3-guard set
floundringaround - January 22, 2012
Well, this is not what I meant to write, certainly not twice
I meant to say it was possible that FSU found its Offensive ID with the 3-guard set
floundringaround - January 22, 2012
That's harsh.
They have the most amazing week ever, and you demand more? No, they earned it. They proved themselves worthy. Let the next week or two decide how long they remain in the polls.
Wheatgerm - January 22, 2012
or NIT ;)
BeachBubbaTex - January 22, 2012
So long as they don't have to face Clemson ;-)
JLeverenz - January 22, 2012
45-game home winning streak is over
at Duke
jdogblue - January 21, 2012
ahhhh
both teams won today… And UK has no close challenge for home current home court winning streak!
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
Duke's 47 game home winning streak ends ... ironically, the last team to beat them at home ... you guessed it FlaSt
ukcris - January 21, 2012
Man I love my Noles!
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
heck ND is up on Cuse with out FabMelo
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
Cats return to #1 this week?? ....
ukcris - January 21, 2012
Cats win, Duke loses...
will only top off if a paparazzi catches Shabazz putting on a UK shirt after his game :O
kentuckyrules - January 21, 2012
I was only able to catch about half of the second half today
It was one of those must stand up endings. I read through the game threads and it didn’t sound like many saw a pretty game. A win is a win though and I will take it. I did not want to think about the home streak ending, at least any time soon.
On a side note, I think I have my having to miss some games issue almost resolved. It has been a good week! Go Big Blue!
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
don't feel bad.
I missed the entire game. Sadness.
Very thankful for the excellent postmortem and it’s timeliness so I could get up to speed on what went down. Very much appreciated this time, Glenn. Thanks.
BigSkyCat - January 22, 2012
other News
Joe Pa is near death
floundringaround - January 21, 2012
SB Nation reports he has died, according to sources.
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
Other sources say no.
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
Yeah family denies still
floundringaround - January 22, 2012
Well, I guess I should have skipped going to Rupp
and stayed home to watch the game you guys watched. I saw a game where Alabama went all Louisville on the cats, getting away with many whack a mole plays and constantly allowed to travel with the ball. This was a poorly officiated game that definitely affected tempo. I thought the cats played very well under the circumstances. I cannot agree that Teague took too many bad shots. The Alabama defense gave him openings and he attacked the rim just as he should have.
Baylor #3, Duke #4 have already gone down. Syracuse is in trouble and UK is 19 and 1. I see absolutely no reason for the tone of some posts on here unless like some posters from the past, you are being a 2 year old and demanding near perfect performance. I am going to celebrate UK’s victory while others are fixated on UK’s almost loss.
kywineman - January 21, 2012
Amen!
Pap Cat - January 21, 2012
Preach on my man!
UK1972 - January 21, 2012
I was there today, too. First game I've seen in Rupp in about 25 years.
It was just a tough, tough game all around. It was a very poorly officiated game, it hurt both sides, and kept any offensive flow from developing. Cats were impressive stepping up over the last several minutes, when it became clear that Grant was going to make us win it from the foul line.
And we DID!
BCinVA - January 21, 2012
I really think there is a huge difference
in the perception of team performance when watching the action in the arena vs the two dimensional view you get on TV.
kywineman - January 21, 2012
There is a huge difference.
On TV, one does not see the entire game. You see more reactions, what is going on away from the shooter, etc…
a2d2 - January 22, 2012
You see more CBS self-promotions, more charts that obscure the actual actions, etc.
jdogblue - January 22, 2012
Regarding CBS coverage...
I have to give them credit for something. For some reason, it seems that on fast breaks, they always switch to the camera under the goal at the last second, trying to get some awesome view of the finish. But all that does is make me have to find everybody again, and usually its not as good a shot. Last night, several times they just kept the same shot through the break and I really appreciated it.
bob in bg - January 22, 2012 via Android app
Agreed
I’ve always hated that aspect change during a fast break. Just as you’re getting ready to cheer, you have to readjust your eyes/brain to take in the new vantage point. It kind of ruins the moment. Still its a whole lot easier to take then the dizzy-cam used last year from the overhead scoreboard. That one almost made me ill.
sweasyf - January 22, 2012
Ha!
I had forgotten that one.
bob in bg - January 22, 2012 via Android app
I have to agree with kywineman
UK won while Uconn, Syracuse, and Duke go down. So it could of been alot worse for UK. I watched the second half, and thought UK played good. They did not play great, but they did hit their free throws down the stretch. I have a feeling that UK is going to get ruffed up from here on out. I thought they handled the physical play just fine. Lamb’s foul at the end of the game was pretty lame and I expect him to be smarter than that. But as of now, I think UK has to be the favorite to win it all. And I think they will win it all.
ScottWalls - January 22, 2012
Vandy Is Impressive
Playing as a veteran team should, up 39-28 over MSU at half.
Wild Weasel - January 21, 2012
Quite A Turnaround
21-point swing, MSU from 11 down at half to up 10 at under 8 TO. Making shots (or inability to do so) is the ultimate difference.
Wild Weasel - January 21, 2012
Orange Go Down
ND’s propensity for upsetting #1 continues 67-56. Cats likely #1!
Wild Weasel - January 21, 2012
The king is dead. Long live the king.
jdogblue - January 21, 2012
Three of the top four go down.
What a day for basketball. UK wins, Duke and Syracuse lose, Tennessee beats UConn, Arkansas beats Michigan and I still have a UL/Pitt game to watch.
kywineman - January 21, 2012
Not to mention Vandy-Miss.St.
jdogblue - January 21, 2012
opps lol
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
MSU and Vandy aint bad either
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
I'd like to see Murray St play
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
and they are on at 9:00 tonite
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
And the last undefeated team is the Racers
BCinVA - January 21, 2012
But we can always count on Digger's highlighter matching his shirt and tie! :-)
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
Just like Corso and his....
pencil for his college gameday.
Hahaha!
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
Just like Corso and his....
pencil for his college gameday.
Hahaha!
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
now we just need the Loathsome Cards to go down
goooooo Pitt!
blue kentucky girl - January 21, 2012
Upset Saturday
Go Racers. Ita been a fun Saturday thus far. UK is #1Monday. Let’s hope the Racers move up a few also. God, I love this game.
sweasyf - January 21, 2012 via mobile
oops!
Sorry for that double posting.
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
Quite all right.
Wheatgerm - January 22, 2012
Quite all right.
Wheatgerm - January 22, 2012
Hah!
a2d2 - January 22, 2012
Vany-MSU OT
Wild Weasel - January 21, 2012
just got a text from PSU fan
thats lives in PA, said Joe just died
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
Awwwwwww!
So SAD….
Here’s linky….
http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/34497800
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
Very sad.
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
Family spokesman denies reports of his passing.
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
I hope its just a rumor...
Premature of cbs if it turns out to be a rumor
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
They wanted to break it, I guess.
It may be a rumor at this point, but it appears to be imminent.
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
Yep. you're right according to yahoo news
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
His son tweeted he is not dead.
Asking for prayers and privacy.
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
reporting on espn now
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
Not on my ESPN.
You must have super ESPN. :-) Just more score scrolls on the bottom of the game.
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
I'm watchin espnu, they just broke in
and said Joes son said he was still alive
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
Joe Pa knows how to win. Hope they are wrong.
But if he asked for a final goodbye to friends, it doesn’t sound good.
a2d2 - January 21, 2012
yeah, its just a matter of time
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
Yep.
That is not a great sign.
:(
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
Just in from Gameday at halftime
Joe Pa is still fighting.
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
I havent seen it on espn
Bluehound - January 21, 2012
'Dores Down At Home
MSU 78-77 in OT.
Wild Weasel - January 21, 2012
Yahoo news on reporting in serious conditions...
Linky…..
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/further-health-complications-leave-joe-paterno-hospitalized-serious-232633622.html
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
Good game today.
Cats were pushed around some and really could easily have lost.
“Bama was shooting them from all corners of the floor and making their share.
Had a couple of tickets given to us by a friend in town and saw our first game in Rupp this season.
Thought we had walked into the land of the living dead.
Rupp crowds have issues when it comes to vocal support of their team ?
Young man a couple rows in front of us was an obvious knowledgeable fan and was told three times, rather rudely the last two, to ‘sit down’.
Tough crowd,
Blujean - January 21, 2012
Since this was only the first loss for Syracuse....
…are they still#1 on Monday?
Do we WANT to be#1?
bob in bg - January 21, 2012 via Android app
Cats will be #1 on Monday
ukcris - January 21, 2012
when we were #1...
We had same number of losses as cuse. That number is the same now again.
Although Ohio st did not get penalized in polls for losing without their big man so I do not experience them to drop much, especially since several other top 5 teams lost
memphis wildcat - January 22, 2012 via mobile
I wouldn't mind if they stayed #2
Big target on their back..
UKWildcats #1 - January 21, 2012
UK always has a big target on their back,
being #1 won’t make much difference. Besides, for this team to develop to a championship level, they need the challenge of every bodies best game because that is what they will get in the tournament.
kywineman - January 22, 2012
We want to be #1.
Preferring to be #2 is playing scared. We don’t play that. Homey.
Wheatgerm - January 22, 2012
Let's not start calling people names.
Everyone is entitled to share their thoughts. I took the comment as one that inferred that it might be good for the team to continue to work into that position and peak at the end of the season. I may not agree totally, but it is just a comment and and the commentor deserves as much respect as everyone else. Check out wineman’s response as I though it was a good response.
I am sure you were only trying to make a joke – but it is hard to get that from text only.
GriffinRC - January 22, 2012
easy there.
appreciate the thought, but no name calling. just a homey the clown reference. perhaps you’re not familiar.
Wheatgerm - January 22, 2012
Just don't want to get into racial slurs used against other posters.
Maybe if you were refering to yourself, instead of someone else? Like the line the clown used to use?
GriffinRC - January 23, 2012
Thats true..
UK is everybody’s superbowl.
UKWildcats #1 - January 22, 2012
Cal, is that you? :)
blue kentucky girl - January 22, 2012
CBS has appolized...
CBSSports.com extends apology to Paterno family.
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/16960572
UKWildcats #1 - January 22, 2012
Considering the events of yesterday in their finality, it seems as though a lot of teams were ripe for a fall
Syracuse without Fab Melo, is well, not Syracuse. Vanderbilt, for all their vaunted glory is nothing more than they have been in years past, a tough out at home and vulnerable to good post defense.
Arkansas is really good at home and probably will get better away from home as the year goes on. Mississippi State is an enigma. They are great when Bost and Sydney are on their game. Sydney showed flashes of brilliance yesterday that I had not seen from him, including some great passing and a decent inside-outside game, but he is still WAY out of shape. He reminds me of Nazr Mohammed before Pitino got his claws into him. He cannot run the floor and more than 30 minutes a game from him is not going to happen.
Tennessee and Jarnell Stokes are a point guard and some perimeter defense away from being a really good team, and even Mississippi knows how to shock a few people every now and then.
I would love to see Anthony get another 15 lbs on him by March, but that is not going to happen, so MKG and Jones are going to have to start knocking heads with anyone and everyone that comes into the lane, and Darius is going to have to help out. Davis knows what his shortcomings are and he is adjusting, but for all of the referees claims of much better officiating these days, I am just not seeing it. Phantom calls from behind, obvious calls missed and ignored, make up calls from out of nowhere and an amazing propensity to ignore what everyone else does just does not add up for the NCAA to claim that their officials are truly in control.
All in all, not a bad Saturday, and another step closer to climbing the SEC ladder without major glitches. January and early February are going to have to be the learning processes, because starting about the Second week of February this SEC thing is going to get serious.
Being #1 is wonderful, because unlike some coaches, Calipari does not get conservative with a lead. The Cats will play the same as a #1 as they would as a #5 or a #25. The next two road games should tell the tale. The Cats win the next two on the road, and they will have improved their road winning % in the SEC by 66% over last year.
On a side note, I am beginning to thoroughly dislike Big East basketball more and more. Those games are not basketball games with skill and finesse at all, they are closer to basketbrawls than real games. The teams just beat the crap out of each other until someone submits. Reminds me of SEC Football.
Greg Alan Edwards - January 22, 2012
This comment is chock full of truth, GAE
kcgard2 - January 22, 2012
Sydney
plays absolutely no defense. He does not hedge when his man screens, he just stands there. Against Miss. St., he has to be the point of attack
On the other hand, Moultrie is the real deal, and he may be the best rounded post player in the SEC.
Vandy has a way of making dumb plays. Tinsley takes shots when he shouldn’t. Taylor has a way of bricking things. And Jenkins has never seen a three point shot he’d pass on. But Vandy has a way of making games tough, especially in Memorial.
jdogblue - January 22, 2012
Moultrie will be a lottery pick for sure and I think he holds a little back we havn't seen. I think the kid wants to be a true team player
Sidney just doesn’t want to expend energy on the defensive end – he saves what little he has for his offense. I think the kid could have some physical problems we arn’t aware of. He hasn’t changed a lick since he came into the league.
KansasUKCat - January 22, 2012
Maybe he could wear this weighted vest under his jersey ... he could add as much weight as he wanted .. or put a brick in his pocket .... :)
ukcris - January 22, 2012
I agree, ABC.
I told my wife it’s no wonder UofL generally does well in the Big East. Everybody hacks and holds and the refs are totally oblivious.
UKCat - January 22, 2012
Nazr
He was slimmed down in 1997 and 1998 but rarely played in 1996.
FortyYearCatFan - January 22, 2012
Teague and Jones
Good news: Jones on his way back. Bad news: Teague’s line: 1 assist, 3 TOs, 11 shots (most by anyone) and no production. He has scorers abundant, but they need him to distribute, not gun. Let’s see 11 assists, 5 shots, 7-8 ppg and 1-2 TOs, then we can talk about him as big time PG potential.
permitfly - January 22, 2012
Miller's steals were impressive.
When he plays like that, we are a real problem for any team to face.
bob in bg - January 22, 2012 via Android app
Was Cal telling us Vargas is too soft to play in a game like yesterday, or is there another reason he didn't get in?
UK1972 - January 22, 2012
I wondered why he did not get in to give Davis a rest when he was getting pushed around.
But I don’t know the answer. Could be a number of things – maybe he did not have a good week in practice or Cal did not think he matched up well.
GriffinRC - January 22, 2012
In pro Wildcat news,
Jorts suffered a broken right wrist last night. He will be out for a few weeks, according to reports.
a2d2 - January 22, 2012
That's sad to hear
Hope he recovers well. He was getting his chance and playing well in limited minutes.
jdogblue - January 22, 2012
Thoughts
I agree with Cal and others on here that we expect too much. Yesterday wasn’t perfect but it was a good win against a good Alabama team. I love the 20 point romps because I can relax and not pace the floors while cursing all that’s not UK but that’s not going to happen every game even at Rupp. Enjoy the wins folks. (I been telling myself that today.)
Davis is really,really good and few players can have an off game and still make a HUGE impact. Terrence Jones needs to take notice of that fact.
MKG is really good in the open court. He WILL get to the rim.
Teague didn’t play as well yesterday but he wasn’t as bad as some are saying. And his counterpart for Bama played just about a perfect game….with some luck to go with it. By seasons end Teague will be one of the best point guards in the SEC. Don’t forget he is just a freshman.
UK will be #1 and their first game will be on the road. And that scares the bejeezers out of me.
maysvilleblue - January 22, 2012
Close games
I really like that UK is winning close games. I’d prefer close wins on the road and romps at home, but winning close games does matter. It’s good that they’re learning how to play with the pressure on early in the conference schedule. Hopefully they are learning how to play in close games as well as how much effort is required to dominate SEC foes. I’d like to see them blow out Georgia to show some progress, but it’s still early.
It’s important to remember how good this team is already and not focus on how great they might be. That being said, there are times on the defensive side when opponents go 5+ minutes without a point and it feels like a fluke when they do score. It’s entirely possible that between TJ and Ant, UK has two of the 5 best defenders in all of college basketball. Add in MKG and Miller, who are undoubtedly at least good defenders, plus Teague, who has really been improving lately, and UK can have a genuine lockdown defense at times (as in the other team will have to be lucky to score)
It’s been a great year so far. This is a very fun, very good team with the potential to be truly great.
KDH2011 - January 22, 2012
I agree with you, and....
… why do we think close games mean that UK played poorly, and not that the opponent played a good/great game?
UK1972 - January 22, 2012
Its starting look like another...
“season without celebration.” Maybe a year like last year makes some happier in the end.
jpbluekat - January 22, 2012
Bama played well
UK didn’t play great on defense, but Bama only scored1.09 points per possession. That’s a little better than their 1.05 average, but it’s not like UK was torched.
KDH2011 - January 22, 2012
Maybe so. But it sure seemed like it at times!
The first 10-12 minutes of the second half, which is a pretty long stretch, they only missed a couple of shots. That and 5-7 from 3 ball range for the game. We did get some turnovers and such that helped keep them from getting shots up in the first place. Bama did shoot a lot better than I expected with 48% overall. We usually hold people to a lower percentage. I think they just had a really good game and I’m glad we came out on top. Could have been different if we were playing on the road.
GriffinRC - January 22, 2012
It was probably UK's worst defensive game of the year
I think the reason it feels like UK is playing grade D defense when they’re actually playing OK is that we fans hold them to a higher standard due to both the amount of talent on the team and how well they’ve played so far. That’s fair. UK probably shouldn’t give up 1.09 PPP. On average they allow 0.87 PPP. They score an average of 1.15 PPP. I’m not going to worry much about their defense until they allow something close to 1.15 PPP in a single game, or they have a string of games allowing above1.00 PPP.
Obviously I don’t want the team thinking this way. They should be disappointed and working to get better, but for fan sanity, I won’t worry too much about the defense yet.
KDH2011 - January 22, 2012
Glenn
I saw a different game than you. I didn’t think Kentucky played poorly at all; instead, Alabama just played up to the level of competition.
There’s the usual concerns—Davis is too thin, T Jones isn’t assertive enough offensively, Teague still makes questionable decisions—but overall I didn’t see anything from the team that was a killer.
Davis was beastly on the offensive glass and just missed some bunnies. Jones was stout defensively. Teague had some lost assists when shots that should’ve been made weren’t.
I’m just not sure this is a win to complain about.
jc25 - January 22, 2012
I didn't say Kentucky played poorly, anywhere.
What I said was that I expected more than we saw. I expect this team to make open shots, especially in big games like this. I expect players to at least challenge every shot and not take possessions off. I expect improvement, not devolution, and I didn’t see improvement in Kentucky today.
Alabama is a good team, but we have played better against better. Alabama played very well, and I wouldn’t have any complaints about the game if they had done all this against Kentucky’s best effort. But this wasn’t their best. It wasn’t even particularly good for a lot of reasons, most of which I have enumerated in one way or another.
Davis did do a good job on the offensive glass, but he didn’t finish hardly any of them, and in the end, almost every one of those possessions went by the boards. If we play that same game against Florida, we lose by 10. You can’t miss bunnies. That’s exactly what Calipari has been trying to beat into the heads of these young men. Bunnies are rare, and must be valued.
I’m not worried about Teague’s assists. I think I pointed out that he played well. My complaint with Teague had to do with about four bad shots he took, and the layups and open 10 footers he missed.
There is plenty to complain about, and you can believe me when I tell you that Calipari missed none of these things. When he reviews the tape, he will be less than pleased.
Missing easy shots is a recurring and dangerous theme for this basketball team. The time has come for Kentucky to begin to start rounding into post-sseason form, at least incrementally. Right now, Kentucky is playing far, far below their potential, and that will not win championships.
This team is capable of much more. I want to see it, and I’m not going to stop complaining until I do.
Glenn Logan - January 22, 2012
What's the old motto?
Waste not, want not.
I guarantee you his BP will go up a couple points when this game gets broken down.
Greg Alan Edwards - January 22, 2012
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