Calipari said he’s trying to do much more with this team. “It’s about more than just winning,” Calipari said. “It’s about are you getting your team better. are they coming together? That’s what I’m trying to do.”
Calipari also said that he’s seeing a huge difference in his competition. The Wildcats are a big target every night. “We’re everybody’s Super Bowl,” Calipari said. “It’s almost stupid watching tape. They’re not going to play the way they’re playing on that tape.”
I tried six ways to Sunday to make the following fit in the John Wall feature I just posted, but it was like putting a taco on a birthday cake so I had to leave it out. Nevertheless I want this to be on the record:
The sequence in Saturday’s North Carolina-Kentucky game where Daniel Orton rejected John Henson at the rim, sprinted down the floor, received a fast-break pass from Eric Bledsoe, and dished an exquisite bounce-pass to Patrick Patterson for the dunk may have been the most impressive possession I have seen from a player this decade. Defense, athleticism, hustle, selflessness, and point-guard-level skill, all on one play. Seven-second wonder Daniel Orton, I salute you!
John Wall #11 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball while defended by Marcus Ginyard #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the game on December 5, 2009 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 68-66. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Andy Lyons
No.5 Kentucky edges No.10 North Carolina
Big Cuz talked a big game but didn’t put up much to show for it. He’ll have plenty of chances to redeem himself, though.
Half time came and went and suddenly the Cats were no longer taking it to them. Wall, apparently, had cramps. #54 held it down, but, no one else stepped up while Blue Jesus was out.
Finally, though, Eric Bledsoe took advantage of opportunity and iced his free throws and Wall came back in time to to help putt he game away. EB and JW put the final touches on a nice win by hitting 5 of 6 in the final 30 seconds as the Cats held off the Tar Heels.
A nice halt to a 5 game skid that began back in the days of TLT and continued through the lunacy that was Billy Gillispie.
Excellent Game Guys. Wish I could have watched it. AFN doesn’t think that College Basketball is very popular overseas, so I’ll have to catch it tomorrow on tape delay. Better late than never though.
Thanksfully, the guys at Wildcatnation.net kept me up to date throughout the game. If the game was half as frantic as the chat room, tape delay probably saved me a heart attack.
GO BIG BLUE!
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – John Calipari’s rebuilding project at Kentucky is ahead of schedule.
Patrick Patterson added 19 points and seven rebounds for Kentucky (8-0), which snapped a five-game losing streak to the Tar Heels (7-2) and inched closer to becoming the first program to reach 2,000 victories. The Wildcats have 1,996, while North Carolina has 1,991.
Wall and fellow freshman Eric Bledsoe made sure of it, making 5 of 6 free throws in the last 30 seconds after North Carolina had trimmed a 19-point deficit to two.
Freshman star John Wall shook off a leg injury to finish with 16 points, including the clinching free throws with 4 seconds remaining, and the fifth-ranked Wildcats held off No. 10 North Carolina 68-66 on Saturday.
The win pushed Kentucky’s victory total to 1,996, just head of North Carolina’s 1,991. Not that the Wildcats were concerned with history.
The win pushed Kentucky’s victory total to 1,996, just head of North Carolina’s 1,991. Not that the Wildcats were concerned with history.
‘You guys are going to say I’m crazy, but I’m happy with the way it played out,” said coach John Calipari. ”We let the other team come at us. We gave up way too many (3s) but I’m proud of my guys. We did what we needed to do. We had just enough.”
The win pushed Kentucky’s victory total to 1,996, just head of North Carolina’s 1,991. Not that the Wildcats were concerned with history.
For a team whose motto is ”envy our past, fear our future,” the first signature win of Calipari’s tenure proved his rebuilding job is well ahead of schedule.
”I hope it just gives people some respect for us that we’re a pretty good team,” Wall said. ”We did what we were supposed to, come out with a win against a great team.”
Consider North Carolina coach Roy Williams convinced, particularly after the Wildcats took control with an explosive 28-2 run in the first half.
”You’ve got to give them congratulations, they really kicked our butts,” Williams said. ”They just ran us out of the gym.”
Observation: A loss might be a very good thing for this team
I’m no different than any other UK fan. I want the team to win every game every season, so don’t think I’ve lost my mind with this observation.So far, this year’s version of the ‘Cats has had good games and not so good games. They’ve looked really good in spurts and not so hot in others.
Yet, in spite of all that, they have yet to feel what defeat feels like. Last night’s game was arguably the toughest test they’ve had so far. The Miami/Ohio game was a tough one, too, but it didn’t go into overtime. My point is they have yet to “pay the price” for their sloppy play. Again, I DON’T look foward to our first loss, but we all know it’s going to happen eventually. When it does, I honestly think that will be the catalyst to get our younger players, as well as the whole team, to realize that they really need to get with the program completely. Frankly, I would rather it be prior to the start of SEC play, rather than after.Last night was the first time this season I think at least some of the players had reality set in. At the end of regulation and into the overtime period, the camera was on John Wall and he was more intense than I’ve ever seen him. I know he really enjoys it when he makes a good play and I get pumped up just watching him, but last night I think it finally dawned on him that, “Hey, we might actually LOSE this game if we don’t it in gear!”Sometimes the foundations for the BIG victories are laid on the grounds of a loss. I won’t be happy when we do lose, but in the long run I think it’ll pay dividends when we do.
Comments?
I think John Calipari, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson, Eric Bledsoe, John Hood, Ramon Harris and the rest of the Team and Coaches would think you a complete fool.
What kind of fan spouts this nonsense?
The guy who wrote this idiocy is the exact same fan to whom I was referring here. The dude is an idiot and should be banned forever from posting on any Kentucky fan board. Complete Fuckin’ Moron. Dude needs to have his Kentucky Fan credentials revoked. lol
Joe Hall, the Kentucky coach who succeeded Mr. Rupp and for many years was his assistant and chief recruiter, once said:
“Coach operates from an extreme competitive desire and has a strong dread for losing.”
Regardless of the reason, he always put forth this kind of effort. On his weekly television shows he often said:
“We want to win, we just have to win. Goodness knows, no one wants to win any more than we do.”
Winning was Mr. Rupp’s passion. Someone once recited to him the famed Grantland Rice line, “when the one Great Scorer comes to write against your name, he marks not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.”
To this, Mr. Rupp answered:
“Well now, I just don’t know about that. If winning isn’t so important, why do you keep score?”
That looks like Coach Rupp telling a moron what he thinks of the “good loss” theory.
“I think we’ve got two guys when the game is on the line they are not afraid to make plays, which bodes well for us,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “You saw once again that late in the game I’m not calling a timeout. I don’t need to be a hero, let those guys be the hero.”
“Those two guys have the killer (instinct),” Calipari said. “What you want is the guys with the killer to bleed onto the others. Just a will to win.”
“For such a young team, they showed a lot of poise down the stretch,” Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins said. “(Wall) is one of the fastest guards I’ve ever seen play on any level. He showed a lot of poise for his age. He’s a terrific player.”
On the other side, Wall was the only Kentucky player to get going before the break. The freshman guard had 15 points but could not do all the heavy lifting with preseason All-American forward Patterson going out of the game less than six minutes in with two fouls. Without Patterson’s inside presence the Wildcats struggled to get anything in the paint and shot just 35.5 percent from the field.
Patterson got going early in the second half on his way to his 25th career double-double, but he missed two point-blank opportunities on the same possession that would have given Kentucky its first lead since late in the first half with just over 10 minutes remaining.
He made up for it later, using a power post move to give Kentucky a 54-53 lead with 6:42 to play.
John Wall will be the first #1 Draft Pick in Kentucky History. He or Patterson should be the First UK Basketballer to bring home the Adolph Rupp Trophy for Player of the Year. I think one of them will bring home the Wooden Trophy as well. Wall may well be the most highly regarded Frosh/Student Athlete to ever have worn the UK Jersey by the time this year is finished. He is certainly lived up to the hype surrounding him as a player. What’s more is that the guy is actually a good student and a good guy as well.
Calipari pulled off a recruiting coup with John Wall. His second best recruiting pitch was retaining Patrick Patterson. These are two All World Student Athletes. I just hope that all of the anti-Cal or anti-Kentucky feeling out there doesn’t hurt them over the course of the year. Lots of guys out there who are waiting like vultures for something, anything to pop up to stall or kill Cal and Kentucky’s momentum. Yet, these same hypocrites defend John Wooden as if their reputations depended upon said defense.
This year, UK has three of the Top Freshman in the CNNSI Power Rankings. Wall and Cousins are ranked #’s 1 and 2 respectively. Eric Bledsoe is ranked at #25. I’m sure that Bledsoe will rise as the year goes on. All three are players. I can see them all going to the NBA after this year. Hopefully, Bledsoe and Cousins come back for a 2nd year. The good thing, though, is that IF Cousins sees it as more wise to come out for the Draft after this year, it will likely mean that he has helped lead UK to a Final Four or better.
This should be a great year for Kentucky Basketball. Patterson, Wall and the rest of the Frosh are finding ways to win this year. Whereas last year, Billy Gillispie was finding ways to lose.
The Clarion team was outmatched in every category and it showed from the start when Kentucky came out and scored 12 points in just over 2 minutes. Had they kept that pace, the boys in Blue may have scored into the 300s.
The first exhibition left some scratching their heads. The team seemed to look hesitant. No hesitation tonight from all I’ve read. I won’t get to watch the game for a couple of weeks when it’s mailed to me (I’m in Afghanistan). Can’t wait to see this game.
I’m very excited to watch this UK team get the season started. I haven’t been this excited about a season since 1996. With Wall, Cousins and Patterson on the court, this should be a fun season. And a dominant one. Kentucky Coach Calipari has been taking the team through two a day practices this week so I fully expected a big improvement over the 4 November performance. The Cats did not disappoint.
The Final Score was 117 UK to 52 Clarion. I can’t remember the last time that UK scored 117 points. Perhaps ‘96 or ‘97. Tubby didn’t score in the triple digits too often and Gillispie only had one game in the 100s. He lost that one. And I don’t remember a time that UK defeated a team by 65 points.
It is possible that this UK team will produce many firsts. I’m looking forward to seeing this season unfold.
I’m glad Patterson came back for this season. I understand Meeks leaving and the reasons he gave for leaving. Still I wish that he’d have come back. He deserved a season like the one forthcoming.
From KentuckySportsRadio: Kentucky wins this not-a-game 117-52. Best practice of the year, guys. Next time it counts.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — John Wall proved to be worth the wait.
The heralded Kentucky freshman scored 27 points in his collegiate debut as the fourth-ranked Wildcats rolled past Clarion 117-52 on Friday night in an exhibition game.
“I asked him, ‘Is that your ‘A’ game?” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “He was pretty good.”
Maybe even better than advertised after Wall was forced to sit out Kentucky’s exhibition opener on Monday as part of an NCAA suspension for accepting improper benefits from his former AAU coach.
He didn’t waste any time getting comfortable against the Golden Eagles, an NCAA Division II school in western Pennsylvania.
Wall nearly outscored Clarion in the first half and showcased a little bit of everything, from a dunk to a 3-pointer to a nifty behind-the-back dribble for a layup.
“He’s the real deal,” Clarion coach Ron Righter said. “I hope (Kentucky) can keep him because he’s in another league.”
Patrick Patterson was named AP First Team All American. Patterson is the first UK Basketball Team member to be named to the All America Team since Tayshaun Prince. If he makes the post-season team, he’ll be the first UK player so honored since Ron Mercer in 1997. Neither Smith nor Gillispie produced a post season All America honoree.
John Wall was named to the Second Team All Americas. Many folks in the Sports world are asking the obvious question. Does anyone really think that there are 8 or 9 players better in the NCAA than Wall. Had Wall been eligible for the NBA Draft, many believe that he would have been the Number One pick. He would at least been a Top 2 or 3 pick. I understand that he’s not played an NCAA game, yet. Even so, Wall is going to be one of the best 2 or 3 Collegiate players out there this year.
Here’s the AP First Team:
Luke Harangody – Notre Dame
Cole Aldrich – Kansas
Sherron Collins – Kansas
Patrick Patterson – Kentucky
Kyle Singler – Duke
***There is no way that Kyle Singler is going to have a better year than John Wall. Coach K must have paid some of his AMEX money as a bribe to the voters.
The 2009-2010 Season is going to be crazy awesome for this team and UK fans. A fitting end will be for Patrick Patterson and John Wall to be named First Team All America in the post-Season and for Patterson to be named the Player of the Year and bring the Adolph Rupp Trophy/Award home to Kentucky for the first time since it’s creation. They’ve also been named to the All Wooden Team.
That would make for an amazing year. Incredibly amazing.
“I was really excited when someone told me he was named All-American,” Kentucky sophomore Darius Miller said. “But he didn’t tell me or make a big deal out of it. Everybody was talking about it except Pat. He’s not really the type of person to brag on himself.”
Jerry Tipton has no integrity. That’s the bottom line. The lexington Herald Leader, apparently, has no integrity either.
Where is the PUBLIC APOLOGY to the Pattersons? He printed his lie publicly. He should print his apology publicly. It should be made just as prominent as the lies that Tipton printed.
This is the story which Matt Jones printed on his blog outting the lie printed by Jerry Tipton after Big Blue Madness:
In case you missed it earlier today, Jerry Tipton wrote a game report in which he commented on the fact that Patrick Patterson had a new truck. In his report, he said Patrick drove the new truck to the game and then “the fun figured to continue when he climbed in his new black truck and drove away.” Interesting story right? The problem is that according to Patterson’s mother, it is not true. I spoke this afternoon to Tywanna Patterson who said that Patrick didnt drive to the game in the truck or drive home afterwards, instead riding with his parents to dinner after the game. She also said that Patrick’s new truck isnt even kept primarily on campus and was a gift from his parents that will be kept primarily in Huntington. Patterson’s mother was upset at Tipton’s comments on the truck and said,
“I just dont appreciate him making false statements and comments. When he first interviewed me, he misquoted me about OJ Mayo when Patrick was in high school. I just wish he would stop doing that.”
The Patterson family has had issues with Tipton before and his father Buster Patterson, famously said to a line of Tipton’s questioning, “you just dont quit do you Jerry?” But as for the current issue, Tywanna Patterson simply says, “I just wish he would report on the game and not things that didnt happen.”
I just spoke with Tywanna Patterson who said that an editor of the Herald Leader called her to apologize about the story. Apparently a comment or retraction of some sort will be in the paper tomorrow on the issue.
Below is the Jerry Tipton “retraction” as re-printed on KSR from the Tipton blog:
Clarification: Patterson’s new truck in Huntington
I just had a pleasant conversation with Tywanna Patterson, the mother of Kentucky big man Patrick Patterson. She asked that a clarification be made about the game story on UK’s Blue-White Game.
Patterson did not drive his vehicle, a Lincoln Mark LT, to the game.
His parents did buy him the Lincoln Mark LT. The truck was “a gift for all his hard work,” his mother said.
The car remains in Huntington. Patterson’s parents intended the car as a Christmas present, she said.
UPDATE: Jerry Tipton clarifies the statement in his blog. Not exactly a retraction or explanation for why the story was wrong, but at least an acknowledgement.
Jerry Tipton fabricates a story about Patrick Patterson departing Big Blue Madness in “his new truck.” The story is highlighted by Matt Jones and Tywanna Patterson and proved to be a complete lie. Jerry Tipton merely states that it did not happen. No apology for the lie or the insinuation behind the lie.
Anyone with the ability to think independently can clearly see the implication behind the Tipton non-story. He’s mentioning the “new truck” as a way of outting what he perceives to be an NCAA violation. Apparently, Jerry Tipton thinks that the only way that a black student athlete or his family could afford a new truck is through extra-legal means or via NCAA violations of one sort or the other. What Jerry didn’t stop to think about is the fact that both of the Patterson parents are working Professionals. Jerry Tipton seems to me to be a closet racist. He probably doesn’t perceive himself that way but clearly he thinks that a Black Student Athlete has no business with a brand new truck.
Jerry, this is 2009. Not all Black Student Athletes come from the inner city of New York, Chicago or Atlanta. Plenty of college educated, professionals African-American or Black Adults out there. Many of them have children. Some of them have children who are quite talented. Plenty of them can afford to purchase vehicles for their children.
I think the Tipton act is getting old. Extremely old. With every event, Jerry Tipton will present a negative viewpoint concerning UK. Student violations during madness. Fabrications of Student Athletes driving off in illicitly gained vehicles.
There was absolutely no reason for Jerry to mention that Patrick Patterson had a new truck except to imply that it was a violation of NCAA regulations/rules.
Tipton is a muckraking, unprofessional cur with some kind of odd need to magnify any negative no matter how trivial concerning UKAA, UK Basketball or any UK Basketball Student Athlete.
I agree with the many folks out there saying that it’s time to put Jerry out of the business. UK fans and any responsible citizens out there should join in a boycott of any sponsors for any publication that prints the trifling bile that Jerry Tipton puts forth in the media. It’s time for Jerry Tipton’s reign of madness and negativity to end.
Here they are folks. This years Kentucky Wildcat Basketball Team.
Left to Right 2nd Row (Standing):
Jon Hood, Ramon Harris, Patrick Patterson, Daniel Orton, Demarcus “Big Cuz” Cousins, Josh “Jorts” Harrelson, Perry “Slim” Stevenson and Darnell “Ramel Bradley’s Twin” Dodson
Left to Right First Row (Seated):
Rod Strickland, Orlando Antiqua,Darius Miller, John Wall, Mark Krebs, Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Liggins, John Calipari and Jon Robic
“I’ve done enough,” Calipari said Thursday at the first official media day since leaving Memphis. “I’m waiting for election day. I was kissing babies, and I didn’t care if I won or lost the election. I just wanted it to happen.”
Calipari is well aware that the passionate UK fans care strongly about whether he wins or loses. They want wins — preferably in bunches.
The program’s recent buzz has been sparked not just by its energetic new leader but by his debut recruiting haul, a freshman class arguably the most touted since Michigan’s Fab Five.
Yet unlike that 1991-92 Wolverines team that reached the national title game with five freshman starters, Kentucky has plenty of experience to go along with the new blood. Patrick Patterson was an all-Southeastern Conference center last year during Kentucky’s National Invitation Tournament season. Kentucky’s roster is so deep, Calipari envisions Patterson playing some wing this year.
This is going to be a hell of a year. Big Pat is back on the scene with a mission. He’s got help from incoming Frosh John Wall, Big Cuz, Orton and Eric Bledsoe as well as Darius Miller and the remainder of the returning team.
Big things are expected and these guys can take care of business and meet those expectations. I can see making Final Four this season. Of course, everything will have to go right for the team. Keep the injuries down. Cohesion and Esprit de Corps will be important factors. With the Cal DDS system, there should be plenty of PT for all of the stars that make up this team. Cal has been to two Final Fours and I can see this being his 3rd with the possibility of going al the way to the Title Game and bringing home banner #8.
A year that doesn’t end in a National Championship will not be catastrophic. Less than a Final Four would surprise me. I see this team slicing through the SEC like a hot knife through butter. I’m sure there will be challenges, but, I see enough talent to overcome a few bouts with youth and inexperience.
Everything I read about John Wall says that the kid will be an instant player for Kentucky and Coach Cal. Big Cuz is supposed to be a monster. Daniel Orton should be a beast down low. Eric Bledsoe may be better than advertised which would be impressive as he’s supposed to be a future lottery pick. Darius Miller can take care of spot duty at the point and become an assassin on the wings. These things take place and it’s gonna be a huge year.
HUGE!
Bottom line is that Patrick Patterson didn’t come back for the hell of it. The man came back to get his. I’m hoping he gets it. Patrick Patterson leads this team to a Championship this year and he will go down in history as one of THE greats of Kentucky Basketball. He could well supplant Dan Issel as THE GREATEST.
That’s the word I’m hearing from some pretty solid sources.
Actually, I was hearing that Gillispie will not be fired. If G leaves, it’s going to be more of a split due to irreconcilable differences. A mutual decision to part ways. I’m sure there will be a buy out involved.
UK is jumping into the abyss.
I’ve also been told the following:
The player mutiny is nonsense rumor mill tripe. Certainly, there are a couple of players who dislike Gillispie. Meeks and Patterson are NOT those couple of players. Meeks and Patterson are not considering the jump to the League because of Coach G. They support G and are declaring or not declaring based upon their draft status. They will decide based upon real world criteria and not the fantasies of internet rumor mongers and the media. The players who won’t be coming back are guys who shouldn’t be coming back. The Carruth wannabees. Think AJ and Deandre. Team Cancers. From what I’ve been told AJ doesn’t see the purpose or value of an education. He hasn’t lived in his dorm for most of the season. Krebs has been all by his lonesome. Liggins is another problem child. Think that Vegas trip was his only refusal to go in a game. Think again. He’s supposedly done it throughout SEC play as well. Deandre is playing the game right now. The only way that he’ll be back is if he continues his change of attitude. If he doesn’t convince G [or the next coach], he’ll not be returning. Supposedly, he’s been a real challenge this season and I have a hard time understanding why G has put up with it. Don’t be surprised if both AJ and Deandre are sitting on some other bench next year.
Folks who are concerned about the contract and why BCG hasn’t signed it. Some think it’s the clause that sets down the criteria for BCG to be fired. Some think it has to do with charitable contributions and foundations that is the sticking point. Others are saying that it has to do with a “personal life” clause. I’m hearing that such is not the case. Word on the wind is that it’s the same clause that kept Billy D away. Apparently, Mitch wants final say on recruiting offers. He wants final word or veto power concerning recruits. BCG [and most other Coaches who are worth a damn] will not agree to this. Coaches should have final say in recruiting. As long as the guy meets NCAA guidelines, BCG and almost any other coach should have the final say in recruiting. Not the AD. This isn’t the NBA and the AD is not the General Manager. Apparently, Mitch thinks that everyone is as inept a recruiter as TLT. There seems to be more than this but that’s all I got.
Last thing, the media is brewing this storm because of their personal distaste for BCG. My opinion on that is screw the media. Not everyone needs to be at their beck and call and on bended knee. The media does ask stupid questions that are a waste of time. And the media picks it’s heros and it’s villains based upon who kisses up to them. Sycophants like Coach K get all the good press. Any coach who doesn’t kiss their collective asses gets bad press. Wooden was a God. Despite his teams being bought and paid for by a booster. USC gets a free pass in Football. UNLV and UK get burned because Rupp and the towel biter didn’t play their game. Apparently, Matt Jones has a hard on for BCG because Matty was not treated with kid gloves by BCG at an early press conference. If so, Matt has a pretty large ego. He’s a freakin’ blogger. He’s not a real media figure. He’s lucky he gets a media pass. That’s funny, though. Matt Jones was the biggest Tubby Homer on the planet. Almost as big a homer as the guy who runs A Sea of Blue.
On the recruiting front. If BCG is fired, UK better hit a GRAND SLAM on the coaching hire or Daniel Orton is gone. Larry Orton was being polite when he stated that Daniel Orton would reconsider his options if BCG was fired. I’m told that there is no chance that Daniel comes to UK if BCG is not the coach. ”Zero. Actually, less than zero.” Is what I’m told.
There is also the tale being told that the UKAA canvassed the players. Asking if they’d return if BCG was fired. I guess they are weighing their options. Fire Billy and these guys leave/stay. Don’t fire Billy and these guys leave/stay. Jockeying for leverage in contract negotiations? Trying to gauge how hard the program will be hit with a BCG firing. UKAA has to know that they will hurt the program by firing BCG this year. Allowing the pressure to build, though, allows them to have maximum leverage in contract negotiations. Playing hardball, I reckon. Mitch not making a statement of support allows the pressure to build. He apparently thinks this will aid him in the negotiations after the season and will allow them to get the concessions they desire. Will Gillispie give that much control over recruiting to the AD. I don’t think any coach would do that. I think Billy G will allow some contract concessions such as making the hand shake circuit and being nicer to the media. But ceding recruiting decisions to the AD, I don’t think it will happen. BCG and any coach that UK will want will walk away from that deal.
The last thing that I’ve heard is that it’s all over. The “that’s not in my job description” statement was the straw that broke Billy’s back. Billy has supposedly been told that he will not be returning next season. The players are said to know as well. But they supposedly “demanded” that he be allowed to coach them through the NIT. The word is that there is an anointed individual in the wings and he’s still in the Tournament now. Calipari? Pitino? Wright? Dixon? I don’t know.
So that’s the latest that I’ve heard. Could all of that be true? If it is, this program is a mess. Perhaps, it’s time to part ways with Mitch unless he has some magic up his sleeve that puts UK in the Final Four in 2010 or 2011. This whole mess is inexcusable. From the TLT departure catching him off guard to the Billy D fiasco to this mess with Billy G. Does Barnhart have a clue? I’m beginning to think that he does not.
Just things I’ve heard around the water cooler. I’m no one to whom anyone should pay any heed. After Kentucky plays the last game of the season, somethings going to happen. I don’t even think G and Mitch knows for certain what that might be. No one else knows for sure either. That’s simply my opinion.
Kentucky takes out Ole Miss in the first round. The team played energetically and seemed to be running on all cylinders. Darius Miller makes a statement and shows his potential for good things in the 2010 season. Meeks gets his 25. Patterson gets his after announcing that he’ll be back in 2010.
I’ll take it.
On Patterson, if he still is staying come the NBA Draft…I’ll believe it. The kid has to take into account his draft status and such before making a definitive statement. But it sounds like he has no problem with the coaching staff.
This has been a strange year at UK Basketball. Hope Pat and Jodie stick around and make next year phenomenal. Next year is a pivotal year in the Billy Saga. Let’s hope the tournaments of 2009 are harbingers of good things to come.
Six days off could end up refreshing the 20th-ranked Tigers, who begin their push for their first SEC tournament title in 19 seasons with a Friday rematch with the Wildcats in the quarterfinals.
The Tigers (25-6) have been one of college basketball’s surprise teams under first-year coach Trent Johnson, riding a 13-game win streak in conference play to their first regular-season league title since 2005-06. LSU clinched the championship with a 73-70 victory at Kentucky on Feb. 28, rallying from 12 down before hanging on for the win.
LSU played like a team that was mentally and physically tired after that game, falling 75-67 at home to Vanderbilt on March 4 and 69-53 at Auburn on Saturday.
The Tigers shot a season-low 32.1 percent against Auburn and scored their fewest points since a 47-45 loss to Tennessee last season.
“Their focus was not lacking, but there were some guys who were tired and banged up and all those kinds of things,” Johnson said. “Days off at this time of the year would benefit any team. … I’ve been in situations where you had a bunch of guys with a day off, and we came out at struggled.
…and they lost.
Question is will that be Billy Gillispies last game in the SEC? Will UK slide into the backdoor of the NCAAs or are they NIT bound? If they do go to the NIT, what happens then?
I’m not very excited about an NIT bid. If I was home, I’d watch anyway. Here, in Afghanistan, Ii won’t get the chance to watch. AFN pretty much ignores the NIT in favor of the NCAA. Which is the way it should be with the programming/air time as tight as it is.
This week’s question: Which team currently outside the top 25 has the best chance to make a long run in the NCAA tournament?
Greg Antony’s answer:
I’m going with Kentucky. The Wildcats started slow last season, but really came on under Billy Gillispie in the second half of the season despite losing Patrick Patterson late. This season, they’re younger, but I think they’re better defensively. And with Jodie Meeks emerging as one of the best players in the nation, they are explosive offensively. Perry Stevenson anchors the defense, and getting Ramon Harris back in the rotation gives them some experience in the frontcourt. Two things have to happen for the Wildcats to really be dangerous. First, they have to cut down on their turnovers. They can extend their pressure defensively and force teams to try and play in the half court, where their quickness and athleticism can be more of a factor. Second, some of their younger players have to become more consistent because depth always is important in the tournament. This is a team that features two players capable of carrying them offensively. The ‘Cats may be back!
Jason King’s answer:
Kentucky may not be one of the best teams in the country, but the Wildcats have two of the nation’s best players – and maybe its best coach. Well on his way to SEC Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season, Billy Gillispie is someone opponents hope to stay away from in March. Along with being one of the best Xs and Os guys in college basketball, Gillispie’s teams always are disciplined. They play hard and they play smart. The favorite to win the SEC title, Kentucky should enter this season’s NCAA tournament high on momentum. The Wildcats may not be able match most of their opponents’ depth, but not many schools have two future first-round NBA picks in their starting lineup. Guard Jodie Meeks, who has eclipsed the 30-point barrier six times, is a national player of the year candidate. Forward Patrick Patterson is one of the most skilled big men in the country, and wing Perry Stevenson is no slouch. Still, the biggest difference-maker for Kentucky wears a suit and tie and stands on the sideline. With Gillispie, the Wildcats always have a chance.
Steve Megargee’s answer:
Conventional wisdom suggests you can’t go far in the NCAA tournament without an elite point guard, but it’s tough to ignore Kentucky’s dynamic duo of power forward Patrick Patterson and shooting guard Jodie Meeks. Kentucky’s 90-72 victory at Tennessee established the Wildcats as the class of the SEC this season, even though they haven’t cracked the national rankings. Since dropping their first two games of the season, against VMI and North Carolina, the Wildcats have lost just twice all season (at home to Miami and at Louisville). Kentucky enters the week with 11 wins in its past 12 games. And the one loss was a down-to-the-wire game on the road against a Louisville team playing as well as anyone in the nation. While the players on this roster have never advanced beyond the second round of the tournament, Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie reached the Sweet 16 two years ago in his final season at Texas A&M. Don’t be surprised if he’s back in the regional semifinals this season.
UK starts off the 2008-2009 Season 1 W and 2 Ls. Losses coming against UNC and………VMI. Yep. The Virginia Military Institute out of Lexington, Virginia. The Keydets defeated the cats in the home opener at Rupp Arena 111 to 103. I know. The Cats score 103 points and lose. Doesn’t seem possible.
Billy Gillispie isn’t starting off the season with much promise. Even so, if this team gets it’s PG problems sorted out. If Liggins matures fast enough. Porter develops into a bit more than a moderately skilled role player or the Harris Point Forward experiment pans out. Who knows. It might be a good season.
The talking heads at ESPN and Sports Illustrated are saying that this is a down year in the SEC. The UK OOC schedule is pretty light. The Cats will have plenty of cupcakes to use as a learning curve. The question. Will UK have enough OOMPF to the schedule to make the NCAA Tournament at seasons end? Gillispie will not make any friends if UK misses the NCAA tournament.
I’m hoping that UK turns it around. Patterson gets in the Game and starts scoring as he did in his pre-injury Frosh days. Meeks learns about shot selection. Liggins and Miller can bring it and not let being Freshman get in the way of valuable contributions. Harrelson and Galloway can translate some of those numbers from the JUCO ranks to the DIV 1 side of the house. Harris matches intensity with offensive output and brings that fabled summer game to the season with him.
This can be a good year. I’m hoping for the best. It will only get better from here. I hope.
I found this picture while searching the web for an Adolph Rupp photo. I couldn’t help but laugh and remember. For a while, Kentucky fans were salivating over the prospect of Billy Donovan coming to UK. Also, Patterson and Lucas dominated the recruiting talk for months.
We got Patterson and another Billy. Billy Donovan left Florida for the NBA but changed his mind and came back. Lucas went to UF. UK fans now have a grudge against Donovan because he “snubbed” us. [But it was ok for Tubby to run off to Minnesota. Someone explain that one to me.] Kentucky fans have a hate fetish for Lucas as well.
Kentucky fans are an odd lot. I’m one. I’ll admit it.
So a few days have passed since the Mississippi Game. Sure it was a loss. And I do not believe in moral victories. The game did however show that the team is coming along and improving as a whole. Still have a ways to go. But the kids are getting it. Gillispie growing into the job. Good signs.
The Vandy game showed that the Cats were capable of winning in the Gillispie “run at them hard and don’t let up” style and system. Imagine if all of the guys were healthy. Imagine if they’d been healthy all year. I’ve said all along that Coach Gillispie will get it together. It’s happening. It will continue to happen.
Being in Afghanistan, I don’t get to watch many games. I’ve watched three this year. Even so, I read all of the game reviews. It seems to me that the seniors are finally getting the Gillispie philosophy. I don’t think it’s been a case of them “buying into the system” so much as comprehending the “never say die, never stop” intensity of Gillispie. After the last few years of a complete lack of intensity and lackadaisical attitudes of the previous coaching regime, it’s difficult to adapt swiftly to a system which espouses hyper-activity, high energy, give it your all at every second intensity. So the Seniors can be forgiven for not seeing instantly what Mark Coury was able to see from the beginning. When you are allowed to skate by on your talents for 3 years and finally someone comes along who expects you to give it your all–ALL THE TIME, it’s a difficult transition.
So here we are. 15 games into the season. About to play Florida. The evil nemesis of the ‘00 Decade. They have a team of Frosh and Sophs. UK is starting over in a new system with the majority of it’s starters Frosh and Soph along with two Seniors who are starting to groove in the new system. Seems to be an even match experience wise. Florida, unfortunately, has a coach who can recruit his butt off. He’s also proven that he can coach a bit. Even if he is a bit indecisive career wise. I won’t even attempt to try to break the teams down. Not my thing.
What I wanted to say was that all of you who were saying that Gillispie can’t do it or should be fired. All of you who were impatient and expected miracles this year. Sit back and watch as it all comes together over the next couple of years.
I think the cats will surprise us and take one away down in Gainesville. Patterson will have a great game against Speights. Bradley and Crawford want this and you can’t blame them.
The future of Kentucky is a team that runs teams out of the gym. The future of Kentucky is athletes who are elite and uber-talented. The future of Kentucky is fear in the eyes of the opponent. The future of Kentucky is Billy Gillispie. He’s going to bring the elite recruit back to Kentucky. He’s going to restore intense, run ‘em out of the gym play to UK. He’s going to bring back that killer instinct. He’s going to bring back attitude. He’s going to restore UK to the elite ranks of College Basketball. He’s going to re-take the SEC. Coach Gillispie is going to bring Number 8.
Championship Basketball is the future of Kentucky. Thank God. It’s been too long.
![[rupp-lastyear.jpg]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qabLhHFbzAY/SmeaSVlRHEI/AAAAAAAADVQ/MLS5jdeuHM8/s1600/rupp-lastyear.jpg)
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65 
I found this picture while searching the web for an Adolph Rupp photo. I couldn’t help but laugh and remember. For a while, Kentucky fans were salivating over the prospect of Billy Donovan coming to UK. Also, Patterson and Lucas dominated the recruiting talk for months.
