A Sea Of Blue

Kentucky Basketball: Wildcats Practice to Air Nationwide - Controversy to Follow

2012-02-14T13:30:26Z

Anthony Wireman reports that Kentucky will air a 2-hour practice on Wednesday that will actually be seen nationwide:

As Kentucky head coach John Calipari often says...wow. UK has announced that Wednesday's two-hour practice and scrimmage will be aired live on national television.

It's hard to imagine that other basketball programs will fail to notice this, and there is almost guaranteed to be controversy. Remember, you heard it here first.

Airing a practice like this locally would be no big deal -- Kentucky is a small state with a rabid following of basketball lovers, and not just for UK alone, but for many of the Commonwealth's great teams like Louisville (my gorge is subsiding now), Murray St., Morehead St., and Western Kentucky. A local airing would be just more proof of the fondness for the game that suffuses this state, and that would surprise exactly nobody.

But to air it nationally on ESPN affiliates is another matter completely. This is exactly similar, albeit on a slightly different level, to when CBS used to air the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home" prior to UK's homecoming game. That practice was stopped due to complaints from other teams that it gave Kentucky a recruiting advantage.

Airing a practice nationwide like this will draw exactly the same complaints, and you can trust me on that. We may or may not hear about them right away, but hear about them we will. ESPN may or may not react to that, and if they don't, expect NCAA legislation banning the practice of airing games on national outlets, or some such.

All I can say is that Calipari is a marketing genius nonpareil, and I cannot imagine the reaction of most of the college coaches around that have to compete with this guy for recruits. It must be a maddening, humbling thing.

#7 UK Hoops 54- #11 UT Lady Vols 91 : Postmortem

2012-02-14T02:33:10Z

Now THAT was uncalled for......

Painful, disheartening, flabbergasted, angry, frustrated. I think I ran through all of the emotional gambit while watching the UK Hoops squad get handed it's second straight loss. Congratulations to Tennessee, they were a juggernaut tonight. They wanted to make a statement at home against UK, and they did just that.

Coach Mitchell has some serious coaching to do with his ladies this week, as they head to Tuscaloosa next to complete this three game road trip, and so far the results have been less than stellar to say the least. And with only a three day turnaround, as the game with Alabama is Thursday night, it will not be an easy task. The Hoops Squad needs to right the ship and get their swagger back quick, fast , and in a hurry. Championship teams don't get blown out by 37 points when they have the opportunity to complete a sweep of their best opponent, and cinch an SEC title in the process.

More After The Jump ... no matter how painful it may be ...

There are several points to emphasize here, so I am going to do this in no particular order. Honestly, because they all contributed heavily to the loss.

Fouls: Bria Goss and Amber Smith were both sitting with two fouls each just before this entire affair got out of hand. UK never recovered from that in the first half, but in the second half, it was UT's use of their size and footwork to keep the Cats fouling and unable to get into their smothering press.

Offensive Execution: Simply put, there was none. Now that can be a bit misleading as UK feeds off of their defense to get their points, but that one comes next. For right now the Hoops Squad simply has got to learn to play through bigger and stronger teams. I know that sounds easy to say, but it is still the truth. There is no way that UK will get to the Final Four or anywhere close to it unless they start playing through these kinds of games.

Defense: What is normally the staple of UK's diet has been simply non-existent the last two outings. Tennessee is just a better team and could exploit it so much more. At one point UK trailed by over 40 points in this game. That is not UK defense. Tennessee ran through half-executed screens, and passed over the top of and ran through the rest of Coach Matthew Mitchell's vaunted D. And when the press didn't work, nothing else worked either. UK forgot how to rebound, how to get inside position, and how to control their opponents aggressive attacks on the boards.

Shooting %: No, I am not going to start quoting stats here, it is against my nature. But I can tell you this. The only thing worse than UK's offensive execution was their shooting tonight. Other than A'Dia Mathies, UK looked lost on the offensive side of the ball, in everything they did.

All in all, I guess that Coach Mitchell will be looking to write this one off, although he said that last week about the LSU game already. I personally am so desperate to find something positive about this mess I may actually delve into those stats I hate so much, looking for a rose among the thorns.

Next game is the aforementioned Alabama contest, Thursday night, 7:30, in Tuscaloosa. Let us hope this road trip ends better than it started. No TV, so no live blog, unless I can find a miracle somewhere.

Big Blue Nation Linkapalooza: Post-Vanderbilt Edition

2012-02-13T22:49:54Z

Ah, the praise. Ah, the accolades. Ah, the two media voters who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge Kentucky's superiority. Well, maybe Louisville will beat the Syracuse Orange tonight in the Chicken Ranch.

I'm committing what some might consider heresy and going all in for the Cards tonight. Why? because some Syracuse fans have annoyed me lately, and this is my revenge.

Lay the wood to 'em, Fat Wayne. Now, for the news:

Kentucky Sports Radio // Did Steve Tchiengang punch Teague?

This was arguably a flagrant 1 at least, but I guess the officials missed it.

Syracuse Basketball Recruiting: Nerlens Noel Has 'Great' Time At Loud House // SB Nation New York

For what it's worth.

Taking a hard look at Anthony Davis' block party in Lexington // Searching for Billy Edelin

Ridiculous is right.

Is Anthony Davis Truly Deserving of #1? // HOOPSWORLD

It’s not really fair to compare any freshmen to a Hall of Famer, but if there’s anyone worthy of it it’s Davis. Nothing against North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes, UConn’s Andre Drummond or even his teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Davis is the number one pick regardless of the winner of the draft lottery.

This is exactly right. Those speculating others may supplant him are either delusional or uninformed.

Gomez Clincher Powers UK to 4-3 Win Over No. 30 Notre Dame // Kentucky Wildcats Official Athletic Site

Kentucky (9-0) is off to its best start in the 30-year tenure of Emery. Including the win on Sunday over No. 30 Notre Dame, UK has taken down six ranked teams, including No. 12 Pepperdine and No. 22 Tulsa. The Wildcats have also taken down No. 29 Indiana, No. 53 Michigan State and No. 57 North Carolina State. UK’s win over Pepperdine was its 21st over a top-25 ranked team since the start of the 2009 season.

Teague 'running the team' to Cal's liking // Kentucky.com

Calipari to Teague: "In this kind of game, those two are huge because the game is too tight."

Teague to Calipari: "I got you. They aren't scoring on me again."

That's the attitude we need, and Teague has really, really improved recently.

Kentucky Could Steal Another Top 2013 Running Back from Georgia

I would love to see that.

Bracketology 2012: Duke Finally Steps Up To The No. 1 Line // SBNation.com

Sorry, Chris. No sale. Duke is not worthy of a #1 seed by virtue of a last-second upset considering their entire body of work. Kansas is more worthy.

UT must contain Mathies // The Leaf Chronicle – Clarksville, Tenn., and Fort Campbell | theleafchronicle.com

Go lady Wildcats, beat Tennessee!

John Wall Outduels Brandon Knight

John Clay: Cats earn impressive win // Kentucky.com

And it had nothing to do with this being ESPN’s GameDay or some UK fans’ misguided attempts to wreck it, or the crabby Digger Phelps, or the benches on the baseline, or any of that off-the-floor stuff.

Here’s what was impressive: Finally, Kentucky had to take a punch in the second half from a good team playing on the good team’s home floor.

Indeed.

What we learned from Saturday night // College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN

If Christian Watford's last-second shot doesn't fall in Assembly Hall on Dec. 10 -- back when Kentucky was still figuring things out -- the Cats are undefeated and we're talking less about this sudden surge of brilliance than whether UK could make it to the NCAA tournament with an unbeaten record. This team is one shot -- one 10-second defensive breakdown -- away from legendary comparisons.

I like it. I have nothing to add.

Mark Story: Remembering Jim Dinwiddie // Kentucky.com

Roundball chatter // ESPN

Dickie V. Shares some thoughts.

Not all flash: Kentucky's blue-collar defense sets it apart

These Wildcats play with dirt in their nails and sweat on their brow. They bump you off the block and push you to the edge of frustration with speed and length best used on the defensive end of the floor.

...

It's slow and painful for opponents, and if it wasn't for a 10-second stretch late in Bloomington, these Wildcats would be in discussions for the record books playing a possession-by-possession game that may not match their head coach's persona, but the outcomes meet the "salesman's" expectations perfectly.

Cluelessness like this is a travesty. When have you ever seen a team that does not reflect the personality of their coach?

Pat Morita said it best as Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid: "Teacher say, student do."

Kentucky Sports Radio // An Interview With Archie Goodwin

New UK DB ‘just loves to tackle’ // Jody Demling – Recruiting

You've got to love guys like this.

Wildcats Thunder Blog // UK's Marquis Teague named SEC Freshman of the Week

Well earned.

UK to hold televised scrimmage Wednesday // John Clay's Sidelines

Doron Lamb understands his job is to shoot like he did late to help beat Vanderbilt // vaughtsviews

"The zone was troublesome I would say," Calipari admitted. "Normallly we make more shots and it’s hard for teams to stay in a zone. But I could not get Doron to take a shot. I took him out and said, ‘If you are not going to shoot, you are not going back on the court. Your job is to shoot.’ He and Darius (Miller) have to shoot for us."

Exactly. Shoot the ball, Doron. You're not out there because you are a great defender, that's for sure.

Weekly Bracketology: 02.13.11 // Rush The Court

Much better than Chris Doberteen's

Game Preview: #7 UK HOOPS Vs. Tennessee Lady Vols- It's Showtime!

2012-02-13T18:49:27Z

UK Hoops Vs. UT Lady Vols
Thompson-Boling Arena

Monday February 13,2012

7:00 PM

TV: ESPN2 3D

Radio:UK IMG

OK, So, it is gutcheck time for the Hoops squad. No more undefeated SEC season on the line, no more walking away with the SEC Reg.Season title, no more talk about how no one can play with UK. All that was dashed last week in the Bayou. No friendly confines of Memorial Coliseum to smooth the rough spots tonight. UT's Thompson-Boling Arena is going to be rocking, because something is on the line tonight that has never been done before. Win at Thompson-Boling Arena. Sweep the Lady Vols in the regular season. And along with that, virtually seal at least a tie for the Reg. Season Championship that Matthew Mitchell wants to get under his belt so he can focus on a lot of other things that await the Cats down the road. But make no mistake, UK is not looking past UT. That will not happen.

More after the jump.

Coach Mitchell is ready to step from the shadows of his former mentor. This season has proven that, if nothing else. But that is not what Mitchell is focused on for this game,

“We have a game on Monday vs. Tennessee that will be really tough. We had a great game with them here at Memorial (Coliseum). Obviously we were real fortunate to come out on top in that one. We learned a lot from that game and we are working hard to try to make some corrections that didn’t go well in that game and just get as prepared as we can for what we know will be a very, very tough challenge for our team. We are excited about it, we are looking forward to it and we will see what happens on Monday.”

If UK is to win this one it is going to need everything they can get from junior All-America and SEC Player of the Year candidate A’dia Mathies (Louisville, Ky.). Mathies leads the team in almost every statistical category, including scoring (15.1), steals (2.8) and 3-point field goal percentage (.371). She is also second on the team in rebounding (5.3), assists (2.6), blocks (0.7) and 3-point field goals made (39).

Mathies will not be alone, however, as the rest of the UK squad is progressing well. Bria Goss is a Freshman of The Year candidate, and UK ranks in the top 10 of four national statistical categories, including leading the nation in turnover margin (+11.9). The Cats have forced at least 20 turnovers in 20 games this season, including a school-record high in SEC play of 36 vs. Ole Miss.

Tennessee (17-7, 8-3 SEC) is coming off a 79-93 loss at Vanderbilt. UT was led by sophomore guard Meighan Simmons' 20 points. Freshman Cierra Burdick led Tennessee with nine boards. Freshman guard Ariel Massengale had seven assists and two T.O's.

Senior guard/forward Shekinna Stricklen is the Lady Vols’ leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points per game. Glory Johnson, a graduate student, is the leading rebounder for Tennessee, averaging 9.3 rebounds and 13.8 points . Tennessee has six players averaging 8.0 or more points.

Coach Mitchell had this to say about the Vols loss at Vandy last week:

“I watched the game from a preparation standpoint and a coaching standpoint. We watched it as a staff live, but we were rewinding it and breaking it down as the game went on. At the end, I was just trying to think of some things that we could do well against them, some things that we are going to have to do well against them. I think anyone would be lying if they were to say that was not a good development for us. I mean, you want as much separation as you can have. I was watching the game trying to get ready for it, and I think need to go down there and be prepared to win and go down there are try to do the best we can to win.”

When asked about the UK loss to LSU last week and the break between games Mitchell said:

“We got into a game that happens every now and again where we are unable to control the tempo. That is complete credit to LSU because I am certain that many teams want to do that. They did a terrific job of making us win the game from an area of where we were not strong. They got us out of our strengths and we still had a chance had we been able to execute offensively. We did not throw the ball where it needed to go offensively where we could score. That’s what I learned, and that’s where we needed to do better. It was a great game to watch to see exactly how much improvement we actually can make. We are getting to that point in the season where everyone is desperate and hungry for wins. Everybody we play needs to win, we need to win, coaches now have larger volume of games to watch and figure out how to stop us and so it was real positive for us right now that we had that challenge, and what we can learn from it getting better offensively can really help us.”

“I think it was good for our players, bad for me. I hate to lose and hate to have that much time between (games). I would have liked to get back on the floor and start correcting some things, but you have to have some discipline as a coach, it can’t be about you. The players have done an unbelievable job through 11 games to get to 10-1. It was great, and they needed a little time off, so I think it was really good for them. We had some good work yesterday. The great thing about us right now is we have a chance to get better. We are not operating at a real high level offensively right now. I think that is something that we can improve on. So, to be at this stage in the season, and be in the position we are in, and still have a chance of getting better is a real positive thing. I hated being off, but it was good for our players.”

Let's face it folks. If UK wants to earn the right to be SEC Champs, remain a fixture in the Women's Top 10 every year and take this thing to the next level, these are the games that they have to win. They have to be able to go on the road in a hostile environment and take the game away from a team which is virtually their equal, both on paper and the court.And with the Lady Vols reeling from the loss at Vanderbilt, now is the time to make a statement.

I think they will. Hoops 78- Lady Vols 70. See you tonight at 7:00. The live blog will open up about 6:30-6:45.

Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: All Day I Dream About Shabazz?

2012-02-13T15:15:05Z

Most of the Shabazz Muhammad news that's fit to print in recent weeks has been pro-UCLA. First, a Scout.com report ($) indicated that Muhammad, along with fellow Kentucky target Tony Parker, was leaning towards the Bruins. Then, a FOX Sports West story quoted Muhammad as saying:

"Losing is a bad thing to do, but UCLA is a good program. I like Ben Howland and Coach (Phil) Mathews but they're still there and I'm still looking at them really hard."

Even with all the rumors swirling, Kentucky head coach John Calipari isn't giving up. Coach Cal swung by Las Vegas recently to watch Muhammad (who plays for Bishop Gorman), along with Anthony Bennett (who plays for nearby Findlay Prep). After Calipari's visit, Nation of Blue's Garrett Tucker caught up with Muhammad's father, Ron Holmes, to ask about the rumors. Holmes refuted the notion that Muhammad has already decided to sign with UCLA.

"Well, apparently they haven't talked to Shabazz or myself about it yet. We haven't hinted at a leader or anything like that. And we are not leaning anywhere. A month ago, UNLV led; the month before that, Kentucky led; then, before that, UCLA was the leader, if you go by what people say. We haven't said anything about leaders."

Holmes also mentioned that Muhammad is still planning on taking visits to Duke (scheduled for March 3), Arizona, and Kansas. Muhammad officially visited Kentucky for Big Blue Madness in October, and has taken enough unofficial visits to nearby programs UNLV and UCLA that he doesn't feel the need to take an official.

The latest scuttlebutt comes from The Cats Pause ($), where Chris Fisher talks about...shoes? Yes, shoes.

Word is that adidas is looking to place Muhammad on its Mount Rushmore of athletes that already includes the likes of Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Josh Smith and the aging Tim Duncan, with a shoe deal to put in his back pocket until his college days are through.

Can Kentucky, a Nike school, compete with a pair of pumped up kicks? Fisher doesn't expressly state that Adidas would be the reason for Muhammad to choose UCLA--merely a reason. UCLA coach Ben Howland has been much maligned for his recent failures at the collegiate level, but he does have a track record of producing successful pros, with Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook being the most notable one-and-done examples.

Muhammad is a good enough basketball player that he's likely to succeed no matter which school he plays for, whether it be a thriving blue blood program like Kentucky or Duke or a bleeding program like UCLA. But even if Howland lands Muhammad, Bruins Nation is rightfully asking what the future holds for a "deeply dysfunctional and sick basketball program under a basketball coach who has lost his touch and is too stubborn to realize it."

For now, though, it's still not a guarantee that Muhammad even chooses Westwood. Kentucky is still very much in the race, and expect Calipari to keep recruiting until the ink is dry on Muhammad's Letter of Intent.

Poll

Which school does Shabazz Muhammad end up choosing?

Kentucky Basketball: Digger Phelps' Comments at Vanderbilt

2012-02-13T12:50:20Z

Well, this has been all the rage around the Big Blue Nation, so I think it bears discussion here. This:

In this video, if you haven't listened by now, or can't, here is the substance of what Digger Phelps says from this article by Eric Crawford:

"This is important," he went on. "We've been with you at Kentucky. This is Vandy's home game (cheers). This is Vandy's (pause) listen to me. Listen to me. It's their home game."

...

"You (UK fans) are a part of it. But you show respect for Vandy. I don't want any nonsense. I don't want any incidents. Don't ruin this for College GameDay."

More after the jump.

First of all, if this is something that GameDay does at every big game they attend, I think we have nothing to complain about -- if (and I think if is the operative word) it's part of ESPN's standard operating procedure to warn opposing fans before every GameDay show not to make a mess of things, then that's fine.

In any case, Phelps is a known Kentucky detractor and like most UK fans, I'm going to assume that this isn't SOP and that Phelps just wanted to get a dig in. And even if it is SOP, singling out UK fans by name not to "ruin it for Gameday" is just the wrong thing to say to any group of people.

I know it will come as a shock to some, but the respect thing works both ways, and it is not okay to implicitly license home fans to act the fool and for opposing fans to be asked to sit there and take it. Kentucky fans weren't there illegally or unethically, they were there to support their team, and had just as much right to be in attendance as any Vandy fan.

By the way, this is in no way meant to be a commentary on Vanderbilt. They had a great crowd show up, and as far as I know, they treated Kentucky fans well enough. At least they didn't shout profanity at our women and knock them down. As far as I'm concerned, it isn't necessary for opposing fans to give more than a chin jut and a "What's up?" [The first person to correctly identify that reference gets a free .PDF copy of Wildcat Tip-Off 2011-2012 - Ed.]

Dear Digger: You can have the front half of that horse now, to go with the prodigious back half you already walk around with. [see the link just above for the proper context to all who may be unfamiliar with it].

DSS: Kentucky at Vanderbilt

2012-02-13T11:36:00Z

Click here for an explanation of how the DSS is charted and what the ratings and box score represent.

The Kentucky Wildcats faced their biggest road challenge since playing at Indiana back in December and emerged with a big win against a determined Vanderbilt team. Defensively the game featured all the elements that we've come to expect from the Cats - excellent field goal defense and very few free throw attempts for the opponent along with a few forced turnovers and some not-so-great defensive rebounding (particularly in the first half).

Calipari wanted the Cats to force Vanderbilt to the interior and in the first half that seemed to be what the Commodores wanted to do to as they repeatedly dumped the ball inside to Festus Ezeli. Anthony Davis played well (also, water is wet) and the other Cats applied considerable pressure on the perimeter to force tough shots from that area. The result was a terrific defensive stand in the first half that saw Vanderbilt struggle to a 76.7 Offensive Efficiency.

In the second half the Cats backed off the swarming defense that marked the first half and the Commodores were able to knock down some long 3's that included a 10 possession stretch early in the second half where they went 4 of 5 from distance. That got them back in the game, but the rest of the half was marked by spotty shooting and an inability to string together perimeter shots thanks to the Cats' defensive pressure. In the second half the Commodores offensive efficiency improved considerably to 129.0. They were held scoreless over their last 7 possessions though when UK put the game away.

Kentucky	Defense Box Score: Kentucky vs Florida
Name	Min	FGM	FGA	3PTM	3PTA	FTM	FTA	Def Rb	Blocks	TO	Steals	Points	Fouls
T. Jones	30	2.5	7.34	1	1	3	4	5	4	1	2	9	3
M. Kidd-Gilchrist	30	5.5	13.33	2	6	1	1	7	0	1.84	1	14	3
A. Davis	39	5.5	17	0	1	1	1	4	7	2.83	0	12	3
D. Lamb	37	1	7	0	3	2	2	2	1	1	1	4	2
M. Teague	37	3.5	5	1	1	0	0	3	0	2	0	8
D. Miller	15	0	3	0	2	2	4	2	0	0	0	2	4
K. Wiltjer	12	0	1.33	0	0	0	2	1	0	1.33	0	0	1
Undefended	40	5	9	4	7	0	0	1		0		14

Totals	200	23	63	8	21	9	14	25	12	10	4	63	16

Doron Lamb gets a block that he wasn't credited for in the official box score - it was given to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist instead, even though MKG wasn't really involved in defending the shot. This happens from time to time.
One particular bit of bad defensive rebounding came from Darius Miller on the possession where he "fouled" John Jenkins on a 3pt attempt. Prior to that he was out on Jeff Taylor when Taylor missed a long 2, but instead of turning and blocking out Taylor (and getting the ball which bounced right back to him), Miller let himself drift upcourt. There were some other instances of poor effort/blockout, but this one stuck out for me.
Anthony Davis was once again heavily involved in defending shots. A good bit of that is the matchup with Ezeli, but Davis also roamed the court as he typically does and helped out on other players. On top of everything else he led the team in forced turnovers.
I loved Kyle Wiltjer's activeness on defense which manifested in this game by helping to force turnovers in his limited minutes.
I don't know who (if anyone) defended Jenkins on his first 3 point make due to ESPN's technical difficulties, so I tagged it as an "Undefended" shot.

Kentucky	Four Factors				Ratings
Name	Opp eFG%	Opp TO%	FTRate	DRb%	Stops	Scores	Plays	Stop%	DPoss%	Def Rtg	Opp Eff
K. Wiltjer	0.0	54.6	150.4	7.9	2.4	0.0	2.4	1.00	0.13	89.5	0.0
D. Miller	0.0	0.0	133.3	12.7	2.1	1.0	3.1	0.69	0.13	99.2	65.5
D. Lamb	14.3	17.6	28.6	5.1	3.7	2.0	5.7	0.66	0.10	101.0	70.5
A. Davis	32.4	20.1	5.9	9.8	8.1	6.0	14.1	0.58	0.24	102.2	85.1
M. Kidd-Gilchrist	48.8	13.4	7.5	22.2	7.8	6.0	13.7	0.57	0.30	102.7	101.9
T. Jones	40.9	11.0	54.5	15.9	5.1	3.9	9.1	0.57	0.20	102.9	99.4
M. Teague	80.0	26.5	0.0	7.7	4.0	3.5	7.5	0.54	0.13	104.0	106.2
Undefended	77.8	0.0	0.0	2.4	1.6	5.0	6.6	0.25	0.11	111.2	211.1

Totals	42.9	16.4	22.2	59.5	35.0	27.3	62.2	0.56		103.3

Kyle Wiltjer had a nice game defensively. He mostly guarded Lance Goulbourne, but he did switch off to Ezeli a few times and held his ground fairly well. All in all he continues to make good progress on this end of the floor.
Prior to picking up his 3rd foul, MKG did a fantastic job defending Jeff Taylor. After his 3rd foul Taylor took advantage until Cal switched Lamb onto him and MKG to Jenkins. That helped bottle both guys up a bit until late in the game when MKG switched back to Taylor.
Marquis Teague did a really nice job defending Brad Tinsley.

As I did for the Florida game, here is a rough partitioning of 3 point attempts based on whether they were open, semi-open, or closely guarded (doesn't include Jenkins' first made 3).

Vanderbilt	Made	Missed	Perc.
Open	3	2	60.0
Semi Open	2	4	33.3
Guarded	2	7	22.2

Kentucky	Made	Missed	Perc.
Open	2	2	50.0
Semi Open	0	4	0.0
Guarded	1	4	20.0

Kentucky's threes were mostly pretty good shots - open or semi-open and taken in rhythm by guys you want to take them (Lamb and Miller). Teague and MKG both forced a few when they didn't need to and that could possibly be an issue in a close game, but otherwise the Cats are pretty good at picking their spots. Sometimes shots just don't go down and I think that was the case in this game.

One other non-UK defensive note: I really don't think the zone was all that great in stopping the Cats from getting good shots - MKG, Terrence Jones, and Miller repeatedly got to the middle and either got a good mid-range attempt or kicked the ball out for a step-into-it 3 pointer - the shots just didn't go in. I really think the idea of "The zone can slow Kentucky down" idea is more myth than reality at this point in the season. The Cats can still get good shots against zones, it just takes a few more seconds for them to do it.

Kentucky Wildcat Basketball: The Home Stretch

2012-02-12T20:11:00Z

After a satisfying victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores at Memorial Gym Saturday, the Cats will take the coming weekdays off to prepare for their final five regular season games. With a pause in the schedule, let's take a minute to reset where Kentucky is and where they'd like to be over the coming weeks.

1. At 11-0 in the conference with three home games remaining, the Kentucky Wildcats are a lead pipe cinch to win the SEC and take the #1 seed in its post-season tournament. UK's closest competitor, the Florida Gators, were swept this week but remain second overall at 7-3. Sure, the Cats have loftier goals, but winning the league still bears mention. You can go ahead and plan your SEC tournament weekend now, as Kentucky will play at noon on each of March 9, 10 and 11 as long as it advances.

2. With the Ohio St. Buckeye's loss to the Michigan St. Spartans yesterday, there is now some separation between Syracuse, Kentucky and the rest of the candidates for #1 NCAA seeds. The Missouri Tigers are looking good at 23-2 overall with recent wins over Kansas and Baylor. Beyond that, the picture is muddled, with Ohio State, North Carolina, Duke, Kansas in front. Despite 2 losses this week, Baylor is still in the mix at 21-4 and Sparty's win at Ohio State puts it in the conversation at 20-5.

That's a lot of tradition at the top. Very cool.

3. Assuming UK doesn't collapse and remains on the one seed line, my next question is who ends up #2 in its bracket. The NCAA has not done the Cats any favors since Cal took over as Head Coach. That isn't an accusation, it is a fact. I've have one eye on this as a potential storyline. That is why I'm rooting for North Carolina to right the ship and earn a #1 seed. Yes, I know we've already beaten the Tar Heels and are much better than we were when we first played. Personally, though, I want no part of them before the Final Four. UNC is still the second most talented team in the country and starts 3-4 NBA-ready players. Those teams almost always do well in the tournament. If the NCAA is looking to give UK the finger, no better way than to put UNC in our bracket.

Earning the #1 overall seed would help Kentucky's cause in this regard. Despite their #1 ranking, Joe Lunardi at ESPN currently has UK as the #2 overall seed in the tournament, behind Syracuse. To me, that is a joke. Syracuse did not play a road game outside of the Big East, and though they are 6-1 on the road in conference, only one of those wins came against a team with a winning league record (Cincinnati).

4. In order to be #1 overall, Kentucky may have to run the table. Syracuse certainly has a chance to do so. Interestingly, Jim Boeheim's squad's toughest remaining test will likely come Monday night at 7:00pm at the Yum Center against Louisville. So I'll be rooting hard for little brother for once. The Orange also travel to UCONN later this month. There is also the Big East Tournament in Madison Square. For my money, the league is down this year, but Syracuse will probably get a boost if it successfully runs that gauntlet.

5. After last night's performance at Memorial, I'd put the Cats' chances of sweeping their last five SEC games then winning the conference tournament at slightly more than even money. Mississippi State and Florida both suffered home losses to inferior teams yesterday. The Cats will be 6+ point favorites in each of those road games. Of course anything can happen, but a home loss or what would essentially be a home loss in New Orleans during the SEC Tournament look increasingly unlikely. If I told you the over/under for Kentucky losses prior to the NCAA tournament was 1.5, where would you put your money?

6. All of this is well and good, but this team is ultimately going to be judged by what happens in March. With the caveat that Coach Cal has done an amazing job with this team, I have some unsolicited advice for him. Kentucky has excelled in part by avoiding foul trouble and major injury. Alas, those things aren't a given. Over the season's coming weeks, I'd like to see him lengthen the bench a bit. A tough tournament game may necessitate meaningful minutes from Eloy Vargas or a hot hand from Kyle Wiltjer. I'd put a win in jeopardy now to give them some crunch time run. Carving out a few minutes for Twany Beckham here and there would also give our stars fresher legs come tournament time and lessen the chance of something disastrous happening.

7. Finally, a semi-related public service announcement. If you are making provisional plans to attend the Final Four and found that New Orleans hotels are pretty well booked, consider the Mississippi Coast as an alternate home base. Biloxi is an 80 mile mostly highway drive and rooms in the nice casinos are both available and reasonable.

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