Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
That wasnt pretty. Kentucky, coming off its best performance of the young season mailed in a turnover-filled horror show tonight against the WINLESS Stony Brook SeaWolves. Unlike the loss to Gardner-Webb, in which the Cats were dominated on both ends of the floor, this game simply seemed like two American East teams slugging it out in a conference game where both teams were cold from the field…..the problem is that one of those teams was from the SEC and ended up beating Stony Brook by a smaller margin than Lafayette was able to do on the road.
There were a lot of things to focus on, some good, most bad. Here are a few notes….
(1) We did end up with a career-high 17 points for our man Perry Stevenson tonight. While Stevenson still looks unbelievably uncomfortable with the ball and is prone to turnovers, he has shown a knack recently for getting garbage points that a man as long as he is can produce in bulk. His shots today were all up close, but he was able to get some off rebounds, including a dunk that was the play of the night. I am not ready to appoint Stevenson as the answer to all of the team’s problems, but tonight was a step forward.
(2) Also positive was the continued wonderful play of Patrick Patterson. Just five games into his college career, he looks like the Senior leader on the floor, directing traffic, playing good defense and continually being in the right spot on play after play. He is the rock on this team, the only one not prone to fits of insanity and the guaranteed double-figure scorer every night. He is meeting the fans’ expectations going into the season…..something I thought to be impossible.
(3) Ok thats all of the positive. Now to the negative. I am nost sure what lesson Billy Clyde was giving to Smooth, but it may have been that he was going to allow Michael Porter to turn the ball over as many times as humanly possible. At least I hope that was the lesson, because otherwise the decision to keep Porter in the game is inexplicable. I like Michael Porter. I want him to succeed. But for a player that very rarely shoots, isnt the best on defense and doesnt make a ton of athletic moves….well you simply cant turn the ball over at the rate that he does.
(4) Nice return to the floor by Ramon Harris. I am still not sure if he can score and his defense at the end was a bit shabby, but he is generally in the right place (a RARE quality on the team right now) and his athleticism helps on the glass. His return meant no AJ Stewart whatsoever. He goes from Mr. Energy to not playing. Who would have thunk it? UPDATE: AJ Stewart fell asleep during the pre-game meeting…..LOL, what can you say? I love AJ and knew he was a bit absent-minded and care free, but come on AJ…..you gotta stay awake….
(5) When it comes to Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley, what can you say? There will be inconsistency and there was tonight. I still think that without Crawford (considering the injuries to Meeks and Jasper), this team would be awful. There would be no one to take the ball to the basket and almost no one who can get their own shot. Ramel was inconsistent, but I admit to being perplexed at how he remained on the bench while Porter continued to turn the ball over. This team rides on these two guys backs. For better or worse…..
(6) Jared Carter….I honestly dont know what to say……also this team looks absolutely baffled on offense whenever a team gets in any defense that is not man-to-man. The zone tonight left them on their heels time after time. Sometimes this team is baffling and tonight was one of those nights.
UNC on Saturday……lets hope this isnt the team that shows up.
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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November 27th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
trust in billy gillispie! we will be ok, it might take a year but we will be ok!!
November 27th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Let’s hope for remaining inconsistent just one more game.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
third
November 27th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
1993 FF team http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Games/19921208EasternKentu cky.html had a clunker along the way.
UK trailed in this (1992) game with 3 minutes left.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
This team is apt to face blowouts from unlikely teams. You can tell BG is frustrated with his “talent.”
November 27th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Stevenson didn’t just shoot up close, he had a few mid-range jumpers. That’s promising.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
watching the duke game and all of these body-painted students: is there no free on-campus gym or something? good grief
November 27th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Not only do we lack talent, but we lack guys who are “skilled.” Not enough good passers, dribblers, or shooters. Combine that with average athleticism and injuries…… we will ultimately be left out of the tourney this year. IMHO. Hopefully a big man sees the light and miller and liggins can team with meeks, legion and patterson to light it up next year.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
All thanks to TUBBY…we are playing with his scraps…thank God Billy G brought in Patterson and Legion…imagine where we would be without them!!
November 27th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Patterson (and Jai Lucas) were UK bound ever since MM 2006 and planned to commit to UK at McD All-American game in March 2007.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
All I can say is that it’s going to be a Long….Long Season.The only thing that will help this season go fast is getting good recruits to help out with the disaster Tubby left behind.Now I see why the man bolted,he wouldn’t have made it if he were still here.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
I don’t know what the deal is with people saying that the problem on this team is talent. That’s ridiculous, our team is chock full of top 100 players, We have Joe Crawford and Pat Patterson (5 *), Ramel Bradley, Alex Legion, Perry Stevenson, (4*) While this isnt the amount of talent usual for Kentucky during Rick Pitino’s tenure, Tubby Smith got 22-27 wins out of it per year, and Billy G succeeded with much less talent at UTEP and Texas A&M, the problem is our players are bumbling around out there like the Keystone Cops, and what’s even more apparent is that Billy G will prove a point to a player at all costs, so whether we like it or not, the team is going get with the program (soon I hope)and start playing his style of basketball. I wouldnt expect a win against the Tar Heels though, those players beat us as Freshman, Sophomores, and now…ugh..I just hope we can keep it under 15.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Anybody know when we’ll find out about the bowl game? Do we have to wait until after the BCS selections?
November 27th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
12 Exactly. This bare cupboard crap is the biggest crock. Everyone needs to quit pulling excuses out of their ass.
Aside, I really still wasn’t that impressed with Stevenson. I wanted to see him make some strong moves, and he really didn’t. He still can’t hanlde the ball or catch either.
And AJ is the man. Falling asleep during Billy G’s meeting? HAHA that is awesome.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Who would of guessed the class of Morris,Crawford, Rondo and Bradley would have caused a low point in the program.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Guys Dickie V would suck Coach K and Billy D off if they would let him.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
The epitomy of the Crawford,Morris,Bradley years may be last year against Vandy.
When Crawford drove down the court for the lay-up with Meeks waiting under the basket.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
This type of roster (talent) averaged 26 W (77% record) the past 5 seasons. Both are better than UK historical averages.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
I wonder if we ever practice against the zone. Billy G is not a zone coach.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
10—If Patterson and Lucas were UK bound since 2006 then why is lucas at UF, and why did Patterson leave us on the edge of our seat until Tubby left….yeah they had us on their list with Tubby, so did alot of others who chose somewhere else…bottom line its Tubbys fault…If Sebastion Telfair doesnt commit to UofL, Rondo goes there and Tubby doesnt have 1 solid recruiting class during his whole tenure!
Perry Stevenson is not legit, too uncordinated, and too weak…Joe and Smooth are too inconsistent..And its about time to end Coury playing solid minutes….We will not compete with any top 25 team without Meeks and Jasper or perhaps with them…Doubt we make the tournament this year.
15-I agree, if we get a solid BIG man we will be an extremely talented young team and WILL be in the Final 4 in 2 years
November 27th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Oh yeah…On a football note…Is Pulley our QB next year? Is he red-shirting?
November 27th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
I agree with 12 and 14
November 27th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
#20 Lucas wanted to play for TCFEBUK.
Patterson also wanted to play for TCFEBUK but wasn’t sure if he wanted to play for Gillispie.
Ask either player’s parents. I’ve heard from both that their sons were UK bound in March 2007.
UK signed #6 class in 1998. #3 class in 1999. #12 classes in 2000 and 2001. #2 class in 2004. And #14 class in 2006. (All per RSCI Winners class ratings)
November 27th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
If we had such good recruiting classes, why were we so bad?
November 27th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Top selling t-shirt at LSU says one thing, “Triple OT sucks”
November 27th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Whoa Whoa Whoa
Someone said this was promising from Stevenson?!
He looked like trash out there. Even when he shot the ball he looked like a deer in headlights before putting it up. He has got to take that shot from the free throw line with confidence and no hesitation, he can drill it! He has to make teams guard him, that zone offense was garbage. Where is Benson when you need him?
November 27th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
ha thats funny
November 27th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
26) Stevenson has a double double and you’re bitching? Wow. I’d take half of that from him on a regular basis.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:51 pm
He played with heart and I loved that, he is one of the few showing any. It was by the grace of God that he got those points tonight. Were you watching the game? All i’m saying is don’t expect a repeat effort anytime soon.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
like the rest of the year…
November 27th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Scotland you are a broken Tubby lovin record. please go away.. come on you know your hungary.. Burger King is still open…A whopper sounds good right…?
November 27th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
29— Stevenson played well tonight… get over it.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
I think Woo Says “I Take Yo Money!” is absolutely right. There will be games we lose this season because we lack talent (refer to: this Saturday). BUT, anybody who says lack of talent is why we’re struggling against Gardner-Webb or Stoney Brook doesn’t know the first thing about basketball. You just hate Tubby. That is all.
This year is going to be all about transition. This is about Billy Clyde getting these guys to play the way he wants them to play. It’s pretty clear he is trying to build for the future and instill a new style of play. You can either be frustrated and ignorantly rail at our former coach or you can support the hard work of these young men as Billy reshapes the program in his philosophy.
Billy G. is taking the long view on this program. Please try to do the same.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:11 am
23–Im talking about recently..of course you’re going to have good recruiting classes the next few years coming off a National Championship…2004 was good, I admit that…What about 2005 he gives us Adam Williams and Jared Carter!!! 2003-Orbzut, Perry, Shegari, and Sheray!!2002-Azibuke “cant complain” but with Stockton, and Barbour..And how 2006’s class was #14 is beyond me… Look back at Pitinos recruiting classes…Look at the UNC, Kansas, Duke recruiting classes…Yes Tubby brought in a few classes with a few good players but No Superstars besides Bogans, Azibuke(maybe), and Rondo (maybe)…This is UK we ARE supposed to get our share of superstars…Never years like 2005 and 2003.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Thank You Forrest4three..
November 28th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Glad the criminoles took care of Tubby tonight
November 28th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Tubby is a good person, just couldnt get the job done at UK
November 28th, 2007 at 12:25 am
I don’t care if Tubby wins a NC at Minnesota, he had a decade to get it done here, and it didn’t happen. I’ll never wish we’d kept him.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:29 am
#24 GregJ - I like your question. Why were we so bad?
Scotland will quote the most useless stat known to man - Team Winning Percentage
He loves the games against Stoney Brook, as it pads his stat to the core.
What he won’t touch is why couldn’t we win the games that mattered with this (uncompetitive) talent.
Like the ones to get you to the Final Four.
Then the losing streaks. One thing you should remember when talking at Scotland though… expecting a moron to see that they are wrong is a real waste of your time. The only benefit to consider is the laugh everyone else gets when they see it going down.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:54 am
#10 please shut up. No one gives a damn about TLT anymore. Get over it.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:58 am
Next thing you know someone will brag about the 1st round wins, granted we were the underdog, lol.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:58 am
This was one of the worst performances by a UK team I’ve ever
witnessed. With a new coach, a new system, and a lot injuries,
I expected this team to struggle, but never, ever, did I expect
that we would struggle against some of the worst teams in
Division 1. I can’t help but believe that this team is better
than what they have shown in their last 5 outings. They are
probably somewhere between the team that showed up tonight
and the one that played Texas Southern.
I don’t expect us to be a Top25 team right now, but I do expect
us to play better than a high school team! I don’t think that’s
an unreasonable expectation and one that Billy G should address.
I don’t know if the problem lies in his coaching style, his
relationship with the players, or the player’ attitudes, but
something has to change. I believe in Billy G and his vision,
but 4 out of the past 5 games have been an embarrassment.
Here’s hoping Billy G can do some magic before Saturday’s game;
otherwise, it’s not going to be a pretty sight.
November 28th, 2007 at 3:12 am
UK has a talented bench, but we have no experience to speak of. Sure Crawford & Bradley have experience, other than those 2, Meeks & Jasper are our only other “veteran” players (and on our injured list). Under a normal situation, the freshmen & sophs on the team have time (a couple of years typically) to develop by practicing against the veterans, but that isn’t an option for us–b/c of the past few recruiting classes. The last few years these guys played with guys like Morris, who shouldered the responsibility to win games for us. Every now & then someone else stepped up.
With the injuries plaguing us, inexperience, a new system, and a coach with a totally different philosophy– we are going to see some ugly games that we are unaccustomed to. Moreover, the only experienced players we have are having to adapt to the new system. Its going to take time, but by the time March Madness rolls around, we’ll witness a team that none of us deem possible. Eventually, this season we’ll get stronger, tougher, and more aggressive– they will metamorphosize into a classic Gillispie-esque team by seasons end. Hopefully we’ll get into the tourney, but everyone needs to keep our expectations in check for this transitional season. Everyone needs to quit focusing on our Cat pride and let BCG makeover our program. Even with Tub’s winning percentage, we were slowly headed to the basement of the SEC. Its going to take time to recouperate. Have faith in Clyde’s system– its worked well everywhere he’s been & it will work well here too. Only difference is that we’re accustomed to winning & come with expectations. GIVE IT TIME
November 28th, 2007 at 3:37 am
As for Stevenson– he’s got the talent, but he lacks size & strength. Hopefully BCG will teach him to use his small body to his advantage, sliding between defenders into the interior. I’m proud that he stepped up & answered the challenge to get points & rebounds. His points were the difference in the game, so we should all be grateful. Hopefully this will give him some needed confidence and he’ll continue to get better. Maybe Gillispie’s coaching is having an effect on him!
November 28th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Scotland you’re so full of crap. Yes, I’m sure when you first met Jai Lucas and his father in an airport they told you the real story to all of these recruiting battles right on the spot, something any recruiting insider would have died to know and report. And you’re not “in the know” with the Pattersons, either. No one was.
I’m personally tired of you giving win percentages without acknowledging the tournament is what really matters, and trying to defend players that are playing horribly with those same percentages. I mean, great, win percentages are high, we can add to our lead on the most wins of all time. Personally, I want the all time national championship record. To each his own I guess.
I think we’re all tired of hearing how “in the know” you are, and how blindly loyal to Tubby you will always be.
November 28th, 2007 at 4:11 am
There are games in which we will be crushed this season…I believe we’ll be almost as good next year as we will be bad this year. People will be calling for coach’s head.He’ll prove the doubters wrong.He will bring us back to elite.Just have to wait a few years. I am willing.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:10 am
#40 the current UK coach is T+LB.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:12 am
#45 a friend in WV (whose son competed against PP) knows them well. They said it, indeed.
UK won 76% of its games in TCFEBUK era and 72% of its NCAA games then.
UK won 76% of its games ALL-TIME and 69% of its NCAA games all-time.
UK won 1 NC in those 10 years.
UK won 7 NC in 69 years of NCAA.
Math is pretty simple.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:39 am
[...] Wrap-up from KentuckySportsRadio.com [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 6:39 am
This was a simple exercise by BCG. The game meant nothing as he knew we would win….he made examples of guys who are just not “getting it.” One of these days, it will click….who know when. Let’s cry when we get beat by UNC by 30 points….I, for one, think that we will rise to the challenge and be very competitive in the UNC game….this will be an excellent measuring stick as to the rest of the season. I bet we only have an 8 man rotation Saturday and not all this experimentation. This is a process fellas…..gotta play it out.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:47 am
I doubt by 30 points, but UK surely CAN beat UNC if the team plays well.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:49 am
#31 been on http://www.seattlesutton.com so I don’t go to Burger King, sorry.
Facts are, the next 10 years at UK may not equal the last 10. Too early to tell.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:50 am
#39 UK competed very well the past 10 seasons. Not as well the past 2 but EVEN THOSE are better than this year (so far).
Coach and players on different pages altogether.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:54 am
#24 UK had the 4th Most W overall, 4th Most W in NCAA games, and 5th best W-L (%) record in all of Div I basketball in that timeframe.
Top 5, ever since 1960’s. (5th best in 60’s - 5th best in 70’s - 9th best in 80’s - 2nd best in 90’s - 7th best in 2000’s) Average of those 5 decades is 5th Best.
See Jon Scott website http://www.sportsstats.com/AP/alldecade.html for details.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:11 am
52– Well… good
November 28th, 2007 at 7:16 am
on our best day not within 15 of UNC. Lets accept it will be a long haul to be good again.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:42 am
This year is the Legacy of TLT. UK Basketball needs an exorcism. A TLT purge.
November 28th, 2007 at 7:44 am
52. That is not a fact. It’s an un-educated guess.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:32 am
54) Next time you see John Lucas in the airport, could you personally thank him for convincing Jai and Patrick to verbal their desire to play for Tubby before the heat in Lexington got so bad that Tubby left? Because now that we know they wanted to play for Tubby all along, it’s great to know that they expressed that desire in time to prevent this upheaval.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:48 am
#50 i agree. the reason porter and others played a lot of min’s was for exp.injuries have killed us.when we play unc.those guy’s will come off the bench.its better to start them againest stony brook.and get some valuable exp.than againest unc’u.of.l etc
November 28th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Regardless of the reason, there are things here that give cause for great concern. Ramel took a step backwards tonight, and I did not blame the coach for benching him.
Patterson (as always)was a bright spot, as was Stevenson and (I think) Ramon, especially when you consider how long he has been out of action.
I hope for a better result, but see no logical reason to think we will beat UNC or Indiana. I do hope we can improve as we get to the SEC in January, but the East is very tough. I tend to agree with those who think this will be a tough year. Not impossible to get into the tourney, but we will have to do better in the conference and get some signature wins somewhere.
Question is, where will they come from?
November 28th, 2007 at 8:54 am
How funny is it that Aj stewart fell asleep in a pre-game meeting? Wish I coulda seen BCGs reaction.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Folks please. Anyone that can’t see that BCG is breaking Bradley down from the Tubby bad habits is blind. The point guard MUST be an extension of the coach and if he isn’t doing what BCG asks then he should be on the bench.
It is just a shame that the backup point guard (Porter) right now couldn’t play for Morehead State.
And Scotland stop already with the Lucas and Patterson coming to UK. If Tubby was so great they would have signed before it hit the fan. I’m getting tired of hearing that.
November 28th, 2007 at 8:57 am
Also, we are without Meeks right now who most considered was going to be this year’s best player. And I think having Jasper to keep Porter at the end of the bench would be good also. We still wouldn’t have a full deck of cards but we would be much better.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Tubby left the cupboard bare of shooters and to a lesser degree basketball players .. So far, Coach G has still not recruited any shooters altho Legion is advertised as one .. but so far he has been Gillispieized .. Tubby never learned to recruit at UK .. The question remains if Coach G’s previous successful approach at non-bb schools will work at a school like UK .. We shall see .. I have no complaints but really I could could coach and even play better against a 2-3 zone than what I saw last nite .. Saturday will give us a true read on this team and the season (well at least as true a read as you can get with Meeks and Jasper missing) .. play like last nite and against GW will produce a 40 point loss against the Heels
November 28th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Athletically, we have about average talent. Basketball wise, not so much. The current group doesn’t have a high basketball IQ.
Especially Perry Stevenson. The guy catches the ball (well, sometimes he catches it) at the top of the key and looks like hes about to get robbed.
He is awful. He looked good to some because of his stats, but this is simply him playing against guys who arent as tall and lack the strength to push him around like most do. If he gains confidence from this, great, but the guy got a few good bounces and some rebounds fell right into his hands.
Hopefully Carter and someone else transfers, we just dont have the horses to match up against top 20 talent inside. I do think that getting a player like Miller who can slash and Liggins, who is a beast of an athlete, will really help this team out. I hope Liggins can man the point with Jasper coming off the bench.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:20 am
It’s not the talent that bothers me so much as we have been playing horrible, not defending well, and turning the ball over way too much. The defense is especially worrisome. It doesn’t matter who you are you can hustle and keep your feet in front of the guy - there is not such big a gap between our athletiscm and Gardener Webb or Stoney Brook that our guys can’t defend better than they have been.
Injuries and lack of Defense may be the doom of this team not Tubby. To be honest Gillispie’s subsitution patterns in these first few games have been a little weird. I hope he is just experimenting b/c otherwise Saturday maybe incredibly ugly. If we get a couple of people healthy there is no reason this team can’t be competitive come SEC time.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Matt, you are right about Porter playing dreadfully last night BUT the “turnover machine” had 5 in 34 minutes while Bradley had 5 in 22 minutes (along with 8 splinters). BCG knows that he needs Bradley to play well if this team is going to be good this year. Letting Bradley stew on the bench against Stony Brook, in a game that was never really in question regardless how poorly Porter played, was well worth it if it results in better play from Bradley down the road.
November 28th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Bradley was so far down on the bench, I went to get popcorn and he was sitting in my seat!
I politely told him to move on up to the rafters!!!
Haven’t seen him since!
November 28th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Tubby may not have been as dumb as some thought…..
He saw this coming in the middle of last year when they got blown out by IU!
November 28th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Lets just hope that we dont play many 2-3 zone teams. I think my alma mater Dunbar High School couldve come out to Rupp last night, ran a 2-3 zone, and still wouldnt have lost by that much.
November 28th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Sorry you can’t whine about not giving guys game experience and then whine about when they do get game experience. Cake and eat it too…
November 28th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I think BCG may eventually instill some zone d, but first he wants these players to learn/accept his system before confusing them (more). If UK plays the way Gillispie desires, Cats will control the tempo, the floor, and the defense (man to man). Quickness, atheleticism and outside shooting is what we can expect from his teams. Once his recruits fill the roster, UK will control the games, not other teams. Competition will be working to match up with us, not the other way around.