Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
It was another solid day in Rupp Arena as the Cats generally played well, faced some adversity, but then found a way to take down the Gamecocks 78-70. Throughout the game it was clear that this team is becoming much crisper on offense and is starting to find its rhythm, by having the best players play they are most comfortable playing and finding roles for secondary players to find a way to contribute. The “event” status of the game was in full effect, as the Cats had a number of non-basketball moments that made the crowd stand on its feet. The 2007 UK football team was honored prior to the game to a standing ovation. At halftime, the 1948 Kentucky National Championship and Olympic Gold Medal winning team was honored in a ceremony that was one of the cooler moments that I have seen in the arena. If you love the history of this program as I do, seeing that team honored, with many of the former players and family members in attendance was great. All in all a good day at Rupp. Here are some notes from the post-game….
GAME NOTES:
– A great performance from Ramel Bradley who got the second double-double of his career with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
– The Cats once again did the things necessary to get the victory…that means performing in the clutch and making free throws. Down 61-60 with seven minutes to go, the Cats went on a 12=1 run to take control of the game. In addition, the Cats continued their free throw domination of the SEC by hitting 18-23 free throws.
– Wanna know how important three point shooting has become to college basketball? The Cats were up 5 at halftime….four minutes later the Cocks had hit 4 three pointers and were up 7. Four shots and the game changed….that is the new college basketball.
– Wanna know what Rupp Arena can do to an opponent? With the Cats up 7 at the end and South Carolina required to score, Dave Odom was trying to scream a play to his players, but the crowd was so loud they couldnt hear it. The team ran around with only a couple of players knowing the play, got off a bad shot….and the game was over.
BILLY GILLISPIE NOTES
– Gillispie called the UK victory “a great win against a tough team” and said that he was most pleased with the way the Cats bounced back from adversity. Gillispie said he knew that South Carolina would run the shot clock down to 5 or 6 seconds and then hit a tough 3 and that “the most important thing is for us not to hang our head” when that happened. He said he was impressed with the way they did that and the fact the team kept their composure.
– Gillispie was full of praise for Ramel Bradley. “He has been fantastic. I love the way this team is handling things down the stretch and he is the main reason.” Gillispie said his uptick in leadership is the #1 reason this team has been playing better.
– Gillispie spoke of the “change of mindset” in Perry Stevenson, saying that he was once a guy who liked to sleep all the time and was not fully into the team. Now he “is getting to the gym earlier and is much more intense. He has no idea just how good he can be.”
– Gillispie also made clear that he knows why the Cats look substantially better than before. “Lets not kid ourselves….having Jodie and Derrick back makes all the big difference.” He called Derrick Jasper, “one of the toughest guys I have been around in my coaching career.”
– Finally, Gillispie was upset at Bradley for the behind the back pass on the break, but not for the reason you may think. He said that the defender had three fouls, and knowing that situation, Bradley should have tried to draw the fourth. But Coach isnt against behind the back passes, saying that he made many during his day. After someone called him “old school”, Gillispie retorted that Bob Cousy was old school but invented that pass and that during his playing days, he would make those passes often and he would “send you some tapes” if you dont believe it.
GILLISPIE THE SOOTHSAYER: All the players mentioned that they were amazed at how well Gillispie predicted the flow of the game. With the Cats up 5 at half, Gillispie told them that South Carolina would make a run and “likely get up 8 or so” (Bradley’s words). Of course that then happened in the second half, causing Ramel Bradley to say, “I have come to realize that Coach is always right.”
PERRY STEVENSON: Stevenson was his usual self after the game with his dry humor. He said that he is trying to get more aggressive and become a better scorer. When told of Coach Gillispie’s praise of him in the press conference, he smiled and said “everything he said is true.” He said the game is becoming more fun for him and that “I am getting comfortable and that is all you can ask.”
PATRICK PATTERSON: Patterson said that the team knew that if they focused the whole game they could pull it out. “Coach told us they would hit crazy shots and they did….we just had to not get down.” He said that Coach gave them a “good rippin” at one point but that the team “trusts in Ramel” and was ready to win down the stretch.
RAMEL BRADLEY: Ramel spent most of his time talking about the “horrible decision” he made on the pass on the fast break. But he also mentioned that he is becoming very confident at the end of games. “I am really confident that at the end, I can make the final shot. It prepares me to hit the shot in practice and I am ready in games.” He said that he was excited to guard Zam Frederick after Zam had hit a couple of threes in the second half. “The best way to guard a player is to not let him get the ball and thats what I did.” He said he was ready at the end of the game because “I get tired but I am conditioned to say, ‘ok you’re tired, so what!” He credits boot camp for that mentality.
ODOM ON THE CATS: Coach Odom expressed his respect for Kentucky basketball and the tradition associated with it and said he was honored with the pre-game ceremony in which he was given a commemorative Kentucky visitor’s chair. As for the game he said this about the players:
ON Patterson: “I have seen a lot of Freshman big men here at Kentucky. None are better than Patrick Patterson as a Freshman.”
On Bradley: “When the game is on the line, he is as good as there is.”
So that is the report from Rupp. We will have more later. A great day and one in which I got to meet one of the names I would hear from my grandfather in my youth, Harlan’s own Wah Wah Jones. Cant get much better than that…..
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January 26th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Matt, I was hoping the deal with the student television station was going to result in our getting the post-game presser after every game. Was that just a lucky deal after the UT game or can we expect to see that more often?
January 26th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I hate to make two comments back-to-back but I just realized that this was a pretty stupid day to honor the football team what with Woodson, Tamme, and Woodyard playing in the senior bowl and not being able to be in attendance. Surely they could have found one that would have allowed those three guys to be in attendance.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
We arent allowed to show the entire press conference….UK rules. There will however be more video coverage going forward, but we were unable to make it happen today
January 26th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
No problem. It was just so great seeing that after the UT game. I did think it odd that it was on YouTube which was the first time I remember it being there.
January 26th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Hey Matt I remember reading about getting a Hopson Interview I wanted to know if you knew what day we are going to get that. Can’t wait to hear it HOPE we het him!!!
January 26th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
perry mutha****in’ stevenson. where have you been the last year and a half??? wow
guys, this coaching staff has it all. play calling. film/game prep. player development. recruiting. ENERGY. we’ve got something special going here.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Hey Matt,
This post game stuff that you do for the fans is absolutely fantastic. I have never known so much about what is going on with our players. Its awesome to hear their reaction. I really really like this team. Any way, thanks for the post game. Its awesome.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:12 am
This was a wonderful game. I trust in Coach Gillispie, and I think that things are really pulling together for the team this late in the season. Things are becoming more comfortable, and this team is much different than the one earlier this year. They still turn it over, but they’re getting better at *how* they turn it over, at least (as in not passing the ball directly to a defender’s back or hands).
January 27th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Missing person alert: has anyone seen lesmiles he seems to have gone MIA since our last lose…
January 27th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Any word on Crawford’s return?
January 27th, 2008 at 12:16 am
When Gillispie came out for his courtside postgame radio interview, he said that when Bradley made that bad pass on the fast break “I got on him pretty hard and said some things that I’m not really proud of. But he said ‘Coach, its over! Lets just move on.’ and I liked that.”
January 27th, 2008 at 12:18 am
#6 I completely agree. WELL PUT!!
January 27th, 2008 at 12:20 am
#9 Les Miles doesn’t like to give the team any credit. He only likes to post after a loss so he has something to bitch about. After the comments he made after the Florida loss he should be embarrased to ever post again.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:21 am
#11 I heard Gillispie comment on that and I liked what he said.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Not sure if this has been posted but its a good article on Billy Clyde written before the South Carolina game.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylt=AvF9IJAyfu5ELAfsUHEZgLHevbYF?s lug=jn-gillispie012508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
January 27th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Very nice win. BCG is looking more comfortable himself each and every day!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:46 am
I like that BCG made a point to say that we are better cause jasper and Meeks. There’s no way this team should be a 9 loss team at this point in the season. It’s a more experienced last years team. The only difference being PPat for Morris. And I think even the Knicks would take PPat first.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:54 am
#7 Agreed. Thank you, Matt.
lesmiles was posting a little today. But yes he was nowhere to be found after UT and has seldom been heard from since.
“I have come to realize that Coach is always right.”
Great quote. Hilarious. If we win the SEC I want that on bumper stickers and t-shirts. We could do it for the V foundation or something. With that on front and the “don’t give up” on back.
January 27th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Scotland is the one I have noticed not being around.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Good report on the game and it is great that Rupp was rockin again!!!!!!!!!
January 27th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I don’t think Scotland was so much anti-Gillispie as he was pro-Smith. Not that I really understand that either.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:30 am
lesmiles had a few sarcastic posts when south carolina took the lead but after UK regained control he was not heard from again
January 27th, 2008 at 7:34 am
I can not get over how impressed I am with the play of Patterson and Bradley. I cant remember the last time I have seen such tough play, maybe hayes played this stuff but he didnt have as much skill that Patterson, an unbelievable talent.
What I love a lot about Stevenson is its seems he has not strong enough to finish but when he gets fouled, he consistently shooting great free throws. It doesnt seem like he should be a good shooter but he is.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:32 am
It was a good win, especially with Crawford out. BUT
we gave up 14 offensive rebounds, and had more T.O’s than assists again.
Bradley had a great game, but still has 5 T.O’s and 4 assists.
Just hoping BG reads this so he has a reason to make them work a littler harder.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:44 am
[...] UK vs South Carolina — Post Game Notes [...]
January 27th, 2008 at 10:02 am
#24 did you really just say that??
I am pretty sure Gillispie will not be reading this, let alone basing his practice plans on things said on here.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Another great win for the Cats! Just gotta keep getting better (kaizan).
January 27th, 2008 at 10:32 am
26 - Agreed. A seeing-eye dog could tell you we need to work on turnovers, Gillispie doesn’t need us fans to tell him that. But has anyone noticed that even though we are still turning the ball over, they aren’t the same type of turnovers we had early on in the season? The kind where you’re frustrated and want to ask if they’ve ever played on a basketball team before in their lives, or if their coach ever taught them the basics of the basketball. Now the turnovers are just failed execution. Much easier to watch as a fan, at least.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:33 am
#27–”kaizen”…I work for Toyota. haha
January 27th, 2008 at 10:41 am
#28 i agree completely. I have always been positive but this seems like a different team from earlier, I was secretly saying that this team was almost unwatchable but this team now needs to be remembered as some sort of iron men, win or lose, you can not question toughness. No matter what posters like lesmiles say, heart means everything to this team.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:55 am
#17 are you on crack…. More experienced? No way. Morris was a junior, ppat a freshman… Bobby perry a senior… Coury and stevenson sophs…. Ramone harris is basically a freshman…
Top that off with the fact that meeks and jasper were out and yeah, we were going to struggle.
Your agenda is obvious…
January 27th, 2008 at 11:23 am
I love that Kentuckians argue and feud about basketball like third world countries argue and feud about politics. I’d rather have that around my program than 100 years of basketball tradition.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Cats now #108 in Sagarin. Getting higher almost every day. Next up UGA is #90.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
it’s called being busy…..now let the bashing begin!
keep it coming my way, i love it. : )
January 27th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
not bashing you les, just trying to figure what kind of fan you are when you obviously have more to say when we are losing
you think positive comments about the team are bad, just weird. I know you are a Uk fan because I remember you from football season but lately you are happier when they lose
January 27th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
wierdo…
January 27th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
GoCats, once again, busy busy..
gorbe ye abi, sheesh, you again…no offense, but looking at much of the posts you make, you shouldn’t call anyone else weird dude…
in other news…the complete murder that florida is putting on vandy right now should show most of us that the vandy win at rupp was honestly nothing to get too excited over. the TN win was no doubt; but not the vandy win.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
37.
In retrospect, it could also mean that the Florida loss was nothing to get too panicked or upset over. The Sand Diego and Gardner-Webb losses, were no doubt, but not the Florida loss.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Stupid posting format. Sand Diego clearly should be San Diego.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
but Chris, gardner-webb nearly beat Uconn : )
and Uconn is very very good…beat #8 Indiana yesterday AT Indiana. so using this logic i could claim that the gardner-webb loss was no huge deal.
January 27th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
les, would you argue against the fact that a team should improve as the season goes along? We are inproving and most of us are very happy with the way we are playing right now. Im not saying we can beat those teams and i dont care. all i care about right now is beating georgia on saturday.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
oh no, clearly we are improving, no doubt about that…
i’ve not seen bradley play like he has in the past couple weeks..clearly it’s a sign he was led incorrectly by the previous regime. i feel sorry for him actually. he’s just now realizing what he’s missed these past 3 years, thank God it’s not too late for someone like stevenson. we should beat georgia on saturday, given the direction we are headed, there’s no reason not to, however i will say this. we need to prove we are going to get consistant. our last pitiful leader we weren’t consistant at all and that’s how we fell into where we’ve been. i DO believe Gillispie is a perfect leader for us and will demand consistancy in the future. once he has the skill level he desires i think it will be like old times again. but i do believe we are a long way from that.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I don’t disagree with you on that #42 post. I think you will be very surprised by how good we will be next year though if we can just get a few more peices to the puzzle. Just a little more depth and a true PG. Maybe another scorer. No doubt Les you are right on about Bradley. I don’t think it is any coincidence that under BCG he is playing his best ball far and away. I had no idea he was this good. Gillispie has taught him leadership and he is loving his role on this team. Stevenson some of the same. He’s taken him from a guy who sleeps alot to a guy who is completely into ball. Hell a month ago he couldn’t catch the ball. I’m sorry I reply to everything you post. I just am so passionate and excited about the CATS and the direction of the program.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I would like to hear Bomani tell us about how we were on our way to an 8-20 year like UNC had a fewyears ago. Oops…
January 27th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Does anyone else think that BCG is turning Ramel Bradley into Kentucky’s version of Acie Law? Ramel is on pace to have similar stats as Law did in his Jr and Sr year and they both seem to thrive down the stretch with the game on the line during their senior seasons.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
#45 No doubt about it. Yet some people still think its some kind of coincidence. Some people still don’t want to give BCG any credit. BPATTE in paticular.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
BCG is definitely responsible for Bradley’s change. you can even see it in Crawford to some extent. There’s no telling how awesome Bradley could have been if he had someone like Gillispie behind him for the past 3 years. it’s a testament to how horrible of a coach Tubster was. Minnesota will find this out soon enough.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I agree as far as leadership is concerned and teaching his players to be leaders Tubby was one of the worst. If you weren’t a born leader Tubby didn’t know how to teach you to become one. Think about it our last two teams before this one had no leader and aside from the early injuries this year I think the biggest reason for our horrible play was the fact that we had no leaders. Also, Tubby’s teams didn’t seem to have any chemistry together. This team plays for each other and its coach. The last few teams played for personal achievements. This team under BCG is like a family.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
This could be my favorite season of all time if we can go to the tourney. what a great story.
If Meeks, Jasper and Crawford could all be healthy and Smooth, PPat, Stevenson continue to play well, we could be a force. the next three games are huge, must win.
I would love to stick it up Katz, Forde, Seth Davis, Dickie V this year and win out.
January 27th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
one other person. alex legion’s crazy MOM
January 27th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
For a fan, one thing really stands out about the last five games. This team has been really FUN to watch. I cheered for everyone last year, but this team is definitely more FUN. Please don’t think I’m blasphemous for saying this, but Bradley and Patterson have shown so much heart lately, they are starting to remind me of Chuck Hayes.
Coach G said the other day that when the roster is complete he plans to use the full court press. I have been patiently waiting for this. The coach has a plan, we just aren’t ready for it yet.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Gillispie was MADE for Kentucky basketball…he’s studied it, he knows it, he IS it. he’s what we’ve been waiting for since Pitino. i think the current players are starting to see and believe this honestly. still we are behind on talent but we will get it very soon. the outside world is taking observation what he’s building. combine that with our tradition and facilities, we’ll be back on the right track before long. go BCG!! we ARE Kentucky!!
January 27th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
damn, looks like Puke is gonna beat Maryland…i hate that.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
At least the first half was fun.
January 27th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
yea but that’s like the old handgrenades game : ) close dont count!
January 27th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
#31… what agenda. we all know injuries are part to blame here, but what I’m saying is the people who matter are all a year older. And the only difference really is we changed big men. And I’ll take a Freshman PPat who’s head is always in the game, over a Jr. Morris who couldn’t out rebound Rondo. That’s not an agenda… that’s fact.
Sure we all miss Bobby P. and could use his legnth and experience, but his fellow seniors we don’t miss at all. This team was set to be better with the arrival of this sophmore class…period.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
les, you are a much more enjoyable poster when your posts are positive…keep it up…
January 12th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Teen anal pictures….
Teen anal pictures. Teen anal movie….