Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Billy Gilliespie said in the postgame today that he “cant remember a team ever being more courageous” than the Kentucky team that took the floor today. You can make a case that three of Kentucky’s players had a career day in a losing effort, which says a lot about this team’s performance against the #1 team in the land, on the road. Whether it was Ramon Harris showing offensive aggression, Perry Stevenson becoming a force down low, Derrick Jasper making the correct pass at the correct moment, Joe Crawford fighting on defense or Ramel Bradley just being Ramel Bradley and making big plays, you couldnt help but be proud of the guys in Blue on Sunday. Billy Gillispie executed a TREMENDOUS gameplan that saw the Cats control tempo, never get rattled even after an early Tennessee run and basically render the UT crowd ineffective. Ramel, Ramon and Derrick played 40 minutes and all gave it everything they had. I have seen a lot of great UK performances, but none that made me more proud as a fan.
But as good as that performance was, it was still a loss and it sets up a concrete scenario for Kentucky. By playing Tennessee well, the doubts the committee may have had about UK without Patterson should be erased. Thus if Kentucky can win their last two games, they are dancing in the NCAA Tournament. It is debateable whether one win and one loss, plus a run in the SEC Tournament could do it, but for our purposes we dont wanna go there. For now, two wins and you go dancing….period. Kentucky plays at South Carolina and at home to Florida, both games they can win and both games that will define UK’s ultimate fate this season.
First the Cats head to Columbia for Dave Odom’s last night at home as coach of South Carolina. The Gamecocks are capable of beating anyone but are actually a good matchup for the Cats. They dont get it done with big guys and are a perimeter based team. When they get hot with the three pointer (as in Lexington), they can scare any team in the country…..but if they are cold, or even just lukewarm, they have a hard time winning games. Kentucky can play the lineup it prefers (Crawford, Bradley, Jasper, Harris and Stevenson) and not be outmanned or outsized. That means it will be a battle of wills and one that must take place on the road. Since Kentucky beat Tennessee in Rupp Arena and made clear they could make the NCAA Tournament, this has been the game I was most concerned about. South Carolina has some experience, they shoot the ball well and there will be a lot of emotion from the players in Columbia that night. Patterson’s loss isnt the biggest problem this game….just executing and winning on the road will be. It will be a BATTLE in my view, but one the Cats can conquer.
Then comes the Gators at home. With the way the two teams have finished the season, this game in Rupp could be a play-in game for the NCAA Tournament. The Gators have struggled mightily on the road this year and have at times looked absolutely awful away from Gainesville (see the Arkansas game). From a matchup standpoint, they dont kill Kentucky because while they have one solid big guy in Speights, the other (flip-flop wearing Dan Werner) spends his life on the perimeter. They also come to Rupp on Senior Day, one that will most certainly be emotional for Ramel, Joe and the UK team. These guys have given a lot to the program and I expect a lot of energy from the guys dedicated to these leaders. Add to it the fact that Kentucky hasnt beaten Florida in what seems like a lifetime, and this national television game on CBS simply couldnt be bigger. On the court, this game is a tossup without Patterson, but just as Florida pulled it out in Gainesville, UK can pull it out using the crowd in Lexington. If there was EVER a game for the blue hairs to get loud, this one will be it.
The next week then represents a difficult, but by no means a daunting, task. The Cats are two winnable games away from dancing. If I told you that would be the case after the San Diego loss, you would have said I was crazy. Now it is here. Win them both and UK gets a bye in the SEC Tournament and is placed on the side of the bracket where a finals run is possible. Lose one of them and then you have to make a run in the tournament, all of a sudden with a much more difficult schedule and you leave your fate in old white guys in a hotel in downtown Indianapolis’ hands. No reason to get to that point. Win these two and the Cats are dancing and all else doesnt matter. In a confusing and emotional season that has left us both exhilirated and baffled, it now all of a sudden becomes much clearer: Win Two and We Dance
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
29 queries. 0.963 seconds
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Continuing the 20-win season streak is gonna be a helluva task, as well
even if we win out, we have to get to the SEC finals in order to not have to win an NCAA game.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:05 am
i hope you’re right matt
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 am
We can dance if we want to
We can leave your friends behind
‘Cause your friends don’t dance and if they don’t dance
Well they’re no friends of mine
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:36 am
We can do it
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:40 am
It’s absolutely possible, and I have the utmost confidence that our guys will go out there and get it done. Just two more. We got this!
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:49 am
#1 — I have always loved your name. Let me first make that clear. But I do not understand the second sentence of your post. Please advise.
Matt, I echo your faith in our Kentucky Wildcats, and the faith of all the the faithful. Today’s came was truly one of the best games I have witnessed in my 27 years, and though I was disappointed, as most of us Cats fans and Kentuckians probably were, those young men put up one hell of a fight. It kills me, murders me that we could have won it. But it truly was a great effort by a team that is going to go down in history as the catalyst that brings the glory back to the Commonwealth where it belongs.
The game: (this is what kills me) — If one or two plays had favored UK over the vols, it was ours!
Joe Crawford, what can you say about him? He is my hero, and has been for these years he’s played at Kentucky. Think of the team we’d be with Morris and Rajon Rondo. Joe Crawford has stuck with the Cats and, though streaky, deserves all the rspect in the world. That shot he took WAS going in, but somehow rattled out — the physics that didn’t allow gravity to do its job of putting the ball in the hoop where it belongs — was a freak accident.
Joe C. is still the man. He did not get the ball when it mattered, and as much as I respect Coach’s game plan/deployment/execution, I felt that Joe C. should have played more, that you take the gamble with four fouls — both of them laughably, tragic accidents of officating — in a sense, worthless. And he’s kept on the bench because we were up one. . . and meanwhile Ramel is “panting” and struggling mightily. Joe C. only plays one more year at UK. I think he has more than proved he’s a fantastic baller. With him in — and I hate to put a damper on a great loss — we would have won that game.
mike, new orleans, la
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:51 am
Hey…give some props to Bradley.
If you dont know why Tubby took Bradley over Lofton…you should know now after watching sun’s game. Or you dont no squat about bball.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:57 am
#6
I’m pretty sure he means that in order to hit 20 wins before the national tournaments start, we’ll have to win our last two games and two in the conference tournament.
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:59 am
And to add to my last post, that having to win the 20th game in the NCAA tournament (if we do get there) would be a sizeable challenge
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 am
. And now I’d like to finish up by adding a period to that last statement. I’m done for the night, promise.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 am
(6) thanks. I like it too. I was in a very good mood the day i started using that name.
read nos. 8-10. that’s what i meant. We have 16 wins. Beat SC, Fla, and two SEC tournament games (meaning advance to the finals), and we don’t have to win our first NCAA game in order to hit the 20-win mark. And winning that NCAA game is going to be tough considering what seed we’re probably going to get.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:45 am
poster on House of Blue saying that Hopson has committed to Pearl.
damn.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:20 am
12 I can’t find anything anywhere that says hopson commited to UT, even on the HOB.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:34 am
Chase and the Great PatPatterson IS wallking through that door: I think you misunderstand. While a challenge, these Cats are going to present challenges to the OTHER teams. . .we are witnessing UK as a potential Cinderella possibly headed for her Sweet 16th, or maybe a coming out party. I feel this team played a style today that, while exhausting many of the players and fanbase, myself certainly included, will only make them tougher down the line.
#7 dsoco88 et al: all the props to Ramel in the world. Personality, toughness, clutch, a leader, a sometimes (bad decision maker) and maker of incredible loose ball hustle plays that make you just love him . . . but you wish he would have two-handed dunked that ball, bucketed it and drawn the foul, but it just didn’t happen. That iced it. Momentum turned. I respect and love Ramel Bradley, but tow (three?) missed free throws today from the SEC’s #1 f-t man is not good enough. He can and will be better.
But he played his heart out. He is truly a special, talented, enigmatic, ice-cold, smooth and beautiful yet alien-like human basketball player. All the props to Ramel Bradley in the world.
GO CATS!!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:45 am
(13) it was moved to the overall rivals recruiting board. the guy posting it is starting to sound a bit full of crap.
(14) of course we’re going to present a challenge. but there’s also little room for error, which i’m sure you realize.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:02 am
#12
Here’s the commit Pearl got
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/demling/blog.html
March 3rd, 2008 at 5:56 am
Great situation for us. If we can’t sweep these two games we probably don’t deserve a bid . That said I think we have a shot if we split because so many other bubble teams are losing. Just look at Arizona , Ohio State and villanova.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
Don’t forget that Vandy lost which leaves the #2 seed UK’s with 2 victories
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
gotta love this..with Snyder at Missouri and now Amaker at Harvard, one would think that this sort of thing happens on a regular basis at Duke.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;_ylt=AstonSVe6fzJi7EZdP3bHts5nYcB?s lug=dw-harvardscandal030208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
March 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 am
Matt
Seth Davis actually said this could be a play in game first, suring half time of the game. I didn’t know you got some of your material from him.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:31 am
It is amazing that with all the great uk moments and the two I am most proud of are loses. ‘92 and now this game. And to think we get accused of being to ruff on our teams. All we want is a supreme effert everynight. When we know we have givin our best we are more than willing to except that loss no mater how bad it hurts. We hate to lose but all we ask for is the players and coaches to give their best no matter what and then we will love you forever. That’s what makes the unforgettables so unfogettable. This team has cemented itself as one of the most loved uk teams ever. Proving we as UK fans will except loses but not losers. These gus have lost more games than we like but they are truely winners.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:35 am
21) Well said. Maximum effort = maximum respect.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
WPSD is showing the Kentucky vs. South Carolina game delayed at 6:30 not live at 6:00. Please let them know that this is not acceptable. Here is the e-mail for the programming department: djernigan@wpsdtv.com
I copied this from a post on the Rupps Rafters site. If enough do this maybe they will change it!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
By the way WPSD is the Paducah area.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:49 am
23) Turn off your phone and radio. Use the extra 30 minutes to order a pizza and kill 6 beers. That’s just what I’d do.
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
#23, I have the game listed as starting at 7:00 pm. I’m sure this is a dumb question…is Paducah in the central time zone verus most of KY. I live out of KY now and it’s been so long that I can’t remember.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 am
26 Yes, Paducah is in the Central time zone.
25 I was hoping to do those things at 5:30 and watch the game live like the rest of the state will. WPSD in Paducah is famous for this kind of thing. Got to get that news broadcast on for the 8th time of the day.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:11 am
IF (big if to me) we win at SC Wed. There is no way our two seniors fall on senior night at home. They just can’t.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
There might be a chance the game is on Yahoo, right? Seems like they’ve put a bunch of Raycom games on this year. It might only be weekends though.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Any thoughts on how the recent Tenn commitments affect UK’s chances with Scotty Hopson?
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
#27, it should be on ESPN 360. I know it will be on the ESPN Full Court package and those games are usually on ESPN 360 live also….
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:06 am
I think the crowd plays a big role in the Fl game… but sadly many students will be gone for spring break already due to terrible schedualing the alums are gonnna have to step it up and provide some noise to give us a homecourt advantage…. that sucks!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
Yahoo shows all the Raycom games for free. Also, if you can get it (some internet providers don’t allow it) ESPN360 is also showing it for free. The ESPN stream is a lot better than the Yahoo feed. You get better picture and you can pause it and fast forward and what not.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:39 am
If Hopson is looking at the UT game as a major influence, he HAS to be excited at the prospect of being a Cat. #1 UT looked scared on their home court. And although I LOVED the losing effort by the Cats, if they had hit their free throws and won the turnover battle they would have won by 5. Frankly, they cold out played the Vols. So come on over Scotty.
Wow. I was at the San Diego game and I have never felt so low as a Cat fan. Even with that in mind, or maybe because of that, I have not been so excited about a UK team since ‘98.
Damn. I love these guys.
GO CATS!
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
i disagree i think that if scotty was in attendance on Sun. then he would be swayed towards TENN. UK put one of the best team played games that I have ever witnessed ne team put on. Tenn looked as if they were waiting on one person to take over, I think Scotty is wanting to go somewhere where he can shine for a year and I think that Sun. might have shown TENN. as that team
January 16th, 2009 at 2:19 am
www discovers poker com…
greater steadfastness Giuliano crane Canopus marches …