Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
After a long day has finally come to an end, it is time to relive the spectacle known as Kentucky Basketball Media Day. On a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, a crowd of media folks packed their way into the Craft Center to (a) have some wonderful chicken parmesan (b) talk shop with Coach Gillispie and (c) get to know the UK basketball players a bit better. As always, this event drew a big crowd of reporters basically meaning that any person you know that covers UK on a local or national level was there and ready to talk. I always enjoying watching the event because questions come from all angles….you have the reporters who follow the team daily asking intricate questions (”What does Donald Williams look like when running the pick and roll?”), more general reporters asking questions that Gillispie has answered 400 times, (”Is Patrick Patterson a really good player?”) and the “special interest” reporters asking questions designed to be discussed on “The View”, (”Billy, will you be bringing a date to the VMI game?”). It is great fun for all. Some highlights from Clyde (we will have the player highlights tomorrow):
Billy Gillispie:
Billy Clyde was his usual self today as he conversated with the media for the better part of an hour. He went over a number of topics, but from a news or interest standpoint, a few things stood out:
— Gillispie said that the point guard position is still open. He seemed to suggest that Porter was currently in the lead, but that Galloway, Liggins and even Meeks would see time there as well. Porter is said to have “improved drastically.”
— Clyde was very high on Liggins, saying that he would surprise fans the most because “even though people think he is good, he is better than that.” Very encouraging news.
— He called this year’s group “the best conditioned ever at this point in the season.”
— He addressed what seemed to be his acknowledgment of some of the shaky early review of Darius Miller by saying “you will see the best of Darius when you get him into a structure.” That was a point we made a while back, as Miller is a guy who is not a pickup game type of player….he will flourish as the system gets more stable.
— Coach talked at length about what they will be missing without Joe and Ramel. He said what he is most concerned about is the ability to knock down shots in the last 5 minutes in the way Joe and Ramel did so well. He hopes people will step up but he is concerned. However after listing other qualities they would miss, he also said, “We’re gonna miss Ramel’s Jay Z sign….well maybe not that.”
— One of the themes of the day was the amazing chemistry this group has. Gillispie noted that this group has “the best spirit of any team I have seen” and that the chemistry is amazing. That was clear all day as these guys truly get along better than any group I have seen.
— Patrick Patterson’s future was a big topic as Gillispie said he wants Patterson to be “the best player in college basketball”, a role he seems to believe he can attain. He said that he hopes Patrick plays so well that “it becomes a no-brainer decision for him after the season is over.” The translation for those that dont want to believe it is simple….if he is high enough in the draft, he goes….period.
— Very high on the twosome of Ramon Harris and Perry Stevenson, who he described as the two “saviors” of last year’s team. He said that both have improved, but he is very impressed with Ramon’s scoring abilities. When I asked who would join Patterson and Meeks as the third scorer, Gillispie mentioned the whole team….but he singled out Ramon first and has high expectations for him.
— Gillispie got asked the usual question as to how he likes Lexington and he answered similarly to last year. “The biggest difference here is the interest and the passion. Its 365 days a year here…..thats how I like to live and that is how it is here so it is perfect for me. Where else are you going to be where there is an unbelievable setup just to unveil the uniforms”
— He was asked about the large roster, and he said that “all 20 guys have a role….some score, some rebound, some defend and some are good teamates here or in the Lodge.” That viewpoint of every player with a role is played out in how guys like Dwight Perry and Matt Schnerbenske approach the team, as you will see in some of their comments tomorrow.
— Gillispie called this the “biggest team I have ever been around”, but did note that at the end of the day, there will probably be a nine man rotation in key games. With 12 scholarship players and Mark Krebs, that means competition will be intense.
— Gillispie talked a lot about Jared Carter, saying again that he hoped he would break out this season. Most interestingly to me, he said “I havent done a very good job at putting Jared into a place where he can succeed. That is my fault and I think I will do that better this year.”
My conversations with the players will come tomorrow, both serious and otherwise. I got lots of good info, including the team’s comedian, intellect and leader, what happens when the entire team watches a Presidential debate (they are VERY into it) and what Josh Harrellson thinks of the Jorts phenomenon and Jared Carter the O’Charley’s love. There is a lot of audio coming over the next few days, so get ready for a great deal of player comments you have never heard before.
Stay tuned…….
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
30 queries. 1.102 seconds
October 16th, 2008 at 12:18 am
If Patterson has a season similar to last and Meeks scores 15 to 16 points a game this team will do great things. There will be enough scoring from others to help not to mention I think the defense will be amazing with everyone being long and athletic.
This team can do very well.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:23 am
well, matt, to be honest, i didnt read it all. it was a bit long, and very dry at times. while overall the piece was informative, you couldve used some creative spices here and there to keep me interested in what i was reading. i like the way you put key words in bold, that draws attention to the point of your sentences. i wouldnt call you a lock for the next round, but you are on the radar. we shall call you “sanjaya”
October 16th, 2008 at 12:27 am
#2 nice idea but Tomlin beat you to it about a week ago when he rated TB’s blog. nice try but lets try and be original please
October 16th, 2008 at 12:28 am
i wasnt going for originality, but thanks for the scolding. im trying to avoid going to bed
October 16th, 2008 at 12:29 am
and i just wanted to get matt back for comparing me to clay aiken
October 16th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Passing! Passing has to get better, less turnovers and more assists. It’s likely that Patterson could average over 20 points with better passing and more support strength in the middle. He is a good kid that enjoys the ‘College Experience’, let’s save the NBA talk till March or April.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:38 am
Another thing I want to point out. I am SO VERY GLAD that Coach Gillispie did not make mention of his son ‘Saul’ playing at the point guard spot anytime soon! Disaster averted.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:47 am
THOSE JERSEYS ARE AWEFUL
October 16th, 2008 at 1:00 am
8. I think that is very debatable. I like the jerseys, not the shorts. But what they tried to do with the overall design is great. But you have to admit it’s nice for UK to have their own uniforms, not those dumb cookie cutter ones we had.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:03 am
i agree the overall design idea is great and it is nice for UK to have their own uniforms and not those cookie cutter ones we had. HOWEVER, we look stupid in skin tight jerseys and the longest and baggiest shorts i have EVER seen.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:04 am
5.
Let Mel Turpin be the fat black dude that kicks your ass in the finals.
No, seriously, I know Mel personally, he is a kick-ass guy, one of the best people I have ever met.
Oh, and #8, i happen to love both the jerseys and the shorts. In fact, I hope we have a controversial new uniform every year, like the highlight years of the Pitino era - why? Because flashy jerseys attract elite players. I don’t know why, but it just happens.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Ooooh, I can’t wait for the post tomorrow concerning the team’s take on the debates, and the ensuing comments by partisan nutjobs.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:05 am
10. Exactly. I feel the same way. I think they look like pears.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I don’t mind the actual design of the unis so much as the way they fit. Just looks a little silly… The shorts look like bellbottoms.
Anywho, I’m fired up about Liggins and what he brings to the table. Ever since watching that HS highlight reel of his last year I knew he was going to be a stud. He’s like a more athletic version of Derrick Jasper, without the whole “I’m transferring to UNLV” thing.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:12 am
I love the new jerseys. And for the shorts, who cares what a bunch of out of shape white guys like? Elite athletes love that shit, so that’s all that matters. If it was up to white guys, we would be rocking daisy dukes and British Knights.
The design of our jerseys is near perfection. This will be the first UK jersey I actually spend money that I don’t have to get.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Matt, you’re a straight wicked UK anchor. It won’t be long before you’re on the national level. Right now you’re a 3 star but after this season, you’ll most likely be a 5 star prospect:)
October 16th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I agree that the white on the top part of the away jerseys might be a bit much. I wish the shoulders were blue instead because I think they look dead on Kansas State from a year ago. But I still got mad straight wicked love for the CATS!!!!!!!
October 16th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Patterson will be here next year unless he is a top 10 pick - thanks to Psycho-T staying another year, we might get another year of P-Pat. Might be the first time we Kentuckians get the chance to thank a Tarheel.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:47 am
uni’s are new, fresh, fun
October 16th, 2008 at 1:58 am
#2, chris
i dont want excuses! i want you to fix it!! sorry my inner Bud Kilmer has came out.
October 16th, 2008 at 2:53 am
i think the jerseys will be ok untucked. i really like the design, but i do see the problem some have with the tight fit top and baggy shorts. leaving them untucked should help alittle. (see the pic above…patterson & liggins untucked, krebs & williams tucked). as for patterson, enough nba talk right now. we all know how much we will miss him on the team if he leaves after this season, but whether he does or doesnt, lets enjoy him while hes here. he & meeks…not only one of the best duos in the sec, but the nation in my view.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Conversate huh?
October 16th, 2008 at 7:40 am
i dont think any system can help carter
October 16th, 2008 at 8:16 am
a role where Carter could be successful, a role where Carter could be successful….I got it,
Helping the equipment managers get the towels that are all the way up on the very top shelf.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Matt,
What do we know about Antoine Walker’s little brother. I mean, that is his brother we saw at BBM that is a walkon right???? Tell me I’m not crazy… Point is, can he ball or not?
October 16th, 2008 at 8:31 am
24, lmao
October 16th, 2008 at 8:41 am
http://www.kentucky.com/818/story/557199.html
Above is a story on Jarvis Walker… (Warning, it is from Tipton)
October 16th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Get ready for the NABC to issues a statement about teams with 20 players on the rosters.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I’m just glad basketball is upon us finally! Finally here!
I like the new unis a lot…they look great!
October 16th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Krebs is wearing shorts that would be long on Shagari still. Someone call a tailor.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:18 am
The shorts are too long, otherwise pretty fly.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:29 am
The shorts are like Parachute pants from the 80’s. Maybe they help with liftoff and hangtime?
October 16th, 2008 at 9:38 am
28. Ha, pretty funny.
As far as the uniforms, jerseys are okay, but I think we can all agree that the shorts are the worst. Looks like guys playing in skirts. What a shame. They need to do something about that. Can the players really like that?
October 16th, 2008 at 9:48 am
“as Miller is a guy who is not a pickup game type of player”
What? Can someone give me another example of a star player that cannot perform well in pickup games? This doesn’t make any sense to me, Matt.
Pickup games are for practicing new things you can’t do in front of a packed house at Rupp Arena or a game covered nationally on TV. There is literally no comparison in the amount of pressure on a player to perform well.
This is a bit concerning to me.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:52 am
34 - Pick-up games are free-for-all’s. They’re all about selfishness and there is no discipline and much less intensity than real game situations. Miller will be much better in organized games running a system.
I’d venture to guess that Chuck Hayes wasn’t much of a pick-up game type player either.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I also love the uniqueness of the jerseys. We deserve to stand out from the crowd. However, I also agree that the shorts are way too baggy considering the tighter fitting tops. If they can reign the shorts in a tad the unis would be perfect.
CBG sounds like he asking a girl out for the first time when he speaks. Which is fine, as long as what he is saying leads us to wins.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:56 am
34. Evidently, some guys play better in the structure of an actual game. They’re not individually dominating, but they know how to contribute and get their points within the flow of a structured offense.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:56 am
#34 why does this not make sense. Miller is a very unselfish player (even in
pickup games) almost to a fault. Billy will work with him in the structure of
the offense and let him now how important he is to our team. Miller just does
not have the personality of a me first kind of player(thank God) and Billy
will help him realize that he is going to have to be a scoring option for us
this year. What you have seen in the pickup games simply reflects Millers
personality more than his ability. If you don’t think that Miller has the
ability to be an offensive stud, then you are in for a WONDERFUL surprise.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:56 am
35 - Good point. But, still, for a guy at guard, concerning to me.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:59 am
34) there is no organized “movement” in a pickup game. it’s a one-on-one, take you to the hole game. put a guy like Miller in a system where he’s repeatedly getting open looks & he becomes a better player.
Dusty Bonner put up some pretty guady numbers in Mumme’s “system”.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:03 am
OK, I think I am going to retract my previous statement. After thinking the opposing counterpoint of this would be a player like Josh Carrier who could have amazing pickup games but not translate it totally to an organized game.
Also, Stuart Tanner would be starting over Devin Harris in New Jersey.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:14 am
“always enjoying watching”?! “conversated”?! Nice Grammer Matt!
October 16th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Those little jersey’s remind me of the “Fat man in a little jacket”
October 16th, 2008 at 10:18 am
21- there not allowed to leave them untucked. The refs will make them tuck it in.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Big Guy in a Little Coat!
October 16th, 2008 at 10:43 am
OMG! Is this a bunch of men talking? Acting as if they are home economics (or whatever the heck they call it) majors? I bet none of you are GQ material. I have never seen as much time wasted (which I, too am doing) discussing a stupid uniform as if it will make a bit of difference in the win-loss column.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:19 am
46- exactly, but are you really surprised?
October 16th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I’m pretty sure teams have been wearing this style uniform for at least a year. not talking about the checkerboard, but the same cut with the tight shirt and long shorts.
Didn’t UNC have these last year? maybe USC as well?
October 16th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I imagine the shorts get tailored when players start turning the ball over while trying to dribble between their legs, only to be stymied by all the fabric …
October 16th, 2008 at 11:52 am
… otherwise, I’m okay with them, and love that UK unveiled something new for the new era of UK hoops under Gillispie (last year was a write-off from day one).
October 16th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Seriously, could the new shorts BE ANY LONGER? I feel like we are turning into a modern day version of the early-mid 90’s Arkansas Razorbacks!! At least we won’t be needing warm-up pants this season. Other than that, great job with the new uni’s!
October 16th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Couple things bothered me about these excerpts from Gillespie & media day…I know it’s a lot of spin and fluff, but…
1) There is no way Michael Porter is our best option at PG. I know he’s a great kid, but let’s face it, he sucks.
2) Can we stop putting Jared Carter and ‘break out year’ in the same sentence. C’mon
October 16th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
48.. according to the rep from Nike, these are the first of its kind, althogh team USA wore a simular style in Beijing.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
52.. Porter does not suck. He is just playing out of position at PG. He’s better suited, IMO, at the 2-guard. He’s a good shooter and can make a great entry pass from the wing. He just needs better confidence to knock down the open shot when he has it. Unfortunately, playing PG where he is suceptable to TOs has shaken his confidence. I think he can contribute if put into the right situation.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
IMO Patterson’s shorts look alot smaller than Ramon’s in that pic ” I dont think it’s because hes soo much bigger either” So maybe they can choose there own sizes? And the guys like the freedom from the big ones lol
I dont really care what they wear. And I’m sure its not an issue the team talks about lol
October 16th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
54) I respect that you have some faith in Porter, and I don’t have anything against him personally. But him playing the 2 is almost laughable. How many 3’s did he hit last year? Probably not even double digits for the season. So I wouldn’t call him a good shooter. He’s a TO machine at the 1 or the 2. My point is this, if he’s our best bet at starting PG or SG it’s going to be a very long season. He has shown nothing on the court that would indicate otherwise.
October 16th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
DUDE!!!! You did not use “conversate!” Please tell me that you were just having a bad verb day. lol