The rumors of our demise may not have been exaggerated.
I myself on this very page broke out the phrase “statement game”. They made a statement alright. They’re not very good right now. Apparently I missed the release from the University of Kentucky athletics department where Mike Archer has taken over the defensive coaching responsibilities. Oh how I miss the “ball line defense” of years past right about now. Memphis was able to do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. It also didn’t hurt that they were singeing the nets in the second half.
As bad as this game was, I don’t want to head into Thanksgiving on such a sour note. Randolph Morris had a more than decent game. He wasn’t standing around as much and called for the ball quite often. He was quite effective when he got the touches and looked more like “one of the best big men in the country” that the commentators like to mention.
Update:: A small consolation prize for the night:
North Carolina lost to Gonzaga.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Have a good Thanksgiving everybody.
November 23rd, 2006 at 1:39 am
Tubby has said that this years team is better than last year several times. The fact is that in some areas, UK is better while other areas they are suffering. Through five games last year, UK was 4-1 while this year they are 3-2. While UK has played a tougher schedule to this point this year, one has to remember they were without Randolph at this point last year. With Randolph, UK still cannot win even when he is averaging 15 pts a game. The fact remains that through five games last year, UK had 202 rebounds, 68 offensive and 134 defensive. This year they have only 160 total rebounds. That is a difference of 42 total rebounds. UK had 68 offensive rebounds and 134 defensive rebounds while this year they only have 43 offensive and 117 defensive rebounds. That is again a loss of 25 offensive rebounds and 17 defensive rebounds. Opponents last year had a total of 180 rebounds through five games. Of those, 61 were offensive and 119 defensive. This year opponents only have 163 rebounds, 55 offensive, 108 defensive. While the Cats are holding opponents to less rebounds this year, it does not make up for the fact that we have lost a difference of 42 rebounds while opponents have only lost 17. Ouch!!!!! Rebounds are costing UK games!!!!!
The defense this year has nothing to brag about either. The Cats opponents were shooting 3pt FG % of 27% last year while this year they are shooting 34.76%. Opponents are also shooting a better FG % with 37.7% last year and this year 43.86%. UK cannot make up the difference in their shooting even though it has been better this year. UK 3pt FG % last year was 43.24% and this year 45.7%. While opponents 3pt % has improved by 7%, the cats has only increased by 2%. UK last year on FG % 43.92%, this year 47.02%. Again the cats only improving by 4%, not enough compared to opponents shooting 6% better than last year. What does all of this mean? IT MEANS POOR DEFENSE!!!!! While the cats are shooting better this year, they are not playing better defense. The better shooting cannot make up for the poor defense!!
While there have been many turnovers in the first fives games this season, UK is averaging less turnovers per game this year than last year. Last year at this time, UK averaged 16 TO’s a game and this year 14.6 per game. Opponents amazingly average the same numbers 16 TO’s a game last year and 14.6 per game this year. What does this mean do you ask? This means that UK is not converting off of turnovers. Their opponents are converting and scoring, taking advantage of UK’s mistakes while UK fails to score off of its opponents TO’s.
Overall, UK has a better shooting year, less turnovers but is rebounding and defense is worse. UK has potential, they proved it against number five UCLA. The freshmen came up big in that game and proved they have potential but it is going to be a long season until UK proves they can gain more rebounds and play better defense.
November 27th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
It just seems like Tubby doesn’t have the talent he needs to play true Kentucky basketball. End of story.
November 27th, 2006 at 9:56 pm
-comment deleted- No racism. That crap won’t be tolerated here.
November 28th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
i was just searching through and found the previous comment…i cannot believe rascism is allowed on this site…this site should be reported…also change the title of the site if you really do not want tubby fired
November 28th, 2006 at 10:34 pm
Comment deleted again. gizmo, racism is not allowed here. All such comments will be deleted.
December 1st, 2006 at 4:39 pm
maybe tubby can get something out of these guys next year but this year is garbage
December 1st, 2006 at 4:41 pm
http://www.searchjerk.com new search engine. help me out and do a search