Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Today is Martin Luther King Day and while that would normally be enough to render him the top spot on the News and Views, he comes up short today thanks to the UK Cheerleading team’s 17th National Championship win. On Sunday, before an audience filled with perky people and the men who love them, the Cheerleading Cats took home their 17th national championship and showcased once again why Kentucky is the top collegiate cheerleading program in the land. The Cats beat out Alabama for first place and now continue their amazing run of national titles. If you consider cheerleading a sport (and after much brow-beating over the years by various girls, I now have consented), then UK’s cheerleading team is its most successful recent program and the title ensures yet another year of cheerleading royalty. The young men and women will be given their title at the UK-Auburn game on Wednesday night.
To the news…..
(1): The Cats picked up a big win in Athens on Sunday and remain in a tie for first place in the SEC. The Cats are still waiting to see if they will be ranked, but whether they end up in the Top 25 or not, they have shown that they are one of the top 20 or so teams in the nation. With the defense that Kentucky is able to play and arguably the best 1-2 duo in all of college basketball, Kentucky is now firmly back on the college basketball radar. And with the SEC down this year, Kentucky has a chance to put up a gaudy SEC record and potentially set themselves up to make noise in the NCAA Tournament. Think for a second if the Cats could finish out conference play at 14-2 or 13-3 (not an impossible task at all). The Cats would likely end up a 3-5 seed and have the potential to get a good draw and make March noise. It is crucial for Kentucky to continue to hold serve at home, and continue to steal games on the road. Either way, no one could have planned for a better start for the Cats, with an average margin of victory in SEC games of 17 points.
(2): There was not a lot of fallout from the game in Athens but after speaking with someone close to the program, I was told that Gillispie thinks this is the best performance of the year so far. His reasoning was likely the stellar defense played by the Cats (folks chirping about open three pointers, you might look at who was taking them and realize that it could be who UK wanted to have those shots) and the better ball movement on the offensive end. Specifically, Gillispie was most pleased with the passing of Jodie Meeks who did not focus entirely on his new-found scoring celebrity and instead helped get others involved. While the Cats still dont have the magical third scorer, Perry Stevenson showed more offensive flair and could end up being the closest thing UK has to a successor in that role.
(3): While watching the Georgia game, I couldnt help but remember the name Chris Barnes and UK’s recruiting battles for him. Barnes is a perfect example of how little most everyone that follows recruiting truly knows. I distinctly remember when Barnes was being recruited by Tubby Smith and the Cats had yet to hear a decision from Patrick Patterson. MANY folks on the message boards and a couple of recruiting gurus were suggesting that UK should just ditch the late-deciding Patterson and get Barnes, who clearly was interested at some points in coming to UK. But the Cats backed off, Georgia and Wichita State showed “more love” and he ended up being a Bulldog. When that decision was made, Smith was criticized for not getting the commitment and UK was risking too much in waiting on Patterson. In the end, it of course worked out, as Patterson is Patterson and Barnes is….well Barnes. A similar thought came to my mind when I saw Olek Czyz sitting the bench for Duke the other day and the scuttlebutt that he is a likely transfer. As Garth Brooks used to say, sometimes in recruiting, as in life, the best result is an unanswered prayer.
(4): On the football side of things, the Cats need for a running back may be on the road to fulfillment with the pending decision by Donald Russell from Florida. Russell has been a late riser on the recruiting scene and Rob reported earlier in the week that he is leaning heavily to Kentucky. TCP reports tonight that the other major school for his services is Southern Miss, but that the Cats are the likely leader due to the chance to play in the SEC and immediate playing time. The Cats DESPERATELY need help at the position and Russell is a key part of the projected class. Rob Gidel is going to be anchoring our football recruiting coverage from now until Signing Day, so stay tuned as he gives all the news that is fit to print.
It is a holiday, but we are still working it around here over the next 24 hours. We will look at what happened in the SEC, some famous basketball announcer anecdotes and more, so stay tuned……
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January 18th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Very nice week for UK BB! Impressed with the defense and Jodie after his 54 point outburst! He played solid today and while he forced a couple shots…he stayed within the offense.
I like Porter taking a few more shots like today and driving to the hoop too…need more of that and you’ll see more shots (open shots) for the others! Patterson continues to be…well, Patterson! Stevenson was good today too and I think he is doing great! Stewart seems to be gaining some playing time too…nice surprise!
Need to steal a game from Florida on the road and a few others too…stay perfect at home and we’ll be sitting good come selection Sunday!
January 18th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Who cares about Puke and that Olek kid.
I hope we play PUKE in the tournament, they are not tough enough to handle
us. ACC is always soft and it shows in the tournament.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Cograts to the Cheerleaders.
Another nice game for Darius today. Liggins played ok w/ the exception of that falling back three. I don’t know why he continues to bend his back backwards out of his shot. Harris had zero points but was effective b/c he played serious D.
January 18th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Next game that scares me is South Carolina and their guard play.
January 19th, 2009 at 12:13 am
1. Congrats to the Cheerleaders.
2. 3rd scorer my arse. If the person that is open, feeling it or available on any given night can produce–then a “3rd scorer” is not needed. As guys mature, read defenses better and learn their role–things will work themselves out.
3. I have not seen any polls but have noticed the games of the teams that have received votes or in 20-25 range and there is no reason that UK should not be ranked based on their performances this past week. If they are not, that is fine because the way they are playing, it won’t take long.
January 19th, 2009 at 12:15 am
^^^^in my comment for #2 point, I should have specified that no particular “specific” person needs to be a third scorer as long as guys rotate duties and perform for that evening when given the chance.
January 19th, 2009 at 12:16 am
It’s way too early to be talking “March Madness” but I like the optimism. We’re only 3-0 in SEC play and there are 13 more games in conference and some tough teams stand in our way such as Florida, Tenn, Vandy, Miss St, Arkansas etc. Health is my biggest concern down the stretch considering Patterson is playing injured right now and Meeks could re-injur himself as well. If either of those two go down, UK’s season goes down with them!!!
January 19th, 2009 at 12:28 am
how can any1 compliment Harris (gmo)?………played 28 minutes with 3 turnovers and zero points…there are also the infinite times he let his defender lose him only to miss a wide-open three…HAHA….also great game from Liggins..he is an unbelievable passer…so much offensive and defensive rhythm with him in
January 19th, 2009 at 1:11 am
about Harris, he also got backdoored more than anyone on the team today. i am not saying ramon harris sucks, but he isn’t the Ron Artest/Chris Paul mold on the defensive side that KSR makes him out to be
January 19th, 2009 at 1:32 am
I look forward to seeing Jared Carter more in the last minute and a half of the upcoming ballgames. Maybe he will get 4 minutes in the Auburn game!
January 19th, 2009 at 1:34 am
If we had stats on who allows the least points from the man they’re guarding, I’d think Harris would lead the team.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:49 am
Does anyone know if pattersons injury will get better as the season goes on or will it get worse?If it’s something that sitting 3 to 5 games would help i wish we would do that.Would way rather have him 100% healthy come march and i think we would be ok without him for a little while
January 19th, 2009 at 1:49 am
Just overlook them, they have to have something to complain about.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:53 am
I honestly think Porter allows the least amount of points while he is on the floor….if KSR needs someone to keep up with that stat from here on out, let me know…my e-mail is ceh.hunter@gmail.com
January 19th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Hey when you bring up Barnes don’t forget to mention Albert Jackson in the same breath. Tubby was after him hot and heavy. Remember that he was from Ky and transfered to Oakhill Academy to keep the chair warm. It is another blessing that he spurned Tubby to play for Felton. Shoot just think of all the blessings that we have had over the years that just might have come to UK, that guy who spurned Tubby to go to prep instead comes to mind also. If these were blessings who are the curses that have bestowed upon us? I’ll leave that to the imagination.
January 19th, 2009 at 3:47 am
7. Yeesh please enjoy a team playing good- we don’t always have to be the fans that look for the worst or who are unrealistically optimistic. Imagine going to a Boston Celtics board and seeing fans who are prematurely imagining every way the season could get ruined- why ?
Sometimes I wish we would just enjoy where we are. I’m just having a lot of fun watching the team play. The season will go how it goes- we can’t do a thing about it. Tonight the cats are playing hard- and they look like they are having fun- I couldn’t ask for more. I think we are in a great spot- that is all any team can hope for.
GO CATS.
January 19th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Hey, I just want to send out a big thanks to Matt and the rest of the crew for putting out such a quality site for UK Sports. You continually churn out the most current info in interesting fashion and keep it free. I go to this site first because I know you’ll probably have links to anything else I need to read from other sites.
January 19th, 2009 at 8:29 am
It’s “some of God’s greatest gifts…”
January 19th, 2009 at 8:51 am
17.) Mark??? is that you?????
January 19th, 2009 at 8:51 am
16-Good post. This team is improving and maturing so much with each game, it’s fun to see it all come together. I for one am very, very pleased with where we are at and support all of the guys hitting the floor. Sometimes the box scores don’t tell the true story about the effect a player has.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Thats great for the UK Cheerleaders and all, but how is their incoming recruiting class?
January 19th, 2009 at 9:08 am
forgot to sign that one.
-UK fan
January 19th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I love watching this team play
January 19th, 2009 at 9:28 am
This year’s team plays as a team. As ironic as it may seeem, this team realizes that the best thing for the team is to let Jodie have the ball and get out of his way. When he’s in the zone like he was against Appalachian State and Tennessee, that’s our best scoring option. I didn’t sense any selfishness or resentment. We saw Sunday against Georgia that, when he’s having a more human day, Jodie is also content to distribute the ball and get his teammates more involved.
Jodie drawing extra attention should only help Patrick in the post. If the opponent dedicates a defender to totally denying Jodie the ball, that is one less defender available to doubling down on the post when Patrick gets the ball.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:31 am
15) lol. Albert Jacksons shot attempts were hilarious. He almost broke the backboard on some of those hook shots.
January 19th, 2009 at 10:14 am
15. I agree somewhat but you cannot leave out the variable of player development out of the equation. If those guys were playing for a different coach or in a different system, they would be at a different level. There are so many players that could be much better than they are if they were developed or played in a different system. Vice versa, there are many that have become much more than expected.
January 19th, 2009 at 10:18 am
[...] cheerleading squad win their 17th national championship. That and more from Matt Jones this [...]
January 19th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I dont see why we are talking a 2 or 3 loss SEC. I think it is totally plausible for us to not lose a game in the SEC. Do I think it will happen… no, but the fact that all we aree mentioning is a 3 loss SEC is silly because we have won what will be by far our hardest game (Tenn- Away) in SEC play. I think the stubling points are Fl- Away and Tenn- home and other than that what team does anyone really think this team will lose? Everyone needs to forget that a** whipping we took at UNC and think about how freakin good this team has been otherwise. Then we could get a 2 or 3 seed and really possibly do some damage.