Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
A.J. Stewart, who was welcomed back on the team by his teammates and his coaches, was put in the game with :30 seconds left to guard Tasmin Mitchell. Mitchell set up a screen (for Thorton, I think?) and swung back over to the top of the key. A.J. stayed with the ball to trap. With the ball passed back over to Mitchell, A.J. couldn’t get back quick enough to challenge the shot. Mitchell sunk the 3, and with it, possibly Kentucky’s best shot at getting into the NCAA’s. Despite a great defensive effort for most of the second half, Kentucky loses to LSU 73-70.
Update 11:04 PM - According to Brett Dawson at the C-J, who talked to Coach Gillispie and several UK players after the game, Kevin Galloway was the UK player who botched the assignment. Evidently he was instructed to switch to Mitchell, but did not.
More summary is coming in this post but I’m going to go ahead and publish it. That way you guys can commence with the weeping, gnashing of teeth, wearing of sackcloth and other ways of self-flagellation. Oh, you could just be calling for Billy’s head too. I forgot about that method of dealing with grief.
So, about Meeks’ final shot. There was definitely contact, and there was definitely contact on Jodie’ shooting arm. It wasn’t called a foul, but I’m not surprised. Late in the second half, LSU’s Marcus Thorton drove into a leaping Patrick Patterson, missed the shot and did not get a foul call. With :35 seconds left in the game Kevin Galloway drove into Bo Spencer kinda recklessly and the refs called up Bo. The officiating was wildly inconsistent all game long, therefore it doesn’t surprise me that the refs wouldn’t blow the whistle for Jodie. (To be quite honest, refereeing is wildly inconsistent across all of college basketball.)
Meeks had 9 points in the first half and had lots of difficulty getting free. That was partially his fault for forcing up some shots and partially the team’s fault for not setting good screens. The team and Jodie got into more rhythm in the second half. Jodie ended with 24 points (10-22 FG, 1-9 3FG, 3-4 FT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 turnovers (several bad decisions in the first half) and 2 steals.
Patrick did everything he could. His game against South Carolina was the most “courageous” effort Billy has ever seen. I’d say today was the most “I’m ready for the NBA” game. Pat single-handedly kept us within range in the first half by being nigh unstoppable. Pat ended up with 28 points (12-17 FG, 4-6 FT), 9 rebounds (3 offensive, 6 defensive), 3 assists, 3 turnovers and one steal. He showed that he can shoot a jumper, can score in multiple moves and played nearly perfect defense.
Once again, our lack of a point guard was exposed by our opponent’s point guard. Bo Spencer scored 16 points and 4-7 on 3-pointers. While the offense didn’t completely move through him — especially when Thornton was keeping LSU in the game singlehandedly in the middle of the second half — but he was too dangerous of a shooting threat to leave alone. With 1:19 left in the game, Thornton drove and dished to a wide-open Spencer open in the corner, who nails the shot.
Kevin Galloway did everything he could in the 20 minutes he played. But Kevin was having problems keeping up with the quicker LSU guards, especially on cuts. Ramon Harris played a decent defensive game in his 28 minutes, but our “best” defender couldn’t stop them. Liggins played 3 minutes; not for sure if that’s a “coach’s decision” or not. Meeks was pretty inconstant on defense, especially in the first half when he couldn’t get through a few screens. Mike Porter didn’t play in the second half, so you can’t blame him for Thornton’s efforts (19 points in the second half; 23 points total.)
I had so many friends ask me these past several days, “can Billy Gillispie coach in a game?” I tend to think that Billy has an awesome eye for matchups and mismatches, especially on offense. Tonight I saw probably one of the best offensively-executed games of the Gillispie era. Meeks drove against players that he could drive against. Patterson and Meeks worked off one another. Outside of Meeks forcing up several shots, the team seemed to be taking high-percentage shots. Kentucky had a few sloppy possessions in the first half (10 turnovers), but executed very well through the second half (5 turnovers).
Unfortunately our defense was just not completely there, especially in the first half. You can point to the players in the game for blame. It seemed very few possessions in the first half had Kentucky players in position to contest the jump shots. In the second half, Billy made the adjustments necessary and the Wildcats committed to the D. Our lockdown on defense — especially stopping offensive rebounds! — fueled Kentucky’s comeback in the game. Jump shots were contested and drives were well defended for the first time in forever. Outside of Thornton’s execution, the Tigers were clearly rattled.
So what happened after that? LSU settled down with their senior-led team and exploited our weaknesses. In the last 3 minutes, Kentucky showed its youthfulness as the “trying too hard” defense returned. Overplaying traps allowed LSU to score 8 points in the last 1:40 of the game.
That’s not an excuse for Billy or his staff. But I am beginning to think that his biggest sin is trying to force his methods of basketball with the staff he has. Its clear that Miller, Patterson and Meeks can execute in it, but the rest of the team is either incapable or unable.
So NIT? NCAAs? I just want to win a game.
Oh, by the way, some of our commenters are enjoying the crazy phone calls on WLAP right now (7:13 PM EST).
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February 28th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I love this team, wish we were better coached…
February 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
somebody tell me why the refs didn’t call the push off. seriously. do you just let them play that late in the game?
February 28th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
So close. Meeks 1-9 from three - that won’t happen often.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
someone tell me why people actually think the Mora video gets funnier the more times it is used in a post.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
hey BIGBLUEDAVE, why don’t you and your agenda go piss up a rope?
February 28th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Also, can we add Marcus Thornton to the PHB?
February 28th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
http://www.wlap.com/main.html
coming up right after Tom.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Excellent game, but a little too late. Those bad losses earlier this year are like missed free throws in the first half…they really come back to haunt you. Sorry, I love the Cats, but we are NIT bound.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
46-24 pts in the paint and we lose.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I hate everything about this team and the coaching staff. NIT embarrassment.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Nice play BCG, after great 2nd half subing, lets put our worst on ball defender on their 2nd best scorer.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Why is he on the court?????
February 28th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Have to win the SEC Tourney to get in now, lets face it. Which is not impossible but also not very possible at the same time.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I by no means want to see Billy G leave, but it is his fault that he started Porter and Harris again. A pg should never lose his cookies from behind, he should sense there is only 4 defenders in sight and know one is behind him. Their inabilities to shoot destroys our offense. As most of us know, when Galloway comes in for Porter we started to play better. We outscored them by 5 in the second half and lost by 8 in the first half.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Miller throws pass to…..NO ONE.
Meeks misses front end of one and one.
Patterson fails to secure rebound.
Miller fails to block out. Thornton gets basket and free throw.
AJ switches at the wrong time.
BALLGAME!
February 28th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Well that’s six losses in their last nine games.
This team is DOA.
It’ll be very strange not watching a second of “March Madness” for the first time in twenty years because Kentucky isn’t in it.
Blowing a ten point second half lead…..simply amazing.
Mark Liptak
February 28th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Gillispie says he doesn’t understand it… Well shit, coach. Neither do we.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
in AJ’s defense… we’ve been switching on that play ALL YEAR LONG. he just should not have been out there.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
gmo……..find another team idiot
February 28th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I’m waiting for more interview instruction from coach.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
jatr4 illustrates what lost the game - players not coaches
players make the plays and they didn’t
February 28th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
18. Gillispie just said AJ didn’t switch. He did, but it was way, WAY too late. He hedged instead of just switching leading to a wide open 3.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
One other thing, I understand all the frustration with Gillispie…the arrogance, the “I know more than you do attitude,” the bizarre moves that he makes. All those concerns are valid.
But so is this….when you have guys like Porter, Harris, Stewart and Carter taking up four roster spots, well….you’re behind the eight ball to start with.
Gillispie didn’t recruit those guys, he inherited them.
Mark Liptak
February 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Can i say something and i kno EVERYONE on here is gonna say that i dont have faith or kentucky fans like me is the reason why we have a bad reputaion, oh well u know what screw it!..anyways…We wouldnt of been in the situation at the end of the game is COACH G would have played the best players from the start of the game (or the start of the season)…and yes im talkin about PORTER (lil queer) ….he booty should be glued to the seat where he sit after the second half the rest of the season!…And oh yeah it AJ STEWARTS fault..come on man…he hasnt seen over 10 minutes all year and ur gonna put him in the last 30 seconds to guard a guy that was on FIRE??…please..wat are u thinkin gillispie? How do u expect this kids head to be straight after the week he went through?..geeez what brain dead thinking! Im a die hard uk fan and have watched every game this year through GOOD (some) and BAD (ALOT)…and do u honestly think meeks and patterson is gonna come back and play for gillispie??..hahah they gotta be dumb if they do…what are they gonna gain?…NOTHING…they have done shown they can play under a dumb ass coach so that means they can play in the NBA…i hope gillispie goes after this year….so we can start this thing over and bring in a young coach thats gonna do it right..and be faithful to his coaching!..i would much rather see a passionate coach come in that a coach that is so stubborn that he is scared his reputation will be hurt by changing his style for one year!….if we would switch up our defense just 5 times a game, then it couldnt hurt…how could it hurt?..haha…and if u watched the LSU game did u notice we ran that ONE play like 7 times in a row ???? and yea i know u know what play im talkin about because it was the only damn play that looked organized…haha..its a shame in big blue country! wonder what gillispie coaches in practices? does he drill the same ol shit in their heads everyday?…MAN TO MAN, MAN TO MAN…and so on…im gettin tired of seeing them in man to man..so i know they are tired of running it!…its called BOREDOM! and boredom thats not working..SWITCH it up! geez!..anyways im so tired of gettin dissapointed every week!…lets do something about it..get rid of BCG! NOW! anyways i love the big blue nation!!! GO CATS!!
February 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
coaches decides who plays, and we don’t have our best 5 out there most of the time
February 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
HOW MANY TIMES I SAID IT?!?!? before the 34.5 seconds began (LSU’s final shot) i said, oops i mean yelled at the top of my lungs “DO NOT DOUBLE TEAM THE DAMN PICK STAY OR SWITCH MEN BUT DONT DOUBLE TEAM” i yelled it so many times everyone in the house said shut up! and then….that’s exactly what happened and they were all jaw dropped like edgar sosa had made another impossible shot which only happens against UK. man i’m watching angels in the outfield and after the game they lost in the begging that speech the coach made sounds awful right to me about this UK team…:(
February 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
24, nobody is going to read that. Post the cliffs notes.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
What killed us? The big run that LSU put on. And I don’t think we would have lost if Billy had called a timeout to stop the bleeding. Disagree?
February 28th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
This loss really stings, but at least it was a ball game. Coach made adjustments at the half & the players on the court the 2nd half (Pat, Meeks, Galloway, Miller) clearly work well together. I at least feel like the game was well coached and for the most part, the players played well. We just got beat at the wire by a better team.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
No one here is going to agree with me on this, and that’s fine.
But…
It’s all about players. We have no one (including Jodie) who can consistently hit the three, or consistently make the right decisions on defensive assignments. A coach can only do so much.
There are a lot of different styles and systems coached by excellent coaches, and Coach G I believe is one of them… he has won everywhere he’s been. But you MUST have players who can and will execute the system.
We have not had that. Patterson is about the only player on the court who seems to get it.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Porter should never see the
floor again, but guess what,
against Georgia there’ll
he’ll be starting along with Stevenson another wasted roster spot . The
frustration on Patterson’s
face is so obvious. He’s
yearning for the green cash
of the NBA.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
15)pretty good rundown of what killed us. I’d also put the 1-9 from three by meeks on there too.
I’m not ready to get rid of BCG yet. He did make a couple of very good adjustments at halftime. He put Galloway and Miller in the game and went with 4 perimiter guys. But the Galloway adjustment was a little late considering he should start right now. And how in the world is it the best play to put a guy like AJ Stewart in to guard their second best player in a spot like that. He’s not a smart ball player and he’s proven this week that you can’t count on him.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
23 Gillispie did inherit those players. However, he also recruited the new guys he has this year. Galloway should be playing major minutes, but coach doesn’t see it that way. Harris is pulling through. But Harrelson and Liggins are no factors. So he may have had 4 waisted schollarships inherited, but he waisted 2 more. Its his team now, he has to take the responsibility at this point.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
#22 your’e right my bad, I meant we’ve been hedging on that all year long. with the late switch.
Guess i’m too upset to make sense.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
BCG is an ass again! I hate his smug little quips in the interviews. Jesus, what an arrogant prick.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Well as the 4 seed in the east I think we would haev to play either Alabama or Ole Miss in the first round of the SEC Tournament as of right now. And Bama just blasted Ole Miss and well we all know about Ole Miss.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
33^ not Harris but Miller
February 28th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
34, you are right, we have been hedging that all year. But Gillispie called TO to tell them to just switch and they didn’t execute up top.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
38 - you nailed it. You can tell them, but when they don’t do what you tell them to do… what the hell is a coach supposed to do?
February 28th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
If Billy Gillispie can win at Texas Agricultural & Mechanical and the University of Texas El Paso, then he can surely win here. It’s all about the players, just aren’t there yet.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Well, 39, my answer would be have some players in there that would listen. I put the blame on AJ for not listening most, but also on Gillispie for having him in there for that play.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
40 the scary part is that Gillispie has never stayed long enough anywhere to coach his own players. Not a full squad of them at least.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
didnt even watch the game….not gonna let this team take more years off my life….i took a nap….sounds like you guys should’ve done the same thing….hahaha
February 28th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
http://www.wlap.com/main.html
TUNE IN NOW OR HATE YOURSELF FOREVER!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Same $hit different day. It’s a shame that we come close to our biggest win of the year, and it comes down to bonehead decisions. Other than the starting lineup, which I have finally chosen to shut up about, Coach G probably had his best game until the last 1:20 something when he brings A.J. in for the defensive assignment of the day. That I don’t understand at all. Yea, LSU made the shots, got to give them credit, but you just have to put yourself in the best possible position to win, and it didn’t happen again. Either beat Florida or we are done, minus a miracle.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I think if Galloway plays more in the 1st half and Porter plays less that we never get down 24-12. This game was so close. Lucky bounces, stray rebounds. I really think KG’s presence in the 1st half could have made the difference. The separation at the end was one shot. That’s it.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
38, 39… like someone else siad how can u expect a guy that quit the team 2 days ago to do what you tell him, when he hasn’t done that all year. the very reason he quit and the very reason he only played 5 minutes today.
It was a bad substitution… point blank period.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
41 - A. J. has height and length against their guards, makes it harder for them to shoot over. I completely understand why he did it. To your point, A.J didn’t make the switch.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
47, I’m not disagreeing with you at all my man.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
oh, i see you soup at 41
46 sad thing is we thought the same thing with Liggins 2nd half at the miami game, and we see how that turned things around for his and the team’s season (NOT).
February 28th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
The last couple of points just solidifies my belief that both parties are to blame.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
43)Get off of this site. You mother f***ing poser. You want to be a fan, then be a fan. If you don’t then cheer for loserville.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Galloway,Miller,Meeks Stevenson should be the starting 5 and play most of the minutes.Porter and Harris is just 2 slow and inadeqate on offence.Bcg and the coaching staff is slow also.Can you say NIT.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I thought Gillispie coached a good game in general. ex. Playing Galloway and they ran some plays on offense that were working.
But, putting Stewart in towards the end makes 2 crunch-time decisions this season that I will never understand. The other one was during the Florida game when they were switching on the screens toward the end. Jorts ended up gaurding Calathes about 5 times in a row. It was driving me insane. Luckily, that one didn’t hurt us. Putting Stewart on Mitchell towards the end of this one definitely hurt us, however.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Patterson also.I left him out.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
FGM you are an idiot. Kevin Galloway was one of the reasons we got back into the game. He doesn’t struggle half as much on defense as Porter, and is one of the reasons we got back in the game. As for Stewart, totally BCG’s fault. Everyone knows that all you have to do is screen with his man and someone gets open. Terrible decision by BCG. Everyone knows the appropriate personnel besides him. Got to get 2 this week or we are NIT bound.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
i see what you’re gettin at 48, but AJ’s clearly been a def liability all season. We have plenty of long players that have shown better awareness.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think during Tubby’s era ketucky had their first three consecutive seasons with 10+ losses, and now we have our fourth straight year. Two with Tubby, and two with Billy. Also this is the longest we have ever been without going to the final four. So in my opinion, this is the worst Kentucky basketball has ever been.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Damn, Kyle and Dick aren’t on the show right now. Cameron does too good of a job to make fun of. Plus I named my kid after him.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Ky had a 10 pt lead and he took Galloway out.He was the one pushing the offence.When this team gets a lead they start slowing it down and the offence goes to hell.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I still think this program is going in the right direction, and that is hard for me to say, cuz I’ve been pissed at BCG all week. I just look at the recruiting classes and I watch us play a game like we did in the second half and I believe we can be really good. We played good basketball for most of this game, with the exception of a 10 minute stretch in the first half.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
What about those tight rims at Rupp.Christ,cant they afford better rims or looosen them damn things up.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Gillispie said he lost the game when he took Ramon Harris out of the game after the 10 pt lead. I can’t understand that.
Cameron says he doesn’t like Seth Davis… Guess he’s not buying the book.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
52) go take a nap….no back talk either
February 28th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
This is the best freaking show in the world!
February 28th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
If Porter starts against Georgia, Billy should be run out of town. It was clear in the 2nd half that with Porter sitting on the bench we were a better team. If coach would have done that earlier in the season and allowed the new guys to make their “freshman” mistakes back then, we would have won this game today. On the other hand, the 2nd half gave me hope for next year.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
go straight to hell Braddy
February 28th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Harris runs like he got a nerve injury in his leg.Looks like he drags it.He cant jump as good as he could before getting hurt.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
#14, it doesn’t take much to satisfy you does it?? Why do we want 2 or 3 more years of this circus?? I for one don’t want another year of this resigme. UK basketball hasn’t been anything to hang your hat on since…uh 1998??
February 28th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Man. I am eating pounds of crow for telling my friend I would rather have Gillispie than Pitino.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
My summary is up. Yay?
February 28th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
58) If you are right and this is the worst UK basketball has ever been, then I think it says something that we are still probably going to get 20 wins this season.
61) I agree.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
It has nothing to do with AJ Stewart… the cats give up way too many offensive boards that lead to put backs. They do not box out well at all. Turnovers have also plagued them, but with a 10 point cussion you would think they could hold a lead in the last 8 or so minutes.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
CoLe_D, you’re a joke of a UK fan if you really took a nap through that game. I hope you’re in a coma when this program gets back on top!
February 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Fake Gimel, is your summary worth my damn 2.99 a minute?
February 28th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
I would go to cats pause or Maggots site,but i was banned for talking bad about BCG.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Haven’t been to a final four in how many years? MOst in the history of Kentucky basketball and it’s not even close to ever being the same………………sad. I’m sick of it.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
dude, anyone banned at maggots site is a friend of mine.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Length doesn’t stop quick point guards, why don’t people understand that. That’s Clydes calling card, the “Long, athletic” players. Well our long, athletic players spend more time looking at the ass side of the person that they are supposed to be guarding than they do the front. You can’t teach quickness, and we ain’t got it. I thought Galloway did a hell of a job today by the way. He’s the quickest we have, but it wasn’t enough.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
79, length does stop quick point guards… In a zone defense.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Good point, I forgot there was such a thing.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I’m an impatient person and losing 10+ times a year is really starting to wear on me. I’ll always be a fan no matter what, but I just wanna win.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
it’s actually funny to watch us lose now. used to piss me off real bad but now it’s just comical. oh well, it’s a good thing we have our “history” at least. hello NIT. UK sucks.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
79)I don’t think length is the only type of BCG player. He has obviously shown in other types. Long and quick would be nice though, a la LSU’s perimiter.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
84 shown interest in*
February 28th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I believe in man to man, zone, full court press, trapping in the corners, 1-3-1, and any other defense that will take away the strengths of the other team. I always feel that if you give a team 200% of what they need to know and they only remember half of it, you’re gonna be alright.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
This yr reminds me of the Suttons last yr.When we were 13-18. We had Leron Ellis and Chris Mills but Sutton slowed the game down.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
As much as I don’t have faith in Harris’ ability, I was just looking at the gametracker to see who subbed out right before our 10 point lead skipped town, and indeed it was Harris. Funny that BCG apparently said that lost us the game. Still losing patience with BCG.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Caller said he “loved what Michael Porter did in the second half tonight.” That, my friends, is the line of the night. Good job, Brian!!!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Quickness wins over length any time.(Maybe not in picking apples).
February 28th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
LSU won’t make past the round of 32. These first year coaches riding the wave of beginners luck is killing me. LSU’s coach, S Carolina’s coach. give me a break
February 28th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
89. hahahahaha…..he did well sitting on the bench….lol
February 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Miller will be the 3rd scorer next yr,need that quick pt guard who can shoot though.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I think it is offical… we can now start calling coach “TEN LOSS BILLY!”
February 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Stat of the game: LSU shoots 45% from 3. Nine f’ing threes?!? That right there is the difference in the game. They make 7 three’s and UK wins.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Lsu pt guard could score
February 28th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
We are not quick enough in a man to man to defend the 3,with Porter and Harris.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
82 you said my name
February 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Are we allowed to be negative yet, or is that hurting the team still?
February 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
95, that coupled with the lack of defensive rebounding. LSU killed us on their offensive boards.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I think this caller likes Gillispie
February 28th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrE9apbs0Pk&feature=related
I think this might be appropriate.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
This postgame show is nothing without Dick Gabriel and Kyle Macy.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
102, if I ever get banned, I’m coming back with the ID “DannyGloveraintcomingthruthatdoor.”
February 28th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
100, I couldn’t agree more (73), there is simply very little boxing out. Kentucky tries to rely on their athleticism instead of putting a body on someone.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
95 recruitashooter - lsu hit 9 threes………think of 4 of them in the 1st half…….2 hit rim and went above rim 4 ft only to drop and the other two by lsu pt. guard from 25……..not much you can do on that
February 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
gmo - please start cheering for another team !!! please
February 28th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Is it me or does Jodie Meeks shoot better from 3 on the road? Why?
February 28th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
If nobody shows up for senior night, that would send a message but at the same time it would not be good for the seniors I suppose. I heard one guy on the call in show said he was getting 5000 signatures to start protesting BCG as our coach.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Tight ass Rupp Arena rims.Does Ky ever practice in Rupp anymore?
February 28th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Looks like the rims didn’t bother LSU…..lol.
February 28th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
It was in STEREO the way the ball was Clanking off the rims.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Here is some food for thought… Lets say we beat Georgia and Florida, then lose in SEC quarter and NCAA first round. Then, lets say UNC wins out Regular Season, ACC Tourney and NCAA Tourney… That puts us at 21 wins and UNC at 36. That would put UNC exactly one win behind us all-time, not to mention it would add another title to those azzholes. I would be completely mortified if this scenario played out. The sad part is that its very possible.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I think we played good, Meeks got the look he wanted. There was a little contact on the wrist, it probably should have been called at home, but I’ve seen no calls like that all year.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I wonder what would have happened if once Miller handed the ball to Meeks if Meeks would have passed it back for a Miller 3 (since Miller’s man came off to guard Meeks). Right before the play I even said that Meeks should take the shot, and I’m sure if Miller took the shot and missed everyone would be furious that Meeks didn’t take it. But it might have been worth a shot since Meeks was 1-8 up to that point from 3. Miller was 2-2.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
113) Seriously? Only one behind? I think there is a very good chance that UNC overtakes us next year, even with them losing some big time players.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Nobody has mentioned how infuriating watching Tim Brando (LSU guy) and Mike Gimnski (Duke) and their barely-contained-glee. Those two chuckleheads should have been a warning not to watch this one.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I think this team gave a great effort today against a very good LSU team. We seem to forget that this
year is a rebuilding year with a two year coach. If you have given up on this staff and team at this
point you are certainly not a true fan. Mark my words if Patterson and Meeks return next year we will make a run at the final
four. We have just got to give this staff and team a few years to rebuild UK basketball.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
118 - Count me in jaxcat1.Regardless of who is coaching, you have to have the right players for your system. We’ll get there.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
When will Matt Jones give a summary.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
To echo thousands: There is no reason that a player who is considered our “worst defender” replaces our “best defender” on a defensive substitution in the key minutes. If a guy can’t hack it and wants to quit one day, what makes you think he’s mentally capable to answer the bell in a key moment of the game?
Before this game I thought there was no way we consider replacing our coach…now it’s in the conversation. Not likely, but it could be argued.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
You can tell his patience for Porter is starting to wear thin, the same thing with Perry….next year I guarentee those 2 do not start.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
i cant help but wonder if he put aj in at the end just to mess with his head over the deal after the usc game
February 28th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
116. Yes, we started this season at 1966 and UNC at 1950. Pretty crazy because we were up by over 50 at one point at the end of the Pitino and beginning of Tubby era. I thought we would never be caught. In this case, the NIT may actually help us.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
This has been a great week. Obama is suffocating the US Economy soon it will be the size of Kenya’s economy, and Billy G is turning the UK program in Morehead St.’s
February 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Im so tired of people trying to call others a bad fan. You don’t have a clue what type of fan I am, or anyone else on this board. I know that BCG isn’t going to be fired, but that doesn’t mean I can’t complain. Opinions are like ass holes, everyone has one.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Billy said after the game that if he didn’t play a guy in the 2nd half we would’ve won, talking about A.J.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Bob Knight made two interesting points. First he points out that Duke’s player got away with several walks at the end of the game, when he took several steps and rotated around on his pivot foot by sliding it several feet, and of course no call was made and good defense was not appropriately awarded. Then he talks about our game and how LSU got away with a push off right before the shot that gave them the lead and said it should have been UK’s ball. So essentially Duke gets help and we get screwed by the refs and Bob Knight was there to point it out.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I just hope Meeks and Patterson return next year so the captain can right the ship.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Knight and Bilas picked us to win today.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
When the players were walkin back on the court after the timeout and I saw AJ Stewart, I said out loud “why is AJ in there? he can’t play defense” and then sure enough his man is the one that scores. So that was more on coach than AJ because coach knows he cant play defense. I dont understand why you wouldnt of had the 2nd half starting line up in there. But Thorton also got away with pushing off, twice, and that was crap because we would have had the ball back. The officiating was crappy. Both teams got screwed. If they would have played in the 1st half like they did in the 2nd half, they would have won. And after today’s game, Galloway better be starting. I’d rather Galloway turn the ball over tryin to make somethin happen than just get the ball stolen from behind like Porter. I mean seriously, was it not obvious that there was only 4 purple jerseys in sight? See, if they play never happened we might have just won. And Meeks missing that 1 and 1 was where the game went downhill. And Patterson missed two free throws back to back in the 1st. Overall, coach should see what works on the court and what doesnt work. Harris played fine, Stevenson played better, but Porter just cannot compete with these players. Guards love it when he’s out there cuz they know they are gonna get some steals. If he is out there, it needs to be as a 2.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
128, maybe since Bob Knight brought it to people’s attention, the selection committee will take note and consider that the game could have very will won by UK. Maybe a long shot, but hey, it’s the truth.
February 28th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
BCG said he made a substitution mistake in the second half when he took Harris out. Said he shouldn’t have played “someone” in the second half. Best I can tell that person is Stevenson or AJ. Can’t be Meeks, Patterson, Galloway, Harris, or Miller.
From the time we led 54-44, Meeks man scored 10 points–Thornton 8 and Spencer 2. Perry failed to get Patterson the ball when he would have scored or been fouled. He also allowed Mitchell a wide open three, and fumbled a ball out of bounds–HANDS OF STONE.
The last two threes by LSU were supposed to be switches and Miller didn’t switch the first time. That was bad enough but he also didn’t block out Thornton and that led to the rebound shot and a foul. That rebound and put back by Thornton killed us.
Then AJ again failed to switch as directed and Mitchell hit a three.
Thornton had 14 from the time we led 54-46.
GAME OVER.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Man, what would it be like if we had John Wall… That would be AWESOME!
February 28th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I believe a win with Georgia and a win at FLA and we are in. Question: How embarassing would it be if we played in the PLAY IN GAME? Would you want to watch it?
February 28th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
127. Might be Perry or AJ. We will know for sure against Georgia. One of those two won’t play–my opinion.
Thonton had 16 from when we led 54-46.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
We lost. Afterward, I ran like Forest Gump for an hour and then stopped. I feel better now.
We are trying to squeeze more juice from a lemon than is possible. They are trying hard, our coach is making adjustments but we are just outmanned. It’s painful and it’s hard to accept but we are on the right track.
We aren’t giving up our passion for the big blue just because we have to rebuild and that means it’s just going to be a tough time. We chose it…. and that’s ok too.
Go Big Blue!
February 28th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Okay, there is one thing that needs to be set straight. We DO NOT trap up top. It may look like we are trying to trap, but we’re not. We are trying to HEDGE.
The man defending the screener is the hedge man, and his responsibility is to step out and redirect the ball handler. The man defending the ball is supposed to “belly up” to his man, and go underneath the screen. Once the defender redirects the ball handler, he is to sprint back to his man. If Stewart would have hedged correctly, he would have been back in position to guard Mitchell.
It is not that we are trying to trap, it is that we are TERRIBLE at hedging! Patterson is the only defender who hedges correctly.
I agree that Gillispie makes questionable calls throughout nearly EVERY ball game, but trapping the ball handler is not one of those calls.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I’m as die hard as they come but I refuse to watch a moment of us in the NIT
February 28th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
BCG lost the game again. First mistake starting Harris and Porter together and playing thsee guys 9 minutes straight.
Second mistake was substituting with 12 minutes left breaking up Harris, Meeks, Patterson, Miller and Galloway. This team was on a outstanding roll and we never seen these 5 again until 3 minutes left. If you need to sub make sure you get the hot 5 back together ASAP>
BTW it was Galloway not AJ who blew the last assignment
http://www.courier-journal.com/blogs/dawson/blog.html
February 28th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Bob Knight just said
——————————————————————————–
on ESPN that he thought UK got screwed by the no call on the push off. He also thought that meeks may have been fouled on the final shot.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Braddy, I promise I’ll meet you anywhere if you’re ready for an a$$ kickin. Get off my a$$. What did I do to you pu$$y. I said I hate this team. There’s only three players I like and should be on this team period. That’s my opinion and what this site is for as you can see for 140 previous posts so if you don’t like it say you disagree but don’t personally attack me biotch.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
138. It was supposed to be a SWITCH–not a HEDGE–on the last two threes by LSU. Neither Miller nor AJ switched as instructed.
People keep blaming the coach but when the players fail to do as instructed it is hard for me to see that it is his fault.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Correction. It was Galloway who didn’t switch, not AJ.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Just got in from game stayed after to get autographs and while waiting i sat and talked to pattersons dad and millers dad and galloway when he came out some lady came over to pattersons dad and asked him if pat would be back and he said mam honestly i dont know we talk bout it everyday and i tell him the ups and downs so will just have to wait and c but he does have a girlfriend here now so she may make a difference and he laughed so guess will c . But when gillespie came out people started clapping and mr patterson said dont clap for him what has he done so that dont sound good and dont get me wrong im not just saying this because i actually like gillespie. And millers dad said miller loved it here and for those who dont know galloway has a very pretty baby and he was talkin to buster and millers dad and they all agreed were very close but porter has got to take a backseat to galloway so thats it but it is a true story
February 28th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
If Galloway starts the rest of the year, we go to the big dance for sure, possibly even as SEC tourney champion.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
And if Galloway had been playing 25 minutes a game, the mistakes he still sometimes makes would not be happening.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
142) You are the whiniest little bitc* I have ever read on a blog. My goodness what a bit**>
February 28th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
We really don’t have the players right now. Quality depth issues continue to cost us night after night. We played very hard, but the game was actually lost in the 1st half.
I do hope we got a look at the rest of the season with Galloway in there and much more Miller. That seems to me to be the only chance we are going to have in this thing.
We can still make the NCAA, but have to beat Georgia and Florida. If we do that, I think we are in. If we do that and win a couple in the SEC then we are in comfortably.
The Florida game is a play in game in reality.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Very disappointing loss. LSU is a very good team and kept their composure at the end. Coach put a team on the floor in the second half that gave us a chance to win. I do not understand why it has taken BCG this long to replace Porter at the point. Better days are ahead. Don’t give up.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
And Vandy leads USC by 15
February 28th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I think the last 3 should have went to Miller. Jodie was off tonight, Miller had hit 2 and he was more likely to be open than Jodie. I think Miller was the higher percentage shot. Of course had other things been different, wouldn’t have had to relied on a last second 3 to tie it up.
I don’t mind AJ playing so much, either kick his ass out the door or he better be ready to play. He’s got the athletic ability- he’s just a bone head.
I gave Porter a lot of credit for trying all year, what the hell was he supposed to do, “Listen Coach, I don’t believe you should play me today, or ever, because I don’t think I’m good enough to wash the rest of the guy’s jocks” That’s not going to happed. He’s going in whenever coach says. So, bad as it looked sometimes, I at least gave him credit for trying. but when he grabbed his knee and babied out after Downey picked him clean and made him look like a twit, he dropped a few notches in my book.
BCG’s not an idiot. He confuses and frustrates me, but if you listend to his post game comments to Leach, his frustration is starting to show more and more. Good, glad I’m not the only on who feels it.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
140 ad 144) No it was definitely AJ, he is number 15, I remember clearly.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Just got back from the game. All the elements were in place:
Matt Scherbenskie dressed in a off white sport jaceket w/ blue jeans - Check
Michael Porter dribbling up the court by a player on the OTHER team comes up behind and steals it - Check
Ramon Harris playing the 1st half w/out scoring a bucket - Check
Overpriced Hotdogs - Check
Section 18 dancing guy getting more pub - Check
February 28th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
152 Porter doesn’t run back to defend after he loses his cookies at half court. If somebody takes my cookies, I take it personal and I bust ass to get my cookies back. Porter doesn’t have that competitive fire.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Are those Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter cookies?
February 28th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
You gotta ask Porter. By the way people have been taking them, I’d imagine they were peanut butter.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
My first post on here ever…..
our most productive lineup is meeks, ppat, miller, galloway, harris. as soon as stevenson came into the game in the 2nd half, a 10 point lead slipped away. he takes NO pressure off patterson.
1) sec officials suck 2) galloway should be our PG 3) porter should never see the court
February 28th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Harris came out in the 2nd half because there was something wrong with his chest. He grabbed his chest, came out, and Stevenson replaced him. When Billy said we lost because he put someone in the game, he was talking about Perry.
Second, how can you people possibly be giving BCG credit for changing the line up in the 2nd half? People on here and everywhere else in the Big Blue Nation have been calling for Miller and Galloway for a month. You can’t give Billy credit for finally making the move 29 games into the season.
Last, LSU got two wide open looks at the end but you can’t really blame the players. Those two looks are always wide open against our defense. The first one, Thornton drove, the D collapsed, kick to the corner, wide open, made shot. And on the second, it was AJ’s man that hit the shot because he followed KG’s man. Maybe they were supposed to switch and KG didn’t do it, maybe it was supposed to be a hedge, maybe it was supposed to be a trap. Who knows? You can say BCG told them to do one thing or another, but you have no idea what really happened. One way or another, that shot was open for them all day long and will be open for UGA and Florida the entire game too. I know it’s frustrating, but I really don’t see how you can say that things which happen so consistently are the players. It’s clearly the system when it happens over and over.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
153. Galloway stayed with his man and didn’t switch. It appeared to be AJ’s fault but Galloway was supposed to be on Mitchell after the switch. See the CJ link in 140.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
159. They wouldn’t have been open looks if Miller and Galloway (two different plays) had SWITCHED as instructed. We were supposed to SWITCH on the last two high screens but didn’t. They were open because we didn’t switch. Miller compounded his error by then failing to keep Thornton from going to the rim for a put back and free throw.
Still not executing as instructed.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Is Matt Jones going to post?
February 28th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
You could tell a difference in the athletes just in the pre-game warmups. LSU was tall,athletic, and looked very focused.
For UK, you had Harrelson and Jared Carter shooting 3s from outside the Out of Bounds line…..
February 28th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I can’t wait until next year. This team is horrendous
February 28th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
The last three was a tough shot. They made it, end of story. What would have happened if AJ would have not showed on that screen?????????????????????????? U all are ridiculous. The better team won tonight, period. We cant win with porter playing almost an entire first half when ramon is also in the game playing alongside him.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
NIT bound, that’s weak. They should turn down the invite if invited.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
161. I read the Brett Dawson blog and stand corrected about the final shot. However, on the shot before, it was a very typical UK type defense that gave up a typical open 3. And regardless, we’re 29 games into the season. At this point, your players should be executing. The problem is we’re playing guys who don’t have a lot of game experience because it took BCG 9/10 of the season to realize who our best players are. If Galloway and Miller had been getting the minutes they deserved all season, they probably don’t make those mistakes. When you’re 10 games in, you can blame the players. When you’re 30 games in, you have to look at the coaches.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
167. So the coaches cover SCREENS, SWITCHES, AND HEDGES
February 28th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
168. Okay, I’m not trying to nerd fight with you, I’m trying to have a logical discussion. So don’t go ALL CAPS on me. I’m just saying that at this point of the year, when put guys who have very little playing time, they’re going to make mistakes, and probably at critical times. If BCG had been playing those guys all season, like he should have, they wouldn’t be making those mistakes now. And if you know those guys are inexperienced, you shouldn’t be playing them against key guys at key times.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
167. So the coaches cover SWITCHES, SCREENS, and HEDGES at every practice and then instruct the players to SWITCH at the end of this game. And you blame the coach?
What do you think practice is for? What do you think a time out is for?
Keep on blaming the coach when the players DON’T follow instructions.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I don’t ever remember a Selection Sunday where Kentucky was not on there……GEEEEZ!!!!!!!!!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
How funny is that? 140 posts of people bashing BCG for playing AJ and it wasn’t his fault on that 3-pointer. I LOVE IT! Oh. . . what do you mean? We’re fans and not basketball experts? Crazy.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Gillispie is one wierd act. AJ has made defensive mistakes all year. Anyone who has watched the games know that — you don’t have to be a head coach. Yet he puts in him, with our season on the line, with other options available on the bench, two days after he quit the team. Is that not weird? Is his (Billy’s)ego that fragile? What is he trying to prove? Win the damn game!
February 28th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
173. If you would get your head out of your a**, you would see that it was Galloway and NOT AJ who made the mistake on the last LSU shot
February 28th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
172. Well, it was AJ that left his man and his man that made it. If you didn’t know the plan was to switch, it definitely appeared to be his fault.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
175. Then read about it on the Herald Leader from Clay or on the Courier Journal. Then you MIGHT understand. It was not AJ’s fault!!!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
176. Haha. I know that dude. I read the Brett Dawson blog post. I’m just saying that if you watched the game and didn’t know the inside info, you would think it was AJ’s fault. That’s why there are so many posts about that.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I love it because I’m one of those crazy BCG supporters. I have the audacity to think we don’t have enough talent. I’m just enjoying the critics looking foolish for the moment.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
172, you should read 169. I think he makes a valid point. If it was indeed Galloway’s fault, maybe more playing time would have erased those type of mistakes by now. I think we can all definitely agree that Galloway should have been starting a long time ago. I still can’t believe that after Galloway saved us against Florida and he got all of 3 minutes the next game vs. Arkansas.
Porter is a backup 2 guard and could actually be a good player in that role. Starting him and having him try to dribble the ball up the court against any decent defensive pg is downright scary right now.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
177. It did appear to be AJ’s fault until Dawson, Clay, Gillispie, and Galloway all say that it wasn’t AJ’s fault.
AJ gets enough blame for what he does; he doesn’t need any for something he didn’t do.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
People want it both ways: BCG should have been playing X player all year long - he didn’t and the lack of experience is why the player made that mistake BUT don’t you want BCG to play the players he thinks give us the best chance to win??? I like Galloway, but if you can’t see some of the brainless play out there you’re blind. The LSU three and fouling Calathes are simply the more memorable examples.
I think all these people who say that coach should have played some combination of Liggins, Galloway, Stewart, Miller, Harrellson, and others(it varies from poster to poster, from game to game) should stop and think back. Some games Porter has been the better player as compared to Galloway and Liggins (Indiana, off the top of my head). I think we may have lost a few more games if BCG had just picked his starter from Liggins and Galloway and ran with it. Porter was at times the better option. I know he’s painful to watch but it has at times been true.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Dont be a HOMO Arms of Delk penis Of Mashburn
February 28th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
178. Are you suggesting that today’s game proves we don’t actually have the talent? Because, if anything, today proved we do have the talent when the right lineup is on the floor. If the lineup from the 2nd half had played the entire game, we would have won today.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
179 - I think you should read 181.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I by no means have given up on Gillispie. I think we have the makings of a great team next year, assuming Meeks and PPat stay. He’s just made some mistakes this year and its frustrating. He will learn from it and UK will profit in the long run. I truly believe that.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
182 - Nice one. Now I feel bad.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
178. Correct. Talent and experience. There is a reason the most experienced team in the SEC–LSU–just won the championship today. Three of their players were on the LSU final four team, something no UK player can say since 1998.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
178 How much talent do we need to beat the VMI, Gardner Webb, and Ole Miss of the world.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Looks like we passed on the bug of playing bad to South Carolina. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Somebody is getting smashed by Vandy. HAHAHAHA
February 28th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
181. Porter has had good games but he’s also gotten a lot more PT than Liggins and Galloway. If those guys had gotten the PT from the beginning of the year, who knows how well they’d be playing right now. But, you can’t deny that they have way more potential. So, if it is as you suggest and we just don’t have the talent and couldn’t possibly win this year anyway, why not play Liggins so he has more experience for the future? I personally don’t believe that BCG cares as much about winning as he does playing the guys who play by his rules and practice hard. For him, it’s a matter of implementing his system more than succeeding right now because he believes that will pay bigger dividends in the future. I don’t buy it. I think you worry about winning now now and worry about winning then then.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
188) Are you on here whining again? Damn.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Porter is being asked to play a role that he absolutely can’t succeed in… There was a while there….like around the Louisville game where he seemed to have confidence in his shot and his dribble. He seems to still have the confidence in his shot, but he is worried about his dribble. You can tell by the pitter pattering he does now when he gets near a crowd of defenders. A PG losing confidence in his dribble is useless. Shooting can come and go, but he has to have the handle.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
187 LSU is the same team coached by John Brady and South Carolina is the same team that was coached by Dave Odom so it is in the coaching.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
LSU also has a good coach.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
How is it whining?
February 28th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
183) Either that or during the halftime, LSU would have made an adjustment and would have locked that lineup down. You never know.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
194 EXACTLY….something UK does not have.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
183 - I think we have talent. I think we have weaknesses. I don’t think we have the talent to be the UK we all know and love.
Statements like “if the lineup from the 2nd half had played the entire game” are easy to make and impossible to prove.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
195) You need to change your name to cloudyCat!
February 28th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
196. Yeah, because if they made an adjustment, it would take BCG another season and half to figure out how to counter. haha.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
198. True, but that lineup was successful in the 2nd half. I just think that when you Miller and Galloway on the court, you see talent and potential. You don’t see that with some other guys. Let’s just put it this way, if you left the original starting lineup in through the entire 2nd half, I very honestly believe it wouldn’t have been a 3 point game at the end.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
199 Excuse me for not doing backflips over a very mediocre coach and a team whose post season will most likely end in the first round of the SEC.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
197) I hate whiny as* people like yourself. If you don’t like what is going on here get your A** over on the Louisville site. Nobody wants to here your negative, whining a**. I heard the same thing about Coach Brooks. Damn where do we get these morons?
February 28th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
As long as BCG is in Lexington UK will continue to be a mediocre team at the most. Write it down.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Thanks for bringing up the Louisville game. Porter was clearly the best option that game.
Who knows where we would be if BCG had been playing Galloway or Liggins all year long. Impossible to answer. Maybe we’re better now, maybe we’ve lost more games by now and have given up on the year, maybe the team has lost faith in him because Galloway and/ or Liggins have continued to play dispite mistakes / bad attitudes. I’m not saying anything except who knows? I know I’m not the coach. I know I don’t see practice or watch game films.
188 - Everyone has bad games. U of L lost to Western Kentucky and Notre Dame by 33.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
203 Is that the same UL thats in the top 10
February 28th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
If Tenn beats SC, FL beats TN, and we beat Georgia and FL, we tie for first in the east and get the second seed–I think. All four would have 10-6 records. Playing like we did today could get us two wins.
Need to win the next two.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
204. How good do you think this team, as presently constructed, should be? Assuming it had the coach of your choosing, what do you think are realistic expectations?
February 28th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
203 If you dont like it dont read it
February 28th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
203) You must understand that most of the people on here bitching and moaningf about the coach have never set foot on campus or been to Rupp to support the Cats. I am sure sunnycat and her husband have never even been to Lexington.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
208 beating the teams you are supposed to.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
In the last week we have all heard BCG say how he just didn’t understand his players. How do you think these young men feel. Porter makes mistake after mistake all year long. Players 5′9″ to 6′ have been shooting over him like he isn’t there and he turns the ball over again and again and still starts every game. Harris is just about as bad. Since his injury he’s a step slow and is absolutely no threat to score. When he’s in the game on the same side of the floor with either PP or Jodie his man backs off him 10 to 15 feet making it hard to pass the ball to either.
Today in the second half was first time (this season)we have rattled a team with pressure. Galloway and Miller make the Cats so long it causes problems for the other team. If those two were given the same chance Porter and Harris are we would have a much better team by now.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
207. The Florida game will likely be a play-in type game. Whoever wins gets an automatic bid, whoever loses has to win the SEC tourney.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
210 Was just there today Einstein. Isnt it past your bedtime
February 28th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
203) I do agree with you on one point though she whines every time the Cats lose. But so do a lot of people on here.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I wish we had a genius coach like Darrin Horn. He would never lose big at Vandy.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
214) Does your husband know your up this late?
February 28th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Different situation altogether with Brooks. Gillispie has been handed the keys to the winningest program of all time and he simply is not up to the task. He has shown he is not a solid game coach. His assistants probably talked him into making the lineup change at halftime. That should have at least been tried much earlier in the season.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
211. But who are those teams? UNC? Louisville? VMI? Ole Miss? That’s what I’m asking. Should we have 2 losses right now? Do you think this team should be that good?
212. To be fair, Harris was in when we went on our big run in the 2nd half. He was guarding Thornton. When he went out, that’s when Thornton went off and got them back in the game. But, having 4 potential scorers and Harris is a much better lineup than 2 potential scorers and Harris, Porter, and Stevenson. I agree with you there.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Here’s an interesting quote from Tipton’s article…
“I thought at least Kentucky would have learned how to defend it, to send a man to hedge or do whatever,” LSU point guard Bo Spencer said. “But it seemed they weren’t executing. Actually, Coach Gillispie was telling them how to, and they weren’t completing the task. They just couldn’t.”
That BCG, he couldn’t coach his way out of Tubby’s front yard.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Thats because I used to enjoy the days when you EXPECTED to win at UK.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
216) You nailed it. I hate these ignorant as* people that have know clue what is going on. It is embarassing.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Not that is pertains to anything but the classless Tigers of LSU were giving out the 1 finger salute as they left the arena. Really cool.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
221) If coach leaves tell me what coach in America would come in here next year and win big?
February 28th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
219 I can accept UL and UNC as hard as it is but the rest of the losses this year were very winnable.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
223. Well, with 1.4 seconds left, they were popping their jerseys at the UK student section. That very easily could have been, and probably should have been, a technical foul. Shots and the ball for us with another chance. I’m not saying I would’ve called it, but they’re obviously not a smart bunch.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
223 - Thornton is a punk. Did you see even LSU’s coach was mad at the way he was acting once the game was over? Whatever. Classless and lucky. Bad combination today.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
224 Anyone not named BCG who is making as much as Tubby did 2.3 million a year
February 28th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
225. So you think we should be 27-2 this year? I’m with you on BCG underachieving (although I won’t call for him to be fired at this point like you do) but I think 2 losses is a little absurd. I would’ve guessed we’d be like 22-7 right now and headed for the NCAA tourney without really being on the bubble.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
The stare down on the block/foul should’ve been taunting.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I hate the argument that we don’t have the talent to be good. I hate it because some seem to believe that a coach’s primary job is to get good players and are so blind to the art of actually getting those athletes to play well together. I’m not convinced Billy will ever get more than he should out of the talent he has. That being said, I don’t entirely disagree. I think this team lives and dies offensively on the play of Meeks and Patterson. The drop off in talent after those two slots is pretty drastic. I do think part of that is on the coach though. Galloway has his flaws, but at least he can handle the ball with confidence. It really makes me wonder how much better he would be if he were actually able to get experience through the year.
I’m really torn on where this program should go. I personally don’t like Billy- but admittedly my opinion would probably be a lot better if we were winning. Losing seems to highlight all the annoying parts of his personality. I do think Meeks and Patterson are gone after this year and I think we will likely take bigger lumps next year. But I’m willing to deal with being bad for a couple more years in the hopes that I’m wrong about Billy and he is actually more than a one trick pony and he can turn us around. I seriously doubt it- but I really hope I am dead wrong. I think chasing him out now means even longer for us to get back. If we had a Roy Williams in waiting, I’d say sure- but everything I see points to bringing in Ford or Pelphrey- and while I think those two will be great one day- I think at best they are 8 to 9 years away from making this program into what the fans want it to be. So, as hard as it is- I think maybe we should all just give the man a chance. He may surprise us all.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Wait… am I too late to insult my fellow neighbors or team?
February 28th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
206 - Is that the same U of L that went to the NIT with their excellent coach during his first years there?
February 28th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
229) She is either an uneducated moron or a Louisville fan pretending to be a Wildcat fan. I pray he is a Louisville fan. If not I am embarassed for her.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Oh no I think 27-2 would be a stretch but aside from those two games all the others were very winnable, and on the other hand I never thought we would be hoping to get to the dance that is the part that is unacceptable
February 28th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
231) How many of these kids did North Carolina or Duke recruit? Better yet how many of these kids did Ohio State or Louisville recruit.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
231. What scares me is that BCG’s upcoming recruiting classes aren’t full of enough talent that he can just run his system and bulldoze everyone. If you have enough talent, you can just do your thing and make everyone adjust to you. However, we don’t have that many good players coming in the next 2 years to make that a reality. So it concerns me that BCG isn’t really making any strides with the role players we have now.
Also, did anyone hear BCG say after the game that Galloway is getting more PT because his confidence on offense is going up? I think Galloway is one of the most confident offensive players we have other than Jodie and Pat. Sure, he makes mistakes, but he never seemed unconfident.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
235) I feel sorry for your husband because you are one dumb bit**
February 28th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
236. Jared Carter was recruited by UNC!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I didn’t jump online until just now, so I didn’t see Brett Dawson’s clarification about AJ’s adjustment. Thought I’d throw that info into the QFS for history’s sake.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
233 Yeah and the same one who took them to the FINAL FOUR and UK a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
February 28th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
238 get a life
February 28th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
236) lol! Yea Roy Williams was facing the same situation then as BCG is now. That is the only reason he was even given a look. Now that Roy Williams has been given time, he has kids begging to come there. Not the other way around. BCG has been here less that two years and has not even had time to get his players into his system.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
237 Jon Hood can jump out of the gym I seen him in Hopkinsville Orton is ranked pretty high. But who is to say they get to town and dont practice or whatever and they dont get off the bench
February 28th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
242) Maybe you and your husband need to get away for awhile. You seem very uptight.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
TALENT CHECK. Name ONE player on UK’s team–other than Meeks or Patterson–who could be a starter on any top 25 team this year.
I can name 35+ players who are on top 25 teams and aren’t even starters who could start on UK’s team. In fact, there are at least 15 non-starters from Wake Forest, Duke, and North Carolina who don’t start on those teams but would be starters at UK
February 28th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
243. Well, BCG recruited Liggins. And I can’t really imagine a player that fits less into our current system.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
243 None of the starting five that won the NC were Roys players they were Matt Dohertys
February 28th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
GOOD NITE Morons! You people have no clue.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
247 His recruiting is still suspect at best and even if you have 13 All Americans and can’t coach you can’t win
February 28th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
246. Our team still has enough talent to make the NCAA tournament without being on the bubble.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
247. That’s Liggins’ problem not BCG’s.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
252 how is it Liggins problem?
February 28th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
252. Well, I agree that Liggins has problems. My point is that everyone talks about waiting for BCG to get “his players” into “his system” and yet Liggins is a BCG recruit and doesn’t fit into the system at all. And it’s not like Liggins has done anything surprising in terms of attitude or style. We basically got exactly what we were expecting.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
251 I agree 100%
February 28th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
244 - I like this one. How DARE BCG insist on his players practicing? Crazy man.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
He’s not trying to fit in the system. Ramel and Joe figured out how to fit in the system. Remember, they were fighting it at first and when they accepted it they became better for it.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
254 same for Harrelson and Galloway and Miller has his moments
February 28th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
256 I meant practicing hard enough. Not that it matters this team hasn’t improved all year.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
257. But Joe and Ramel were Tubby guys that had to adjust. There’s no reason to recruit guys and force them to adjust now. Just recruit your type of guys. Liggins clearly needs to be in an offense that runs up and down the court and plays in transition. We don’t do that (whether we should is a totally different discussion). So why not recruit a more typical half court PG?
February 28th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
260 - you talk about recruiting like it’s a Walmart. You don’t just go pick out what you need.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
He’ll be here next year. Frankly, and you may think I’m nuts, but I’d like to see
1. Galloway
2. Liggins
3. Meeks, (just to see sf keep up with him)
4. Patterson
5 Harrelson
February 28th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
261. But you also don’t recruit players that clearly don’t fit your style if you’re going to be inflexible. Remember, I’m just responding to the “his players” for “his system” argument that 243 mentioned. A lot of people like to say that, but I buy into the “best players” for the “best system” argument, which says that you get the best players available and you tailor your gameplan around them. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have gotten Liggins, he was the #6 PG recruit in the country. That’s a good get. But I think a lot of people feel like BCG is going to bring in recruits that somehow don’t have the same problems we’re having now because they’re a better fit in his system.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
262 - In regards to #3, you don’t pick who guards who. The other coach does that. Clearly, position on the floor matters to some degree, but I figure any coach will put their best perimeter defender on him.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Yeah, but that leaves a bigger man on Liggins or Galloway.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
262. I would just like to see Harrelson’s slow ass try to keep up with the other 4 guys. That would be entertaining by itself.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
266. That’s true
February 28th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
263 - Sorry, if I did but I didn’t mean to sound bitchy. You’ve been very reasonable and rational, although I disagree with you some. I don’t personally buy into the players for a system argument. I think we just need talent period. Who knows, but I believe that BCG wasn’t thrilled with Liggins or Galloway - but he knew how badly we needed a PG and so here they are. Looking at his later recruits, GJ and KC, it seems like he prefers the shorter faster guards. Anyway, that’s wild speculation.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
OK ST beat Texas. Oh no! We’ll never hear the end of Travis Ford is better than BCG now. What a nightmare.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
268. Are we going to have to hug it out now? Haha.
I agree that we need as much talent as we can get as fast as we can get it. I just think that when you get a guy like that, you have to 1) actually play him, and 2) try some different gameplans to exploit his strengths and try to hide his weaknesses. Like when Liggins comes into the game, we should try to speed up the game more to take advantage of his passing ability in the open floor. Then when Porter is in, we try to slow things down and run the half court offense more. I mean, BCG did say in his very first press conference as coach that his style of play would be dictated by his players, and I really don’t see much of that. I see him more dictating the style of play to the players.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
269 - But the bonus is that we won’t hear anyone suggesting that Rick Barnes would be a better coach than BCG. I really would think about finding a new team to cheer for if Rick Barnes was our coach.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
I wouldn’t but Barnes is on the same luck that Marquette was with Dwayne Wade.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
270 - Maybe this style of play IS dictated by the players, by which I mean the lack of a reliable point guard and the great drop off from Meeks and Patterson to the rest.
February 28th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
273. You may be right. I don’t know. Maybe BCG believes that. But I always thought last year we should’ve tried to be more uptempo at times and I definitely feel that way this year. I guess I just think he’s not being flexible because we’ve basically run the same offense two years in a row and it doesn’t really seem to work all that well. So my assumption is that if you changed it up, and based on my beliefs about the strengths of our players, it would work better with a little more transition and a little less half court.
March 1st, 2009 at 12:00 am
274 - I can’t say I disagree with you there. But our FG% is tied for best in the league. I assume our turnovers are the problem. If we can’t avoid turnovers in a slow-paced game, I’d hate to see us running.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:17 am
Great game and effort by the team, but poor coaching when the game is on the line! BCG is a joke! Can we get a petition going to oust him by next year, put a “FOR SALE” sign on his lawn, and rally Joe Craft and the Booster Money Makerss to send him packing??????????????????????
March 1st, 2009 at 8:45 am
[...] At Kentucky Sports Radio, Fake Gimel Martinez has a good summary of the game, and Gillispie’s skills. [...]