Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
“Faux Hawk, how’s my sack taste?”
It was a party last night in Memorial Coliseum as around 8,000 fans packed in the historical gym for the first men’s basketball game there in about 30 years. Sure, it was the NIT and sure, it was a game the Cats almost gave away after letting UNLV cut the lead from 20 to 3, but it was a rowdy, very cool evening nonetheless and the Cats walked away with a 70-60 win and a date with either Creighton or Bowling Green.
A couple of quick notes before I am any more late for work:
- You can’t really say enough about the crowd at Memorial Tuesday night. Everyone I talked to said it was one of, if not the loudest and rowdiest UK game they’ve ever attended. Even if you were just watching it on TV like I was, you could tell how incredibly loud it was and that there was a special type of energy in the air. It might have been because, as Nessler or Dykes said, the crowd was not a “typical” Rupp crowd and it might have been because it was such a small venue. But, regardless, having a crowd that big and that passionate for an NIT game shows how great the UK fan base is.
- Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the future. And, that future is named Darius Miller. Miller’s emergence over the past few weeks has been, to me, the only good thing to take away from how the team has been playing. At times, Miller has appeared to not only be the most effective offensive player, but also the most confident. His jumper has become more consistent (probably second only to Jodie right now) and his runner in the lane is nothing short of deadly. Also, in this same period, he’s been the best ball-handler and UK’s best option for initiating the offense. The freshmen from Maysville is looking like he has the makings of a star….and if Ramon Harris wasn’t also improving his play, we’d see a lot more of him.
- Perry Stevenson, what a dunk. Perry, arguably, has been the recipient of the most frustration from the coaching staff over the season and it looked like it might be affecting his game, as he’s trailed off in production as the year wore on. If we’re just going off of Facebook statuses (statusi?), then he’s frustrated as well. But, just when it looked like Perry was going to have another underwhelming game filled with turnovers and airballed runners, he comes out in the second half knocking down jumpers and putting down one of the most ferocious dunk this team has seen in years. After the play, Perry let out a scream and, hopefully, got rid of that monkey on his back. He has the potential to be a very good player and this team is going to need him back on track next year.
- Ok, Matt Jones. Calm down. I’ll say it: Ramon Harris played a very good game again tonight. Harris is another guy who has seemed to improve offensively the past few games and, early in the second half, he was the only one attacking the basket, which resulted in three dunks. However, his biggest contribution was on the glass, where he grabbed 10 boards. He also was the team leader (with Galloway) with 4 assists.
- Patrick was Patrick and Jodie was Jodie. Patterson had another double-double of 16 and 11 and Jodie had 19 points - despite having some trouble knocking them down early. Patterson also led the team in floor burns after diving on the floor for about 5,000 straight loose balls in the second half, leading to an interesting exchange between Brad Nessler and Jimmy Dykes. After Patterson got after it again, Nessler said “And that’s a guy they say doesn’t play hard”, which made Dykes have a miniature on-camera freakout. I don’t remember word-for-word, but basically he said anyone who’s ever said that is the dumbest person on the entire planet and should be put to sleep.
- Nine players logged playing time for UK in the first half. Amazingly, all nine players found their way into the scoring column in the box score. I really wish this type of balanced attack would have come around sooner, but it was still a sight for sore eyes.
- After a disasterous start that saw 5 turnovers in 5 minutes, UK got themselves back under control and committed only 7 in the next 35 minutes of game time. It’s another “man, wish we could have done that sooner” moment, but it’s still hopefully a sign of growth in this team.
- It’s 7:49 am. Billy Gillispie is still the coach of Kentucky.
That’s it for now….stay tuned throughout the day for more goodness as we continue to follow UK’s NIT journey, as well as get you prepared for the NCAA tournament.
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
The views and opinions expressed on this site and the images contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of cn|2 or Insight Communications.
29 queries. 0.843 seconds
March 18th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I guess Seth Davis is just another stupid Dukie!
March 18th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Cats looked Good! Go Cats!
March 18th, 2009 at 7:49 am
We needed that win for the program and Billy’s job. I still think Gillispie is back next year. Go CATS!
March 18th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Anyone notice how with the heat on Gillispie, he comes out and plays the guys that should have been playing all year and plays them a ton more (Galloway, Miller, Stewart, even Liggins). We are a completely different team with porter not playing the point. Nothing against him, but thats just not his position, it does not come natural to him to get the ball up court set up the offense and make the right passes. He played a lot less PG last night and things looked much better.
Point is that you can get by with an out of position Power Foward, or Center, or SF, but you can not have a PG that plays out of position, its the difference between winning and losing……..
March 18th, 2009 at 7:59 am
3-agree
March 18th, 2009 at 8:09 am
cantuckeeboi - i agree but i’m still not quite sure we have a true pg that would have made a whole lot of difference in the win column. KG threw the ball away several times last night. Jury is still out on DL whether he’s a point/lead/combo?
Darius handles it well but he’s not a point………….
Point is we don’t have one true point on the team.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:12 am
They played last night like we all had hoped for all year. I agree that the rotation was WAY better last night. I also agree that Billy is back next year, if for no other reason there is too much lost right now if he doesn’t…..
March 18th, 2009 at 8:16 am
According to rumor/innuendo Miller is among the “if BCG is back I’m gone” crowd. You know what rumors are good for, but if this and others are true then it may explain all the smoke that we are seeing.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:22 am
I’M JUST SAYIN JUST SAYIN SHIT AGAIN
March 18th, 2009 at 8:25 am
The AD and President need to take responsibility of their positions and come out and end the rumors. That would be the best thing for us all. When it is starting to be confirmed by local news that the Coach is fired before a game…something needs to be done. I am highly disappointed in that matter. Billy NEEDS to be back next year.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:31 am
9 Okay, here’s my question to you. If several players are truly telling the AD that they are gone of BCG is back then what should Mitch do in your opinion?
March 18th, 2009 at 8:31 am
—> Since When did Matt Jones start writing like Mark Story.
March 18th, 2009 at 8:36 am
10- Agreed. With the way this has been handled, it makes me think it’s 50/50 on if he’s coming back. I don’t like how the media is handling it…they all seem to think he’s gone. However, Jimmy Dykes said last night UK would owe him $6M if they let him go. Which makes me think they will give him another year.
8- With the playing time Miller has received, I don’t see how he can be unhappy as a true Freshman. His time is coming (sooner than later)
March 18th, 2009 at 8:40 am
11- I think Mitch should have a sit down with Gillispie and then Mitch should sit down with each player. What do you do if Pat says he is staying if coach is staying, but Miller says he is leaving if coach is staying? I think Mitch has to sit down with each player to get their perspective and remind the player that it’s about the team and the University. We don’t need any punks on the team (a.k.a. Alex Legion)
March 18th, 2009 at 8:55 am
4 dont start that crap it was the same freakin rotation
March 18th, 2009 at 8:58 am
11 The players stated on tv they loved coach billy told you straight to your face and have said on 2 different occassions. Where do people get this if he is coming back then i am leaving crap.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:00 am
11- You are right on. We could have an “Indiana situation” if BCG is not let go. Personally, I think PPat, Liggins, Harrelson,
and Stewart will leave if BCG is retained. On the other hand, I dont see anyone leaving if he is fired and I dont see us loosing any
recruits. This will also give us an “out” for backing out of all the horrible verbals that BCG has gotten.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:00 am
8.) I have heard the same thing from numerous people…..
I know that everyone around here thinks that these rumors are bogus, but I would just like to point out that UK is in Lexington, KY. This isn’t Chicago or Memphis or Los Angeles or Even Louisville. I know there is a population of close to 3/4 of a million people, but around here there is one school and one school only for most people and that is UK…. Especially with Darius being from KY I would not count off these rumors as not true.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:04 am
16.) What are they supposed to say????? “I hate the SOB but im stuck here for atleast a year”???? or the classic “No comment.”??? use your brain man, these kids are not stupid, they like getting in the game, and I would venture to say that a comment against Gillispie would result in a loss of minutes..
March 18th, 2009 at 9:05 am
17-Why would Harrelson leave after he did an interview talking about his adjustment here and saying that he would be back next year? I don’t think you would be that straight forward about not leaving. Also, Liggins has said the same thing.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:09 am
The great thing about rumors is that there is SOME basis in reality.
If Clyde’s job was secure we would have already heard Mitch and Lee
come out and squash the rumors. The absence of their public statement
is, in itself, reason to think he is leaving.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:18 am
15.) Its not about the rotation, and no it was not the same as all year …. (Liggins 8 minutes, Stewart 10 minutes) Its about whos playing where. Porter came in and played sparingly (15 min.) He played almost half of those minutes at 2 guard (where he belongs) Stewart came in for Stevenson (like he should) Deandre stole minutes at point/ Miller handled the ball much more (which he should).
Look at the big picture bub….
March 18th, 2009 at 9:19 am
He will be back. The decision has been made. Expect an announcement soon.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:23 am
First, what was up with some of those comments during the game? Who has ever questioned Patterson’s work ethic? Also, what was that comment about Ky. fans feeling like they got rid of a good coach in Tubby to get more talented players but didn’t get them? Just because you aren’t winning doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have talent. The only thing more offensive than that comment was they fact that Jimmy Dykes was dressed like he just came from a New Jersey wedding.
Second, BCG isn’t going any where. He has no where to go that would outweigh the benefits of staying here. Also, as we have seen with Coach Brooks, Barnhart is pretty patient with his coaches.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:23 am
I didnt know they’d have to pay him 6 mill. to leave. I thought this no contract garbage was gonna pay off for us by letting us get rid of him 4 nothing. I dont see it happening now. Some1 please up my spirits and say they can possibly get out of having to do pay him, or they’ll just go ahead and pay it now to end this crap. Surely theres a “if the coach acts like an ASS to the media ALWAYS and doesnt represent the university well” clause in there. Calipari or Billy D mitch, thats it. Talk to them first before you go firing anyone. And if neither or those 2 will come, just keep this prick for now. Dont you dare bring in another no namer!
March 18th, 2009 at 9:26 am
An announcement today?
March 18th, 2009 at 9:38 am
25. Why would you want Billy D? 1. He turned us down. F*ck him. 2. He’s in the NIT for the 2nd year in a row, AFTER winning it all TWO years in a row. BCG gets us to the NIT once and you want him gone, why would you want Billy D?
March 18th, 2009 at 9:41 am
i’m just sayin - if its one or two - NO
if its 4-6 than YES
March 18th, 2009 at 9:45 am
23.) Actually I just heard the opposite…… Looks like he is gone and dont expect any announcement to be made until after the NIT and after a coach is found*** (not named).
March 18th, 2009 at 9:46 am
26.) No.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:59 am
26)I’m not sure when but I’m 100% sure he will be back.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:01 am
31)Good, I hope you are right.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:08 am
29. You heard it all wrong. The sixth or seventh guy to pass the rumor along botched it up. He had too much wax in his ears. Your rumor-mongering’s not working out for you.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:27 am
[...] Kentucky Sports Radio writes on the fun night at Memorial. [...]
March 18th, 2009 at 10:36 am
I heard from a guy that knows a guy that cuts the grass at BCG’s house that Billy is actually an illegal alien. Mitch and Todd are working with the State Dept to have him deported. That same guy told me that we are going to hire purple hippo to replace clyde.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:58 am
31.) If our right …. which i have heard otherwise….. I hope he makes some serious adjustments.
March 18th, 2009 at 11:01 am
27) Ummmmm b/c hes wont 2 titles…. back to back… not just gone to the sweet 16 one time!!! And billy turned what, 2 programs around in 5 years, thus, half the players on his teams weren’t his own. Uhh thank u