Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
That’s about all I can find in the RMU girl department. Take it or leave it.
Tonight, Kentucky begins their quest for a second straight national title when they take on Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Experts say this national title quest isn’t as prestigious or noteworthy as that other tournament which name currently escapes me, but it’s a national title quest nonetheless (If that’s not positive spin I don’t know what is). While last year’s journey began in Louisville against in-state rival Western Kentucky, this year’s festivities start with Northeastern Conference regular season champion, Robert Morris. Third year head coach Andrew Toole guided his squad to a 23-10 overall record this season and is looking to add another notch to his coaching belt with an upset win over Kentucky. Things haven’t gone according to plan for John Calipari and his Wildcats this season, after all, they’ll be playing in front of a sold out Sewall Center crowd of 3,056 people, not exactly a normal sized crowd for UK. But they’ll have to get over their disappointment quickly in order to avoid further embarrassment. The Colonial players aren’t the biggest or fastest in the nation, but they possess a certain set of skills which present problems for Kentucky.
The Colonial offense currently ranks 143rd nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency according to KenPom.com, so they’re not exactly the gold standard of scoring. However, RMU fills it up from the perimeter, something which has been an issue for Kentucky on defense all season long. As it stands, they’re ranked 26th overall in three-point shooting percentage at 38%. Making matters worse, 41% of their shot attempts come from the perimeter, which ranks 27th nationally. Such an efficient shooting percentage at an incredibly high volume comes behind the efforts of three players shooting over 42%; Karvel Anderson, Lucky Jones, and Coron Williams. While this trio and most everyone else on their roster can shoot, they have a severe problem with interior scoring. Their interior shooting percentage of 46.5% (216th nationally) is largely due to their very small roster which contains only two players over 6-foot-8. Given this, the game plan is simple, force their perimeter shooters into the lane and let them deal with Willie Cauley-Stein.
The Colonial defense is the epitome of average. Entering tonight, their adjusted defensive efficiency rating is 154th nationally according to Kenpom.com. While they don’t do much well, RMU is among the nation’s best at forcing turnovers, causing an opponent miscue on 24.6% of possessions (16th nationally). Much like their three point offense, the Colonials are led by three players in this department as well. Lucky Jones, Velton Jones, and Russell Johnson have guided the RMU defense to such a stout turnover rate, all forcing over 1.3 turnovers per contest. Of course, one of Kentucky’s Achilles heels all season long has been shaky ball handling by guards, so this is an area of concern for tonight. Robert Morris may be an elite team at bringing defensive pressure, but they have a severe inefficiency which can be easily exploited by Kentucky. Currently, Andrew Toole’s squad is allowing opponents to connect on 51% of interior shots, ranking 280th nationally. It doesn’t take an expert to figure out that the ball should be thrown down low early and often to Cauley-Stein and Poythress, allowing them to exploit a very short Colonial team.
When the name etched on your jersey says “Kentucky” in bold blue letters, you expect more than an NIT appearance, especially when experts proclaim there to be NBA level talent across the roster. While everyone in Lexington is surely disappointed, that better be quickly forgotten because RMU will be more than ready to pull a monster upset in front of their home crowd. While emotion will certainly favor the Colonials tonight, their lack of size could be devastating for them provided Kentucky gets the ball down low. If Calipari and his team manage to exploit their undersized defense and stop their perimeter shooters, it should be and easy victory. However, if Robert Morris is able to force turnovers while going off from the perimeter, it could be an incredibly long evening for our squad.
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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March 19th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
Vandy was average, if not below average, Texas AM down right terrible, Baylor a head scratcher, Geogia baffling, I could go on and on. What are you going to call RM when they win? The season ended when we lost to Vandy. This is a no win situation and will be another first for UK basketball. Someone commented this was Gardner Webb all over again, indeed to that.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
Where in the he#$ is the podcast for todays radio show??????
March 19th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
I wouldn’t mind being at this game. Even though I’m disappointed we didn’t make the NCAA tourney I will cheer my cats on anytime anywhere!
March 19th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
I will go on ahead and take it.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
I’m getting a really good vibe on Julius Randle. I can’t wait to see him in UK blue!
March 19th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
We are…..STILL THE LAUGHING STOCK OF ALL OF COLLEGE BB.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Does anyone know what channel this will be broadcast on here in Plano, TX?
March 19th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
I’m still proud to be a cat!
March 19th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
#5 I feel you bro. Randle is gonna be a Wildcat!
For now, I’m just going to sit back and cheer my favorite team on to an NIT title!
March 19th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
I like our chances with Julius Randle now!!! My wife changed her tune this morning after a good romp in the sack.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
1) you are unwanted here! Can you feel it!
March 19th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Well Jonathan, if that’s the best you can do for the RM girls, then I guess I’ll bag that #1 to go-
March 19th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
11. Sorry for my earlier comment. It was really unwarranted.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:34 pm
I’m cheering for No 1 of RMU volleyball team.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:38 pm
I think Robert Morris is going to beat us by 10……to even THINK about the NIT this time of the year gives me the runs……
March 19th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
Did you see the locker room tour with Jimmy Dykes on ESPN? I bet the coaching staff will use that as a motivation pre-game chat.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Championship ass on the far right.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:48 pm
What time is UK losing tonight? Is it on TV?
March 19th, 2013 at 6:52 pm
this is not the bbn that i know. im with you thick or thin god bless our boys and you turn coats should be ashamed
March 19th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
@18 I stained my coworkers boots today . It was during my daily 1:30 fap break at work I went into my usual stall and I commenced to ” milking” and then all of the sudden. WHOOSH. The door swings open at the same time my “friend” got red in the face and spit all over his new boots. And cousin, was he ever mad
March 19th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
Player #1 has a very nice butt.
March 19th, 2013 at 6:58 pm
#6 yea we may be a little down right now,(laughing stock my ass) But in about 3 weeks, day or two after the ship has been played and all the new preseason polls come out, who do you think will be #1? THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS! So to you and all the other haters out there…. SUCK IT!! GO CATS!!
March 19th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
22 you are sick
March 19th, 2013 at 6:59 pm
I will take that pic
March 19th, 2013 at 7:17 pm
meant to say 20 sorry 22 i agree with you, got into the stoli early tonight go cats
March 20th, 2013 at 7:24 am
Volleyball girls have the best bodies.