Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
For Kentucky basketball, what constitutes the preseason ended tonight. In front of 15,000 UK fans in Louisville, the Cats won easily over winless UNC Asheville, 94-57. There were a number of highlights to the game, most of which we will get to, but the reality is that the game represented the last tuneup before the three game stretch in which we learn who the Cats are and where they rank nationally. Kentucky scored pretty much at ease and absent a few defensive lapses, dominated all phases of the game. They got an easy win, moved to 7-0, and now find North Carolina in their sights come Saturday. Before we get there however, lets look a bit at the game:
— For me the story of the game was the record-setting performance of John Wall. Tonight Wall ensured that he will live in UK record books, as he broke the Freshman Single Game Assist record for a game with 14. That is one shy of the all-time record, and broke the Freshman mark set by Rhoderick Rhodes in 1993. Wall dominated both ends of the court and seemed determined to throw a lob pass to nearly every player on the court. He continued a quest to become only the second player to ever get a triple-double in a game, however he did it in a unique way, with 12 points, 14 rebounds and 6 steals…quite a feat. Once again he showed that his continued collection of SEC Freshman of the Week honors, might never end.
— The biggest kid on the team, Demarcus Cousins, also ended up with a whale of a game, thanks to his new-found free throw stroke. Cousins finished with 24 points and 12 boards, and after the game all the talk was about his 8-10 free throw shooting performance. After his misses in Cancun, Calipari worked with Boogie on his stroke, shortening it and forcing Cousins to shoot 500 free throws over the course of two practices. Mission accomplished…at least for one game and Calipari’s confidence was shown to such a degree that Cousins even shot the free throws on a technical, the first time he says he ever remembers doing that in a game. The statistics Cousins put up were in only 17 minutes of action…he truly can, when he focuses, put up crazy numbers.
— The Cats shot the three pointer exceptionally well, continuing a pattern that has really existed all year. It was assumed that three point shooting would be the team’s weakness, but thanks to good performances from Dodson, Miller, Bledsoe and Patrick Patterson, three point shooting has become a team strength. Calipari noted in the postgame press conference that he cant remember a team shooting like this for him so early. If it continues, they will be hard to beat.
— After the game, Cal acknowledged that the less than capacity crowd would make it more difficult for him to convince UK officials to bring more games here. But in the pregame he said he hoped to paint Freedom Hall Blue after the Cards move out and he acknowledged after that he would still fight to bring games every year to the biggest city in Kentucky.
— Calipari also said that John Wall is farther advanced at this point than either Derrick Rose or Tyreke Evans, at the same point in their careers at Memphis. High praise indeed.
— You could tell in the locker room that the players are ready to play UNC. John Wall talked about how big a game it would be for him, as he played the hometown team that did not recruit him or offer him a ride. Demarcus Cousins said the UNC and Alabama games (due to his home state) were the two games he most looked forward to on the schedule. Daniel Orton said that when he saw the schedule, the UNC game was the one he pointed to, and now it was here and he is ready to go. Wall noted that this would be the first game seen nationally, and you can tell that the entire team is ready for that spotlight.
Generally speaking, it was a pretty low key night in Freedom Hall. UNC Asheville was overmatched and the Cats generally dominated. DeAndre Liggins again didnt play, and besides that, there were no surprises. Everyone’s focus is now on North Carolina, and for us that story and the bowl game possibilities will fill the week.
We also released tonight’s EPISODE 5 of the KSR PODCAST. It has Chinese journalist Laodu, who is covering the Cats for a Chinese media outlet this year, Woo, old KSR favorites like the Turkey Hunter and Tomlin, and the new guys like Drew Franklin and Will Lentz. It is a good, old-school goofy show, so check it out below or (even better for us and you) subscribe to the podcast right here. We will have more all day:
[podcast]/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/UK_UT_tailgate_good.mp3[/podcast]
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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November 30th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
I long do it like UGH UGH UGH!
November 30th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I honestly had no clue Wall would turn out to be such a pass-first point guard. Really the only shots you see him take are when he beats his man and gets to the rim. The rest of the time he dishes to whoever is open on the help side or out to the 3-point line. Also he shoots game-winners.
Little thing: John Wall 12 points, 14 ASSISTS, 6 steals. Not trying to be a tool, just helping.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Freedom Hall was mostly filled. I don’t know the final attendance but I’d say 15,000???? 14 at the lowest. Good crowd, great dunks, and the dance team looked smokin hot in those little black pants……Good times.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
UNCA is turrible.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I will say PPat isn’t what he’s listed at or Hood and Miller are taller. Boogie is a head taller than PPat. PPat’s new jumper is going to make him some serious cash in the league.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
3. I bet you didn’t tell your wife the dance team looked smokin hot..LOL
November 30th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
The New Orleans Saints are not turrible.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Smokin’ hot dancers are not turrible either.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I can’t spell my last name. That’s turrible.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
6. You’re right about that.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
already one of my favorite comments sections ever.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Something tells me we will see a LOT more of John Wall driving to the rim against UNC. He can go at will, and we need him to make a killing at the FT line in that game. I hope he becomes more aggressive, though I’m not complaining, trust me.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
I love John Wall rimshots.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
hey i have a question. looking to take my lil bro to his first game. where and when can i get autographs from the uk players?
November 30th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Wall is an absolute amazing player, but unfortunately i do not think that a triple double is in his future at UK. From what we have seen it would seem he’s not that great of a rebounder….
November 30th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
The Wildcat stomping on the Cardinal at halftime was also not turrible Sir Charles…..
December 1st, 2009 at 12:04 am
16. The Dirty Birds are turrible.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:06 am
1. wall is the most talented and most exciting player ive ever seen at uk
2. this thing with liggins is getting ridiculous. how the hell has nothing leaked and they’ve been playing for a month. is he transferring after the semester? academically inelible? what do u have to do to get suspended for an entire month but not kicked off the team?
December 1st, 2009 at 12:15 am
15…not to mention even if he was a good rebounder, we have a a forest full of bigs for him to “compete” with
18…i’m with you. talk about the dog house. and this isn’t dispositive of anything in particular, but Liggins isnt even on our roster on espn. sure would like to know what’s going on with him.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:15 am
14, you will have the chance “after” the game usually… To get Calipari and whoever the player of the game is, I would get behind Tom Leach immediately after the game and get a seat to listen to the radio post game show… After that, on weekend games some of the players come out near where the Kentucky bench is.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:23 am
#18–If I had to guess, he was one that was told it would be better that he left (like Galloway) but he decided to stay. He could possibly get a ring and then move on. We have seen how immature he is (I saw it first hand in Las Vegas) as well as what you can get from him once he gets on the floor. Not to put the kid down, but after watching this team (who has yet to hit its stride) there is a fairly good flow amongst the players and I believe Liggins’ style would “rock the boat”.
Tell me. With Harris, Miller, Bledsoe, Wall, Dodson and even Hood to an extent playing well and within the scheme, where would Liggins fit in? He is no point in this rotation so he would you play him over Miller, Harris, or Dodson?
Once again, just a guess.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:25 am
I can’t believe that Liggins could be any worse than Hood. How can you play 6 minutes and not appear anywhere on the stat lines. One could luck into a rebound or at least have a pass lead someone into a score.
Liggins might very well be finished at UK.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:30 am
21 - With Stacey Poole coming in next year and possible another high caliber wing, I don’t see any room for Liggins unless Cal has plans for him being a back up for Bledsoe.
There’s no way you can include Hood in front of Liggins. Hood is a non-factor even in games against a horrible UNCA.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:36 am
#22–You serious Clark? Hood has a bit of the “Miller syndrome”. He is lacking a bit of confidence with all the talent around him but will be fine in due time. As for Liggins, he thinks he is the best the player on the team and would want to attempt to prove it. That is not a good combination when you are trying to win. Hood has accepted that he is a “role player” that will grow into a leader. I would bet that Liggins was given the chance to leave but told Cal he wanted to stay–to which Cal said, “Fine, sit and watch practice and have a front row seat, albeit at the end of the bench, during the games”.
What say you?
December 1st, 2009 at 12:42 am
Some at the game was telling me soem UL fans bought tickets and didn’t go on purpose…I believe it.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:51 am
24 - How do you do it? No seriously. How do you get in to the psyche of a player? Amazing. No really. Hood is way too slow for SEC basketball and in time it will finally be “accepted” by you. I like your theory though. All players that don’t do anything on the court have the “Miller Syndrome”. I guess you could use that for any non-performing player in college basketball, unless you’re just being biased. I hope your right on Hood, but he’s not a 4-star or 5-star talent imo.
Liggins is out for a big reason that is rumored to be academics. I would say he’s more of performer than Hood and Krebs, but even at that, there’s so much talent it’ll be hard to justify liggins ever getting on the court.
I cannot wait to see Wall’s game against UNC. What if, just what if, he still has another level he can take it to in a big game like this?
December 1st, 2009 at 1:01 am
I’m starting to wonder if Liggins might be redshirted. He has talent but might need an extra year to mature. And if we don’t land Knight or another top point guard he might helpful in the future.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:02 am
Cal said in the post game not to worry if we was to lose the next 3 games, as long as we learn and get better. Something tells me that he wants to smoke UNC in Rupp this weekend…..
December 1st, 2009 at 1:07 am
26 - UKUKUK….I hate that you are allowed to post on here. Everything you write is negative. I would love to see you play against UNCA and see how you fill up the stat sheet. Better yet, play Hood one-on-one and see how you measure up.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:15 am
29 - I mainly have responded to negative posts. Been a UK fan forever. Playing Hood one-on-one would be much easier than playing anyone else on the team. Hope he improves and can play in the SEC and against top-tier teams. Disappointed he couldn’t do more tonight at the game.
I am looking forward to the UNC game this weekend. I got UK by double-digits. See ya Bri.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:17 am
You’re right. I give. Mills, Sparks, Feldhaus, Pelphrey, Farmer, and Padgett were all slow white boys too that had their critics. I wish these Kentucky boys never played for UK. They contributed nothing to our history.
Next.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:19 am
#29–Speaking of Mills–do you have a son named Cameron?
December 1st, 2009 at 1:22 am
Padgett was 6′8 and could shoot the lights out.
Pelphrey got the opportunity to play when the talent was a lot less than today. Pel had good skills and a saavy for the game.
Farmer again got his chance at UK when the talent was lower and made the most of it. Uncanny scorer for his size and had strength and a great first step.
Mills, like Padgett, couldn’t miss.
Sparks wasn’t slow. Great competitor and great ballhandler.
Time will tell. I will leave at that. I do hope I am wrong.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:23 am
UNCA would lose to several high school teams, they stink. Still they beat us off the dribble and forced us to help a lot. We can’t have that happen a lot against good teams. Dodson and Miller were the main ones getting beat off the dribble, let’s work on that and the D will be awesome. Other than that hard to break this game down as UNCA is just bad. We will actually know a lot about this team after the UNC and UConn games. Win or lose, hope for wins, we will know where we stand at this point.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:31 am
My simple point as to the “Miller Syndrome” is don’t judge after 7 games in the season. Frosh don’t normally come in and play (well) right away. When they do, it is not the norm. Players grow, get stronger and more confident with their role. He will be fine and a fan favorite before it is done. Hood is athletic and has a much better basketball IQ than Liggins. Hood can shoot and will only get better. The players I mentioned were slow but used their smarts to anticipate plays and positioning. Once Hood figures it out, he will be fine and I would take his zero points a game with tough defense over Liggins’ out of control, turnovers, watch what I can do, jump on my back, “me” attitude. Spell it–T_A_.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:40 am
36 - Being realistic, Cal’s recruiting and coaching style is more a problem than Hood’s slowness. Hood is NOT a good shooter and he’s slow laterally. Can he improve on both, sure. The players you listed for the most part, got to play and all became saavy learning-on-the-job. The problem will be getting recruiting over with better, quicker players. Like I said, I hope I am wrong. Let’s wait and see now. I was just hoping to see him do something against a team as one fan said “would lose to some high school teams.”
Seeing the game live tonight, I did see one thing that was surprising, Cousins is much more mobile for a big guy than I thought. The potential really is sky-high for him.
December 1st, 2009 at 2:28 am
Hood is not a good shooter? According to scout that was one of his strengths and why teams like UT, Vandy and UGA were after him. If he was not a fit with Cal he would have been told to kick rocks. Hood will be a very good 4 year player and you will be eating your words. That’s like sayin Jeff Sheppards freshmen year he’s a slow white boy from georgia with no hops. Hood has shown he has a good form on his shot, he just has to have confidence and playing with talent like he does makes him feel inferior I’m sure. But playin with talent like that will only make him better. He has showed he hustles and he can rebound. He is a UK kid at heart and those are the best kinds to have. Not to mention, he was ranked #40, above many top recruits for other schools. And I believe Liggins will be transferring at the end of the semester…that’s what I’ve said for awhile now. Could be wrong, but dont know. If its not due to academics, I dont know too many guys that are just gonna sit the bench when they could be playin somewhere else.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:11 am
I agree 37 on Hood. As far as Liggins, everyone knows he is good enough to play somewhere in D1. I think he will leave too. It is a shame, we may need him next year. More on the game… http://isportsweb.com/2009/12/01/kentucky-freshmen-rock-unc-asheville- at-freedom-hall/
December 1st, 2009 at 7:09 am
This conversation is slow and can’t jump. It’s turrible.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:20 am
Thank you #27. Liggins redshirting makes sense - think about it. Not sure why it would be such a secret though.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:39 am
24 and 12 in 17 minutes - them’s Blake Griffin numbers. Crazy!
December 1st, 2009 at 8:41 am
After the game Tom Leach asked Boogie if he had seen Carolina play. Big Cous responded ” Yeah, I’m not really impressed ” The onlooking crowd erupted, it was great. I love this team, Go Cats!
December 1st, 2009 at 8:41 am
UK has a football team?
December 1st, 2009 at 8:43 am
43) Not funny.
As far as Liggins redshirting…why? Not sure why you’d wanna keep him around an extra year tying up a scholarship.
The guy knocking Hood is ridiculous. He’s played all of what, 20 minutes all year and you can tell that he will never contribute based on that? Wow…UK fans, the best and the worst.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:55 am
The exciting thing to me about the UNC game on Saturday is that we will finally play a team that wants to run with us. I can’t wait to see Wall in that game…
December 1st, 2009 at 9:00 am
Yeah im pumped about the win, we beat bad teams like we are supposed to beat them (which we havent always done this year) and didnt allow bad teams to beat us (like we had the previous two). Having said that, Im worried about UNC and UofL. I think in the end we will be better but not sure we are right now.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:03 am
[...] Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio was among those of us cramped inside the tiny UK interview room: “You could tell in the locker room that the players are ready to play UNC. John Wall talked about how big a game it would be for him, as he played the hometown team that did not recruit him or offer him a ride. Demarcus Cousins said the UNC and Alabama games (due to his home state) were the two games he most looked forward to on the schedule.” [...]
December 1st, 2009 at 9:05 am
time to get the hate on for UNC
http://home.fuse.net/eCat/shame2.gif
December 1st, 2009 at 9:12 am
I love Jon Hood, aka “The Mop”, and he can play. He is lacking physical strength right now, but he is a player, and there will be a point in the season where you will see him rise to the occasion!
Also, there were a few, “Ata Boy, Karl’s” during Boogie’s Free throw attempts last night!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:27 am
With a season or 2 under his belt, Hood will contribute some, mostly fill minutes. He’s got to get stronger physically, and adjust to the size of the players and speed of the game, but I think he will contribute eventually. Liggins on the other hand will not. He’s been a problem child from day 1, and he has shown nothing on the court that gives me any promise. He dribbles like my 9 year old daughter(I’m working really hard with her on it by the way), he has no shot, and to me just has limited skills. He’s a fine athlete I mean his size and all, but he just ain’t got it.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:43 am
I’m having a party for the UNC game, I’m looking forward to finally beating them. I’m hyped up already.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:48 am
I don’t know if this was talked about last spring or if I missed it this year but, Why wasn’t John Wall recruited by UNC? Was it something about Roy Williams and the AAU coach? Whatever it is I hope it is motivation for Wall to play well.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:49 am
48 that was funny as all get out, I almost pissed myself
December 1st, 2009 at 9:49 am
Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, and Orton are able to contribute significantly not only because of their talent but because there is no one else in front of them for those positions (I consider Cousins/Orton to be #1 and #1A at the center position). In the case of Hood, he has Miller, Harris, (and to some extent) Dodson in front of him. To say he should contribute more; that he isn’t Kentucky-calibur; and to criticize his play reveals just how little you know about basketball. Unlike under Gillespie when it was questionable whether some recruits had “UK-level” talent, I trust Calipari’s decision-making. If he wanted Hood on this team and believed he was talented enough to be a Wildcat, then it must be so. Now, if Calipari goes out and recruits Dakotah Euton and Konner Tucker, then we can start questioning his recruiting knowledge and his ability to identify talent.
December 1st, 2009 at 9:55 am
Hood is a freshman in every sense of the word. However, I think it is unfair to compare him to the current batch of freshmen we have. He is not Wall, Bledsoe, Cousins, Orton. These freshmen are unusual in talent, size, quickness. Hood is UK caliber and will prove it as a 4 year player.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:00 am
everybody hates on liggins. ppl its grades. ur telling me mark krebs and jon hood are better than deandre liggins? ur smoking the good stuff if u think that. he had trouble with grades in high school, trouble with tests when he was trying to get into college, so its not suprising to me that he would have trouble with grades right now. if his grades are that bad, then its probably not calipari’s choice to play him. its probably a school rule, aka academically ineligible for the semester. for those of you saying problem child and all that, you saw him as a freshman. he played under a lunatic coach, so we’re lucky all our players didnt refuse to go in games last year. some of u r saying “he cant dribble, cant shoot”, u have no proof of that. u havent seen him play a game yet this year. ppl said bledsoe and wall couldnt shoot, but bledsoe is actually one of the better 3-point shooters on the team, and wall has a great mid-range game from what ive seen. your basing your opinions of him from his performances in his freshman year on a bad team where the offense was give the ball to jodie meeks. the same ones of u that r bashing liggins r bashing hood as well, just because of their play as freshmen. some of you r getting a little spoiled already with the freak superstar freshmen we have this year. ppl, if uve watched college basketball u kno tht freshman arent normally your best players, however calipari just so happens to get the freshmen superstars. get used to it, thats fine, b/c cal will always get those players, but don’t knock a typical freshmen just yet, because the young players u r so down on right now, will b the veteran leaders in a couple years when wall and cousins arent here anymore.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:02 am
54. exactly my point
December 1st, 2009 at 10:08 am
#55 -have we ever had anyone on academic probation and it wasn’t public knowledge though? I’m asking as I don’t know
December 1st, 2009 at 10:10 am
one more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00RbQNlgoSc
December 1st, 2009 at 10:10 am
18) That tucker max dude said in a post in Cancun that he knew what Liggins was in trouble for, but the mod….Matt Jones took it out of the peice.
Go figure???
December 1st, 2009 at 10:12 am
not really sure. but a players grades cant go public unless the player just tells ppl himself. and its natural that calipari wouldn’t want to talk about it. coaches usually don’t like to talk about players failing or discipline issues. even if cal wanted to say something, he would most likely respect liggins by not letting info. like that out to the media and have all kinds of stories written about him.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:18 am
#55-You’re Damn right I think Hood is better than Liggins. What have you ever seen in Liggins other than his size and wing span? His ball handling skills are aweful to say the least, and his shot is no better. But worse than that, he plays, or I should shay played, out of control 90% of the time. Hood on the other hand is a technically sound player. He has a good stroke, and natural baller. This year, he won’t do anything worth mentioning. But a year and a half worth of weights, coaching, practice, and confidence building, and he will contribute much more than Liggins ever will.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:41 am
Why are we arguing? We need to cheer on all the guys in Blue and White. One team united! Fan Base…. not so much!
Boogie’s previous nickname was Carl, not Karl… misspelled in my previous post.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:43 am
Considering the rumors going around about Liggins now, and all the heat is taking by being a ghost on the team, I’d think if it was academic probation, he’d just come out and say it - from a PR standpoint, he’d probably improve his standing.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:47 am
We’re still in the running for the Outback Bowl: http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/nov/30/ut-kentucky-jockey-for-bowl -position/
Keep voting! http://www.outbackbowl.com/
December 1st, 2009 at 10:54 am
i could see him fitting a ramon harris type role as ramon is graduating this year. u need those types of players to compliment your superstars. liggins had his bad moments last year, but he also had good moments. ive seen that he is a terrific passer, and with a much more fitting coach, he would learn to play under control. hood has shown nothing this year to convince me that he is any better than liggins his freshman year other than not turning the ball over, and the reason for that is liggins was a 6′6 freshman trying to play point guard, whereas hood is a 6′6-6′7 forward with significantly less ball handling duties. hood is playing his natural position, whereas liggins could not due to the lack of talent and depth at pg for uk last year. with cal as their coach, both players could be strong contributors in the next couple of years.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:58 am
if u ever see a player get interviewed and the person asks them about all the hype their getting, or what ppl are saying about them, they will say most of the time that they don’t take neither the good or the bad to heart. because if u take the good, u get the big head and think your better than u actually are, and if u take the bad, u get down on yourself and don’t perform up to your expected level. honestly, id say liggins could care less what any of us say about him.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:10 am
#43 you are an idiot!!! YES they have a football team and they would love to kick your a$$!!! You need to lose your “bigbluefan” screen name and become “biglooser”!!! GO CATS!!!!!!!GO CATS!!!!!!!
December 1st, 2009 at 11:15 am
67 LOL
December 1st, 2009 at 12:35 pm
42,Actually it was Mike Pratt that asked him the question.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:06 pm
[...] Last night in Louisville, the fourth ranked Kentucky Wildcats (7-0) pounded UNC-Asheville 94-57 in their final tune-up before hosting reigning NCAA champion North Carolina on Saturday. Led by [...]