Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Thats the type of debut that is known as “kicking off a new era in style”. On a night where the entire Bluegrass state wanted to see what a new coach and a new Freshman from Huntington would bring to the table, both shone bright in a rout over our good friends from the Eastern part of the state. Billy Clyde immediately showcased the fact that it will be a new era in Lexington….one that will cause the folks working at the scorer’s table to work overtime. He played a number of players and introduced a passing, cutting, reverse the ball offense that produced a greater flow on that end of the floor than has been seen in the last 2-3 years. Players husted, dove on the floor and gave 100% energy throughout. Mistakes were aplenty, but as Billy Clyde said after the game, they were mistakes of “commission and not omission”, and thus much preferable to a coach seeking to build a championship team.
We also got to see the debut of Patrick Patterson who thrilled Cats fans everywhere with 21 points and a dominating, physical presence down low that Kentucky fans have been hoping for since his Junior season of high school. Patrick showcased a number of moves inside and helped control the glass during his time in the post. In addition, he out-physicaled the Pikeville defenders, getting in position for a number of easy baskets. And maybe most importantly, he showcased what has always been his greatest asset, his tremendous basketball IQ. With the possible exception of Ramel Bradley, no player was in the right position more often than P-Pat, as he showcased just what all the hype was about before he arrived in Rupp Arena.
However even with these debuts, the star of the show tonight was Sophomore Jodie Meeks. Jodie finished with 34 points, 27 of which came in a first half that had Cats fans drooling about the next potential great star in the Big Blue. Jodie hit 7 of 9 three pointers from all over the court, essentially ended Pikeville’s experiment of playing zone throughout the game and took a close affair in the early minutes and turned in into the route it became in the end. In addition, we saw great improvement from Meeks on the defensive end, a trait that he admits has been the weakest part of his game previously, as he showcased that along with Ramel Bradley, he will be the rock and foundation of this team. Jodie Meeks is a star folks….get on board.
Overall, it was a stellar debut to the Billy Clyde era in a somewhat reserved Rupp Arena (thanks to Halloween.) Billy Clyde showcased what he has been preaching all summer about this team. You can score a lot of points without “playing fast.” There was very little full court pressure and not a ton of fast breaking….but there was a lot of scoring because the possessions on offense were crisp and the passing was ubiquitous. Coach Jeremy Cox told us this summer that he never wants to see three guys outside the three point line just standing…..movement is key. And we saw movement throughout the game. Guys like Patterson, Coury and Stevenson showcased this team’s desire to develop interior passing and their contributions were huge for creating the open shots. All in all it was a very good debut for the Blue and White. Sure there were areas of concern (the interior is quite thin), but there was also a sense of hope and opportunity….and what a great feeling that is.
A few more randoms:
(1)Joe Crawford took the decision by Billy Clyde to bring him off the bench well. He played smart, in control and within the team concept and had a great game. He wont be on the bench long, but Joe C showcased a huge step in his attitude development. I was VERY glad to see it.
(2)We knew Ramon Harris and Mark Coury would start, but this game showed us that they will also play a lot as well. Coury showed his intelligence down low and his physical limitations as well. He finds himself in the right position most of the time and is able to make the correct pass…he will be hurt by more athletic players but he will play….and likely a lot. Harris had an up and down game, but showcased the fact that he may be the best on the ball defender out there not named Ramel Bradley. Long arms, quick feet and constant hustle and you see why the Alaskan will get his PT.
(3) I dont like the new PA announcer. Sorry, not a fan. But I do like the new intro music…..been clamoring for it for two years and they started it tonight….for big games the “oh oh oh oh” chant will be haunting….
(4) Perry Stevenson will be a guy who frustrates, but improves all year. He is so athletic and a good shot blocker. However his inability to finish on offense and his lack of defensive positioning is tough to watch…..he has to play and get better for this team…..but watching him will be a definite work in progress. I pull for him though and think in two years, he will be a real talent.
(5) Kyle Macy needs to get some emotion in his voice…..hopefully that will come, but in the second half, I listened to Leach and Pratt and the difference was night and day. Step it up tv folks…..
More on the game tomorrow, including the sights and sounds that were a little odd and quirky….great debut….and isnt it good to have basketball back!
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October 31st, 2007 at 11:41 pm
What’s the new intro song?
October 31st, 2007 at 11:44 pm
I was hoping Porter would have a better showing…
October 31st, 2007 at 11:48 pm
Patterson and Meeks looked great. I don’t see the big deal about Coury. He is our Kurt Rambis. I love his hustle but if you think he will play big minutes for this team, your nuts!
October 31st, 2007 at 11:53 pm
My favorite part of the game is when they were standing around in the 2nd half and there was a point where it looked as though they had gone back to the style of play of the previous season and Billy called a time out and you could read his lips clearly.
He said “What are you all doing?” Billy we have been asking that for a while now. Except this time the answer was “sorry coach” rather than “that is the play you called Tubby”
November 1st, 2007 at 12:14 am
I Loved the Whole Game
November 1st, 2007 at 1:12 am
I didn’t watch the game and I noticed in the box scores that
Williams was not mentioned. Did he play? If not, then why not?
November 1st, 2007 at 2:05 am
6, williams did not play at all, and im not sure why at all……….
November 1st, 2007 at 2:08 am
I sent a long response to turkey hunter, will it be reviewed by the panel? It didn’t make the 26. I’m heartbroken because it was very contrarian. Holla, Q.
November 1st, 2007 at 2:56 am
Loved the hustle of the team & you could easily see the desire to please BCG from their actions. The team showed energy tonight & were constantly battling for the ball (defensively). They pressed hard for turnovers & possession of the ball, a vast improvement! Overall, they looked great for the first game, conditioning improved, and adjusting well to BCG’s methods. I am glad that we have 4 easy games to start the season & get the team ripe for the big games of Coach’s Classic. Assuming we win & head to NYC, we’re going to need all this experience for when we meet up with UConn & ultimately Memphis (or possibly Oklahoma). That’s when the true tests of this team starts.
November 1st, 2007 at 2:56 am
I sense that Coury will be a staple sub in & out of the games, so its good that he’s seeing PT early to gain some experience. I liked his effort, but I was nervous every time he touched the ball. Hopefully his ball handling will improve over the next couple of months. Legion seemed to have a little stage fright tonight, but that’s expected from most freshmen. Harris will be awesome by the time conference games start. Stevenson put forth great effort & knows that his shot blocking skills are his strength. He’ll definitely see the floor quite a bit. Was overjoyed to see Crawford starting to look like the player he is. He’ll be an SEC force, once he feels confident in his true game. As for Bradley & Meeks~ stellar ball play for the first game. PP will exceed UK fan’s expectations this season.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
November 1st, 2007 at 3:11 am
My biggest gripe: Why was BCG not wearing anything blue for the game? A gold tie? Come on! Shouldn’t that be a requirement for the job?
November 1st, 2007 at 4:30 am
Dick Vitale is going to really be impressed by Jamal Meeks, Jamal Bradley, Jamal Crawford and Jamal Patterson this season!
November 1st, 2007 at 6:13 am
Now I know why we didn’t have any trick-or-treaters…
they were all at home watching the kickoff to basketball season like me!
Now I have to eat those Snickers Bars myself……
November 1st, 2007 at 6:51 am
Loved the movement. But other than Patterson, we are pitiful down low. Keep recruiting Billy.
November 1st, 2007 at 6:52 am
Meeks for Heisman!!!!!!
November 1st, 2007 at 7:02 am
anything about Singleton??????? I want this kid to sign!
November 1st, 2007 at 7:26 am
Matt- Is M. Coury your little cousin?
November 1st, 2007 at 7:37 am
Has anyone mentioned why we didnt see Morakinyo Williams? Is he injured?
November 1st, 2007 at 7:46 am
trying to keep up with us as usual Duke opens a new practice facility in January called the
Michael W. Krzyzewski Center. What will Duke do when Mike K. leaves? You cannot have a coach be bigger than the program, any coach that follows him will never be able to meet expectations.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:51 am
Reminded me of last year’s 94-54 win in the first exhibition game.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:52 am
A couple of quick comments:
1. Surely UK has not jumped on the bandwagon and is playing Zombie Nation?! Is our promotions group really that lame?
2. Macy may be monotone but it was really great hearing the game from a coaches perspective. Now, if Dave Baker could be tossed down a sinkhole somewhere.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:54 am
Any one is better than Martin “I make listeners want to Puke” Newton.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:01 am
By the way Pitino did not wear much blue either.
They still have a long way to go. But Patterson is so much quicker than Morris was it isn’t even close.
The games coming up in the tournament will be a lot more closer because fo the talent level.
It looks like Stevenson needs another year at least to become a factor in the offense. But good recruiting will fix that next year. Gillispie will get another five star inside player next year. Singleton could take care of that f rom what I hear about his play.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:08 am
22- singleton is more of a four position- i hope he joins the cats, but j’mison morgan is still tops of my wishlist–i know its a longshot becuase he didnt come to madness, but we still have a shot
November 1st, 2007 at 8:10 am
Also, Aziz N’Diaye the newcomer to the USA from senegal would be a great late pick up if he is cleared from the the NCAA clearinghouse. Tracey webster (asst coach) has close ties in Illinois, where he will play basketball in high school
November 1st, 2007 at 8:20 am
I realize this team from pikeville played like a Jr college team but Kentcky did score 99 points and seldom pressed full court. The reason for that was they took open shots as soon as they came open and hit them. However I don’t expect Meeks to hit that many threes every game.
The games will get tougher from now own. The had better be ready for the two game4s in the tournament next week. But I am sure they and Gillispie know this as much as I do.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:25 am
I didn’t quite see the game that way. Overall I thought it was very positive. They played agressively and moved a ton more, and a lot more quickly, than under Tubby. It was also clear that we have some great guards with awesome perimeter shooting. But on the other hand, I’d be concerned about the frontcourt. It was good enough to get the job done against Pikeville, but I think last night showed that it still is going to be our weak point, and possibly in a major way once we go up against real competition.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:28 am
I think it was pretty much as expected. Overall, very impressed with Patterson, Bradley, Crawford and Meeks. Also liked what I saw of Coury (I always thought he could do something if allowed the chance) and Harris. Stevenson has a long way to go, but may never be able to gain the weight he needs to.
Also liked what I saw of Ramon and AJ. Was puzzled that Williams didn’t get any PT, and wonder if there are practice issues or if they are considering a redshirt on him……
November 1st, 2007 at 8:30 am
Blackhawk:
Enough with the Tubby Bashing. He represented UK well and did the program no harm. He is gone. LET IT GO!!!!!
November 1st, 2007 at 8:31 am
I agree with Gillispie that it is too early to start playing especially with a new coach but I am glad the season has started. I think it is fun for the fans that this team will be learning in game situations and not in practice. Really gives us a chance to see how Gillispie coaches.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:43 am
#23 Morgan is down to 5 schools. Kentucky is not on his list.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:43 am
28 Tubby did do the program harm. We have been fairly irrelevant for several years. And we are EXTREMELY thin in the front court because he didn’t want to recruit for some reason. Yes, Tubby is a good man but I for one and EXTREMELY glad he is in the frozen tundra now. Thank you very much.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:44 am
#28 exactly.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:47 am
#31 Kentucky was #1 NCAA seed in 2004. #2 seed in 2005 and Elite 8 - both teams were Top 5 ranked.
The past 2 years, different story. The past SEVERAL years, you’re wrong.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:48 am
Time to move on everyone, we still have people talking about Pitino. Lets focus on the future! Go Gillispie! Go C Cats!!
November 1st, 2007 at 8:50 am
31 Thanks for the stat update. Relevant in my opinion is extended stays in the Top 10. We are several years removed from that. 2004 to be exact, which was about the time Tubby decided to stop working hard in recruiting. Please don’t give us revisionist history with stats.
Now I loved watching actual movement on offense, didn’t you?
November 1st, 2007 at 9:00 am
Who is the young coach? The slim one with the bad hair’
November 1st, 2007 at 9:04 am
I did not get to see the game… Did Legion play at all?
November 1st, 2007 at 9:06 am
Also… why are we talking about Tubby? He would still be here if the program hadn’t declined every year he was our coach.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:10 am
I heard Gillispie say on the pre game interview last night that Bradley was far from the type of point guard that he likes. He wasn’t critizing his play just that he wanta point guard that is different from Bradley. So who ever he recruits at the point it will be the type that he wants to run the team.
Every coach recruits to his way of wanting to play. Not just becausa a player may be a good player.
It is too late to mold Bradley into his type of player.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:13 am
I think that once these players get used to playing with each other that they can be a good team. Not a great team by any means. The real test comes early and maybe too early.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:21 am
39) What it is that he likes that’s different from Bradley?
November 1st, 2007 at 9:28 am
37) He played a little, not a lot of minutes, only scored 1 point, but he was hustling, and i think he got a steal. I think he will develop into an awesome player.
November 1st, 2007 at 9:51 am
UL has been playing that song for years… we need to go back to the one we had last year.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:02 am
I hate the uniform shorts getting longer and longer. Call me old school if you want, but I think an inch or two below the knee
is cool. Halfway down to your ankles is tacky and senseless. OK you younger folks. Let me have it. I’ve got a thick skin. I
was totally pleased with our overall performance for first outing.
November 1st, 2007 at 1:25 pm
I’m not that old by any means, but I’d rather see the shorts a bit shorter myself. I’d like to see some new “fun”/different uni’s this year.
November 1st, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I laugh when I see my old pic at 13 in those basketball shorts..lol…too short, look like hotpants..lol
November 1st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Good to see Scotland aka Tom Gray still doing his best to defend OTS on every thread, while simultaneously taking thinly veiled potshots at CBG. Tom Gray: probably the biggest coward(both literally and figuratively)on UK message boards.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:04 pm
New uni’s would be good with the new BCG era. As long as we don’t stray too far from tradition. #46, I agree that the real old
stuff is comical, I’d rather have the ankle shorts than go back to those.
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