Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
The Cats crush a pitiful Florida International team 92-49 and for the first time this season we get to see the 5 best UK players on the floor at the same time. And, I think it’s no coincidence that this was the best UK has looked all season. On the defensive end of the floor, the Cats were aggresive and on offense they moved the ball crisply and with purpose. This game gives you hope that if Crawford/Patterson/Bradley/Meeks/Jasper stay healthy, this team may win more games than expected. A few notes from the game:
(1) It’s amazing how much better Ramel Bradley is when all of the offense does not revolve around him. He was aggresive the entire game, didn’t have to force shots, and it shows in his final stat line: 22pts, 5 rbs, 4 asts, 4 stls, 1 TO. I think it helps that Bradley can be a team leader on the floor without actually have nearly all the pressure on him to score and handle the ball.
(2) I think it became severely obvious that the loss of Jasper early in the year was a bigger hurt to the Cats than Meeks. Jasper showed a great ability to feed the post to Patterson, and also push the ball up the floor under control, something Michael Porter struggled with. And, with the other significant players all being scorers, Jasper doesn’t have to take more than a couple shots a game. He also led the team with 10 rebounds, which is amazing for a point guard. It shouldn’t be too much longer before Jasper is starting and playing 35 minutes a game.
(3) I truly feel bad for Jared Carter because if he hadn’t been injured for nearly his entire career, who knows how good he would be. But, right now, he is an absolute lost cause. His hands are extremely weak, and he is a defensive liability. Maybe he will get stronger in his upper body throughout the season, but right now he is only hurting the team when he is on the floor.
(4) Why AJ Stewart isn’t even getting a whiff of the floor, even in the biggest blowout of the year is baffling. He must be the worst practice player on the team. He has shown flashes of some offensive skills, and is clearly one of the more athletic guys on the team. With the 5 best players all back and somewhat healthy, Stewart’s minutes were going to go down anyway, but he should be a 5-8 minute a game guy unless there is something internal going on. Dusty Mills saw the floor tonight for cryin out loud.
Nonetheless, a really good performance from the Cats today, and it gives you hope of challenging UL next weekend and in the SEC. If the 5 best guys remain healthy all year, there should be harldy no games where the Cats are not competitive. Now, get excited for the football game in a little less than 2 hours.
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December 31st, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Great game!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Krebs rocks!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
That’s what I’m talkin’ about! We should consider this a new beginning to the season.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
I am glad to be UK fan today they played so well
December 31st, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Man I sure do feel better
December 31st, 2007 at 2:24 pm
D.J. and Meeks playing takes this team to a whole new level, actually a few new levels. Great to win one in convincing fashion. I hope this builds the guys confidence going forward in the season.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:27 pm
That was great. I don’t care how bad Florida International was. I called Gillispie out last game and this time I want to compliment him. The team was prepared, we adjusted well to a zone, and he had the right players on the floor at the right time.
A win over Louisville would be huge for the whole program right now, but it won’t be easy.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:27 pm
‘Just to see Meeks and Jasper on the floor at the same time was so refreshing.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Good points intern. It’s obvios BG is tired of AJ’s bad habits and backtalk. He needs to get his head straight because he can help this team in certain situations in the SEC and against UL.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Refreshing to say the least. It will take them time to jell now. By the time the SEC tourny starts we could be a really good basketball team. I think we could win the SEC tourney. That might be our ticket to the NCAA.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:33 pm
i kept trying to tell my freinds jasper being hurt really hurts the squad. i agree bradley looked like bradley again. jasper looked real good handeling the ball. i think this is the point where the cats turn the corner. they need to beat the cards. then run off a nice SEC record. i think it is possible. we can only hope that by late SEC play that carter is playing better. i believe he will be. i have a feeling meeks is about to take off and be all SEC.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:36 pm
FIU jumped to 16-0 lead at Purdue last game holding PU scoreless for the 1st 10 minutes of the game. Actually was a pretty close game so FIU probably is every bit as good as SD was, we just let SD do what they wanted. There was a completely different effort given today and that’s what it is going to take to get some wins in the SEC.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:37 pm
where are all the idiots calling for BCG’s head now?
December 31st, 2007 at 2:37 pm
if they lose every game for the rest of the season, the team banquet had better end with a video montage with a finale from the comment of the year from todays game:
“Krebs: You cant stop him, you can only hope to contain him.”
December 31st, 2007 at 2:39 pm
10. Great insight. Now we’re flying under the radar a bit. Time to win some games against some Top 25 teams.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:40 pm
13. The question of the hour my friend.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:42 pm
#14 that was the funniest thing I have heard in a long time. I went wild when he said that.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:43 pm
i am still not sure how the cats lose to g.webb, and san diego, but i am real happy with what i watched today. jasper and meeks make a huge difference. patterson really is gonna be great. i wish uk had another strong big man with him this year. shoot i would be happy to see a marvin stonehands type player next to p.pat. i was bitching at billy g, after the san diego loss for the 1st time. i was happy with the cats after the tenn. tech game and thought it was a turning point. it would be huge confidence wise and ncaa resume wise to beat the cards. especially if the cats can beat tenn. and vandy.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:44 pm
It felt really good to go wild over Kentucky basketball again.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I aint trying to be negative but I have watched Tenn. play twice and beating that under rated team would be a real acomplishment right now. I do how ever believe after Jasper and Meeks gets more time together with the team we could be able to beat anybody on any giving day. GO CATS
December 31st, 2007 at 2:52 pm
A win is a win is a win. Not sold on the coaching decisions and the playing time, but much better effort today. This looked like a team that knew hot to execute today!
December 31st, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I think we all know (deep down) what this team might very well be capable of. I am alot more excited and optimistic now as I look at who we’ll be facing over the next few weeks and the whole SEC schedule. If things get to going really good, this could turn into a very special year.
December 31st, 2007 at 2:59 pm
This team needs some signiture wins. The next few weeks will provide that opportunity.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:06 pm
chuckmashburn and wildcatberg… I’m still gonna wait out on my in game assessment of BCG. It really didn’t take a genius to figure out whou should and should not get playing time with this team.
Great game, and great ball movement. i hope like everyone else we can stay healthy and do this against a quality opponent. We’ll have plenty of quality opponents over the next several weeks.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I agree j-mo. I’m just glad to finally feel good after a game. Even after the ones we won before, I didn’t feel this good. I love UK and my heart sometimes goes haywire. I just really want to see them do well.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Go to bitch about something don’t you.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Sorry what I meant to say was got to bitch about something don’t you KSR!
December 31st, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Bryan, all 4 points you made are ones that a lot of us have been trying to get thru to you guys for quirte some time.
1) Of course Bradley is better when the offense doens’t revolve around him… why do you think we played our bestball last year with Jasper at the Point and Bradley at the 2. It was only after Jasper got hurt and Bradley had to run the point again that we really struggled. Bradley is not a PG and can never be one… he is a scorer and thats all he can do consistently.
2) It’s not hard to understand why this team has struggled, I’ve been screaming it as loud as I can for weeks. We didn’t have a PG! The majority of the UK fanbase only knows a good offense when they see someone scoring. They only know a good offensive player if they see him scoring. There is a helluva lot more that goes into running an offense then having guys that can put up 10 and 15 points a game. How many times have you heard that Jasper won’t help the offense because he’s not a scorer? Well how much did he help the offense today? I hope this helps you understand Bryan that there is a lot that goes into basketball and I hope it helps a lot of the fans realize that they don’t know nearly as much as they think they do.
3) You all keep saying that BCG’s substituion patterson are maddening. You, Matt Jones, and a lot of fans keep questioning who plays and doesn’t and you want to think that it’s obvious that guys like Stewart and Carter should , but I hope today ALL of the Carter talk has gone out the window. There’s a reason why he’s not playing. The kid just can’t play. He can’t play defense, he can’t rebound, and he brings almost nothing to the floor offensively. AS as sad as it it… Coury is the better option. Everytime Carter steps on the floor the makes it more and more obvious why he doesn’t play and he only helps BCG’s cause because it’s obvious that he’s not playing some of these kids for a reason.
4) Stewart is the same way Bryan, it’s not too hard to figure out. You see why Carter doesn’t play don’t you, but there are reasons why Stewart doesn’t play also. He’s a great athlete, but he struggles in almost every facet of the game. He’s got great energy and we all want to see him succeed but he’s got a ways to go. The difference is, that it’s harder for the average fans to see the reasons why Stewart doens’t play. They’re a lot more subtle. My point is, if you can see why Carter isn’t playing, then you should probably realize that there’s a reason why Stewart isn’t playing too. He’s a helluva athlete, but he’s not ready. BCG is not mad. There’s a reason he doesn’t play these kids, even if you, Matt Jones, and a lot of other fans can’t see it…
December 31st, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Good points JAB. I love the four guard lineup and have been longing for healthy players. I am not sure why Bradley played the point today but I was pleased to see four assists and one turnover. I would like to see Jasper at the point the whole game. Good things will happen. It is so relieving to see some good passing and fewer turnovers. Go cats and good job to coaches and all players involved.
December 31st, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Here is the link to the post game quotes… evidently AJ is injured and/or not 100%.
http://www.ukathletics.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=37&url_article_ id=21282&change_well_id=2
December 31st, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Thanks FL, I was glad to hear coach G’s explanation of Jasper’s position. I would still like to see him bring the ball up the floor, however.
December 31st, 2007 at 5:52 pm
#28 Gillispie knows more about coaching and the UK players about playing than you, me, and the rest here.
Suggest you leave (1), (2), (3), and (4) to him and them. Cheer for your team, W or L.
December 31st, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Surprisingly easy win. Gillispie is still not fit to coach Kentucky.
December 31st, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Yes, cheer for your team win or lose and never criticize. I agree. I also agree that blind faith is the best course
December 31st, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Hey #13…it was Florida International. Have you set your sights so low? The SEC doesn’t have any Florida Internationals no matter how many experts say it is down this year. If BCG doesn’t learn that he needs to develop big man depth entering the SEC he is about to learn. They usually call a lot of fouls, especially on the road!
December 31st, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Hey #13, it looks like one showed up in #35.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:53 pm
just noticed jeff goodman is talkin smack again. frickin turd.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:37 pm
32) what the hell are you talking about? I haven’t said one bad thing about this team all year long. I’ve been the one trying to talk some sense into the people on here who are already calling for BCGs head. You suggest I leave 1) 2) 3) and 4) to BCG and the team? That’s exactly my point you dope! BCG knows what he’s doing and just because Bryan the intern and Matt Jones don’t “get it” doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It just means they don’t get it.
Don’t tell me to cheer for my team W or L because that’s all I have been doing… I’ve had to watch dopes like you post your Tubby stats every 10 minutes and talk about how BCG can’t handle the job at Kentucky and how we ruined the program by getting rid of Tubby. If you want to try to chastise someone it’s probably best not to bitch about Tubby and BCG after a loss and then defend him and act all high and mighty after a win. I’ve read all your posts and you haven’t always been pro BCG. You talk out of both sides of your mouth and personally it getting old.
I’m not one to forget when people rip away at my coach and team and I won’t forget a lot of the things people have said recently, even if they try to turn around and act like they’re 100% behind Billy. Fans like that are a joke and I don’t want them anywhere near the university i love so much. Including you, you and your stats are a joke and if want to act like you’ve always been for BCG then you’re just going to look like a tool because some of us don’t forget so easy.
Of course BCG knows more than all of us on here! That’s why he’s the damn coach! That’s why he’s accomplished what he has in only 5 years. that’s why he’s getting millions of dollars! The 1, 2, 3, and 4, were just my response to Bryan who acts like it’s a miracle that we’re better with a PG on the floor and who gripes about how absurd it is taht Stewart doesn’t play, but now it looks like he’s injured and that’s why. Just another example of how much the fans don’t know and why what seems “MAD” to them probably makes a lot more sense to those who know what the hell is going on.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:48 pm
I called lane violation on Thomas at a bar and him and woo thought it was time to beat me down, oh boy, are they not intimidating… I was more afraid of the kid on campus in a wheel chair.
December 31st, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Gillsipie said that Stewart was injured and that’s why he didn’t play
January 1st, 2008 at 12:38 am
#28 gotta agree with you on most of your assesment, especially the part about Jared Carter. Your not hitting on much on the 4th comment though. I believe AJ is the future of the program and don’t feel that guys like Coury need to play over him. AJ’s athletic ability can make up for a lot of holes in his game. Although guys like Coury ( the big fundamental) are sound, they just can’t cut it against superior competition. This has been obvious all year. AJ will make mistakes but it is important for him to learn and get PT now when were not winning. Coury has a better basketball IQ, but his ceiling is very low. Players with AJ’s gifts have huge potential. I’m a huge BCG supporter but he can’t afford to run off another quality player such as AJ, no matter how big his ego. Patterson won’t be here forever and guys like Coury and Carter will never be a suitable compliment to a ringer like Patterson.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:46 am
As a student at UK the student section seats directly behind the UK bench. Stewart had some kind of heat pad / cushion of some sort in his seat the whole game and had his lower back wrapped. Also during the game I noticed that Stewart got up and went to the end of the bench just to stand up and move around. Perhaps this had something to do with zero playing time. I don’t think Billy G starts someone one week and then sits them the 3 days later for no reason whatsoever.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:51 am
I have heard rumors about a possible injury too, but I was commenting on the SD game also. Stewart started, made a mistake or two and never returned for the rest of the game. Maybe he sustained the injury then, but if not he deserved a little more PT.
January 1st, 2008 at 1:00 am
I support BCG, but he does need to keep the fans more informed on such injuries, he could have informed us before game time on A.J.’S condition.
January 1st, 2008 at 8:43 am
#38 Gillispie knows how to coach well enough that he doesn’t need your tips or advice. He needs your CHEERS and support.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am
this was only one game and they should have beated this team this way. They should have beaten FIU without jaspier or meeks. I don’t mean to be neg. but with loses that we had this year i still say we will win about 10 games or less.
January 1st, 2008 at 11:56 am
I think BCG is sitting Stewart because he knows that Stewart could be great but has alot to learn. He will try and teach him through various methods this year to get him ready for next year. I just think BCG sees so much potential in him and doesnt want to put him out there until he think that Stewart is 100% ready to play at the college level mentally. Obviously he has all the physical skills.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:17 pm
To everybody who is hating on Gillispie I suggest you jump ship now and be a fan of Minnesota, Louisville, Duke, or Tennessee. All of these teams have proven coaches and are hated by most UK fans. If Gillispie isn’t fit for the job and can’t do the job then be a fan of one of the teams I mentioned. I hate fans like you guys. You guys will be the same ones who are on Gillispies ball sack when we start playing great and he is recruiting the hell out of some players. When you do start to ride his dick you should be ashamed of yourself. I WONT FORGET THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT MY COACH AND MY SCHOOL.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:43 pm
#47 Stewart is injured. It showed on the bench yesterday. He’ll play when healthy.
#48 agree, I don’t care too much for many UK fans. Lots are idiots but MOST are not.
Why is Minnesota hated by UK fans? Understand Duke, Louisville, and UT but not Minny???
January 1st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
#39 if you are joking that is kinda funny. If you are not, you have some big testes and a tiny brain. Anyone who would be that mean deserves a whoopin.
January 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
#47, BCG is sitting him out because his sees so much potiental in him that he wants to get him ready for next year? Are you serious,,,,let me rephrase that, ARE YOU DRUNK? There could be several reason why he’s not getting p.t. all indications are he’s injured, but trying to teach him and get him ready for next year ain’t one of them.
January 1st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
How in the hell do you know? Just one of my thoughts on why Stewart is not playing. I don’t think he is ready mentally to play at this level and I think BCG knows that and wants to bring him in when he’s ready. Maybe he’s not practicing hard and maybe he is injured too. Mostly though players don’t play because they aren’t ready to play at least freshman that is. If you don’t realize that then maybe YOU’RE DRUNK. I wonder why Mike Williams isn’t playing. Maybe because he isn’t physically ready to play. Just like it is my opinion that Stewart is not mentally ready to play in the fact that he doesn’t understand the game and Gillispies system yet but I do think Gillispie sees alot of potential everybody does. Have another one Dave C.
January 1st, 2008 at 3:30 pm
#49 Scotland I said Minny just for you buddy. As we all know you are a huge fan of the Golden Golphers.
January 1st, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Damn that Minnesota comment reeled you right in.
January 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
45) Scotland U really are a joke man… “He doesn’t need your tips or advice” What tips and advice am I giving him? I’m ripping you for being an idiot and a terrible fan, I’m not saying anything about gillispie. I love Gillispie to death and I’m thrilled he’s the coach. I’m just not thrilled that fans like you will say one thing one day and then the next day act like you’re in love with Gillispie and always have been. You’ve been on Tubby’s ball sack sine the day that Gillispie arrived here.
Stop telling me that Gillispie doesn’t need my help you moron, I was originally talking to Bryan about him questioning BCG, so you tell me not to question BCG. Then I tell you that you’re the kind of fan that talks out of both sides of your mouth and you tell me Gillispie doesn’t need my tips… that doesn’t even make any sense. Are you even a human or are you just one of those automated computers typing in random comments because as of now you sound like the hamster upstairs is caught in his wheel a little bit.
49) You’re the kind of fan that #48 is talking about Scotland. Stop trying to jump onto everyone elses comments about fans that keep griping because you’re one of the guys we’re talking about.
January 1st, 2008 at 5:52 pm
#53 actually I’m a PURDUE fan - my alma mater. Plenty happy for Minnesota getting a great coach though.
Sorry #55 but you’re the idiotic UK fan, not me. I’ve supported every UK team since 1966, even the 1967-74-76-79-85-87-89-90 teams that had very subpar records (compared to UK standards).
Gillispie doesn’t WANT your help, much less need it. He can coach. Let him do it.
Tubby can coach, too. Pitino, Sutton, Hall, or Rupp - all can coach. YOU cannot.
January 1st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
#56 I didn’t see Jacob ever give tips to the coach. They were tips to the fans on why they should not have been freeking out at this point in the season.
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 am
I love UK
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
Hey Scotland now I see why your comments are always so off base and stupied. #1 your a Purdue fan. #2 you have more than one team. Every real UK fan has one team and one team only. #3 if you’ve supported every team since ‘66 you must be an old ass. Scotland this is why, this is why, this is why you SUCK!!!!
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:17 am
Also Scotland keep cheering for Purdue. They are never better than us in basketball and now they can’t beat us in football. God I hate BIG TEN fans. The SEC is far more superior in absolutely everything.