Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
photo by Joseph Rey
Saturday night in Rupp found the Cats playing against themselves as the Blue-White scrimmage brought out a great performance from Team Gillispie. We highlighted a few of the notes here last night, but in case you missed the game, here are some of the important takeaways from the evening.
(1): It is time to realize that Jodie Meeks is on star alert. Patrick Patterson has rightly been christened one of the best players in America, but Meeks showed on Saturday why he may not be far behind. His range from outside is stellar, his ability to take the ball to the basket is tremendous, but most importantly, he has become a complete perimeter player. He can play defense, rebound, get out in transition and read situations with such vision that he always knows where to be at the correct time. Absent an injury, he becomes a star this year.
(2): Josh Harrellson may be tough to keep out of the starting lineup. While Perry Stevenson gives you a lot more athleticism in the interior, Harrellson showcased just what he brings to this team on the offensive end. He can step out and shoot the three and is a good passer, running a couple of good high-low plays with AJ Stewart during the game. If he can improve his quickness a bit, he may find himself starting by mid-season.
(3): The Freshmen all have work to do. In some cases a lot of work, in some cases just a bit. Darius Miller already knows how to play and looks great on defense. His offense is still a work in progress, but he will have a great career at UK. DeAndre Liggins will find playing time as soon as he can master the system. He is still lost a bit on defense, but his vision is great and he can be a sparkplus for the team. I am a bit concerned about Kevin Galloway. He is totally lost on the defensive end and only once in the game did he display what he does best, the athleticism taking the ball to the basket. He will need to step up or he may find himself out of playing time.
(4): AJ Stewart is an enigma. I thought AJ played very well. He had 16 points, 6 boards and 4 steals and was very active on both ends of the court. But Gillispie saw it differently saying that you cant judge a game by his stat line. He believes AJ must become dominant on the glass and defensive end to see playing time and ever time you hear Gillispie talk, you wonder if that playing time is coming. Watching AJ will be a good side game for the year.
(5): Could Jared Carter be improved? Color me skeptical, but he did look better on Saturday that at any point in his Kentucky career. He had 11 points, a number of boards and for the first time that I can remember, looked comfortable in his own skin. I know its the Blue-White game, but I saw Jared go 0-12 in his Sophomore year in the game. This was much improved.
(6): Michael Porter is better. How much better remains to be seen, but you can see why he is likely to start on Monday night. He runs the offense well, knocked down some open shots and didnt get abused on defense. He still misses layups (2 on Saturday) and can be frustrating, but he will play this year and he looks to be in a better spot.
(7): Mark Krebs is ready to be in the rotation. I dont expect Krebs to play every game, but as Gillispie said afterwards, he is ready to be a “situational player” who can come off the bench and provide shooting. His defense is solid enough not to be a liability and he can hit the outside jumper as well as anyone not named Jodie Meeks. He will find himself on the floor this year and has the potential to be a real spark.
(8): There are walk-on minutes possible. Even leaving aside Krebs, guys like Landon Slone and Jarvis Walker have the potential to play….the latter of course after he sits out the first semester. In Slone’s case, he is tough, gritty and Coach obviously loves him….making him possible to see the court. He played more on Saturday than Darius Miller, Donald Williams and Kevin Galloway. Watch for him.
(9): Early on the roster will look different than later in the year. I think only three spots are locked at this point in the year…..Patterson, Meeks and a healthy Ramon Harris. When not healthy, Miller will take that starting role. However after that, a lot of guys may make their way into the lineup. Porter will start the year at PG. but Liggins, Galloway and even Miller may find their way into that spot (with Meeks moving over to PG if the latter happens). Similarly, I expect Perry Stevenson to begin the year at the 5, but we may see Harrellson, AJ or even Jared Carter there, depending on how things play out. Playing time can be earned with this group…..it just depends on who earns it.
(10): Gillispie is VERY happy right now. I only dealt with Clyde last year….but I dealt with him when things werent going wonderfully. His demeanor was generally sour and early in the year he was very difficult to work with. Things have changed….he loves this team and thinks they are far advanced of where his previous teams have been at this point. He gave unvarnished praise last night, something we just didnt see last year and you can tell he loves all the options he has right now. He really has 12 guys who can play from Day #1 and that is exciting for him. That energy is great to see.
We will have more in our night post tonight, including getting ready for Exhibition Game 1 on Monday…..
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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November 2nd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Landon Slone and Krebs could be huge if they just fill the role needed of outside shooting threat. Patterson needs someone that is a threat from the outside to keep the double teams out of the middle. If Harrellson can step out and hit threes that would be even better when he pulls a big man out with him.
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
In reading my tea leaves, #10 is the best sign of things to come. If Coach G is “VERY” happy at this stage, then the sky is the limit for this team.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Yeee freakin’ haw! Let’s get this thing on the road. I can’t wait for them to start playing on a regular basis. LETS ROCK!
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
The 4 most important things to me is:
1. Defense
2. Passing
3. Inside/outside
4. Depth
This team has all of these elements.
Now number 5, is good offensive skills, and that is a weak point, but I think with the others, this team will be adequate offensively.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I’m so excited about this team! How many people were at the game if you had to guess?
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I loved the 1st episode of “Inside Kentucky Basketball: All Access”. Some really good stuff on there.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I love AJ’s game, all he needs is playing time.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4482759/Inside_Kentucky_Basketball_-_E pisode_1
Torrent of the Inside Kentucky Basketball All Access program.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Tomorrow night will be fun, hurry up 7 o’clock.
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Thnks 8
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
i didn’t like what i saw from Galloway…but i know its early. I thought all the walk-ons looked better than he did.
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
#1 makes a great point about the walk-ons. If they can knock down three’s they will play. With a guy like Patterson underneath, we need people who can make teams pay for zoning Pat. It’s the return of the classic “zone buster” role from the eighties when teams used to have outside shooting specialists as situational players!
November 2nd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
The great thing about this year’s team is there are more quality bodies to put in the game. We actually have a frontcourt for a change and this season looks to be one of excitement. Team chemistry can take you a long way, but it is definitely better when you have talent behind the chemistry.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I missed Inside Kentucky Basketball, thanks for link. The attendance was around 9000, more should have come. The game Monday has me excited. All i want is a healthy season. Meeks and Patterson are gonna be a great combo! go Cats
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Knocking down 3’s happens at one end of the floor. You have to play defense on the other
end and that is where the walk-ons will have to prove themselves.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
ahhh I’m so excited!
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Saw you down on the floor during the B/W game Matt, I must say you have really feminine facial features. Almost looked like you were wearing makeup as well.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
17- So you were totally scoping out a dude?
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
17-Thats just nasty..lol
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Call it scoping out if you would like, you dont have to be checking people out to notice how feminine they look. He literally looks something like this in real life (minus the costume):
http://toonedin.ca/images/Whazzat001_2.jpg
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Can’t wait til we hang a loss on UNC in a couple weeks.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
When will they find out if pilgrim is eligble..
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:33 pm
20. stfu matts real he takes his time out to wirte this blog i get on here more times a day then i can count and your gunna try to make fun of sombody
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:34 pm
22. theres a link on kybasketball.blogspot.com that says pilgrim is more than likely not playin this yr
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I saw BCG at the Lexington Airport tonight after getting back from NYC.
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:57 pm
According to Facebook, “Daniel Orton is hurt again….”
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
Anyone know how to see the exhibition game tomorrow online? Any links would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:12 am
ESPN has a Insider preview of the upcoming UK basketball season. Usually Insider is a pay site, but this preview is currently free. Here’s the link:
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/insider/news/story?id=3657362&univLogin 02=stateChanged&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go .com%2fncb%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d3657362%26univLogin02%3dsta teChanged
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 am
great read (28)!!
thanks for posting
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Is it me or did Michael Porter seem to be turning into Ramel Bradley. He was directing traffic, criticizing players, not turning the ball over and knocking down open shots. I thought he looked great.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
28 Thank you for posting that link. Does anyone know if the game will be streamed via the UK Athletics site or anywhere else?
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
Exciting to hear BCG thinks this team is ahead of where his other two programs were at the same points in development, considering what his teams did in their 2nd years……SWEEET!!!!!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
The game is on live on the Big Blue Network….