Deathstar 80 Wrote:My respects to you Colonel Kill, but KENTUCKY PUT IN A LOT OF EFFORT!!!!
About Miller, he did have a bad night. However, one bad game doesn't define a basketball player. Wait until the season is over to determine if he's a great player or not. Besides, Dodson and Harris struggled against South Carolina as well.
About Wall, he had a hard time as well, but face it. Who didn't have a bad game that day? Cousins was pretty much the only one. If you're criticizing Wall from a season standpoint, I wouldn't do this. He's being talked about as a national championship contender and tries his best to help his team.
About Patterson, I'm pretty sure everyone here agrees that he's probably the hardest worker on the team. By asking "WHERE is Patterson?", are you questioning his effort? He'd probably love to increase his stats and receive more NBA draft value. Keep in mind, you have Cousins, Orton, and Stevenson sharing minutes and stats with him. As long as Kentucky's winning, I'm sure he doesn't mind the lack of stats.
About defense against Devan Downey, who in the SEC can guard him? He's getting 22.4 points per game so far (By the way, he received 10 of his 30 points from his 10/11 free throw shooting.).
In summary, everyone on Kentucky's team looked nervous, meaning they played "stiff." As every coach knows, if you're players don't play loose, they usually lose. The reason Kentucky lost wasn't because of lack of effort; it was because of nervousness and playing the game at South Carolina. Once again, I have respect for you Colonel Kill, but I definitely think Kentucky put in a lot of effort in that game.
I too respect your opinion DS, but I disagree that UK gave a lot of effort in this game. Here are some comments Coach Cal made about this game,Calipari called the Wildcats' loss a "collective effort" in which they got "out-hustled and out-coached on all fronts." He reserved the toughest criticism for himself.
Calipari said, who urged his team to use it as a teachable moment. "I kept telling everybody, 'We're going to get bit,'" he said. "'You're going to let somebody hang around that you're better than, and we're going to get bit.' That was that game."
Miller- I do agree that had a bad game 0 points 1 rebound 1 assist and 2 turnovers and 1 game does not define a player. I have said in many threads that this is the spot the Cats need someone to be consistent and I really hoped it would be Miller but to this point he is averaging 24 min per game 7 points 3 rebounds when Dodson averages the same in 15 min per game. I only question how long do you give Miller the starting role to be consistent before trying another player. Yet I also agree that no one else has really stepped up in that spot to be a consistent player.
Wall- I agree with you on Wall as he struggled in this game and am not criticizing him on the season. He shows at times how great he can be. Just like late in the game when he got to the rim when he wanted. I think he is a great player but he is a freshman and has a few things to learn about how to help his team. He gives 100% but when you are struggling at least get in the lane and get your teamates involved or pick it up of the defensive end. He had just 2 assist in this game and 4 to's and 1 steal. Like Downey, Wall should be unguardable in the SEC.
Patterson- he has been the hardest worker on the team except the last 3 games in he averages just 9 points per game in the last 3 down from 17 per game in the prior 17 games. He shot just 4 times in this game and the last 3 games his is 4-6, 2-9 and 2-4 from the field. So I guess I am questioning his efforts in the last 3 games. I have also heard Coach Cal say he wants him more invilved as well. He does share minutes but averages 32 per game, Cuz 21 min. Orton 13, Stevenson 9.
As for defense, you are right, nobody in the SEC has shown any ability to slow Downey but this is Kentucky, one of the best teams in the country with players like Wall, Bledsoe, Liggins, Miller that should be able to play some tough d on him. No one stepped up and said let me have him coach I'll stop him. No one that played him got down in a serious defensive stance to stay between Downey and the basket, they all stood up and tried to body him up and he just went around them. Clemson held Downey to 8 points 4 rebounds and 3 assist in 32 minutes of play so it can be done.
I aslo respect your summary of the game just disagree. I ask why would the top ranked team would look nervous and play stiff just because they are on the road at South Carolina playing an unranked team 11-8 (2-3 conference record) on their home floor. Does that mean we will be nervous and play stiff @ UT and Vandy or the rest of the SEC road. I am pretty sure they will play much better teams in the NCAA tourney away from home. I think the loss was the result of many players not playing their best and just did not see the effort I saw in other games like Arkansas, UConn, UNC. I thought they played a terrible game against Louisville but yet showed heart and guts and pulled it out. The Cats were out rebounded by the smaller USC team 44-40 with 20 offensive rebounds and UK had only 14 offensive rebounds. That desire just did not seem to be there in this game.