Ok, I haven’t seen a new Kentucky article since the UNC game, so I decided to pipe in.
Where are the University of Kentucky Wildcats?
Right now, at 4-2, the UK Wildcats are finally showing a small bit of comprehending the team concept. Except for the two blow out wins against the obligatory “no names”, they have come from behind to beat Kansas St. and West Virginia, winning the Las Vegas Invitational.
After an embarrassing home loss to VMI, in which the score was 111-103, UK has only hit 90 once, and 70 twice, otherwise their own score has been in the 50’s. Even in a win, 54. What needs to happen? What’s happening?
In the win over West Virginia to take the Las Vegas invitational, the Cats showed that they were actually trying to run an offense. At first it didn’t happen the way it should, there were too many turnovers trying to force the ball in to Patrick Patterson.
However, they showed they are willing to try and get the newly shorn head of Patterson into the game as often as possible, whereas they did not even really even try to get it to him in the previous five games.
Also, Jodie Meeks is trying to show he is the real deal. He's averaging 25.5 ppg right now, with 39 against VMI. He came out with 19 against W.V. and 37 against Kansas St.
Jodie is still taking too many shots when the team is in a desperate situation, ala a Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan. But, he's not hitting those shots. However, when he plays within the offensive set, he is breaking out as a scoring machine.
The Freshmen: Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins are doing all right. Darius Miller had looked good enough to start one game, and Liggins is still being used sparingly. Miller is averaging 5.2 ppg and 3.3 rebs a game in 21 minutes. Liggins however has struggled in producing on offense, shooting only 33% from the FT line.
Elvis Has Entered The Building! Meaning Josh Harrellson the Juco transfer center. Though only averaging 14.2 minutes he is averaging 5 pts and 4.4 rebs per game. Showing more so against West Virginia on the boards.
So far Billy Gillispie has not shown a consistent substitution pattern, however needs to start including more players with more minutes. Going further into the season giving the younger/more inexperienced at this level a little more playing time will get them more experienced, and hence a better team.
So really? Where are the Wildcats? Honestly, it is still to be seen.
They have come from behind in two games, at almost 20 points each time, blown out people they should have blown out. Lost one they were expected to lose, and one they weren’t. So it is truly up in the air folks, which Cats team is going to show up?
All this writer knows, Patrick Patterson seems to be playing better without the afro, Jodie Meeks might end up a true SG extraordinaire, and they might be able to crack the top 25 sooner than later.
We’ll see against the Hurricanes of Miami, and Indiana University in the month of December. So looking forward other than those 2 contests, UK could conceivably go 12-2 going into Louisville, who just lost to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, but don’t count out Rick Pitino’s Cardinals, as his squads at UK would lose an early contest or 2, and go on to win the SEC. Will Billy G’s Cats follow in those footsteps?
So going into the SEC conference play UK can be 13-2, or 12-3, either way, the SEC should not look past UK this season. Despite this early funk, and come from behind mentality, UK will be ready for an SEC run like last year or better.
7 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
orestes meeks 7 months ago
Always good to see Jodie's effort is appreciated. I really have been disappointed with some of the criticism he has taken from the Kentucky faithful. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I have to say I don't agree with some of the negative stuff. What didn't you say about Las Vegas? Patrick went out with two fouls and Kentucky was down by 9 points in the Kansas St game. Jodie did a very good job of keeping the team in the game. He also played terrific defense against two of their stars, and played a whopping 38 minutes finishing the game completely exhausted. For that he gets criticism for shooting too much and not hitting them - unbelievable. Against WV, he returned to the court in less than 24 hours and played terrific defense, and did not get discouraged when the other team decided he was not going to tough the ball without company. I thought he handled that well and found a way to help the team win the game.
As a parent I can take the negative stuff, I just don't understand not focusing on the positive aspects of a kid who gives everything he has EVERY night. He never takes a play off, never gives up, and bleeds blue. I'll never understand that about some Kentucky basketball fans. signed........Mr Meeks
Edit Comment Cancel
Nate M 7 months ago
Well, I am not as polished a writer as some of the people here, but I am getting there. I could only listen to the Cats game against K State but was able to watch the WV game, and my prediction in the "pre-season" article that Meeks would be on a mission from last year, to prove that him stepping it up when healthy and in the absense of Patterson last year was no fluke.
So far, he's doing it.
And so far there has only been one game he "took too many shots", however, in that game, no one else seemed to want to shoot and he took like 55% of UK's shots... and I think that was against UNC.
Thanks for the read Mr Meeks.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jameson Fleming 7 months ago
I found it amusing that all of a sudden there was no posting about Kentucky when they started losing. I was impressed with the win over West Virginia. I didn't think after the start they had they would stand a chance in hell to win that game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Nathan Towles 7 months ago
Well I have a few in the works, Jameson. But work is getting in the way and my labtop was busted up there for awhile. Anyway, I AM BACK!
Edit Comment Cancel
Nate M 7 months ago
I knew you would be one of the first here to say something....
HA!
Anyways, there is plenty to write about now.
But I will admit the AP stories on Yahoo, and on ESPN .com have been fairly short even in the great wins against K State and WV, this past weekend.
Edit Comment Cancel
Norm Johnson 7 months ago
I love Jodie Meeks!! He is a work horse and the best shooter at UK since Tony Delk. Take as many shots as you'd like Jodie. All he needs to improve on is cutting down turnovers. Other than that, he is on pace to have one of the most explosive seasons in UK history.
I completely agree with you Mr. Meeks. I would hate to see where this team would be right now without Jodie...2-4 more than likely.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kevin Welch 7 months ago
I been kind of busy lately with school, i wrote a article about stephen curry 3 days ago obviously not about Kentucky. But I will get back to writing after this week have some exams i need to finish up
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.