I don't understand why Gillispie hasn't used the last three weeks to really work on developing players other than Meeks and Patterson. Consider the following:

 

Against Longwood, both Meeks and Patterson playd 30 minutes and UK won by 34.

 

Against Miss valley State Patterson played 27 minutes and Meeks 22 and Uk won by 23.

 

Against Appy State, Meeks played 34 and Patterson played 32 and UK won by 25.

 

Against Ten State, Patterson played 32 minutes and Meeks 28 and Uk won by 50.

 

It seems that they would be using this time against inferior competition to work on developing Harrelson, Stewert, and others. But their minutes seem to be going down. There is no doubt that Patterson and Meeks are the two best players on the team, they'll play 35 a game in th SEC. But against the cupcakes they've had, I would think that it would be wiser to work on developing their team and not just seeing how many Meeks and Patterson can score.

UK is the definition of paper tiger right now, and not even a strong one at that. I totally agree they should be working on development, but it usually seems like coaches can't help themselves.

While I fully agree with your assessment, the fact is the two of them alone are good enough to beat up on a sorry SEC...

Rule #1 of UK Basketball 2008:

 

- Don't ever, under any circumstance, try to understand, analyze, or question any of BCG's coaching methods.

While I fully agree with your assessment, the fact is the two of them alone are good enough to beat up on a sorry SEC...

Very true, and they are going to be the two relied upon in conference obviously. If they can be on the court 35 minutes during conference play, they will be there. I have not seen enough out of their replacements to believe they can play at a high enough level to deliver victories. Billy G. likes to play with his horses on the court (Meeks and Patterson). Under his regime, the rest are going to have to learn how to play with them two, or not get to play at all.

They're going to play almost every minute in any close game (see FAU), so why not prepare them for that? Most of the team can play 2 or 3 positions, so BCG can still get anyone he wants into the lineup.

 

For everyone besides PP/Meeks, the whole point is to get PP/Meeks the ball. If you're just playing garbage minutes and PP/Meeks aren't in, how do you get comfortable getting them the ball (which is what the team will need in hard games)?

 

Truthfully, I'd bet that practices are tougher than most of these games so far, and everyone gets work then. After seeing what Ramel and Joe did last year, are we really still so worried about BCG developing players?

They're going to play almost every minute in any close game (see FAU), so why not prepare them for that? Most of the team can play 2 or 3 positions, so BCG can still get anyone he wants into the lineup.

 

For everyone besides PP/Meeks, the whole point is to get PP/Meeks the ball. If you're just playing garbage minutes and PP/Meeks aren't in, how do you get comfortable getting them the ball (which is what the team will need in hard games)?

 

Truthfully, I'd bet that practices are tougher than most of these games so far, and everyone gets work then. After seeing what Ramel and Joe did last year, are we really still so worried about BCG developing players?

 

Here's the flaw in this philosophy, in my opinion....what happens if one of them goes down with a significant injury? Don't you risk the season by not developing the bench to stay the course if that happens?

They're going to play almost every minute in any close game (see FAU), so why not prepare them for that? Most of the team can play 2 or 3 positions, so BCG can still get anyone he wants into the lineup.

 

For everyone besides PP/Meeks, the whole point is to get PP/Meeks the ball. If you're just playing garbage minutes and PP/Meeks aren't in, how do you get comfortable getting them the ball (which is what the team will need in hard games)?

 

Truthfully, I'd bet that practices are tougher than most of these games so far, and everyone gets work then. After seeing what Ramel and Joe did last year, are we really still so worried about BCG developing players?

 

That's my point exactly. Patterson and Meeks need to have good games against good competition to win. But against very good teams, Patterson and Meeks alone won't be enough. So why not work on developing additional options now so we can be more successful later.

 

 

GT, I agree in the pitful SEC, Meeks and Patterson will be enough on most nights. However, doing well in the SEC should be a given and not a goal. UK needs to prepare for success in the NCAA Tourney and I don't think without additional help, Meeks and Patterson can get the job done.

That's my point exactly. Patterson and Meeks need to have good games against good competition to win. But against very good teams, Patterson and Meeks alone won't be enough. So why not work on developing additional options now so we can be more successful later.

 

So who's not getting enough minutes?

 

And if we need 3 options, won't the third option need to be able to score with PP and Meeks in the game?

If he did only play Meeks and Patterson half the game and tried to allow other players to develop "U.K. Nation" would say what he was doing wrong.

 

And, as Gametime said, the S.E.C is going to be awful this year and those 2 can win a lot of games. Also, Meeks has been known to get tired in some games, so he needs to be out there for game condition too.

They're going to play almost every minute in any close game (see FAU), so why not prepare them for that? Most of the team can play 2 or 3 positions, so BCG can still get anyone he wants into the lineup.

 

For everyone besides PP/Meeks, the whole point is to get PP/Meeks the ball. If you're just playing garbage minutes and PP/Meeks aren't in, how do you get comfortable getting them the ball (which is what the team will need in hard games)?

 

Truthfully, I'd bet that practices are tougher than most of these games so far, and everyone gets work then. After seeing what Ramel and Joe did last year, are we really still so worried about BCG developing players?

 

:thumb:

 

Both sides of the issue have merit. I believe you have nailed BCG's thinking and I agree as well.

The game plan against UK is simple... Contain Meeks and Patterson, you win. And by contain, I mean don't let them both get 20.

The game plan against UK is simple... Contain Meeks and Patterson, you win. And by contain, I mean don't let them both get 20.

 

You can bet that Rick Pitino will do just that,which is more the reason why the Cats need a 3rd player and even a 4th to step up and score,just to take some pressure off of Meeks and Patterson.

While I do agree with you about the development of other players. I also think that the game of basketball is also about rythm and consistancy, so you want your strong players to be used to playing the same amount of minutes at game pace.

You can bet that Rick Pitino will do just that,which is more the reason why the Cats need a 3rd player and even a 4th to step up and score,just to take some pressure off of Meeks and Patterson.

 

:thumb: I say make someone besides Meeks or Patterson beat you. If they do, then so be it.