One other thing - look at his salary.

 

Yes he makes 2.9 million, but its taken him 3 years to get to this point. Hes a great player, and I wish he would have stayed at UK one more season instead of rushing things. But do you honestly think PP and Meeks are willing to risk 4 years of their careers to get where Azubuike has finally got?

This team is somewhat similar to the team a couple of seasons ago. You have a low post threat (Morris/Patterson) that is not even a threat because the entire defense collapses on him due to lack of perimiter play.

 

I know Porter, Miller, et al. are afraid to shoot the ball, but it is a lot better than sitting out there trying to feed it to a triple teamed Patterson and having the ball stripped.

 

As far as defensively goes, I have listened to BCG enough to know he is not going to a zone or full court trapping style of play. That is not his style and not his philosophy. With that said, I think it may benefit UK to extend out their defense even more. If they get burned, then so be it, but at least it gets them out in to transition where they are moderately successful. They have become dreadful in the half court offensively.

Yes he makes 2.9 million, but its taken him 3 years to get to this point. Hes a great player, and I wish he would have stayed at UK one more season instead of rushing things. But do you honestly think PP and Meeks are willing to risk 4 years of their careers to get where Azubuike has finally got?

 

If someone told me that I could quit my job and play in the NBDL for a year and then next year I'd be making 2.9 million dollars, I'd go break a chair over my boss's head and hit the road. :lol:

I'll say this again - Gillispie isn't getting it done with a talented team. They aren't North Carolina talentwise, but they have no excuse for what's happening right now.

This was a pathetic display tonight. Slone came in and showed some heart, but the others are just going through the motions. The few times Meeks was able to get open, they were late getting it to him or they went the other direction with the ball. The defense is horrible right now. How do you let a team come into your house and hit that many 3's? These last 3 games are as disappointing as I can remember because I know that they can be better. If this was the best they had, I'd still hate losing, but I could accept it.

 

This team doesn't play with alot of heart and they definately don't play with alot of sense. If I saw Varnardo getting as comfortable in the paint as he did in the 2nd half, I personally would have driven the ball straight to the basket and lowered my shoulder and put him into the padding behind the basket. But then again, I play and always have played with alot of heart and pride. This team doesn't seem to mind watching 3's raining all over the place in their eyes and seeing the other team laugh their way to victory.

 

This team has NO talent, other than Meeks and Patterson. They are athletic, but in no way is this team any where close to what I would consider "talented". There is a fine difference between being talented and athletic.

This team has NO talent, other than Meeks and Patterson. They are athletic, but in no way is this team any where close to what I would consider "talented". There is a fine difference between being talented and athletic.

 

If you have two All-American caliber players in your starting 5, you should be able to draw up a gameplan that will win some games - especially in the SEC. That's JMO...

If someone told me that I could quit my job and play in the NBDL for a year and then next year I'd be making 2.9 million dollars, I'd go break a chair over my boss's head and hit the road. :lol:

 

Thats his salary for this year as he was just resigned in the off season. He made league minium his in 06-07,07-8 and god knows what in 05-06 playing in the NBDL. Hes worked his way up and now in his 4th season hes making good money and really contributing. I just dont see Meeks and PP leaving this year and risking having to follow this same path. Buike was putting up crazy numbers in the NBDL like close to 30 ppg and it still him over a year to get called up.

If you have two All-American caliber players in your starting 5, you should be able to draw up a gameplan that will win some games - especially in the SEC. That's JMO...

 

Doesn't matter much when defenses can key on 2 guys and let the other 3 try to pick them apart. As far as athletes, UK is good there. As far as talent outside of Meeks and Patterson, there is NO ONE. The other 3 guys get open looks like crazy, and just can't finish. One outside threat and one inside threat, its easy to shutdown. UK really needs another outside shooter and there is no one at UK right now that will step up and fill that void. UK couldn't spread and opposing defenses out simply because there is no threat outside of Meeks from outside. So yes, talent-wise this team is bad.

 

At least last year, UK still had 2 outside threats (Crawford & Bradley). That way they could spread people out and still get Patterson the ball with room to move.

 

One inside threat and one outside threat is so easy to shutdown.

I haven't read through every single post, so my apologies if someone has already brought this up.

 

While it was undoubtedly an amazing performance, does anybody else besides me think that maybe one of the worst things that could have happened to the Cats was to have Meeks drop 54 the other night? Seems like now everyone is doubling him, playing box-and-one, chasing him all over the court. The game results speak for themselves.

UK seems to be giving up to many uncontested shots, and not making their share on the offensive end. It's really that simple.

Kentucky still has a lack of talent at all spots except for Patterson and Meeks.

 

Stevenson: a solid Mid Major Talent

Harris: Mid Major Talent that needs a MASH unit with him

Porter: Couldnt play for a good middle school team.

Liggins: shows promise at times but it is very few times

Miller: the jury is still out

Gillispie: has yet to prove to me that he is a top coach in the country. But I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Coaches should get to coach the players that they recruit. So he has a couple years before we will know about him.

I say Play your Freshmen. Galloway, Liggins and any other kids BCG has brought in. They can't play any worse defense than what his current players are playing.

They can't play any worse, or can't practice any worse? Since practice determines playing time and all...

They need to let Miller shoot the ball more. Or he just needs to shoot the ball more. Whichever one that is... it needs to happen.

Here is my take on the game and season.

Cats need to toughen up,press full court like they did when Pitino was here. Ramon Harris hasnt been the same since his collision with Porter. Miller needs to shoot the ball when open from 3 land. Too many fakes. Meeks and Patterson are the go to guys but you cant go to them if they are covered. By the way, neither one will go to NBA after the season. Gotta give Miss. St. credit, they knocked down the shots and the Cats didnt. The Bulldogs werent hesitant to shoot the ball and Cats were. Cats are playing with no heart.

1 player that is talented...Jodie meeks