Cats 69-63

 

 

Soooo close.

Anthony Davis's free throw shooting was a big difference in the game today. He went into the game shooting 58.6% and went 12 / 13 today. He raised his season average 8% after today's game.

Louisville got crushed on the glass, which is one of the main areas that I thought they needed to do well in to have a chance. UK by far outgained them on second chance points. The only thing positive for Louisville today was Russ Smith, which has been consistent. Without Smith, they lost this by 20+.

And I'll say it again, Siva was horrific today. He contributed strongly to the overall team performance.

Siva hasnt lived up to expectations at UL. I've never liked him. I remember when people were saying the Siva would be better than Wall....I dont think so. R. Smith has really turned it on. Miller was horrendous on O, but played great D. What was that? Oh, nevermind, I thought I heard Greene blowing a whistle. Terrible officiating both ways, but happy with the W nevertheless. I hope Jones gets back his offense because they need him to cut down the nets in April. Lastly, I love MKG, because he is the hardest playing player to put on the blue and white in a longggg time.

The officiating ruined what really could have been a great game. Love MKG. What was up with Miller today?

 

My UL friend complains that UK won because the officials gave them so many shots at the FT...he doesn't consider the huge difference in rebounding that big of a deal.

Siva hasnt lived up to expectations at UL. I've never liked him. I remember when people were saying the Siva would be better than Wall....I dont think so. R. Smith has really turned it on. Miller was horrendous on O, but played great D. What was that? Oh, nevermind, I thought I heard Greene blowing a whistle. Terrible officiating both ways, but happy with the W nevertheless. I hope Jones gets back his offense because they need him to cut down the nets in April. Lastly, I love MKG, because he is the hardest playing player to put on the blue and white in a longggg time.

 

Patrick Patterson. Chuck Hayes.

ugly, but a good win for the cats.

Patrick Patterson. Chuck Hayes.

 

Forgot about ppat. I feel like he's the hardest worker since Hayes still. Just a personal opinion.

I totally disagree with it being style. The Professor was right on that part, but I also think he's wrong and UK coached by Pitino was almost exactly the same. Got away with a ton of fouls back then and in reality, today too. Pitino coaches it that way. I'll also agree that the refs ruined this game. Sad both ways overall. And as mentioned, Tony Greene is garbage.

 

Totally agree. UK played the same kind of defense when Pitino was there. The 2 1/2 hour games were going on back then, too.

Regarding the officiating, I'm not really upset by it. The way I see it is like this: UK & UL both play a certain style. During most games, they get away with a lot of fouls IMO. UL's defense is a hack-fest, while UK climbs backs and bodies people. In most games, they get away with some of those fouls. In this game today they did not. There were very few fouls that were whistled that I questioned.

 

On the UL side, Kuric's failure to do anything hurt the most. Siva also had a very poor performance. They got little-to-nothing from the 4-spot, but of the guys that played that position, I felt Swop performed the best. Only Dieng & Russ Smith were impressive today. Dieng is a lot better than I've given him credit & Smith continues to be an amazing story of improvement. Too many fouls & too little muscle & effort on the boards. Pitino's last three teams--against UK at least--have lost in the paint, allowing Cousins to go for 18 & 18 two years ago, Jorts to go for 24 & 13 last year, & now MKG's 24 & 19/Davis' 18 & 10.

 

As for UK, it was all MKG & some Davis mixed in. As others have stated, this team is completely different when Davis is on the floor. He has to limit dumb fouls, like going after a lose ball 80 feet from the basket. But in the 2nd half, he was solid & surprised the heck out of me with his free throw shooting. Miller with excellent D but awful O. Lamb was a no-show. Teague wasn't much. Wiltjer didn't do a whole lot. Jones was terrible on O, but I was really glad to see him go after the boards.

 

Wasn't a fun game to watch because of all the free throws. But as I said at the beginning, I thought most of the calls were legitimate. I think the men in stripes had the UC/XU game in the backs of their minds.

52 fouls, that is the highest I have ever seen. MKG might have just put himself is conversation for atleast SEC Player of the Year instead of Freshman of the Year.

Nice win for the "CATS". Can't wait to see them on Tuesday night. I am taking my two grandaughters for a Christmas gift.

Ugly game but good win.

 

I am probably in the minority on this, however at this point this is my least favorite Coach Cal team. I love that their winning, and definitely the most athletic team he had and the most potental. IMO though they don't have that great of team chemistry still, and honestly that is something I enjoy watching with a team. That is why I ended up liking last years team even better than John Wall's team. Which even John Wall's team with all the talent they had, seemed to have good team chemistry too. This team right now keeps winning, but don't play that well together yet IMO and just win because of pure talent. So at the moment they are my least favorite of Coach Cal's team, but if they ever get this chemistry thing down then watch out! They very easily could be my favorite by the time its all said and done.

 

 

If you care to look it up you'll actually see that Wall's team didn't have the chemistry we thought it did. Miller stated earlier in the year that team had personal goals and it wasn't always about the team which resulted in a hurt in the chemistry. I believe this team is the best group Cal has had, chemistry wise.

MKG might have just put himself is conversation for atleast SEC Player of the Year instead of Freshman of the Year.

:thumb: