Kentucky Wildcat Basketball – Know Your Enemy: LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds
By Paul Jordan
PROJECTED STARTERS
Mar 16, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds forward Julian Boyd (42) shoots against the Michigan State Spartans center Derrick Nix (25) during the second round in the 2012 NCAA men
#15 G JASON BRINKMAN, JR, 6’0, 165
15.0 PPG, 8.7 APG, 2.0 RPG
Due to the probable absence of Ryan Harrow, Jason Brinkman can make this game interesting and provide a hell of a test for Julius Mays and Jarrod Polson. Brinkman is on of the top point guards in the country. He has the potential to lead the country in assists and is hitting a blazing 55.6% of his treys this year (10-18). Brinkman also averages 1.3 steals a game. Brinkman is not infallible of course, and does average 4.7 turnovers a game. But for Kentucky to win easily, they need to lock Brinkman down.
#3 G CJ GARNER, SR 5’10, 160
11.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.7 APG
Garner is a little dynamo that does a lot of things right. He has good moves and hits 46.2% of his shots but is not really a long range threat. He is a solid passer and has a 2.7 A/TO Ratio. Also he is a scrapper as he is averaging 4.7 boards a game and is just 5’10. Look for him to get in position and to get the long rebounds from the missed treys that Brinkman and Thompson throw up.
#11 G BRANDON THOMPSON, SR 6’1, 185
7.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.7 APG
Thompson started out terribly from the floor this season, going 1-11 in his first two games, but had a 16 point performance versus Maryland. Most of Thompson’s shots are going to come from long range (78%) and he is not terribly accurate (22.2%). Thompson is a pretty nice passer that does not turn the ball over much and he averages 1.3 steals a game.
#42 F JULIAN BOYD, SR 6’7, 230
18.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.0 APG
Boyd will be a concern as he is the reigning NEC Player of the year. Boyd is hitting 52.3% of his shots and is coming off a 22 point, 8 rebound performance against Maryland. Boyd can score from all over the court and hit 42% of his treys last year although his is 0-6 this year. He is a seasoned veteran and it will be a very interesting matchup with Kentucky’s young talent.
#1 F JAMAL OLASWERE, SR, 6’7, 225
22.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 0.3 APG
Like Boyd, Olaswere is another proven veteran that was on the NEC First team last year. Olaswere is a good scorer but does not have a lot of range. He had 26 and 25 points versus Morehead State and Lafayette. He did manage to hit 34.1% of his treys last year but is nil this year.
THE BENCH
Using the term bench may be a bit of an overstatement. So far this year, only about 7 of LIU’s 81 points a game come from the bench. Brickman and Garner average 39 and 36.3 minutes a game, and Olaswere and Boyd at 30 minutes and 29.3. So for all purposes, this is a five man team. Freshman forward EJ Reed, at 6’6, averages 14 minutes a game and is a solid rebounder (5.3) and averages 3.0 points a game. Sophomore guard Gerrell Martin gives 2.0 points and 1.7 boards a game. 6’8 F Khalil Murrary is the only other player averaging more than 10 minutes and he chips in .7 points and 2.0 rebounds a game.
PREDICTION
After last night, I can’t overlook anyone and I have to admit this game has the potential for a trap game. LIU is a very experienced team and know how to win, with a 52-15 record over the past two season and somewhat respectable losses to UNC and Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament. They are not a team that will be scared of Kentucky and after seeing how physical Morehead State got, may try to play more physical. Thing is, this team is not nearly as deep as Morehead State, although the starting five is much better. For some reason, I keep thinking of Sam Houston State when I think about this game. The Blackbirds are a pretty dreadful 3-point shooting team (29.0%) but have a ton of guys that are not afraid to put it up. LIU is also averaging 14 offensive rebounds a game, which is the big buzzword around the Big Blue Nation. In short, I think this is a team that will be fearless and will not be afraid to attack Kentucky and Olaswere and Boyd are proven talent. It’s another example of a very experienced team going against a UK team still finding themselves.
But Kentucky has the talent. And the height. As good as Olaswere and Boyd are, they are just 6’7. Kentucky has a massive advantage in length and most players will enjoy a 4-6 inch height advantage. Even Julius Mays and Jarrod Polson have 2″ over Brinkman. And Kentucky has the bench advantage. LIU can not be as aggressive as Morehead due to no bench and once one of their five starters get in foul trouble, Kentucky will deliver a knock out punch. LIU will come in fearless and will throw everything they have at Kentucky, but UK should come out with a 92-70 win.