UK Basketball: A Brief Report Card

I know we are just six games into the season and this seems a little obsessive, but it is important to remember that while we are a perfect 6-0, the North Carolina and UConn matchups are just two and three games away. So … how are the Cats doing this year? And what could they be doing better?

JOHN WALL – 19.8 ppg, 4 rebounds, 6.6 assists

Wall has been nothing short of sensational this season as he has single handily saved UK from defeat twice in the first 5 games he has appeared in. His getting free for layups is a work of art in it’s own but I would like to see a little more defensive intensity thus far. I know that he frustrates Calipari by going for the “showtime” plays, but I love to watch the kid play. His assist/turnover ratio is a little higher than expected (1.4/1) but he brings so much to the floor, I am not going to nitpick. That number will improve as we progress. GRADE: A

PATRICK PATTERSON – 16.2 ppg, 10.8 rebounds

As with Wall, there is not a lot to not like here. Patterson has been tenacious on the boards this season and he has quelled any concerns about his role in the offense. He missed pretty much a game in Cancun due to injury/fouls or he would be closer to leading the team in scoring. He has been more of a vocal leader this year and his summer working with “Hells Trainer” shows off his new buff build . The thing I love about Patrick is that he went and made himself a decent 3-point shooter (40%) this season when he had never made a 3-pointer his previous two seasons. Wall and Patterson give UK the best inside/outside combination in the country. Period. I would love to see him take Cousins under his wing and work with him more. GRADE A

DEMARCUS COUSINS – 14.8 ppgs, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks

It’s hard to critique Cousins as you have to recall he is just 6 games out of HS and a lot of the concerns about him have to do with that inexperience. When he is on the court, he is amazing and he has the ability to dominate the game. He does have the tendency to get into foul trouble and has made some questionable judgment plays which caught the ire of Coach Cal. I do cringe when he tries to play “PG” as he is a turnover machine (1/4.7 A/T ratio) but I expect him to fully find his role and this will improve. GRADE: B-

ERIC BLEDSOE – 11.3 ppg, 2.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists

It’s obvious that the pairing with John Wall has had hits and misses thus far this season. When on the court with Wall, he tends to defer to him, but Eric has been very solid for a freshman. He does play out of control which leads to turnovers but Bledsoe has emerged as UK’s top 3-point threat shooting 50% on the season (11-22) and is has no problem with the game on the line as his shot against Stanford would attest. The thing I love about Bledsoe is that he is fearless and while his style of play adds a few turnovers, I do not want him playing “safe”. GRADE: B

DARIUS MILLER – 8.5 ppg, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists

I have to admit, I was kind of shocked to see Darius averaging 8.5 a game. He seems to disappear for long periods and then score points in a flurry. I know the knock on him is that he plays “timid” but if you look at his overall numbers, he is always doing something good. He has the best A/T ratio on the team and is UK’s best FT shooter. His FG % and 3 pointer % are a little lower than I’d like to see, but he has gained tremendous confidence in the starting lineup and I have the feeling he will step up the scoring. GRADE: B

DARNELL DODSON – 8.0 ppg, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist

It’s hard to give a complete grade on Darnell as he has spent some time in Calipari’s doghouse and only appeared in three games. He is supposed to be the guy to make us forget Jodie Meeks, so we look at the shooting. He was 2-8 in 3’s against Morehead and 0-3 versus Stanford. He did bail us out of the Miami game with 3-4 shooting at a key time so that helps his grade. He has not been shooting that well though and has lost his starting spot to Miller for now. GRADE: C –

DANIEL ORTON – 5.0 ppg, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks

Daniel Orton has been a very big surprise this year. Very few teams can lose a DeMarcus Cousins to fouls and replace him with Orton, who has been very solid this year. Daniel rebounds well and plays good defense when he is in and is a good shotblocker. He also is a pretty good shooter and shoots the ball well (52.6%). My only complaint is that he does not shoot the ball nearly enough. GRADE: B –

JOSH HARRELSON – 1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds

I almost gave Josh an “incomplete” score but he is averaging 6 minutes a game so it’s worth looking at. Josh has shot decently from the field but seems kind of lost in the offense and has been a defensive liability at times. I know a lot of this stems from the low minutes, but you have to produce when your name is called and Josh has not thus far. GRADE: C –

RAMON HARRIS – 1.7 points, 4.3 rebounds

Ramon has gotten a ton of minutes (16.8 per game) for doing one thing and one thing only. Playing defense well. He has been praised by Cal for understanding his role in the defense and rewarded handsomely with the minutes. Unfortunately, he is a liability offensively, shooting 30.8% from the field. He is a pretty effective rebounder though. If this was hockey, Ramon would be a stud defenseman laying back and keeping people out of the zones. It’s not though, and he has to score more for the time he is getting. Hopefully his OT performance against Stanford will light a fire. GRADE: C

PERRY STEVENSON – 1.2 points, 2.3 rebounds

I have to preface this by saying I LIKE Perry Stevenson, but Perry, buddy, where in the hell have you been? If you recall, it was pretty big news when it was announced that Perry would be the main backup for Patrick Patterson and that lasted exactly one game. Once again, I like Perry, but there is no excuse for Perry taking no shots in the last 5 games — unless Cal is telling him to go out and not shoot at all — which I doubt. At least Ramon is providing senior leadership but Perry is just taking up space right now. I hate that you have disappeared. Come back, we miss you. I hate to do this but … GRADE: D

JON HOOD – 1 point, 1 assist

Very hard to grade but he does play almost 9 minutes a game when he plays. Not really a lot of stats so far but he has done a decent job of spotting the open man to pass to and he has just one turnover. He seems to be a streak shooter and has one three pointer, but I feel I have not seen enough of Hood to rate him. GRADE: incomplete

OTHER INCOMPLETE GRADES:

MARK KREBS, DEANDRE LIGGINS

JOHN CALIPARI (6-0)

You did not think Cal would get away without a grade now did you? You can’t complain with 6-0, but he loses a whole letter grade for his defense not being prepared to stop the 3-point barrages of Miami and Sam Houston State. Aside from that, I am thoroughly confused about his “doghouse” and I am sick of seeing DeAndre Ligggins waste away. I know that coach has his reasons but it’s been 8 games thus far…. Calipari does gain back points for treating all his players the same. I liked seeing that he was not afraid to bench Wall or Patterson when they get two fouls in a half. I know that we have just scratched the surface of what Calipari can do as a coach thus far and can’t wait to see what levels he will bring us to. Just two words: FREE DEANDRE !! GRADE: B

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