OK, the Cats completed the last of three today in Windsor, and it was not beautiful, but it was very effective. The Cats topped the Lancers 104-75. No huge recap here because it is not necessary. We saw a lot more of the same things today that we have already seen, so here are my thoughts:
- Fatigue…..I know it’s August AND they played 3 games in less than 72 hours AND they were shorthanded, so this one gets a pass.
- Brandon Knight is not John Wall, and he does not have to be as long as he plays the way he has the last three days. Forget comparisons folks, he is his own man.A man that scores at will, and should have had 10 more points than he actually did, if for no other reason than the refs cost him that many. And when the game is on the line, I want the ball in that kid’s hands. He is so smart with the basketball and very motivated by the pressure.
- Josh Harrellson will be an excellent bench guy assuming he continues to proceed the way he has so far. He does about 80% of everything right,as Kyle Macy puts it. I think he can get the other 20% where it needs to be with time. That play in Europe helped him a lot thins summer.
- DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller are working their tails off and it shows. Great hustle, good shot selection and excellent defense.
- Doron Lamb and Stacy Poole, Jr. are for real. They show those flashes of brilliance that we love to see in freshmen. They may not be one and dones, but they are going to be superstars.
- Jon Hood is working, and really working hard on doing things the right way. He missed some shots, but he rebounded well and played good defense. You cannot pay any attention to the stats on fouls. The officiating was lacking, but on both sides of the ball.
- Defense will be the staple of this team. I am more impressed with John Calipari as a coach at this moment than I have ever been before.
- This team loves to run……they run to the ball, they run at you to defend…..they run with the ball…..they move constantly. If you don’t watch close you will not be able to keep up.
- Jerrod Polson is a hustler, much like Liggins. He knows his role will be limited, but he does not let that effect his play.
- There is a superhero called The Question. Darius Miller’s new name is The Answer. Every time Windsor thought they would make a game of it, Miller buried them. Very impressed with his maturity, his game, and his major improvements over last year.
- I REALLY like the DDMO. More importantly I like the way they run it.
- This is the best small ball I have seen played at UK in a long time. We haven’t had to do this much in the past, and it really had me worried going into this series.
Cal has every right to be pleased with the guys after this trip. And it looks like he was smarter than ever to schedule this ahead for these freshmen. Make no mistake gang, these Cats are good. Really good.
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