I’ll be taking over the post game wrap up tonight while Jared’s at his Magic Card tournament and Paul is re-watching Sookie and Bill’s love scene from last week alone in the dark in his room. While I prefer to cover football, that other game that some people kind of like in this state is a second hobby of mine and I love it when they shoot home runs. So here Goes…
The Bad
- It’s concerning that the Mustangs were able to hit wide open men under the basket so many times tonight. The defense was nowhere near where it needs to be, but it’s important to remember that the Cats only practiced six times prior to tonight.
- The Wildcats looked lost on defense in the first half. Too many easy buckets because of turnovers, missed assignments, and no getting back in transition.
- Rebounding was awful. Kentucky grabbed 28 total boards, only one more than Western’s 27. Considering the size and talent advantage the Wildcats have that’s not really acceptable, BUT you have to think those numbers change when Kanter, Jones, and Vargas show up.
- Too many fouls on the night. Just because they are unlimited in these scrimmages doesn’t mean that players need to be careless.
- The referees AND coaches. Timeouts and fouls were ridiculous. It seemed like every second of this game was spent on the free throw line or watching a huddle on the sideline. I know it’s a practice and coaching is important, but tonight’s game was pretty brutal to watch and I found myself staring at a moth flying around the ceiling fan more than once.
- Polson will probably be carded for beer until he’s 60. I swear he looks 14. Maybe I’m just getting old.
The Good
- Considering that tonight’s game was a practice against a vastly inferior opponent, you have to like what you saw. Doron Lamb had a great night cashing in 24 points, 4 steals, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds. He isn’t the most polished player on the roster, but he certainly showed how good he can be this year.
- The main story of the game would have to be the emergence of Miller and Harrelson as legitimate post options. Granted the Mustangs weren’t very big inside, but the two combined for 11 blocks on the night while controlling the paint.
- Speaking of which, you gotta love Darius stepping in and playing 32 minutes at PF/C. If Kentucky has had a more versatile player this decade I sure can’t remember. Didn’t Cal say he was the backup PG last year?
- The Cats used a big speed advantage to push the tempo and force a whopping 28 turnovers. Knight is faster than was advertised. He’s no John Wall, but he can flat out run.
- I had a delicious Lava Crunch Cake from Domino’s during the game. $3.99 well spent.
- Liggins is hard to peg. His stat line reads 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist. Despite it being a solid game, it’s nothing that jump out and makes you say ‘WOW!” However, watching the game live I couldn’t help but think Liggins was one of our most talented players.
- Hood had two three’s that looked Meeks-like. Running to the top of the key and throwing up a pretty if off-balanced shot is a play he can find success in.
- The fan showing was great. Once again the arena was bluer than…(removed by poster because statement was inappropriate and only mildly humorous).
- The broadcasters were great too. Buzz Baker and Kyle Macy call a game like I would in my living room. There are mini-conversations they get off on where it almost seems like they forgot they’re on T.V. Kept things interesting in a slow boring game.
Goodnight all.
And give ’em hell Jared. I hope that dragon sorcerer card wins wins the tourney for you.
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