Kentucky Wildcat Basketball: Who would win? 2010 Cats or 2011 Cats
By Paul Jordan
So it seems that the biggest debate right now is not how Kentucky matches up to UConn, but how they match up to last year’s version of the Wildcats. We started the debate on the WBN Podcast the other night and it still seems to continue. I have to admit it’s intriguing, especially how this year’s version of the Cats have played like a team of destiny. So let’s take a look at the numbers and maybe you can help me decide.
WALL vs KNIGHT
16.6—– ppg—–17.3
6.5—– apg—–4.2
1.63—– A/TO—– 1.31
4.3—– rpg—– 3.9
1.8—– spg—– 0.6
37—– 3PM—– 84
32.5—– 3P%—– 38.2
In term of pure numbers, John Wall was everything you wanted as a PG, while Knight is the better scorer. Thing is, Knight steadily improved all season at the point, and you would think if Knight played the point next year and had more experience under his belt, his assist and A/TO ratio would be better. I think Wall will still be the more dynamic playmaker and and I would have loved to see him in a true DDMO season. Wall gets the slight edge because of his overall game and the fact he does create a lot of turnovers, but Knight’s shooting is hard to ignore however.
BLEDSOE vs LAMB
11.3—–ppg—–12.3
3.1——rpg——2.0
2.9——apg——1.7
49——3PM—–65
38.3—–P%—–48.1
1.4 ——spg—–0.6
Lamb has been starting lately so I am matching him up against Bledsoe. It’s a pretty even comparison. Both players are dynamic scorers and can find their way to the basket. Bledsoe has more assists, but it is important to note that Bledsoe had as many turnovers as he had points. Lamb has half the turnovers of his assists, although Bledsoe played more point. Also, Lamb is a sharpshooter from downtown and he has proven to be one of the Wildcat’s best defenders at time. It’s another close one, but I give the edge to Lamb.
MILLER vs MILLER
6.5—–ppg——11.1
2.5——rpg——-4.6
1.5——apg——1.7
43——3pm——57
33.6—-3p%—–44.9
0.6——bpg——1.2
No need to dwell here. Nothing to see. Miller this year would own Miller last year.
PATTERSON vs JONES
14.3—–ppg—–15.8
7.4——rpg——8.7
0.9——apg—–1.6
57.5—–fg%—-43.9
34.8—–3p%—32.5
1.3——bpg—–1.9
Sometimes you have to go by more than the numbers. Yes, Jones averaged more points and boards than Patterson, but Patterson deferred on offense to Cousins last year while Jones was expected to carry the load in the front court this season. Patterson was a much better scorer than Jones, as evidenced by the shooting percentages and Patterson brings that leadership quality that has not emerged as much in Jones. This goes to Patterson by a solid margin.
COUSINS vs HARRELLSON
15.1——ppg—–7.6
9.8——-rpg——8.8
55.8—–fg%——61.4
1.8——bpg——-1.5
Who would have thought this would have been this close? Cousins obviously wins, good margin, but Harrellson’s play lately makes it closer when you think. Like Sullinger, Cousins has the talent and natural ability, but Harrellson closes the gap with pure heart.
LIGGINS vs LIGGINS
3.8——ppg—-8.8
2.3——rpg—–4.1
0.8——apg—–2.5
0.7——spg—–1.2
31.8%–3p%—40.2
OK, I know this should probably be Darnell Dodson instead of the Liggins of 2010, but what fun would that be? But Dodson averaged 6.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and hit 34.7 of his treys. But tell you what, I will give you this years of Liggins over both Dodson and last year’s Liggins. When you throw in an aspect called defense … yea, it’s no comparison.
ORTON vs VARGAS
3.4—–ppg—-1.5
3.3—–rpg—–1.9
1.4—–bpg—-0.6
52.7—fg%—-45.2
Keep in mind that Orton got almost twice as many minutes as Vargas did and this is actually pretty close stat wise, especially the way Vargas has played lately. In the end, the decision goes to Orton, based on his offensive prowess. But it’s closer than you may think.
So there you go. I have to admit, it was a clot closer between the two teams than I thought. In the end, I have to say that the inside play of Patterson/Jones would give 2010 Kentucky a lot f problems, and the addition of Ramon Harris and Perry Stephenson make the 2009 Wildcats a better defensive team than if we did not consider them. in the end though, you have the heart, desire, defense and shooting ability of this year’s Wildcats versus the “we will beat you at every
position” talent of last year’s squad. In the end, I have to say that talent trumps the heart barely and I would give the 2010 team a 81-78 win over this year’s edition. Or is that the 2011 Cats 83-79? Seriously the way UK played this weekend, it’s hard to call….
So what do you think? Poll is on the right.
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