Kentucky Gives Transy a #beatdown

This is a basketball exclusive post this morning. We have the rest of the week to cover football. Deal with it.

1. Kentucky Finally above .500 against Transy

Historically the Kentucky Wildcats were 7-7 against Transylvania University. The Cats finally got over the hump as they defeated the school down the street 97-53 in Rupp Arena. It was the first time since 1911 that these two schools have played and Transy gave a Hoosierian effort by going up 11-4 early by sinking some threes. But the athleticism and size of the Cats proved too much.

2. Calipari- “We have a long way to go”

With national titles dancing in the heads of Big Blue Nation, head coach John Calipari had a very clear message to us all after the game. This team is far from where it needs to be and we all need to remember that most of the key contributors are freshmen”

“We’ve got a long way to go. I think everybody knows it.” Calipari said. “I wish it was easy. Just put a group of guys together, a bunch of freshmen, throw them together and they just play. That’s not how it works.”


Coach Cal said before the game that he wanted to see some hard nosed defense but in stead saw his team give up a lot of open threes early on. It was common knowledge that Cal was pretty much practicing offense only in the first practices, but now it’s time to see what kind of defensive mettle this team has.

The team came out 2-12 in the first half from behind the arch and John Calipari was upset with his team for settling for threes early. He regrouped and made Teague force the ball down low to Terrence Jones and Anthony Davis.

Cal also talked a lot about toughness after the game. You could tell that Davis and Kyle Wiltjer were a little timid under the basket at first, but that is to be expected with freshmen. Two freshmen that were not timid were Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague. More on them in a bit.

3. Kidd-Gilchrist Looks Like a Starter

The Kentucky starting five consisted of Marquis Terague, Doron Lamb, Darius Miller, Terrence Jones and Anthony Davis, leaving Michael Kidd Gilchrist on the bench. When he came in an instant energy was felt and the players responded. He ended the game with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists and one blocked shot. Cal had this to say about Gillie:

“I would say, looking at it today, he’s a starter. I think he just solidified one spot because of great intensity and fire. You can’t start a game down. We should be a good starting team.”


It now looks as if Darius Miller may be coming off of the bench, but that won’t be seen until Monday when the Cats play their second and final exhibition game.

Ever since I watched “Prayer for a Perfect Season” Kidd-Gilchrist became my favorite player on the team. What I saw from him last night did night did not change my mind one bit. I don’t make it a habit of buying a jersey with a kid’s number on it that is a decade younger than I am. I think I am going to have to get this one.

4. Terrence Jones and Marquis Teague also Stand Out

Terrence Jones got his with 22 points and 12 rebounds; we all knew he would. But Cal was less than complementary of Jones in his post game interview when he pointed out that Jones did not block a shot and that he did not get up and down the floor with the same intensity that he does in practice. Expect this from Cal all season long as he continues to push Terrence Jones to be the best in the game. Is it nitpicking? You bet it is. But it will drive Jones to be better.

Other than Jones and Kidd-Gilchrist, I thought the player that stood out the most was point guard Marquis Teague. We all saw that “bulldog” tenacity that Cal always talks about when he describes Teague. He dives for balls, he slashes quick, he can score at will and he has the potential to be a lock down defender. He had a very solid 14 points, nine assists and only two turnovers. Very encouraging stats from a point guard. Teague is the next great one under John Calipari.

5. Stacey Poole, Jr. did not Dress with the Team

I feel I have to mention the Stacey Poole situation. He did not dress nor did he sit with the team during the game, further fueling the speculation that he will transfer. His father said that he would make the decision on whether or not his 20 year old son would transfer and then Poole, Jr. himself came out and said he and he alone would make that decision.

I hope this predicament sorts itself out soon. I would rather see Stacey stay and play because I think he has a lot of potential. but he has to do what is best for him. I hope there is a quick decision.

That does it for me. I could do a “10 for Thursday” all about last night but Paul Jordan told me that if I went over 5 that he would fire me. I like you guys too much to be fired just yet.

Bonus:
The Dirty Birds of Louisville take on the defending Division II champion (and my Alma Mater) Bellarmine Knights tonight in an exhibition. The Cards are without Wayne Blackshear because of a shoulder injury and Mike Marra and Peyton Siva due to concussions. All injuries were suffered at practice. Does Pitino run his practices like an episode of American Gladiators but without any pads? That guy has more practice injuries than any coach in college basketball.

Look out for the Knights with the upset. They played Duke very tough in Cameron Indoor Stadium this past Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @Catsfanboogie. It’s what the cool kids do.

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