Questions still unanswered concerning Terrence Jones
This was the game that Terrence Jones was supposed to answer all of his critics and detractors by coming out and putting up a double-double and totally dominate the game. This did not happen as he dislocated the pinky finger on his shooting hand, leaving him ineffective for the game.
He had zero points, one rebound and one assist. Luckily, the rest of his team picked up the tempo. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Doron Lamb put on scoring displays with 17 points and 24 points, respectively. Anthony Davis had a mind-boggling 18 rebounds and five blocks. Marquis Teague had a near double-double with 11 points and eight assists, while turning the ball over just once. Darius Miller had a quiet but solid 12 points and Kyle Wiltjer chipped in nine points in a more aggressive performance.
The Jones-less Cats did just fine, but they will need their enforcer when Louisville and conference play comes around. There are still questions about Jones as he was unable to provide any answers this game. He will not be needed in the next four games, so he has plenty of time to get healthy.
Louisville will provide the perfect stage for Jones to finally show the talent and improved toughness that John Calipari was raving about in the preseason.
Louisville rolls Memphis
Let me start by saying this; there might be a person on planet earth that wants to bash the Cardinals more than me, and that is the honest truth. But I really can’t do it, not after Saturday’s game.
Granted, Memphis is now 5-4, they lost to Murray State at home, and they are undisciplined as well as poorly coached, but their talent was something that I thought the Cardinals would struggle with. They didn’t struggle much at all.
Louisville’s next few games are comprised of cupcakes, but the game before Kentucky will be against a very tough in-confernce foe as the #16 Georgtown Hoyas come into the Yum! Center. I’m not sure how Louisville will react by playing two very tough games back to back; one of those being on the road. UK went 1-1 in that scenario against UNC and then at IU.
Top Dogs Stay On Top
Florida finally defeated a ranked team by destroying #22 Texas A&M by 20 points on a neutral floor. The Gators will be a major factor for SEC title contention and look to be Kentucky’s top competitors.
Syracuse got a little scare from NC State early but then kicked it in late by beating the Wolf Pack 88-72 on the road. It’s the first time that the Orange have been away from their Dome all season. No, seriously. I am waiting for the wheels to come off the Syracuse train due to the Bernie Fine/Jim Boeheim debacle. It’s just a matter of time.
Ohio State struggled in beating a bad South Carolina team 74-66 with Jared Sullinger’s ailing back and now newly ailing ankle. I wonder if Sully and Terrence Jones are rethinking that whole “stay at school for another year” thing?
UNC also won as did Marquette, Georgetown and Pitt. Indiana beat Notre Dame. So what. I hate Indiana again. In fact, I think I hate them worse than Louisville right now.
Brady Tebows Tim Tebow
Something tells me the Tim Tebow Love Train is about to stop. Tom Brady and his Patriots came into Mile High (or whatever the hell they are calling it) and blew up the Broncos 41-23. The Pats had a 20 point fourth quarter and that was pretty much all she wrote.
Tebow threw for 194 yards and no touch downs while he ran for 93 yards and two touch downs. A running quarterback is not the recipe to defeat a Bill Belichick defense.
Jim Caldwell: Winner
Jim Caldwell started his post game press conference after the Colts first win of the season by saying, “Who the f**k needs Peyton Manning?” Not really. But the Colts really did win. Honestly. The score was 27-13, you can look it up on the internet.
The Colts avoid going 0-16, a feat that the Detroit Lions accomplished a few years back. Caldwell’s job should be safe after the win and Peyton Manning will probably not play in a game this season despite rumors of him working out and such.
Indy will still have the first pick in the draft by season’s end, and everyone expects them to take the overrated (in my opinion) Andrew Luck and possibly deal Peyton Manning. If that scenario occurs then the Colts are an idiotic organization. They should model themselves after the Packers by drafting a young QB and let him sit and learn for a few years behind a sure-fire Hall of Famer and NFL legend.
1972 Dolphins Remain NFL’s Lone Perfect Team
A game at the last place Kansas City Chiefs should have been easy for the high scoring Green Bay Packers. The Pack and their near perfect QB Aaron Rodgers should have extended their record to 14-0 but they left Arrowhead stadium 13-1.
Chiefs QB Kyle Orton did just enough to win an ugly game 19-14. The problems for the Packers stemmed from the offensive line. KC’s D-Line teed off, sacking Aaron Rodgers and rushing him out of the pocket, while also injuring two starting offensive linemen for the Pack.
If I were a Green Bay fan, I would be worried. It seems the recipe for defeating this team lies with causing havoc within the offensive line, which the Chiefs did masterfully. With two linemen out, the Packers have reason to worry. Their defense has been giving up big points all season long, right now I am not sure if their offense can keep pace.
Now, Mercury Morris, Paul Jordan and the rest of the ’72 Dolphins can pop a bottle of the bubbly to celebrate still being the NFL’s only ever undefeated team.
Have a good morning and check back with me at 4 as I go over the newly released polls.