Digesting The Loss To 'Bama

Alright, so I've given it 24 hours, and what can we conclude?

• If every other UK fan vacates the Fox & Hound premises early in the second half, it's probably not going so great for the Cats.
  
• If Coach Cal is calling out Terrence Jones, loudly, very profanely, and most importantly-- in a very public way-- you can bet he was more than a little displeased by the freshman's performance. (How long until we see the first t-shirt that proudly says "Selfish Mother..."?)
  
• Speaking of freshman, if you've got two of them closing out games in your backcourt, it's probably a good idea to make sure they both know EXACTLY what their responsibilities are on a late possession. Maybe you have to repeat yourself slowly during the timeout, or scribble it twice on the greaseboard, but you have to get it through to them: "Guys, here's what I want to see on this play."
• Do not take free throws for granted. Missing 7 in the second half is like physically burning money....picture a nice little stack of $100 bills, soaked in lighter fluid, right over a lit match..... POOF! You gotta have those freebies.
  
• Eloy Vargas. Ugh.
• Division I Men's NCAA basketball games are regulation 40 minutes. I triple-checked this one. It's pretty clear. They don't let you just play 15 or 20 and call it a game. 40 minutes, guys. 40.
• Going zone is not a crime. It can be quite refreshing for a change. Just mix it up a little, keep the other guy guessing. If you're not stopping them anyway, then what's the harm? Just for a few minutes. Not a crime.
• This team will not get anywhere playing as individuals. And they do have several great individuals. Or perhaps I should say individuals who have demonstrated some greatness at times. The point is, they need to concentrate on the collective now. Both ends of the court.
  
• I would NOT want to be a UK player participating in that practice today. Cal's one word prediction was, "Brutal."
  
• Apparently Tennessee players are allowed by SEC officials to go explicitly, indisputably over the back for game-winning garbage baskets if necessary. I saw it myself on replay 8 or 10 times now.
  

So let's turn the page and look forward to a win for the Cats in Columbia on Saturday.