State of the Big Blue Union

(Pictured at right: Reagan, 1983. Gone, but not forgotten.)

I don't know where all the time has gone this season, but after tonight's win over Georgia, UK has merely ten regular season SEC contests remaining. So if you'll allow me to play POTUS for just a second, we can take a look at a few hot-button Wildcat issues, bi-partisan style. Are you ready for a joint session?

• Stay strong, Terrence. We're starting with Mr. Jones, and while I've been underwhelmed with numero tres, let me state for the record that I'm not about to give up on this guy. You could make a pretty good argument that he's cost himself some serious NBA cash with the mother of all sophomore slumps. He has not played like I personally had hoped this year, and he's taken plenty of heat for his overall performance. But dadgum it, I'm convinced that finger is still not fully 100% (although it will be soon).....and I'm also convinced that TJ has done the right thing by taking a less prominent role offensively to keep the freshmen more involved. In other words, I think Teague, Davis, and MKG are getting several shots per game that probably should be going Jones' way. How many shots? I don't know exactly, and it obviously depends on matchups. But spreading the ball around and keeping the whole rotation happy is what good teammates have to do. And to his credit, Terrence hasn't gotten stupid with shooting 3-pointers, which was a big concern of mine early this year. The cherry on top is that he has also cut back on some of the unnecessary flexing and mugging for the cameras....hopefully part of the growth process. So I say hang in there Mr. Jones. I've got a feeling things will turn for you as we get into February.
• Where's the deeper depthiness? Still something I worry about: whether UK has enough quality coming off the pine. Kyle Wiltjer provides some outside accuracy and occasionally crafty passing. Personally, I love Doron Lamb off the bench for the "instant offense" vibe, but he's basically Cal's momentary sixth starter anyway. (I also like him more at point guard, but that's a different blog post.) So outside of a few minutes of Vargas every game, what else is there? *crickets chirping* Can Kentucky go all the way this season without that eighth, or occasionally necessary ninth guy when someone gets in foul trouble, or heavens forbid, goes down with an injury? The general consensus is that Wiltjer is a big defensive liability. Will the next 12 games prepare him for crucial post-season minutes? Can Vargas come up with a big rebound or putback when called upon? I still wonder. Maybe Beckham will bring something to the table in the backcourt, or at least provide some extra fouls and extra hustle. Gotta keep an eye on it.
• Point play - basically the polishing of Marquis Teague and how Cal manages to prod, cajole, encourage, and just outright TEACH Marquis will play such a huge role in this team's ultimate success. True confession: I kinda like his jumper. I think it's a very sound, textbook style of motion, usually taken with a classic "squared up" look, and feet set properly, just like I'm instructing my 9-year old. Pretty solid. Now the question is: can Marquis determine the best times to take it, increase his overall percentage, and nail a clutch one under pressure on the road or during tournament time? I'm guessing so. And I believe the assist/TO ratio by season's end will also look pretty good. By the way, has anybody ever reminded you that he's no John Wall? Just checking. Also, memo to Marquis: make your free throws. Otherwise, people get hurt. People like me. I mean it. I get hurt when you miss those Marquis. It pains me, sir. Right here in my pain area. Please make them. Sugar on top.
• Push it. And finally, I still maintain that Kentucky plays better faster. Tonight, the Cats were held under 60, and yet it felt like they blew Georgia out of their own gym. But generally speaking, I'm a fan of high pressure, faster pace, get up and down basketball, especially when you've got the talent. And there's no arguing, UK's got the talent. These guys have been lauded with more accolades than Meryl Streep's got Oscar nominations. (Yay! Margaret Thatcher wig!) Therefore I'm wistfully wishin' that the Cats will start pushing it towards the more dangerous RPM levels as the final third of the season rolls in. Start putting eye jammies on people. Extend that D out just a smidge and push it on the fast break, the secondary break, and the tertiary break. (Okay, I don't know what comes after tertiary.)

Thank you for your support, and God bless America. This post was type-written without the aid of a teleprompter.

UK Wins at Auburn; No Trees Killed

OH MY GOSH.... did you know that until tonight, Kentucky has only played one other game on an opponent's home court this season? Oh, you did. Cool. But did you realize they lost that one? At Indiana? Knew that too? Oh yeah....well, that was the last time I posted about a UK game on this here blog thing. Surprised you're still checking back.

Scoreboard says Kentucky dropped the Tigers tonight, 68-53.

I'ma start with this: I really think the Cats should be pressing more. We have a lineup full of McDonald's All-Americans, future first-rounders, Mr. Basketballs, etc....and yet we allow a team like Auburn to to slow us down into a half-court game and play their pace..... because...why? Just doesn't make sense to me. It wouldn't have to be 40 minutes of hell type of pressure, or trapping every inbounds, but every now and then after made baskets or free throws, I'd like to see UK give some opponents a tougher time bringing the ball up the court. Seems that might pay some dividends late in games, or I don't know, cause a turnover fest that breaks one wide open. Kentucky should not be scoring less than 70, even on the road.

See, I haven't been out too long....I remember the UK fan's favorite pastime: complaining after wins!

Secondly, I can't say enough about how hard MKG plays, every time he hits the floor, no matter the opponent or the circumstances. I praise him despite the fact that he had a pretty awful game against the Barbees. Scoring-wise, he was obviously well off his normal pace, and yes I realize that he had 4 turnovers to match his 2-10 shooting. But I tell you what, the Kidd's a scrapper. And he came up with a couple of hustle plays tonight that were just uber-inspirational...like a Jay-Z song dedicated to his newborn daughter. Mr. Kidd-Gilchrist just flies to the loose ball with a linebacker's mentality, and with all the athletic ability in the world, the guy only has one speed: Ffast. I'll let you figure out what the additional f stands for.

When he gets beat off the dribble --which isn't often, but it happens--he doesn't quit on a play. Witness the blocked shot on a reverse layup attempt by [insert random Auburn chump here]. Reverse layups just aren't supposed to be blocked by trailers, you know, what with the rim being in the way and all. Plus, Mike's always first on the hardwood to tie up an opponent for a jump ball. Nice trait, that. Very useful. Dude just plays hard. He's not perfect or anything....he will take a bad shot and throw a ball away and look like a freshman like they all do. But I can forgive a lot when it comes to MKG.

Also, Fred and I had a chuckle about this at the Hound, but can we agree that Joe Dean Jr. should get a little more airtime? The picture never seems as sharp on the SEC Network, but I just love that voice. It takes me back. Stirs up memories. Or as George Bush might say: it gets me all nostalgified. Joe Jr. broke out the "string music" when Darius made that three at the 1st half buzzer, and I'll be darned if part of me didn't want to just giggle uncontrollably while some other part of me had to stifle a sob. Let's just say I'd rather hear Joe than quite a few other s0-called analysts *cough* Bobby Knight *cough*.

Looking ahead of course Kentucky has another roadie for this weekend (at Tennessee), and I will be watching for some continued growth from Marquis Teague and also improving health and play from Terrence Jones. Mr. Teague, I thought, played "well enough" at the new Auburn gym....3 turnovers in 35 minutes...but he's got to continue to attack smarter and finish better. I maintain that the youngster simply takes far too many field goal attempts for a point guard, but as the man from Ashland points out, the real concern is that he seems to miss a ton of 4-footers and layups. As for Mr. Jones, well, the farther he gets away from that grotesque digit misplacement, the better. Time heals. The mega-sophomore slump is about to fade for TJ as that finger returns to normal, methinks.

Lastly, I just want to give a congratulatory shout out to John Wall, placing 2nd on SportsCenter's top plays tonight, for his nasty left-handed high-flyer over a statuesque defender somewhere out in NBA-land. You should be able to find the video online Thursday morning.