Kentucky vs. Morehead St Breakdown

[Hardwood_fanatic]

Posting this here in the basketball forum for those interested, as most all basketball people are in this forum. Feel free to move if necessary.

Kentucky 75 Morehead St 59

Numbers of Interest

Patterson 20 points/12 rebounds
Bledsoe 24 points/7 rebounds/4 assists (7 turnovers..)
Dodson 15 points/4 rebounds/3 assists

24 team turnovers./12 assists.

4-19 from three point range. (21%)


Bledsoe is a scorer, there is no doubt about that. Cal called him a "gamer" and continually told him to push the ball, which I think lead to the 7 turnovers, trying to do a little to much with the ball. However, he is special.

Patterson was a work horse on the boards, with several of his points coming off of put backs. He did hoist up a couple three's, hitting the first one of the game.

Dodson scored 15, but took some suspect shots. Cal was not happy with his shot selection, but approved of the aggressiveness.

John Wall obviously did not play due to suspension, Jon Hood sprained a wrist in practice and was held out of the game for that reason. Liggins has still continued to sit on the bench, not seeing a single second of playing time, including the exhibitions. Sources confirm its nothing academic, and that Cal said he has done absolutely nothing to warrant playing time.

Morehead played zone almost the entire game. We abandoned the DDM for the most part, adopting a traditional post up game instead, flashing guys to the free throw line and baseline. Bledsoe and Dodson achieved penetration against the zone often enough to break it down. There was some sloppy play with the 24 turnovers, however those are probably reduced with Wall in the game. Our defense was decent, though not spectacular. Our press was terrible, getting beat for 3 or 4 run-outs in the first half.

Coach Cal is still disappointed in the play of Darius Miller, who is still playing extremely timid. He was not noticeable last night, other than passively passing the ball around the perimeter in the zone. I still believe he is yet to break the mental torture placed on him by the Gillispie tenure. Perry Stevenson and Harrellson were non existent in this game also.

Cal was also disappointed in the effort of Demarcus Cousins, leading him to make the post game statement that "only 3 starting jobs are established, which is Wall, Bledsoe and Patterson. " Perhaps that is trying to light a fire beneath Cousins, because Orton played quite well last night, even though the stat-line does not reflect it. Cousins fouled out of the game, only playing 18 minutes.

Overall, the only real statement that can be made is "growing pains". There were definitive moments of dominance, going up by 27/29 points at times, with some brilliant athletic plays. On the flip side, there were some bonehead passes and not so smart shot selections. Superior athleticism won this game.
Getting everyone to give 100% seems to be the issue right now, which is normal with a young team.


In summation, it was a good win to open the season. Missing two players, (one a starter) it was a good test for everyone to get into the flow of the game. Morehead St is a team returning 5 starters that was in the tourney last year, so its not like playing an absolute cake game. Obvious things to point out are:

1)Outside shooting will obviously have to improve, and I think it will over time.

2) Effort on defense must be improved, which will happen under Cal.

3) Shot selection and taking care of the ball must improve. This comes with experience, as the entire backcourt is full of freshman/sophmores.


While I think we will be undefeated heading into the Carolina game, I would not be surprised at all to drop a game. Not a reason for concern though, as March is the goal. We have Rider coming up on the schedule, who just beat Miss St soundly last night. That could prove a decent test.

[dooleydiesel28]

Of course UK will get a whole lot better once John Wall steps on the floor but I wasn't impressed with Daniel Orton at all....
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[BigPapaVol]

Getting Bledsoe AND Wall was a coup.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[Hardwood_fanatic]

Cal's post game presser. Gets on the team and certain players pretty hard, at points.

http://johnclay.bloginky.com/files/2...2009_11_13.mp3

[ukvols]

I'm normally not the thread police, but I'd prefer this be in the NCAA forum. I'm saying this after Game 1, b/c I don't want to see the Vols Bball forum get hijacked as the season goes on.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[lylsmorr]

Holding Morehead State's Faried to anything less than a double double is impressive in itself. He hits the boards hard. Good game in the post by UK

[Shaun1985]

Let's see how UK plays against Rider. That's my dark horse lol.

[ukvols]

Seriously, this reminds me of a thread in the NCAA forum about a player who wasn't even considering UT committing to Duke. That thread belonged nowhere on VN. This one belongs in the NCAA forum, b/c it is the SEC. I like having the OP on this board, but I don't want to see an essay on UK Bball after every game in the Vols forum. This needs to be nipped in the bud, IMO.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[Hardwood_fanatic]

Originally Posted by ukvols

Seriously, this reminds me of a thread in the NCAA forum about a player who wasn't even considering UT committing to Duke. That thread belonged nowhere on VN. This one belongs in the NCAA forum, b/c it is the SEC. I like having the OP on this board, but I don't want to see an essay on UK Bball after every game in the Vols forum. This needs to be nipped in the bud, IMO.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

The only reason I put it here is because alot of the basketball posters seem to migrate here only, and not to the NCAA thread. For more views and more intelligent conversation, it would thrive better in this forum, IMO. Seeing as how UK/UT are basically playing heads up for the SEC, I just figured people may want a look at whats going on from the other side. One effects the other, so to speak.

I noted in my post for the Mods to move if necessary. I'm not trying to hi-jack any forum. If it turns into every Tom, dick and harry posting useless rabble about teams not remotely affecting UT, then I am on board with you 100%. So feel free to have it moved.

[lylsmorr]

Originally Posted by Hardwood_fanatic

The only reason I put it here is because alot of the basketball posters seem to migrate here only, and not to the NCAA thread. For more views and more intelligent conversation, it would thrive better in this forum, IMO. Seeing as how UK/UT are basically playing heads up for the SEC, I just figured people may want a look at whats going on from the other side. One effects the other, so to speak.

I noted in my post for the Mods to move if necessary. I'm not trying to hi-jack any forum. If it turns into every Tom, dick and harry posting useless rabble about teams not remotely affecting UT, then I am on board with you 100%. So feel free to have it moved.

A new drop down tab for "Around the NCAA" has been created under Forums so that forum will be getting more traffic. I think it would be best to put this there