Bilas likes UK’s talent, wonders about defense
November 12th, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
Count Jay Bilas as a believer in John Calipari’s talent at Kentucky.
“I think the only team more talented on paper is Kansas,” said the ESPN game and studio analyst.
What makes Bilas’ impression of Kentucky a little different is that he’s not overly concerned about players adjusting to Calipari’s dribble-drive offense. Instead, he’s wondering more about how they might do defensively because he thinks Calipar doesn’t get enough credit for the defensive job he did at Memphis.
“I think biggest ajdustment will be defense. Calipari’s Memphis teams won because of defense. Shooting always a bug-a-boo for Memphis. They did not shoot well from the perimeter or make free throws. The reason they won is they defended so well,” Bilas said. “That is where they laid the foundation and knocked people around. That is one of the hardest thing to get freshmen to understand how hard they have to play (on defense) and how together they have to be.
“Every player on the roster is new to the system. They are all rookies to Calipari’s system. Are they good enough to get to Indianapolis (for the Final Four)? Sure. I would not put them as a favorite over Kansas, Texas or Michigan State. I would put them in a second group behind teams like that, but they are more than good enough talent-wise.”
Bilas knows how good UK freshman guard John Wall is.
“Nobody will stay in front of John Wall. He is the fastest guy in college basketball,” Bilas said. “He is the real thing.”
However, he sounds equally impressed with freshman guard Eric Bledsoe.
“I think people will be surprised at how good Eric Bledsoe is. He is not a tall kid, but he is a very, very good player at either guard position. He is a player and a very good guard,” Bilas said.
And then there is junior college transfer Darnell Dodson, a player Bilas joked “might be older than me” because he originally signed with Pittsburgh two years ago and then went to junior college.
“The guy that has to knock shot downs is Darnell Doson. He can really shoot it. He will get openings because of the ability of the perimieter guys to punch the lane. Dodson is the guy that really then has to knock down shots for Kentucky from the perimeter when he gets the chance,” Bilas said.
Posted in UK Basketball
I know he is a PUKE University graduate, but I like Jay Bil……………..CRAP!!!!
Sorry about that. I was dodging a couple of lightning bolts. WOW, that was close!!!
As I was saying…despite his previous poor life decisions, I like Jay Bilas. He has his biases, but he is usually pretty fair when he does game commentary or writes his column. He speaks his mind and is right a lot of the time. He is no Larry Vaught (and never will be), but he has his moments, like this one. I don’t think any of us need to worry about the defense though. This team is going to be a defensive monster. I have posted it before and I still stick by it: This team will hold most opponents in the 50s. They are THAT good. GO BIG BLUE!!!
Daggone Jim, I thought it was just here at my house. As soon as I read his name and knew what school he went to I got thunderbolts and the ghost in my house started throwing things. I had to duck a couple times and hold up my picture of Rupps Runts before they would calm down. I agree with you, he is more fair when it comes to UK than those other flukes out there pretending to be sports reporters, the one with the fake hair, the one who needs to be run out of the state and the national announcer who irritates my last nerve and then there is Billy Faker. It’s going to be a great season, but just remember we won’t win all of them. Don’t cry, don’t get upset, don’t smash your 55 inch high def TV with a brick, just sit back, smile, enjoy and shed a tear or two. GO CATS!
Jim…warning…don’t ever, ever, never, mention that ‘other’ schools name or that ‘other other’ schools name out loud or even n the same sentence…the wrath of Rupp and all long gone Big Blue Nation will haunt you for eternity. Also, there is another school in the state north of South Carolina and a school south of the state of Kentucky you should not say out loud either.
Linda, I don’t ever mention those other skoolz (I’m pretty sure that’s how their grahjuwets spell it) unless I have to. And don’t worry about my 57 inch high def…I have a cushy little UK basketball that sits next to me during games, for those (hopefully) rare occasions. And, by the way, you should just relax about all those national media losers. Let go of the anger and be happy thinking about how painful this season is going to be for them. You can revel in their misery as UK dominates and leaves them with ulcers, chest pains and nothing negative to write or say. Some of them may even get so desperate that they make things up, just to write something bad about UK. NAAAAHHH, THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN!! These guys have journalistic integrity.
Is it tomorrow yet?
GO BIG BLUE!!!
I’m relaxed and the anger is good, it’s a good release for all the left over hormones! I’m happy, pumped, excited, energized, thrilled, eager, thrilled, ecstatic, over joyed, elated,euphoric, blissful, delighted and just over all feeling good about the season. All that calms down the anger too, just don’t let those yahoos trash talk my team! I know they are all going to have to eat there words and maybe a little bit of left over mess from Keeneland stalls! Did I say thrilled twice? Well I am! GO CATS! Maybe our man Larry will get to rub it in their faces also! He is the best. GO CATS!
Puke’s Blue Jay Bilas has made a living putting down UK for one thing or another. If it wasn’t Tubby leaving, then it was something else that he could blast UK for what he thought was wrong doings. It is nice to see that he can actually write or even say something good about UK for a change.
They all have to get back on the bandwagon this year. No choice or they have no credibility
Way to stay brief…
Bilas has always been pretty fair to UK. It is shocking, but he hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as people like Pat Forde, Dookie V or Tipton. IMO Pat Forde and Tipton hate UK & just look for ways to make us look bad.
I also think this UK team is going to get a lot better as the season goes and they learn to play together more.
Guys He is not the only PUKE representative that likes the CATS,even though he has to Question something about this team,I wouldn’t expect any thing else…But JAY WILLIAMS last night at the end of the (That team that Linda pointed out earlier, you know the one North of s.carolina),Williams was asked for his FINAL FOUR pick,He didn’t even get to the other three, he said all I know is im picking KENTUCKY will win the CHAMPIONSHIP… I had to be helped out of the floor!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!!!
Linda I bet My Head explodes from the wait before yours does..LOL…What Time Is tip off..TIC TOC TIC TOC>>Hurry up clock…GO CATS!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!!
I’m glad you guys are learning something from an old lady. There are just some things I can’t say out loud or even think! Tim, I don’t even mention the guys name at the LHL, he is the ‘other’ sports reporter or journalist, and I use journalist loosely. The school north of South Carolina is as far as I am concerned is fartolina, puke is good for that other one. The school in Louisville is that ‘other’ school that has that ‘other’ coach. Can’t say those words either. TRUBLU69…Guess what, I won’t be able to watch it, I don’t get off until late and I don’t have ESPNU… bummer! I’m not worried about my head exploding, just my heart from all the excitement, it’s pumping and pumping and pumping, adrenalin is flowing. I haven’t been this excited since I met Mickey Mantle!
I hope all these bad mouthing big paycheck yahoos send apologizes to all fans of the Big Blue Nation. That one from LHL never apologized to Mrs. Patterson, he only offered a clarification…sicko…I know his mother must have raised him better than that! (this was not suppose to be this long!)
MICKEY MANTLE? YOU LUCKY THANG YOU! LOL….GO BIG BLUE!!!
Very lucky, made him smile, have 2 signed baseballs! Eat your heart out! GO CATS!
Two signed baseballs from Mickey Mantle. As Eddie Montgomery would say, You are a Lucky (Wo)Man
I just refer to the other coach at that other school as FEBUK. Formerly Employed By UK
and yeah, I think the whole LHL owes the Pattersons & UK an apology, but I don’t think either will ever get one.
Yep, now if I could just get season tickets to the basketball games or at least couple games I would be in 7th heaven!
Dear Linda,
I will be writing a story about how you stole 2 baseballs from Mickey Mantle and how you plan to wait outside Rupp Arena and mug someone for their tickets.
Oh, and Tim, the Pattersons owe ME an apology for ruining my story!!
Man, this poetic license stuff is awesome!! Gotta go. I’m late for my date with Pat 4D (That’s my cute little play on his name).
Sincerely,
Jerry Tipton
Be nice guys. But I do like that nickname tim
I can’t take credit for it. People have been saying that for years on the sports forums.
LINDA DON’t YOU MEAN 8th HEAVEN!!!!Get It…Has In 8th Banner…GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Oh yes, 8th and 9th and 10th etc Heaven! TruBlue69 you got it all right.
Dear LHL ‘other’ sports reporter, aka Jerry Tipover
I did not steal those baseballs. I told you I made him smile. I would not have to mug anyone for tickets; I would only have to bat my baby blue eyes.
I have notified the integrity unit of the Big Blue nation, unless you apologize to the 1st family of the Big Blue Nation, the Patterson’s and their superfantabulousglorious son, Patrick, the Big Blue Mafia will be standing at your door with Louavull Sluggers. I’m not sure what they will do with them, but I hear they bat a thousand.
Sincerely,
MS. Wildcat
I”ll PUT THE STAMP ON THE ENVELOPE>>LOL>>>GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Thank you, sounds like I have a follower who agrees with me. Make sure the stamp doesn’t have one of those ugly red birds on it.
Being stationed in NC and reading the love the fans have for the Big Blue…almost makes it worth it.
It brings tears to my eyes. I bet it is hard being a fan in that area. I have a friend that lives almost halfway between those two schools, she fly her flag with pride! GO CATS!
Glad you guys are having fun here. That’s what we want. And just think how much fun it will be to be a Kentucky fan in North Carolina when the Cats beat the Tar Heels Dec. 5 and also beat them to 2,000 wins