Win another learning lesson for Cal’s Cats
November 24th, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
The bad news is that Patrick Patterson injured his ankle early in the second half. The good news is that Kentucky’s young players got another winning lesson in the Wildcats’ 73-49 win over Cleveland State in the Cancun Classic.
Since Patterson’s injury did not seem overly serious, this was a good time for UK to learn how to play well without him virtually the entire second half.
Freshman John Wall played like, well, John Wall. Wall scored a team-high 15 points, and had 11 of them in the second half. Again, his speed was just too much for Cleveland State as he got to the foul line 10 times and made nine. He got 15 points even though he took just five shots. More importantly, he had six assists and four rebounds to help offset his five turnovers.
DeMarcus Cousins got in early foul trouble — again — and still had 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in only 18 minutes. Cousins was whistled for an technical foul for throwing an intentional elbow at Cleveland State’s Jared Cunningham with 3:25 remaining after an official warned Cunningham for shoving Cousins in the back seconds earlier — and don’t forget it looked like Cunningham had also hit Cousins with a knee when Cousins was laying on the floor a couple of possessions earlier.
Cousins plays on emotion and while that has caused him problems, it wasn’t all bad in a one-sided game to see him decide to let an opponent know enough was enough. The Cats need that spunk.
Reserves got some needed minutes and maybe some confidence. Senior forward Perry Stevenson had eight rebounds amd three points and freshman forward Daniel Orton had six points, one rebound and two blocks in the win for Kentucky (5-0).
Jon Hood also made his first 3-pointer and Josh Harrellson hit two shots.
Kentucky’s defense also held Cleveland State to 17-for-64 shooting from the field, the Cats’ second straight strong defensive showing.
Sophomore guards DeAndre Liggins and Darnell Dodson did not play. Liggins has yet to play this season and if he’s not going to play in Cancun, one has to wonder if Calipari is ever going to play him. Dodson sat out his third straight game since Calipari admitted he was in the “doghouse.”
There remains no indication when either one will play or why they are not playing, which remains a bit perplexing.
However, overall I thought this was another good learning experience for Cal’s Cats.
Now tell me what you thought!
Posted in UK Basketball
Tell you what larry,
I discovered that I have been entirely too critical when formatting my opinion of the SEC basketball officiating corp.
They’re not half bad when compared to some others.
Larry, this has the be the biggest joke of a basketball tourney I’ve ever seen! I mean they are playing in a ballroom with less than 1200 seats. The floor is warped and has gaps. I never would’ve thought I’d see a UK team playing in such an event!
But, we are so here are my thoughts on the actual game. Started way to slow and had too many turnovers early. I thought the second half they looked good though. I’m sure we’ll see that with a young team trying to find their way. I thought the officiating was awful (both ways). You have to let the kids play some. It was just called way too close for my liking. I agree with you that I like seeing Cousins showing he won’t keep taking the abuse from the State player. However, I was worried he could be tossed for that action. He just made it a little too obvious! haha Next time the big fella needs to hide it a bit better.
As I have said before teams are going to be very physical with this team. Most will not have the talent to beat us straight up so they will resort to physical if not slightly dirty play. This is a tactic that I have been noticing since game 1. They slap at the ball and push on almost every play.
I agree with you Larry about Big Cuz standing up for himself. I would like for him to play like Jamaal Maglore did. With a no back down attitude. When teams see we will punch back they will slow that stuff down.
Finally I noticed than they are still improving every game. They are getting more patience in running the offense. They cut the 1st half turnovers in half. Thats listening to the coach and buying in. They have lots to learn but they are moving forward. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
Cancun Classic…a little research. It looks like B. Clyde booked this baby, I guess he thought he could catch some rays while he was there. I can’t find anything on a previous basketball classic there but who knows. Maybe this was all B Clydes idea anyway. Daily passes were $81 if you did not stay at the resort. $300 and provide general admission entry to all eight men’s basketball. Fans who purchased travel/game packages from Triple Crown Sports already have their game tickets included. Sounds like a travel scam to me. I think this is one hideous tournament and can’t beleive the UK administration approved it. One more thing, I found lots of information about gymnastics meets being held there in Jan. for at least the past 6-7 years. Ballrooms are better for gymnastic meets than b-ball. Just because ballroom has a ball in it does not mean you should play basketball there. Just my thoughts and they aren’t worth much. GO CATS!
A very lackluster, uninspired offensive performance in the first half. Much better execution in the second half. Defense was pretty good, overall. The foul shooting will have to get better because, obviously, every opponent’s game plan is to beat the crap out of whatever player has the ball. Our guys can’t get the ball anywhere near the lane without getting bludgeoned down. Every win is a good win. Time to play our first high-major. Bring on Stanford. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Dear Big Blue Nation,
I hope you are enjoying the Cancun Challenge. You are very welcome. When they told me I could sit on a beach, partake of some fine cervezas and still get paid, I was all over it brother. When I saw the accommodations, I was really sold. The only problem was that there weren’t any bathroom stalls in the conference/locker room, so I was going to have to come up with a place for Josh at halftime, but I would have prevailed. As you well know, I have always been capable of adapting to whatever the situation called for. Crap, I even told them I’d be nice to that cute little Edwards chick at halftime, if it would seal the deal.
Well, sorry I couldn’t be there with you all, but that’s life. I do hope to be able to travel to the tournament that I set up for you next year. It’s in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Some liquor place down there is going to put a court down in their distillery. That was a crazy meeting, the day I signed that contract, I can tell ya. I don’t even remember the drive home.
Have fun,
Billy G.
Dear Billy G.
The contract with the Lynchburg Moonshine Classic has been cancelled. The Univ of Kentucky has more class than some has been cowboy.
Sincerely,
The Big Blue Nation
Great stuff Jim and Linda. Nothing wrong with a little fun.
But I knew when I was in Cancun in May and saw this place that it was going to not be the experience most at UK thought it was. But again, the players probably like the beach, sun, etc., and maybe this will make them appreciate what they have even more. At the least it’s a learning lesson and when you can win and still learn a lesson, that is good enough for me at this time of year
Thank you Larry, we try our best!
I just don’t understand how UK could agree to this tournament. At least in Hawaii you have an actual gym with a decent floor. Do you think there was some kind of kick back or did a certain some one just want a vacation in Cancun?
Perhaps Darnell Dodson will get to play tonight. I thought I read somewhere that he was suspended for 3 games for an unspecified violation of team rules. Cal never came out and said he was suspended, but just said that he had gotten so mad at Darnell at practice that he had used words he hadn’t used in Kentucky yet. (Chuckle)
Go Cats!
I think Billy G. wanted to go, but I also think UK officials thought the trip would be a good experience before going to Maui next year.
Karen, I think you are right with Dodson and three games, but only Cal knows. Guess we find out tonight
Speaking of players not playing – Is Liggins ever going to play?
I think Vandy won the cancun tourny last year
Karen/Barry,
There are a lot of rumors out there regarding Liggins and Dodson. I’m not going to repeat what I heard that these young men did, but have heard it was a 3 game suspension for Dodson (which means he would eligible to play tonight) and a 6 game suspension for Liggins.
I don’t have a problem with Cal teaching discipline. I also like the fact that he is keeping it all “in house”. I know that just leads to speculation, but these are young guys that do make mistakes, so handle the problem internally and move on.
Thanks Matt – I realize now that Coach Cal keeps very quiet on his discipline. I hope that Dodson and Liggins learn their lessons because the team will only be better with playing.
I agree! I’m not real sure how much PT Liggins will get this year anyway, but Dodson is needed! It has been nice to see Bledsoe knock down that 3 point shot though. The more we can hit open shots, the easier it will be to get the DDM going.
It can’t be that bad, what would make you not want to repeat it??? I’m just being nosy…
Jackie-
I just don’t like spreading rumors. The information I was told may or may not be correct and therefore it would be unfair to those guys for me to speculate. Chances are we’ll probably never know because I don’t expect Calipari to tell us why they are in his “doghouse”. I just wanted to pass the information along about how long the suspensions were according to what I’ve heard. On a side note, Jeff Goodman just tweeted this morning that Dodson could possibly play today.
I understand, works slow that’s all!
Boyer, you are one sick puppy!
:)
Funny………….but ’sick’
Gene, I thought Jim’s post was priceless…where else would you have gotten to see that but on Larry’s site! Like I said, this was all Billy Clyde’s doing and Jim might have hit it on the head! LOL GO CATS!
Thanks, Matt. I too like that Cal is keeping the discipline in house. While I’m sure we all are curious, I’m not sure it does the young men any good to have the fans know what stupid thing they did to get in the doghouse. Just so long as they learn their lesson…
Go Cats!
LARRY> It is just sad that you can have a ball room dance at noon, and put down some driftwood that night and tip it off..I blame the Higher ups for this one..You have to go and evaluate the venue..High school administrations do that..what next, hey we are going to maui, but we are playing on the ridge of a volvano…the only good that will come of this is our kids haveing this time together..Will be nicer getting back to Lexington a CHAMP..no matter how bad the Dance floor was..LOL..BIG BLUE Keep picking up out high and make them put it on the floor, If not stanford will stay in this game..They are not a physical team, so I expect them to really rely on the 3..”D” up and the CATS will be fine!!GO BIG BLUE!!!
I have no problem with in-house discipline either. I just think Cal could have made this a lot easier on everyone by following Brooks’ example and just say one game, three games, etc. That would end the speculation.
ACtually, I still believe Dodson’s three games were supposed to include Miami and that Cal played him after the team got so far behind. Remember how long it was before he came in.
Good discussion here by all. Nothing wrong with different points of view or perspective at all
LARRY, I see what your saying it does come through has curious to not say anything, But It may be a Attitude ajustment with both these kids, (IF) and I do mean if that is the case then they may not be responding to what is expected of them….I’M leaning toward that, that is about the attitude…I think if it was anything else he would have given a date on a decision IMO..I have been wrong many times before, Its just my thoughts..all that said, TAKE DOWN STANFORD!!! HAPPY Thanksgiving everyone!!!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Thanks Linda, Gene and Larry. If I didn’t make fun of and laugh at the whole Billy G “thing”, I would probably cry. His first year we had Ramel and Joe’s resurgence to pick us up (and Patrick too, until the injury), but last year was just the most miserable time I have ever had watching UK. It was like my team had been taken away and replaced by a bunch of strangers. I could tell how unhappy they were and exactly what (WHO) the cause was. I could not be happier that this “tournament” is the final part of that regime’s poor decisions that we have to get over. I will still post any Billy G letters that I come across though. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
Jim, I could not have said it better about last year and this year. GO CATS!
Amen, Jim, amen