Sunday, December 31, 2006

I Closed My Eyes And Watched It Fly

December Game Blog Award

(Nobody's gonna break my stride, ain't nobody gonna slow me down, oh no (oh no!), I-got-to-keep-on-mo-vin)

Kentucky is beginning to find an all around complete game for themselves as the stats would suggest again for the fourth straight game owning up to double digit victories since beating Indiana by 5 earlier this month. In fact against EKU, Kentucky found one of their best TO/Assist ratios of the season while also dominating the boards.

Not to take away from their progress thus far, but honestly Kentucky really has only played three games this month which the pressure was on them to win - the other four (Chattanooga, Santa Clara, UMass, and EKU) the pressure was more so for Tubby to open a can of Runaway than having the pressure of possibly losing those games, and with Tubby's credit, the Cat's have responded with all double digit wins over them. The three schools Tubby faced this month in which he encountered the most pressure to pull out a win, the Cats went 2-1 (L UNC, W Indiana, W L'ville). L'ville is underachieving, Indiana is still a very good ball club, and we all know what kind of team North Carolina is. North Carolina is a team that has a knack for overachieving in which Kentucky lost by 12 to.

But I think Tubby is getting through finally on offense, and I think Derrick Jasper has just as much a part of it as anyone else on the team. Since Jasper moved to the point, Bradley's game has opened up and all of a sudden Kentucky has that two guard threat again, but what's so different with those two compared with Patrick Sparks and Rajon Rondo is that Bradley and Jasper are both perimeter shooting threats and will drive the paint as before Sparks would be the only duo threat of shooting and passing and Rondo would only drive and dish and steal for the most part. Then add Joe Crawford to that mix and Kentucky has the potential to be a major threat if they can keep Morris involved in every game.

So they really are coming along quite nicely despite the light sched the last half of December and aside from lacking a compliment to Morris underneath, the only thing I'd love to see is for Kentucky to put together two dominant halves. Against Chattanooga and UMass, the Cat's came out roaring with a double digit half-time lead only to then just do enough to break even the second half. Against EKU, they barely held on to the half-time lead before putting together a similar second half for the double-digit win, and even against L'ville they only had a 3 point half-time lead before pulling away at the end of the game for the W which was reminiscent of the game against Indiana a week prior. In their only loss of the month against UNC, they put together similar 1st and 2nd half performances like that against EKU but were on the trailing end of each half which resulted in the double-digit loss and only loss of the month, but I'll be real, that WAS the North Carolina ON THE ROAD. There's just one more game before conference play starts and they have to find a way to pull away early and not let up in the second half against weaker SEC opponents because by the time the LSUs, Alabamas, Tennessees, and Floridas roll around, Kentucky is going to need that confidence to grind out some exciting wins, and by February, we're going to know how good Kentucky is going to be this year.

Game Blog Award/NOMINEES

With that said, it's the season for the December Game Blog Award. Kentucky's only loss comes to UNC early on, and with wins over Indiana and Louisville, the month of December has proven to be eye opening for the Wildcats. We saw the emergence of a freshman point guard and because of that allowing Ramel Bradley out of the cage so to speak to becoming a reliable second option - go-to-guy for Kentucky if you will. There's no doubt that since Jasper roared for a starting spot, Kentucky has played better, are getting better, and are now legit SEC Title contenders. Beyond that - not so sure. One thing is for sure - that's expecting double doubles from Randolph Morris.

at North Carolina

Kentucky packed their bags for Chapel Hill in the first week of December with hopes of a desperate win not only to rebound from Maui and build upon their strength of wins but also to notch a win in front of a national audience against one of the best storied college programs in history and break the losing streak against them.

North Carolina shot 37% while Kentucky shot 46% but in the end it was Kentucky's turnovers, UNC's D, and UNC's three point shooting that got the best of the Cats that day and Kentucky suffered yet another disappointing loss to a Top 10 team within a matter of weeks 75-63.

Notable performances
Joe Crawford:5-12, 14 pts, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, (7 TOs), 35 min
Bobby Perry:5-8, 12 pts (2 Threes), 6 rebounds, assist, (2 TOs), 25 min

Game Blog NOMINEE
Randolph Morris: With his near-perfect game against the Tar Heels, he was clutch against UNC, and without him, Kentucky would have been embarrassed on the road yet again. Stats: 11-12, 23 pts, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, (3 TOs), 31 min

Chattanooga

Kentucky bounced back and took some of their frustrations out on Chattanooga in the first half with 15 pt half-time lead dropping 45 within the first 20 minutes. They relaxed a bit only sporting a 1 point edge in the second half finishing for 79-63 victory and forcing Chattanooga under 30% field goal shooting.

Notable Performances
Derrick Jasper: 1 pt, game-high *10 rebounds, game-high *6 assists, 3 steals, (4 TOs), 28 min
Joe Crawford: 7-13, 4-9 Tri's, 19 pts, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, (2 TOs), 30 min
Randolph Morris: 7-10, 17 pts, 7 rebounds, assist, 4 blocks, (3 TOs), 31 min
Bobby Perry: 7-8, 3-3 Tri's, 17 pts, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, (2 TOs), 28 min

Game Blog NOMINEE
RRamel Bradley: 8-13, 6-9 Tri's, team-high *23 pts, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, steal, (2 TOs), 31 min

Indiana

Kentucky grinded out a tough hard fought win against a very good shooting ball club in Indiana 54-59. Although Indiana showed great poise for an upset and out rebounding Kentucky by 3, +12 offensively, Kentucky held the Hoosiers to 30% shooting and thanks to freshman Jodie Meeks, clinched the home victory with two clutch free throws with seconds left.

Notable Performances
Randolph Morris: 6-12, 16 pts, game-high *10 rebounds, assist, 4 blocks, (2 TOs), 37 min
Ramel Bradley: 2-9, game-high *6-6 FTL, 10 pts, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, block, steal, (3 TOs), 37 min
Jodie Meeks: 1-3, game-clinching *2-2 FT, 5 pts, rebound, block, 12 minutes

Game Blog NOMINEE
Bobby Perry: 5-9, 11 pts, game-high *10 rebounds, **12 stitches, 2 assists, (2 TOs), 24 min

at L'ville

Because Randolph Morris uncharacteristically this season got in early foul trouble, someone had to step up. Nope, not Perry. Nope, try again, not Crawford. Um, no not the freshman Jasper. Try freshman Jodie Meeks. Kentucky missed Morris as they never really broke away from the Cardinals until the end of the game despite holding the Cardinals to 27% shooting and earned another quality win 74-60 down the stretch. Ramel Bradley provided offensive support for Kentucky while Morris sat out most of the game, but it was freshman Jodie Meeks that impressed by providing scoring power that Morris was expected to provide.

Notable Performance
Ramel Bradley: 4-10, 6-7 FTL, 15 pts, team-high *6 rebounds, 2 assists, block, (3 TOs), 31 min

Game Blog NOMINEE
Jodie Meeks: 5-10, 4-7 Tri's, 4-5 FTL, game-high *18 pts, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, steal, (TO), 21 min

Santa Clara

It was the first game of the month that saw Kentucky's Assist column rise higher than their turnovers. Kentucky shot 41% holding Santa Clara to 35% and it wasn't until after the half-time, 2 point lead locker room pep talk that the Wildcats broke away to seal a 14 pt victory led by Randolph Morris' bounce-back performance of 23 pts and 13 rebounds.

Notable Performances
Ramel Bradley: 4-14, 3 Tri's, 14 pts, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, (2 TOs), 29 min
Derrick Jasper: 2-3, 6-8 FTL, 10 pts, 3 assists, block, steal, (2 TOs), 25 min

Game Blog NOMINEE
Randolph Morris: 10-18, 23 pts, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals, (3 TOs), 33 min

UMass

Kentucky took a 12 point half-time lead and sat on it for the most part in the second half for a 14 pt victory of UMass 82-68 in one of their highest scoring totals of the season thus far. Kentucky practically shot lights out with nearly 60% shooting and holding UMass to under 40% and it marks the second straight game Kentucky's assists were more than their turnovers. They went into the Christmas weekend with a 5 game winning streak.

Notable Performances (Morris, Bradley, and Crawford 14 pts each)
Jodie Meeks: 5-5 FTL, 10 pts, 3 assists, game-high *3 steals
Randolph Morris: 6-10, 14 pts, 5 rebounds, assist, 4 blocks, (2 TOs), 25 min

Game Blog NOMINEE
Derrick Jasper: 3-4, 9 pts, 5 rebounds, Game-High *8 assists, 2 steals, (4 TOs), 29 min

EKU

Bradley sank threes, Morris tied a career high, and Kentucky continues to win with their sixth straight victory with a 13 point win over Eastern Kentucky in their first game back after the Christmas break. Morris reached another double double and he helped lead the Wildcats to 51% shooting as they built upon a six-point half-time lead and played a solid second half for their fourth-straight double digit win of the month. Joe Crawford added 13 pts on 6-12 shooting as it also marked the third straight game Kentucky's assists were higher than their turnovers.

Notable Performances
Randolph Morris: 9-12, 7-10 FTL, 25 pts, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, (TO), 31 min

Game Blog NOMINEE
Ramel Bradley: 6-10, Team-High *4-7 Tri's, 4-4 FTL, 20 pts, 5 rebounds, Game-High *4 assists, Game-High *5 steals, (TO), Game-High *36 min

Here's again a quick list of the Wildcat Blog's December Game Blog NOMINEES

· Randolph Morris, vs UNC
· Ramel Bradley, vs Chattanooga
· Bobby Perry, vs Indiana
· Jodie Meeks, vs Louisville
· Randolph Morris, vs Santa Clara
· Derrick Jasper, vs UMass
· Ramel Bradley, vs EKU

The 2006 December Game Blog Award

And the Wildcat Blog's 2006 December Game Blog Award goes to Bobby Perry for his gutsy performance against Indiana.

This year has been up and down for Bobby Perry, but one thing is for certain, Perry will show you 100% one hundred percent of the time. He may not be that low post compliment to Randolph Morris Kentucky is needing to be complete, but Perry can score and will show that when the matchup is in his favor. His defense and toughness rivals that of anybody in the SEC and even in college basketball itself. His willingness to play tough, play hurt, and help make others elevate their game according to the game plan shows you just how important Bobby Perry is to Kentucky this year. His senior leadership and example on the court provides as an example to the freshmen on the team waiting for more minutes.

I could easily hand out the Dec. Game Blog to Morris or Bradley for their contribution lately, even maybe Jasper, but when I look at what Bobby Perry does when he doesn't score, the intangibles - the stuff you miss if you're not paying attention, and more specifically, Perry's willingness to shed some blood in a game against Indiana in a grind-it-out win as they struggle for a five point win in front of a home crowd in Rupp while logging his first career double double, it was kind of an automatic thing for me to honor this kid unless someone else had a performance which rivaled his this month. The senior Perry displayed his leadership, his determination to do whatever it takes to win against a team they had to beat for the sake of salvaging some respect after losing against the Tar Heels. I don't think no other performance rivaled that of Bobby Perry's given the circumstances, the opponent, and the desperate nature of the win. After all, double-doubles come easy for Morris and is expected of him at this point in the season, Perry's out-of-the-blue performance against Indiana isn't quite what Kentucky fans are used to. Congratulations to Bobby Perry, he's well deserving of this award.

'06 DEC Game Blog


Bobby Perry: 5-9, 11 pts, 10 rebounds, (12 stitches), 2 assists, (2 TOs), 24 min in a 5-point win over Indiana, 59-54.

Friday, December 29, 2006

We Are K E N T U C K Y

Clemson 20 Kentucky 28

The Wildcat Blog congratulates Rich Brooks and the 2006 Kentucky Football team for defeating the Clemson Tigers 28-20 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, TN Friday afternoon.

Congrats to the seniors who have endured this long to see their hard work and dedication be rewarded with not only their first bowl win but also helping Kentucky earn its first bowl win since 1984. They become only the second SEC team (Auburn) to win the Music City Bowl.

And congratulations to this Kentucky Defense which has been ranked near bottom of the nation which held Clemson to just one TD for the better part of this game, created opportunities, and held Clemson's highly touted running back tandem to under 100 yards combined and no scores.

The Wildcat Blog salutes you on your 2006 Music City Bowl victory.

Music City Bowl: 4th Quarter

Clemson Ball

Roger Williams sacks Proctor!

3rd and 15 for Clemson at their own 25. 4th and 13. Great stop for Kentucky. Now just re-establish Little-Dixon attack.

Punt Return - Little jukes and sprints down the sideline to the Clemson 28!!!

Kentucky Ball

1st and 10. I-formation. Dixon for 8. Sweet.

2nd down and 2. Dixon for about 8 more to the Clemson 13. Sweet. 1st Down.

1st and 10. Incomplete. I can feel a bowl win BIG BLUE FANS!!!! I FEEL A WIN!!! A HUGE WIN. At best it's going to be 24-6 with about 11 minutes left to play.

2nd and 10, 5-wide set, Woodson back, scrambles, HE FINDS JACOB TAMME FOR SIX!!!! Kentucky is laying a butt spanking on the ACC's Clemson Tigers! And that's lightly putting it. Tamme was wide open. Clemson too worried about Little in the redzone. It cost them.

Kentucky up 28-6 on Clemson.

Woodson 19-26, 274 yards, 3 TD's. Proctor with just 134 yards, TD-INT. Credit Kentucky's D. We'll be back NEXT YEAR YALL!!!

Clemson Ball

Clemson's duo RB's?? Combine for only 77 yards.

Clemson 1st down just inside Kentucky's territory.

Clemson's down 22. They need TD's, three of them with 9 and a half left. They just hooked up to about the Kentucky 20, and now at the 14.

First and 10 at the Kentucky 9. Incomplete in the endzone.

8:22 left. Kentucky up 28-6. Clemson back, pass tipped inside the 5. 3rd down and Goal.

LETS GOOOOO WILDCATS!!!!

3rd down. Clemson back, Proctor SACKED!!!! JEREMY JARMON MY NEW HERO!!!!!

I HOPE THE SEC IS WATCHING THIS GAME.

4th down,. Proctor back, WOW, touchdown Clemson. Grisham with a spectacular catch at the end of the endzone. He appears to be hurt, but wow, that's a catch for Clemson. Clutch kid there. Hope he's alright.

He's sitting up. That's good.

Ok Kentucky is now going to be up 28-13. Assuming the xtra point of course. LoL. Anyways, if you're Kentucky, don't panic.

Clemson going for two. LETS GO DEFENSE!!!!

Proctor back, scrambles to the sideline, and the WILDCATS force him out of bounds!!! That's defense Yall!!!!!! Woodyard forces him out.

Kentucky up 28-12 with 7:25 left.

LETS GO WILDCATS!!! LETS GO WILDCATS!!! LETS GO WILDCATS!!!

Kentucky Ball

Don't fumble. Don't make stupid plays, and if you're Andre Woodson, when you're steppin back to pass, if it's not there, throw the ball away, or better to just take the sack and take time off the clock. Just don't make stupid passes. The bowl win is in grasp. And finally, run the ball.

Clock ticking with about 6 and a half left, 2nd and about 6 from their own 43.

Dixon with nothing. Big third down play. I say play action and try to pick up the first down.

FLEA FLICKER TO DICKY LYONS!!! FIRST DOWN!!! LYONS did a good job coming back to that ball, Woodson got hit on the throw.

1st and 10. Woodson sacked.

Did I just hear one of the commentators just say Kentucky's a good team?? Holy crap. Hell has frozen over, huh?

Woodson just 1 yard shy of 300 yards passing.

Bankhead with a run up the field for 15. He has been clutch with a few runs this last quarter.

Four minutes left in the game, Kentucky is in FG position, the win is just about locked up for the WILDCATS!!!

2nd and 9 at the Clemson 20. Little gets to the 13. Flag Kentucky. A field goal will put Kentucky up 31-12. Who woulda thought Kentucky would have put up 30+ on Clemson huh?

Great play. Little up the middle. Timeout Clemson. Clemson with just one timeout left. That's just great play calling on Rich Brooks part keeping the clock running and forcing Clemson to use a timeout even though you need 10+ yards for a first down.

Rushing wise, Kentucky has done just as well as the highly acclaimed duo of Clemson's. Key stat - Kentucky 7-14 on third down. Clemson 3-10.

Kentucky went for it on fourth. Woodson passed it to the endzone. Incomplete. They should have ran the ball.

Clemson Ball

3rd and at their own 44 - pass to Stuckey to the Kentucky 28.

1:15 left, Clemson has one timeout left. Kentucky's won this game.

PROCTOR SACKED!!! Personal foul - face mask. Bad play.

1st and 10 at the Kentucky 13. Screen pass - lost yardage. LoL.

:50 secs left. GOOOO KENTUCKY!!!!

This game is over, Clemson not only needs a TD, but also a two point conversion AND an onside kick. HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

2nd down - Proctor to Kelly - TD. Great throw, but also great defense on the play. Just a great catch by Kelly.

Two point conversion. Clemson in the shotgun. Flag. False Start.

Score - 28-18 Kentucky.

Two point conversion from the 7 yd line - Proctor connects to Michael Palmer. Wow. 28-20 Kentucky.

Onside kick pending, Clemson STILL needs a TD AND another 2 pt conversion. Still, Kentucky is being caught celebrating early here. Hate to see it end like this for the Wildcats.

Onside Kick :44 secs left - Tamme Recovers!

GAME OVER!!!!!

CONGRATS TO KENTUCKY FOR BEATING CLEMSON!!!

1ST BOWL WIN SINCE 1984.

WOOHOOO! WOODSON KNEES.

KENTUCKY 28 Clemson 20

Music City Bowl: 3rd Quarter

Clemson Ball

Clemson in the middle of an opening second half drive. They're 1st and 10 at around midfield, and if they can at least get a FG off this drive they'll cut the Kentucky lead to 5 and a one score difference. Does Clemson trust their kicker though?

At the Kentucky 39, Clemson screens, and Braxton Kelly Jacks Up Stuckey. That was Jacked UP!!! Haha. TV timeout. Wonder why?

Stuckey probably signaled for it. LMAO! Kelly not only jacked him up but he almost came away with the ball.

Woodyard forces the Clemson turnover, Kentucky takes over at their own 32.

Kentucky Ball 11:03

Little up the middle for about 3.

3rd down and about 5 for Kentucky. Two straight plays to Little, I say it's time for a PA pass.

Woodson - shotgun formation - he finds TE Jacob Tamme to the Clemson 42. What a play.

1st and 10 Kentucky at the Clemson 42, Woodson find Burton to Clemson 29. Now, you're looking at at least a FG and 17-6 lead possibly.

1st and 10, Woodson to Little for about 5 yards to the Clemson 25. Clemson is realizing how hard it is to contain Little.

2nd and about 5 for Kentucky, PA to Little, Woodson finds Dickey Lyons for the ... TOUCHDOWN BABAAAAAAAAAAAY!. Twenty-four yard TD, Kentucky's up 21-6 on Clemson. CLEMSON YALL! I believe they said that was Andre Woodson's 30 TD pass of the season. Sweet.

With the duo of Little and Dixon, who's been effective replacing Little, Clemson has to honor Kentucky's running game which opens up Woodson's passing game.

Clemson Ball

1st and 10 at their own 29. Spiller goes ... NOWHERE. Clemson's not the only one who has linebackers.

Fake pitch on second down for Proctor, he only gets a couple. Kentucky's D is steppin it up!

3rd down play - Proctor scrambles for about 20. They have to adjust for that on 3rd down conversions.

1st down at the Kentucky 49.

Kentucky not allowing Clemson to run the ball effectively.

Clemson 5 wide, 6:22 left in the 3rd, 2nd down, Proctor throws for about 6.

3rd down and 2 Clemson at the Kentucky 42, ohhh, and they let Spiller get the first. Flag though, back it up.

3rd down and 12 Clemson at midfield, pass knocked away by Booker, and Clemson has to punt.

Little with the return, watch out Clemson, dont kick to him! Little dodges his way to about their own 40.

Kentucky Ball

1st and 10 from about their own 10.

Woodson PA - Interference Clemson.

If Kentucky can at least get a FG they strengthen their odds in winning this game.

Big third down for Kentucky. 3rd and 8, and Woodson find Steve Johnson for the first. Wow Kentucky converting 3rd downs, I like it.

Second down and 20 from midfield. Shotgun formation, Woodson a screen to Pulley for about 5. Another 3rd down play.

3rd down and 14 for Kentucky. Woodson back, pump fake, incomplete to Little. 4th Down. 1st time in awhile Clemson has put that kind of pressure on Woodson where he to force the pass.

1:24 left Clemson starts at their own 20.

Clemson Ball

Sixteen minutes from bankrupting Las Vegas Baby!!!

15 point lead for Kentucky, even if they allow Clemson a FG score, they'll still have a 12 pt lead going into the 4th quarter or being early in the 4th. The big key at this point for Kentucky with this kind of lead is one, well you'd like to keep their offense off the field, two, play good enough defense where you allow Clemson to use up a lot of clock because with a two score lead in the 4th quarter, the clock will be against Clemson to win this game. On offense, Kentucky just needs to re-establish Rafael Little and continue to use the play action pass, I'd almost sneak in a run with Little on 3rd down in a 3-wide set in the 4th.

END OF 3rd QUARTER

Music City Bowl: 2nd quarter

Kentucky Ball - Punts

Clemson with the ball -- FUMBLE - Kentucky RECOVERS!!!!! HOLLAR BACK YAAAAAAAAAAALL!!!!!

Kentucky Ball 13:20

Kentucky gets to the 50 yardline with a dump to Little. If they can get a FG here and get two scores up on Clemson, that will put some pressure on the Tigers.

How good is Woodson for Kentucky. Nice to have a QB who has his kind of awareness.

Kentucky to the 35 of Clemson, 2nd down and about 5.

Sweeeeep to Little - for about 10+ - firrrrrrrrrrrrrrst down Kentucky!

Flag on Kentucky, which is always holding 99 percent of the time. Unbelievable. Clemson can only hope to contain Little.

2nd and 14 at the Clemson 45. Clemson in a 4-3.

Screen to Burton. Nothing.

Woooooooooodson. Why? Don't take the sack man! Throw it away man, throw it away!

4th down Kentucky, out of FG range.

Punt partially blocked. Masthay is having a horrible day punting. Not what they needed. Avg punt is less than 30 yds.

Clemson Ball 9:01

Jacoby Ford runs over Kentucky for about 20.

Clemson 2nd and 10 at the Kentucky 32, and Proctor hooks up to TE Durrell Barry for the 32 yd TD. Tie game friends.

Please, just shank the xtra point.

HE SHANKED IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT! HE SHANKED IT!!!! HE SHAAAAAAAANKED IT!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

I'm calling for every Clemson kick to be shanked now.

7-6 Kentucky.

Kentucky Ball 8:00

1st and 10 at their own 20, Kentucky gives it to Little and he fumbles the ball. Unbelievable. Where is Kentucky's passing game?

Clemson ball

Trevard Lindley picks off Proctor in the endzone!! Right now, Kentucky is getting lucky right now with big plays.

Kentucky ball

3rd down 9 - Kentucky needs a big play.

Fumble Tamme. Not that kind of big play. They need to review this.

Just why is Kentucky resorting to screen plays on 3rd and long to begin with? They have to get Keenan Burton involved more in the passing attack. I think they are trying too hard to establish the running game. Clemson obviously started this game not taking Kentucky seriously. Rich Brooks has to now start calling plays that allows Woodson to either scramble and pass downfield to the likes of Tamme and Burton. And Clemson is blitzing a lot from the ends, a streaking Burton should be open downfield one time.

Clemson keeps the ball.

Clemson ball

Clemson fumbles!!! What the HECK is going on here??

Play under review. Why didn't I know better?

Four consecutive turnovers in about 2 minutes, you can't help but laugh because the better part of this second quarter, Clemson clearly has outplayed Kentucky and should be on top right now at least by 6 if it weren't for turnovers, on the other hand, kicking FG's aren't automatic for Clemson today.

Kentucky Ball 4:32

1st and 10 at their own 15 or so - why are they running draws?

They are not throwing downfield. Screen to Pulley for about ... NOTHING.

Yeah, here you go for play calling. 3rd down and 6 and you call a play to run your QB for ... about NOTHING. Now you gotta punt with a one point lead. That's far from being aggressive on offense.

Lets hope this punt is more than 30 yards.

FAKE PUNT !!!! HOLY CRAAAAAP!!!! RICH BROOKS HAS GOT SOME . With 2 and a half left? That's gutsy!!!

1st and 10 Kentucky.


WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Woodson throws deep to DeMoreo Ford for a 70 yard TOUCHDOWN!!! Kick Good. 14-6 Kentucky. Rich Brooks finally opening up the offense. He has to be aggressive offensively like this against Clemson because Clemson is keeping their guys close to the line of scrimmage. We have to keep going deep on these guys just like this whether it results in a score or a big play, then give it to Little or Dixon out of the backfield. Great play for Woodson - now Clemson has pressure to do something, maybe Kentucky's D can force another turnover now.

Clemson Ball

1:21 left in this half, and Kentucky has held Clemson to just 6 points.

3rd and 6 for Clemson - Incomplete! Now Kentucky gets the ball back with about a minute left, and if you're Kentucky, you want to at least get a FG try.

Clemson punt - Little receives the ball, dodges a few tackles, almost breaks it on the sideline.

Kentucky Ball :47

1st and 10 - Woodson almost picked off. Lets not do anything stupid.

3rd and 10 with 35 secs left. Just run it - force Clemson to use a timeout and then punt it.

And that's why I'm not a coach. Woodson in shotgun - hooks up with Steve Johnson to the Clemson 18.

1st and 10, and Woodson almost picked off yet again. If you're Kentucky, just play for the FG and not try to force anything. A FG puts up 11. That's two comfortable scores up on a very good Clemson team.

FG try from the Clemson 18 for a 36 yd attempt -- SHANKED RIGHT. Wow.

Three total missed FG attempts and a missed xtra point, not to
mention all the turnovers which pretty much took up the 2nd quarter.

Music City Bowl: 1st Quarter

As the game approaches kickoff here, I have to mention that I'm getting dooped by the Schwab so far this bowl season 4 to 11, but I'm not out of it yet. There's still like 13 games left that we disagree on so I still have hope left to upend the seasoned ESPN guru.

So Kentucky takes on Clemson and according to Rece Davis, Big Blue Nation has taken over LP Field. This just might REALLY be a home game for Rich Brooks' Kentucky Wildcats. First sellout for the Music City Bowl since its
inception.

Can't wait for kickoff.

1st Quarter

Kentucky Ball

13:55 - 3rd down and about 4 for Kentucky after a Woodson scramble, and Woodson scrambles again for the First!

Woodson fumbles. Can't believe he didn't feel that coming. Clemson takes over.

After review, Woodson's knee was down. It should be no fumble. If they don't overturn this call, it will literally set the tone the rest of the game.

3rd down 17: Offside Clemson. Woodson finds Tamme! It was a free play.

1st and 10 in Clemson territory. Kentucky dumps it to Little for a first.

1st and 10 inside the Clemson 30, and Woodson finds Burton at the
sideline.

2nd down 9 at the Clemson 10. Now if you're Kentucky, don't mess this up and leave without zero. Kentucky gives it to Little to the goalline!!! HAHAHA, Clemson's getting an early dose of Little. 1st and G for Kentucky at the 1.

Give it to Little. Give it to Little.

TOUCHDOWN KENTUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKY!!!! Woodson handed it off to Micah Johnson for the second straight play at the goal line. Boy, they fooled me AND Clemson! I love it!

Looking back to the Woodson fumble review. That was a crucial play for Kentucky early on, and one that could have put a damper on their emotions.

7-0 Kentucky.

Clemson Ball 10:54

1st play, Clemson tries an end around and Kentucky shows them they aint playin that! LoL.

Clemson playing dirty. Clipping. Figures.

What a saving arm tackle downfield. That coulda easily been a 7-7 score already.

Clemson reaches the 23 of Kentucky with a run by Davis. It's at least going to be a 7-3 game now.

Crucial 3rd down play for Kentucky with 8 and a half left. 3rd and 8 at the Kentucky 20.

Kentucky rushes 4 and plays back and almost picks the ball off in the endzone.

Will Proctor is overthrowing a lot of passes their opening drive that could have hurt Kentucky.

Missed from 37!!! He shanked it RIGHT. LoLz. He shaaaaaaaaanked it! Runs in the family, huh Tommy? He shanked it riiiiiiiiiiight!

Kentucky ball 8:06

Kentucky starts at their own 20.

Little up the middle for about 10, Sweet. I wonder if Clemson can stop this kid, so far they haven't shown they can. I LOVE LITTLE!!!!

Little on another sweep left for about 8 yards. If I was Rich Brooks, I'd call a PA right now.

Little stuffed backed for about 5. Not quite jacked-up, but.

3rd and five for Kentucky, Clemson sacks Woodson and Kentucky gets flagged for holding. How better does that play action call would have been on 2nd down? Clemson's too good on D when you give the ball to Little every down. My only worry is Kentucky playing conservatively because they have a lead and after they just prevented the Tigers from scoring.

Kentucky calls a timeout and what does it net them on 4th down? A 26 yard punt. Great.

Clemson Ball

Clemson gets to the 25 of Kentucky. Defense is beginning to breakdown and Clemson's guys beginning to relax more.

Spiller gets jacked up by McClinton.

2nd 2 Clemson - Coverage sack for Kentucky. Nice.

3rd down again for Clemson in Kentucky's end - pass to the endzone flat. No Good!

28 yd FG - He shaaaaaaaaaaaanked it!! You are kidding me! It had no chance. Two shanked FG's for Clemson. It really does run in the family.

Kentucky ball 2:20

2nd and 10 at their own 32 - screen to Pully for not much.

END OF 1st QUARTER

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Hoops Highlight: Bobby Knight

There's no better way to end the holiday season than with a clip of Bobby Knight's best sound bites. I know he's well on his way to becoming college b-ball's winningest D-1 coach in history, if he hasn't already since last reported, and if there's ever someone I would want to see have their own segment covering hoops it would be Knight over anyone anywhere on television.

So enjoy this clip courtesy of ESPN, via YouTube, and lets remember Bobby Knight as either one rude, crude human being or one clever piece of comic genius who was able to capture the minds of everyone who has eyes and ears. For me, sound bites of Bobby Knight are better than any New Year celebration. EVER.



In case I forget, Happy New Year, and Happy New Year to Bobby Knight in all your television-sound bite and face-contorting splendor. Me, well I'll save my game faces for when I'm hugging the toilet after foolishly consuming a half a bottle of tequila before 12am New Years.

2007 never seemed further away.

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Twas The Last Game Before Christmas And All Through Rupp, They Dropped Eighty-Two And I Never Threw Up!

Google Talk with Santa

[9:07am] Santa Claus: Hey

[9:07am] Me
: Hey

[9:08am] Santa Claus: What's up?

[9:08am] Me: Nothin' much, what's goin' on on top o' the world my man?

[9:08am] Santa Claus: You watch the game last night?

[9:09am] Me: Nope. Didn't catch it, but I saw the score.

[9:11am] Santa Claus: Feel sorry for you. I guess you're not in the Big Blue Nation's extended network of cable coverage, huh?

[9:12am] Me: Um, that's sayin' it lightly, Santz. Between the Gators and the Saints, tell me again why I haven't commited suicide?

[9:12am] Santa Claus: Sounds like someone could use Direct TV including a sports bundle package.

[9:12am] Me: Um, not really Santz. Well, yeah, but what I really want is lifetime season tickets to Rupp.

[9:13am] Santa Claus: ROTFLMFAO!!!. Hohoho, I'm not that good!

[9:13am] Me: That ain't cool, don't you have some reigndeer games to go host and then go find rudolph or somethin'?

[9:15am] Santa Claus: Hohoho, you should be happy the Cats dropped 82 on UMass last night. You missed a great game, and I'm glad I could help them.

[9:16am] Me: Help them?

[9:16am] Santa Claus: Yeah. I helped them. Tis the season to believe in, right?

[9:17am] Me: LoL, Santz. Yeah. You drunk?

[9:18am] Santa Claus: Notice Crawford's, Morris', and Bradley's 14 pts each? That was me.

[9:18am] Me: LoL'z! Santa, don't you have a list of naughty people to check up on?

[9:20am] Santa Claus: You see Perry's eight? Me. You see Jasper's eight dishes, Morris's 4 blocks, Meeks' 10 and 3 dimes, Stevenson's 4 pts, 4 grabs, Ramon Harris' first 2 as a Cat ... Coury Flurry's 1 minute ... Me, Me, Me, Me, Me ... and ME!

[9:20am] Me: LMAO! Santa, you're such a baller. I bet you can out-jam MJ and make better McDonald's commercials.

[9:22am] Santa Claus: Hey, don't go spreading rumors, but let's just say white men can eat, yo. Hohoho.

[9:22am] Me: Well being around magical reigndeers all your life ...

[9:25am] Santa Claus: Hohoho, LoLz! Listen, I was so full of cheer after last night's victory over UMass, I even gave Rich Brooks a contract extension. You read the reports?

[9:26am] Me: LMAO, yeah.

[9:26am] Santa Claus: That was ME, ; ).

[9:26am] Me: LoL, sweet.

[9:28am] Santa Claus: Listen to this, my travel agent is also my sports bookie and if you want in on this short window of opportunity, I might be able to turn Kentucky from a twelve point underdog to Clemson to only a six-point spread by Christmas morning but only if you go half n half with me.

[9:29am] Me: Santa!!!

[9:29am] Santa Claus: 25 Percent?

[9:29am] Me: Santa, wtf!

[9:30am] Santa Claus: Look, I'm not flying across the Middle East to get to America for nothing.

[9:38am] Me: Is it too late to wish for a thousand dollars cash?

[9:39am] Santa Claus: Is FOX News fair and balanced?

[9:40am] Me: Um, I'm not quite sure yet. Ever since they interviewed Kermit the Frog for 5 minutes of my time, I'm not quite sure of anything anymore.

[9:44am] Santa Claus: Ok, listen. Meet me in email in about 12 hours. I'll bring the rum, you bring the blender, and we'll talk over drinks about how we can make this work by Christmas morning.

[9:45am] Me: OMG Santz, u drinkin' ?

[9:51am] Me: Santz?

[9:59am] Me: O-M-G Santa, you're drunk?!

[11:01am] Me: Santa???

[11:13am] Me: I'm callin' Trump!!!

Kentucky whipped up a 1st half 57% FG and 5 of 7 Trifecta's which included three straight possessions connecting on the three ball by Crawford, Bradley, and then Crawford once more beginning with 7:44 left in the first to go on a 9-1 run that finished with a 12 point halftime lead and ultimately a 14 point win vs UMass.

Even though Kentucky held UMass to under 40% shooting, the big story is how the Wildcats couldn't stop UMass guard James Life. He went on a 8-16 rampage, 6 of which were treys off of 13 attempts; he finished with the game high 24 pts.

But Kentucky was well balanced on the offense. Trifectively balanced I may say with Morris, Bradley, AND Crawford each scoring 14 for the Big Blue last night. Bradley again continues to impress the Wildcat Blog with his shooting. He shot 5 of 9, 2-2 from three point land for 14 pts, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in 25 minutes.

Crawford wasn't bad either and he broke a funk that was rivaling that of senior Bobby Perry by making 4 shots, three of which were trifectively delicious. He finished with 14 pts, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, (4 TOs) in 30 minutes. And Bobby Perry began also to break his funk this season, not quite sure if he's fully broken the stinky funk, but he shot 4 of 5 for 8 points in 11 minutes of game time. Even Jodie Sneak the Three Meeks snuck another three ball from off the bench, he had 10 points and 3 steals in 24 minutes including hitting perfect from the line.

Oh then there were the big guys. Notice that's plural. Morris didn't get his double double, but he was active adding 14 pts, 5 rebounds, AND 4 blocks. The other guy, Kentucky's Big Woo, added 4 more points off the bench and 2 MORE blocks.

And then finally, I have to say, that Kentucky has found their point man. Their offensive pilot. Their kid that's gonna push the rock, and call the plays, and dish it around to the likes of Bradley, Crawford and Morris. That would be freshman point guard Derrick Jasper and he might just before the end of the year be selected as ALL SEC if he keeps this kinda of effort each and every game. He may of only added 9 points, but the kid from Paso Robles added 5 rebounds, and a surprising, yet fulfilling 8 BIG ASSISTS. He was droppin' dimes like he thought they were pennies and making wishes at Triangle Park Baby!!!

Not a bad game at all for Tubby and his Cats! Just with this game alone will the Wildcat Blog suffer many hours of quandary to decide on a Game Blog Nominee, which although I haven't mentioned any nominees yet this month, I will be announcing the Wildcat Blog's December Game Blog Nominees and Award all in one post shortly after Kentucky's last game in December.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Rondo Talks!

At least for me, I'm probably the only Kentucky fan that hasn't seen or heard Rajon Rondo talk, but thanks to YouTube and this excellent interview clip after a preseason game I get hear the kid I've labeled the Magician since his freshman year at Kentucky speak for the first time which is much different than reading his comments online while he was playing at Kentucky.
The fans of Boston seem to love this kid, and why wouldn't they? Though I haven't been a huge fan of the NBA until recently (after last year's playoffs) and used to follow the Lakers religiously, even I am beginning to switch favor and become dedicated to cheering on the Celtics I love this kid so much. From the comments at YouTube, I see a few Celtic fans calling for ROTY. He steals, he dunks, has great awareness, and as you can see with the following clip, Rondo's been magically delicious just like this since his freshman year at Kentucky.



So ROTY is a pretty high honor, plus it's early in the season, but I decided to take a look at where Rondo stands right now. With Boston, he's 10th in scoring, 8th in rebounding, 1st in steals, and 4th in assists.

Among the rookies, Rondo ranks 25th in pts, 29th FG%, 13th in minutes, and 15th in Pts+Reb+Ast.

Then his bread n butter which is magically stealing the ball dishin' it off, he ranks 5th in AP48M, 11th AST/TO, 3rd in steals, 5th in STP48M, and 16th ST/TO.

Now I haven't caught a game of his yet this season, but those aren't bad numbers, but they aren't worthy numbers either for ROTY. However, the season is early too for Rondo and who knows how the voting will go, but he does seem to have found a comfortable spot in Boston for sure.

Show 'em what you're made of Rondo!

J-Lo's Waiting ...

Here's a nice interview with Eli Manning backup and former Kentucky star Jared Lorenzen from LEX 18 News via YouTube.

Lorenzen talks about waiting for the opportunity to play in place of Eli Manning with references to Tony Romo and Damon Huard. Jared Lorenzen is one heck of a success story that's not even fully completed yet. I don't think anyone gave this guy a shot at playing at all in the NFL.

The most interesting part of this interview comes at the end of video actually where they talk about how Jared Lorenzen and Shane Boyd are with NFL teams and Tim Couch isn't. Thankfully the Cleveland Browns didn't have any interest in Lorenzen because they lack coaching, management, and patience to keep a good QB around. Aside from Couch, tell me where Kelly Holcomb and Jeff Garcia are? They flipped flopped between Holcomb and Couch before they kicked Couch to the curb, and look what it got them. None of those three QBs are in Cleveland. I still say to this very day that if Cleveland had a lick of coaching management then, had they had confidence and patience in Tim Couch, Couch would've turned into one of the league's best.



Funny line: … is just one Eli Manning sprained ankle away from getting his chance to play in the NFL.

Or, Jared Lorenzen is just one bad offensive line, Eli Manning Jacked-Up play away from getting his chance to showing New Yorkers how a lineman can play the QB position in the NFL.

Kentucky Gets Their Rap On

It's game time man, yaaayuuuuh!!!

It's well reported that the experts have picked Clemson the clear favorite against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl. Heck, even I acknowledge that Clemson is the better team and I even went as far as suggesting that the SEC's trend at the Music City Bowl doesn't bid well for Rich Brooks and the Wildcats, but that doesn't mean I'm not rooting for Kentucky to force 99.9 percent of sports betters to pee their pants and file for bankruptcy before the new year though. If I was a betting man, I would never bet against Kentucky or never bet at all.

And with a week away from their bowl game, Free Safety Marcus McClinton and a few other teammates got together for a little pre-bowl rap that's circulating on YouTube now. The vid includes Wesley Woodyard, Keenan Burton, Rafael Little, and Braxton Kelley which makes it appear kinda reminiscent of the Bears' Super Bowl Shuffle vid back in the 80s but it's not quite that spectacular. The Wildcats have alot to be proud of this season, and I'm glad to see the excitement for this team reaching a new level I haven't felt in almost 10 years.

The best part of the rap: Forget the naysayers and all the haters, forget the reporters and all the newspapers.

That is priceless and deserving of instant CATSPY award. All I have to say is watch out Clemson because I'm convinced already that no one has ever seen this Kentucky football program this close together and they're going to treat this game as a national championship, and why not? If they win, the benefits they will reap will be as though they did. Clemson on the other hand might be spoiled by bowl trips, Kentucky not so much.

Believe


Oh I believe, I just think it's easier to let my xbox controller settle the real score. I'd love nothing more than to see Clemson fall flat on their face and then start hearing Mark May and Lou Holtz on ESPN kissing up to Kentucky and proclaiming their new favorite color!

That'd be cool, right?

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Kentucky Women's Hoops

Kentucky women's hoops team aren't bad themselves this year. Mickie DeMoss's kids are led by seniors Jennifer Humphrey and Jenny Pfeiffer, and the women Cats are sittin at 7-3 with losses to Louisville, Indiana, and Delaware. They just came off floor stomping win over Mississippi Valley St last night 84-37 led by Sarah Elliott's 10 of 14 shooting, 21 pts and 3 blocks. Lydia Watkins added 4 pts and a game high 10 rebounds while Jenny Pfeiffer provided the three point shot (3-8) for 15 pts and 2 assists. The Lady Cats shot 44% while holding MVS to 21% and out rebounded MVS by a convincing 27 rebounds and held them to only 12 points in the second half. They scored their season high and allowed their season low in one night. Congrats to the Lady Cats for the big win.

Jenny Pfeiffer leads Kentucky with her 34%, 19-55, three point shooting while Carly Ormerod and Samantha Mahoney provide as back up three point options combining for 20 of 68 three point shots. Sarah Elliott leads Kentucky with 54% shooting while her and Jennifer Humphrey lead with over 8 rpg. Carly Ormerod leads in both assists (36) and steals (17), and her along with Sarah Elliott and Samantha Mahoney lead the team in averaging with double digit scoring.

As a team they're shooting 41% and a +9 rebounding margin and averaging 74 points a game. Game highs so far this season are Samantha Mahoney's 27 pts at No. 19 L'ville on Dec 3rd and Jennifer Humphrey's 15 rebounds vs Detroit on Nov 29th.

Good Luck to 'dem Lady Cats!

I Found This Double Double After Leaving Foul Trouble

(Yeeeeah, double double, much better than foul trouble. You make me wanna see another, double double.)

Kentucky held off Santa Clara last night 74-60 and Morris found something and never let go of it. He found a ball with the words double double on it and he signed it with 23 pts and 13 grabs including 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in a game-high 33 minutes.

Kentucky held SC to 35% shooting including 20% from Three, which is beginning to be Kentucky's normal rate of defense lately. They matched the Broncos on the offensive boards and out-rebounded them defensively by 3.

Morris, Bradley, and Jasper were the guys running the flow of this offense. They were Kentucky's three leading scorers and the leading three that drew fouls and got to the line combining for 12 of 18 free throws. Kentucky shot 41% for the game, 72% from the line, and sank a third of their Three's.

How bout Bradley lately? I've been noticing this kid's game and he can flat out shoot, drop triples, dish the rock, and play the D and take you inside the paint. In fact, he leads Kentucky on the season with 21-53 three point drops (other than Porter's 6-12 Threes). He shot 4 of 14, three of which were three point rocks, and he was able to get to the line for four shots, so he's still creating opportunities, and with 14 pts, 5 rebounds, and 5 dishes, it looks like Bradley's game is coming right along, he also leads the team in assists (39). It's encouraging for me to see them not let up any against teams who are maybe not as talented as them. Number 3 is such a good number.

Derrick Jasper added 10 pts to the mix on 2 of 3 shooting, but he got to the line for 8 shots which accounted for 6 of his 10. Jasper finished with 10 pts, 1 reb, 3 assists, block, steal, 25 minutes.

Crawford again was quiet and is eerily becoming like Bobby Perry who is hot one game and cold the next and full of inconsistencies, but I understand that maybe some of that has to do with the game plan, on the other hand, they both combined for only 2 of 10 shooting and 5 pts. I give both those guys some credit though because they did contribute in other ways. Perry had 4 rebounds and 3 assists in only 16 minutes, and Crawford added 3 def rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.

Kentucky's bench came up huge though adding 22 pts led by who? Jodie, sneek the three, Meeks. He snuck a three ball from off the bench shooting 4 of 9 for 9 pts, 2 rebounds, assist, and a steal in only 16 minutes.

Kentucky never lost the lead in the game after a jumper by Crawford put them up by one 15:23 into the 1st half.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Hoops: Santa Clara

The Broncos of Santa Clara pay a visit to Rupp Arena tonight. They sport an 8-3 record being well handled by Cal and Missouri St. in two of their three losses and they're just coming off a 16 point win at Standford just three days ago. The Broncos are just about as turnover plagued as Kentucky has been committing about 16 turnovers a game. They're shooting 46% as a team with a +8.5 scoring margin and an +8.6 rebounding margin, and assists come very good for these guys with about 16 per game.

They are led by senior forward Sean Denison, senior guard Danny Pariseau, and soph center John Bryant - their top three scorers all of whom are shooting better than 50%. Pariseau is the Broncos' three-point getter, shooting 46% which is better than what Kentucky has been facing lately, and also is second on the team with 13 steals and a 2.2 a/to ratio. Other three-point shooters for Santa Clara include Scott Dougherty and Calvin Johnson who both come off the bench shooting better than 30% from three-point land, and they also have two other guys who have shot the three ball 22 times in Angley (who leads the team in steals with 15) and Henke, so Santa Clara is very familiar shooting the three and will probably drop a few on Kentucky.

John Bryant is their man on the glass with 73 rebounds so far this season, 52 of which come on the defensive end and he's their shot blocker with 20 blocks. They also have three guys in Denison, Bryant, and Josh Higgens who all three have 20 or more offensive rebounds.

I'm hoping for a convincing blowout win against a team they should take care of if they have any hopes of keeping the confidence meter bar growing. A pre-Christmas let down is not what Kentucky needs which goes for Friday's game as well against UMass. We'll see.

· Game Notes. Kentucky | Santa Clara, tonight at Rupp, 7pm est.

Hoops: Kentucky Welcomes Ramon Harris

Tubby Smith adds another forward to this year's mix, Freshman Ramon Harris. After waiting to be cleared by NCAA, he actually dressed for the game at Louisville last weekened but didn't play. The kid is from Anchorage, Alaska; he's listed as 6-5, 219 and he'll don Patrick Sparks' old jersey number, #22.

Harris was named Class Alaska 4A Player of the Year his senior year averaging 16.3 ppg, 13.1 rpg, and 3 bpg. Other accomplishments include 2005 & 2006 State Finals MVP, 2006 Arby's Classic All-Tourny team selection, and played in four consecutive championship teams: one at Bartlett High and three consecutive at West Anchorage High School.

Tubby Smith is hoping this kid gets to help out right away, which is reason enough I suppose for Ramel Bradley to think he just might play tonight vs Santa Clara …

“I haven’t seen enough of him and his style of play, but he is a strong guy. He can definitely fill the two, three or four position. I think he may even see some playing time tomorrow.”

The Wildcat Blog welcomes Harris to the 2006 mix at Kentucky.

Music City (Bowl): History Repeats

( Photo from CNNSI.com, from "Miracle Worker" by Michael Silver, Sports Illustrated, January 17, 2000. )

Looking at the Music City Bowl trends that appear on the surface, as I did here a little, I wanted to look a little closer at the Tennessee Titans side of things. After Sunday's defensive domination over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Titans got to 7-7, and with the way they beat the Jags (crazy D), it was nothing short of another Music City miracle that might help Tennessee earn a wildcard spot this year. So I searched for the Titans' past regular season results beginning in 1999 which is
the year that the Music City Miracle happened for the Titans and the first year both the Titans and the Music City Bowl played at LP Field, and I was looking for the Titans' result of their last home game prior to hosting the Music City Bowl and then look for any interesting trend(s) between the bowl game and Tennessee's last home game. Other than the Titans' losing that game the past two years, there really wasn't any interesting findings, and after looking at the results despite not finding the Tennessee Titans' 2000 result, I realized other than Auburn winning the Music City Bowl in 2003 which the Titans won their last home prior to the bowl game that year, there really wasn't going to be any correlation between the Tennessee Titans winning or losing their last home game prior to hosting the Music City Bowl because the Titans pretty much have won AND lost in the other years when the SEC's opponent in that bowl have won. In fact the closest interesting stat/trend I found is in the three wins that were won by four points or less in the Music City Bowl [01, 04, 05], the Tennessee Titans are 1-2 in that prior last home game. Not really a mind blowing revelation or anything.

However, while searching for something interesting, I did find just that. Maybe not mind-blowing and maybe not Super Interesting, but it is INTERESTING.

On December 29, 1999, the same year the Music City Miracle happened for Tennessee in the NFL Playoffs, the Titans actually faced the Jacksonville Jaguars in their last home game prior to hosting the Music City Bowl, tearing them up for a 41-14 taking and a twenty-SEVEN point winning margin, and it was ALSO the year the Kentucky Wildcats made it to the Music City Bowl for the first time and lost to Syracuse by SEVEN.

On December 17, 2006, for the first time since 1999, the Tennessee Titans again faced the Jacksonville Jaguars in their last home game prior to hosting the Music City Bowl and again beat the Jaguars, however surprisingly, with authority twenty-four to SEVEN-teen (24-17). A winning margin of SEVEN. That win has gotten the Titans to SEVEN and SEVEN (7-7) on the year and possibly keeping their playoff hopes alive. It's ALSO the FIRST time since 1999 that Kentucky has made its way back to the Music City Bowl. It will be SEVEN years to the day since Kentucky first made the trip to Nashville.

What does this all mean? Nothing really, but I found it interesting, very interesting, that for the first time since the year of the Music City Miracle the Tennessee Titans face the same opponent in their last home game prior to hosting the Music City Bowl AND while Kentucky gets back to the Music City Bowl for the first time since that same year it all happened.

If anything at all, I've made a very weak argument why the Tennessee Titans might just make it to the Super Bowl this year, and if by using this correlation and their related results both on Tennessee's side and Music City's side, I could make the argument that Kentucky might be destined to a 37-10 stomping by Clemson come this year's kick off of the Music City Bowl.

1999 Tennessee Titans' Last Home Game Prior To Hosting MCB
TEN 41 (+27)
JAX 14

1999 Music City Bowl
Syracuse 20 (+7)
Kentucky 13

2006 Ten. Titans' Last Home Game Prior To Hosting MCB
TEN 24 (+7)
JAX 17

?? 2006 Music City Bowl ??
?? Clemson 37 (+27) ??
?? Kentucky 10 ??

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Kentucky-L'ville: 2nd Half

Freshman Jodie “ Sneek The Three ” Meeks fills Randolph Morris' shoes scoring 18pts including 4 Trifectas. (Photo from NCAA Sports - AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

19:26: Third Foul on Morris. UN- FREAKIN - BELIEVABLE!!!!
18:53: Steal by Jasper - J AAAAA M!!!! Sweet. 29-24 Kentucky.
18:02: What a lay-up by Bradley. Jordan-esque. 31-27 Kentucky.
17:42: Fast break Kentucky. Crawford to Bradley. Good. Swish.
17:07: Perry misses the three. He's still scoreless.
16:38: Bradley drops the Three! Kentucky 36-31.
15:47: L'ville got Bradley on a jump ball. Not sure, looked like the Cards caught him for a travel.

Timeout. L'ville playing zone and with Morris on the bench, Kentucky has no low post threat, so either Kentucky drops the J, or drives to the hoop. I would guess by the 10 min mark Tubby has to put Morris back in the game.

15:28: Palacios missed the open Jam???? Should have been two for L'ville.
14:47: Sosa missed three. Second game in a row Kentucky is benefiting from their opponent's poor three point shooting.
14:20: Crawford's J didn't come with him today.
13:55: Jasper with a nice baseline jam. 38-33 Kentucky.
13:27: Jerry Smith hits the three for L'ville. 38-36. Kentucky's gonna have to start hitting their free throws toward the end of this game.
12:28: Palacious with a missed three. Kentucky is lucky. They need Morris. Morris gives Kentucky a purpose.
12:08: L'ville with another 3 point shot, miss. Rick Pitino is telling his kids that the only way they're going to beat Kentucky is by hitting the threes. They're trying.
12:00: Jenkins with another L'ville three point shot. Miss. 38-36 Kentucky.

Where's Morris? It's almost time to put him back in.
Is it just me or does this game just doesn't feel like a L'ville vs Kentucky type game. Maybe because both teams are struggling to find whatever it is they're missing to make them complete. This has got to be one of the worst televised L'ville/Kentucky games ever played.

10:53: Tied at 38. Morris back in game. At the line. Swish. And Swish. We need him badly.
10:43: Jenkins drives, looked like he traveled. And fouled. Count the three point play. 41-40 L'ville.
10:13: Meeeeeeeeeeeeeks for Threeeeeeeeeeeee. 43-41 Kentucky. Meeks is the only one droppin three's effectively. He's tied with the game high 12 pts.
9:45: Block by Morris. Instant presence.

L'ville has 17 offensive rebounds. They're getting a lot of second chances.

9:05: Meeeeeeeks Droppin Three's!!!!! 46-41 Kentucky. Someone's in love with Three. Someone's Hooooot! Some Cat is Hooooooooooooot and Droppin Three's for me!!!
8:25: Palacios - Air Ball Threeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
6:44: Palacious foul on Morris. He can't gaurd Morris.
6:36: Morris kick out to Meeks for three. Fouled. At the line for three. Swish. Double Swish. Trifectively Swished. 49-41 Kentucky. Meeks will get his trifecta however he can.
6:10: L'ville, another missed three.
5:35: Obrzut missed jumper and gets back on transition D and gives a block foul on Palacios. I say its a good foul.

Five minutes left. Kentucky one shot away from 50. What did I say? I had a feeling it would be this ugly, but wasn't expecting it.

Timeout Kentucky. Tubby took Obrzut after his last foul. I'm not saying Obrzut is the only one giving 100% or anything, but when he sweats, he drenches himself doesn't he!?

3:30: Bradley at the point, drives, fouled? [Bradley has got one mean stiff arm]. Yes. Roll & Swish. 51-45 Kentucky.

I know they've played most this game without Morris, but at some point Tubby has got to tell Bradley and Jasper to look to feed Morris because that's been the makeup of the offense when they've been successful this year. FEED MORRIS at this point in the game.

3:11: What the heck is going on? They are calling sissy fouls in Louisville. Morris with four fouls.
2:43: Sheray with a clutch duece off the dish at the baseline!
2:27: Steal by Crawford. Foul. Sweet. Joe can hit from the charity stripe.
2:09: Kentucky fast break - Joe Crawford - SL AAAAA M!!! 56-47 Kentucky.

These refs call sissy fouls on Morris but a bump foul from L'ville in the paint they don't call. That's a bunch of Bull CENSORED. You know?

:55: Timeout Kentucky. L'ville's three ball is pretty much what Rick Pitino was hoping for today, unfortunately, the Cards' Trifecta has been NON-EFFECTA.
:44: Bradley at the line. Good, and Good. 59-49 Kentucky.
:30: Steal Sheray - over to Bradley. Foul. This game is O-V-E-R. Swish & Swish, Bradley don't miss!
:19: Bradley pushes the ball up the court. GAME OVER. Kentucky 61-49.

Meeks with game high 18 pts, 4-Threes. Not a thrilling game, but a nice win on the road for Tubby and Co. Bradley added 15 pts and 6-7 at the line.

Louisville shot horribly, so Morris sitting the bench for most the game didn't even matter, especially with Meeks coming off the bench making up for what Morris does points-wise. Louisville 27% shooting, 3 of 24 Three point attempts. Kentucky pretty much outshot L'ville altogether, held their turnovers to one of their season lows, and got 22 more points from the bench than L'ville did. Meeks was nice to see! Kentucky's defense shut down L'ville's perimeter shooting. Kentucky can defend the three just about as well as anyone in the nation. Kentucky held L'ville to ZERO fastbreak points.

Kentucky-L'ville: 1st Half

Pre-Tip


Billy Packer calls Kentucky's guards very good? They haven't proven themselves quite to that level yet.

19:47: L'ville with a quick score off the tip. Kentucky handling the Cards press very well.
19:30: Ahh. Miss by Crawford.
18:47: Another miss by Crawford. Come on. Lets look to Morris.
18:00: What - are we going to shoot three's all game?
17:41: Turnover L'ville. Bout time we get one in our favor.
17:26: And we turn it over just as quickly. Nice.
17:11: Louisville is shooting the long ball on target so far. Turnover Kentucky. Great.
16:46: Steal Jasper. Dunk. Sweet. 6-2 Cards.
16:03: Nice dish from Crawford to Stevenson for the JAM! 6-4 Cards.

Timeout. Turnovers: Cards 2 UK Zip. Wait. L'ville's stat tracker not up to date. Great.
Morris with two quick fouls - that's how the Cards are gonna beat us.

15:11: Bradley misses a long three. Again, Kentucky's three ball aint connecting, and with Morris out, expect more jumpers like that.
14:41: Bradley block! He learned that trick from Jasper. He came from behind like Jasper did last week.
14:04: 7-4 Cards. Freshman mistakes again. Porter and Jasper with consecutive TO's.
13:33: Kentucky survived a three point shot by McGee.
12:57: Feed to Obrzut. Miss. Nice block for the TO by Crawford though on the other end.
11:50: Crawford drives. Foul. It would be so much easier for them if they Morris.
11:24: Kentucky forces the turnover. Perry misses the turnaround.
10:42: Padgett gets the turnaround at the other end. 11-6 Cards.
10:00: Perry has to make that basket underneath, or draw the foul one.

Meeks makes one of two at the line. We have to make free throws. Right now Kentucky's best bet is driving and drawing the foul, cuz their jumpers arent going in.
Bradley nice dish to Obrzut for the score.
How good has Jasper improved? Great D defending the pass.

8:42: Cards sink the three. 16-9 Cards.

Kentucky looks like they have no idea what to do on offense.


8:22: Meeeeeeeeeeks for the Threeeeeeeeeeeee. 16-12 Cards.
7:32: Slick Michael Porter sneaks his way in for the offensive grab, foul on L'ville. Nice hustle by the freshman.

Timeout. Neither team shooting well.

6:37: Turnover L'ville. Meeks for the jumper. Swish.
6:03: Defensive rebound Kentucky, Obrzut with the jumper! Kentucky grabs the lead, 17-16.

This is a pretty boring game. Neither team really has owned any momentum.


5:18: Meeeeeeeeeks for Three. Someone might be HOOOOOOOOT!!!
4:53: And the Cards answer back with a Trey. 21-20 Cards. (Anyone know where Patrick Sparks is at?)
4:20: Crawfords jumper is horrible. Miss. I'd rather see him drive and dish and draw a foul than see him try from three.

Kentucky's D just might be the thing that saves them today.

Timeout: Kentucky 8 of 22, L;ville 7 of 22. Both teams have made only 2 Threes. Free Throw line: Kentucky is 2-6 L'ville is 5-7 which right now is the difference in score just about.

2:50: Porter turns the ball over. 1st UK turnover in over 5 minutes though. 23-20 Cards.
2:08: Jam for Obrzut! 23-22 Cards.
1:38: Porter for Threeeee! 25-23 Kentucky.
1:11: Air Ball Three for Louiiiiiiiiiiisville right from Sparks Corner. Maybe Sparks jinxed that spot on the court. LoL.
:39: Crawford gets his own three point miss back for a closer jumper. Takes time, but he's finding his range huh? 27-24 Kentucky.

Timeout. Kentucky is matching the Cards intensity on the Defensive boards.

Halftime. Pretty boring. No flow. Up and down. Kentucky ends up shooting 41% for the half, but 33% from the line whereas L'ville is shooting 26% and 60% from the line and only a +4 rebound edge for L'ville. Both teams with 7 turnovers. Glad to see turnovers aren't hindering possessions. Randolph Morris should open up Kentucky's lead in the second half.

Pre-LiveBlog Thoughts: UK | L'ville

I'm watching part of the Pitt - Wisconsin game on ESPN. Nice Top 10 game on the air, tied at 16 with 10:56 left in the 1st. At least from a spectator view, it looks like Kentucky could hang with either team.

So what do I expect from today's game?

· Turnovers
· Scoring within the 70s
· Scoring total about 158
· Free throws - lots of free throws


Here are my pre-game wishes:

· Let's hold the Cards under 40%

· We're gonna need the J, so Crawford I hope your jumper is ready

·
Let's play well enough to get Pitino a techi in his own house

·
Hey, who's gonna be the “Patrick Sparks” of today's game? I say it's gonna Bradley or maybe Jasper driving in the lane … and One

·
Palacios rhymes with Pistachios …

·
Ignore that last comment, Jasper rhymes with Casper

·
Halftime better be more than 30, but there's a potential it could get ugly - scoring in 50s ugly

· Monster Jams
: 5 -- two by Morris, one by Stevenson, one by Perry, and one by Meeks

· Blocks
: 7 -- three by Morris, two by Stevenson, 2 by Perry

·
Prediction - Key Play: Kentucky down one with the ball with 3 secs left in the game and inbounds the ball at L'ville's end. Then a streaking Patrick Sparks comes running out of the L'ville's student section tearing off his L'ville gear revealing his old Kentucky uni and takes the ball out of Jasper's hand and proceeds to inbound the ball to Bobby Perry which then Perry passes the ball back to Sparks at the baseline three and completes a miracle repeat of what happened two years ago.

Wisconsin up on Pitt at half - that Tucker kid is scary. Dickie V was screeeeeamin'.

LIVEBLUE

Friday, December 15, 2006

Hoops: L'ville

The Wildcats travel to L'ville tomorrow for an always nationally televised spirited affair. The Cards just lost to UMass by four two days ago, and will look to beating Kentucky to get their minds straight. Kentucky on the other hand is coming off full week's rest, a win over Indiana a week ago, and look to beat the Cards to keep their momentum and their ever so slowly-growing confidence trekking along.

L'ville hasn't really beaten anyone, but like Kentucky, they've lost close games they could have won or maybe should have won. In fact all three loses for the Cards come by 4, 7, and 4, but Kentucky probably is the first big game on their schedule this year. Louisville is led by mainly three guys who put points up for them: Terrence Williams, Edgar Sosa, and Juan Palacios. Palacios and Williams are the guys that give them the biggest boost so far on their schedule in grabbing the ball off the glass, and they also have four guys who have been willing to shoot the three ball more than 20 times, but only three who shoot it well: Edgar Sosa, Will Scott, and Jerry Smith. Brandon Jenkins is also shooting 44% on 8-18 three point buckets. Defensively, the Cards can put pressure on you from their three main point-getters, combined they have 30 steals and 76 assists, but they also have a tendency to turn the rock over as they combine for 58 turnovers. L'ville is shooting 45% as a team, 66% from the line, and a +3.5 rebound over their opponents.

In a rival game like this, which kinda includes a double rival in one if you include the coaching rivalry as well, you can put all the stats aside and just expect both teams to do whatever it takes to win the game. I expect this to be another buzzer-beater, and luck along with officiating is going to be a major factor in the outcome of this game.

· Game Notes, Kentucky | Louisville. Tomorrow, 1:30 est. (CBS).

Walk Like A Man

… when you get to that free throw line, son!

And since I'm kinda on this theme of re-visiting today, I found this vid through Yahoo poking fun at Sparks' 'Happy Feet'. It's actually posted by one pizzed off L'ville fan, but ya gotta love the kid who can shoot the trey though - or at least draw enough body contact that will get you three shots at the line. Who knows, tomorrow might be their turn for a little luck.

I always kinda wondered what Patrick Sparks would look like with a full head of hair. Well, this page at Webshots has answered it for me, and from viewing some of those pics, the ladies loved him.

It's kinda weird seeing Sparks with hair, but here's Sparks' mug shot from a game in 2001 and also a picture of him and Josh Carrier with a fan from that same game.

Patrick Sparks - All-Star mug shot
starrz271

Patrick Sparks/Josh Carrier w/ fan
starrz271

Hoops Re-visited

By way of Google video and Sony comes this hilarious commercial for the NCAA b-ball tournament and HDTV which re-visits the famous Kentucky-Duke Elite Eight buzzer-beater that left me with my jaw hanging and a feeling of disbelief. I think I remember seeing this before, I'm just not sure how old this is.

NBA Watch: Azubuike Eyeing A Call Up?

(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

In a poll at the NBA-DLeague, Kelenna Azubuike gets top nods with 23% as whom people think will be the first call-up of the season.

Azubuike, playing with the Fort Worth Flyers, ranks 2nd in the D-League with 25.6 ppg, and he just recorded his first double-double on Dec. 8th.

His stats through 5 games:
25.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 37 mpg, 56% FG, and 84% from the line, and shooting 48% from Three.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Bowl Picks: Tis The Season For Believin'

It's always cool to look at video games and see how exact-on they are when simulated for a particular matchup. When EA Sports came out with NCAA Football 07, they simulated the whole 06-07 season. The funny thing to me, or maybe I just don't understand the college bowl system, is in EA's simulation they included simulating 29 bowl games but the actual number of bowls being played are 32. I guess the NCAA wanted to squeeze in six extra teams? I don't know. I don't know how it works, but I do know that I'm beginning to have a high dislike for the sponsors' names incorporated into the bowl name now. I mean why can't the Tostitos BCS Championship Game just be called the Championship Game. I remember when the Championship Game rotated between the Sugar Bowl, the Rose Bowl, and the Orange Bowl, and it was called just that. I mean it's even more ridiculous today than it was five years ago. I get it - Bowls = money. More Bowls = More Money. But anyways, I'm off subject.


Looking at EA's simulation, if I counted correctly, 21 teams that actually made it to a bowl didn't in EA's sim. And they didn't predict Rice vs Troy in the New Orleans Bowl did they? Neither of those two teams made it in EA's simulation (but I'm sure if EA added three more bowl games in their product that one of those teams would make it as would have Kentucky, hmm?). Ahh, but anyways, it's fun to look at.

They did get some thing's right though, or half right however you want to look at it. Forty-three teams that made it among the actual 32 bowls made it among EA's simulated 29 bowls.

· TCU in the Poinsetta Bow. Check.
· Clemson in the Music City Bowl. Check.
· Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A (Eat Mor Chik-N) Bowl (They have nice fruit bowls if they still have them, btw). Check.
· Florida in the BCS Championship Game. Check.

Not so right
· Rice and Troy.
· Ohio St. in the Sugar Bowl. Not really.
· And facing Miami. Not exactly.
· Auburn facing Clemson in the Music City Bowl. Not exactly either. However, I guess if you're going to pick an SEC team to win the Music City Bowl, you'd simulate having the only SEC team to win that Bowl to beat Clemson.

Notice the Individual Awards they simulated also.
· Heisman went to Chris Leak. Far from reality.
· The Bednarik Award went to Kentucky's #55 which has to be freshman Brad Bardo. Huh?

So it's all fun and games when looking back at one of the world's best sports game to see how it simulated the season before it began which is the reason why I like to play if one of my favorite teams can't win it all, I'll do it myself, thank you. Ha.

On top of all this fun, aside from the building excitement of the Music City Bowl in a couple weeks, is ESPN's Master sports guru Howie Schwab, you know the expert potato-eating maniac who loves to tell us which games we should watch, is back to challenge whoever wants to take him on predicting the winner of every bowl game this season. So I'm up for the challenge and here are my picks vs the Schwab. Personally, I would have taken the challenge to rename every single bowl game so that the bowl games wouldn't even be identifiable any longer. But here are my picks, and yes, I'm already picking Kentucky, what else would you expect out of me, huh?

Kentucky in NCAA Football 07



Poinsettia Bowl

TCU vs Northern Illinois

My Pick
: TCU
SCHWAB: TCU

Las Vegas Bowl
BYU vs Oregon

My Pick
: Oregon
SCHWAB: BYU

New Orleans Bowl
Rice vs Troy

My Pick
: Rice
SCHWAB: Troy

Papa John.com Bowl
South FL vs E.Carolina

My Pick
: E. Carolina
SCHWAB: South Florida

New Mexico Bowl
New Mexico vs San Jose St.

My Pick
: New Mexico
SCHWAB: New Mexico

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
Tulsa vs Utah

My Pick
: Tulsa
SCHWAB: Utah

Hawaii Bowl
Arizona St. vs Hawaii

My Pick
: Hawaii
SCHWAB: Hawaii

Motor City Bowl
Middle Tenn vs Central Mich

My Pick
: Central Mich
SCHWAB: Central Mich

Emerald Bowl
FSU vs UCLA

My Pick
: UCLA
SCHWAB: FSU

Independence Bowl
Oklahoma St. vs Alabama

My Pick
: Alabama
SCHWAB: Oklahoma St

Holiday Bowl
California vs Texas A&M

My Pick
: Texas A&M
SCHWAB: Cal

Texas Bowl
Rutgers vs Kansas St.

My Pick
: Rutgers
SCHWAB: Rutgers

Music City Bowl
Clemson vs Kentucky

My Pick
: Kentucky
SCHWAB: Kentucky

Sun Bowl
Oregon St. vs Missouri

My Pick
: Missouri
SCHWAB: Oregon St.

Liberty Bowl
Houston vs South Carolina

My Pick
: Houston
SCHWAB: South Carolina

Insight Bowl
Texas Tech vs Minnesota

My Pick
: Minnesota
SCHWAB: Texas Tech

Champs Sports Bowl
Purdue vs Maryland

My Pick
: Purdue
SCHWAB: Purdue

Meineke Car Care Bowl
Navy vs BC

My Pick
: BC
SCHWAB: Navy

Alamo Bowl
Texas vs Iowa

My Pick: Iowa
SCHWAB: Texas

Chik-fil-A Bowl
Georgia vs Virginia Tech

My Pick: Georgia
SCHWAB: Virginia Tech

Computer Bowl
Miami vs Nevada

My Pick: Miami
SCHWAB: Miami

Outback Bowl
Tennessee vs Penn St.

My Pick: Penn St.
SCHWAB: Tennessee

Cotton Bowl
Auburn vs Nebraska

My Pick: Auburn
SCHWAB: Auburn

Gator Bowl
West Virginia vs Georgia Tech

My Pick: West Virginia
SCHWAB: West Virginia

Capital One Bowl
Arkansas vs Wisconsin

My Pick: Arkansas
SCHWAB: Wisconsin

Rose Bowl
USC vs Michigan

My Pick: Michigan
SCHWAB: USC

Fiesta Bowl
Boise St. vs Oklahoma

My Pick: Boise St.
SCHWAB: Oklahoma

Orange Bowl
L'ville vs Wake Forest

My Pick: L'ville
SCHWAB: Wake Forest

Sugar Bowl
Notre Dame vs LSU

My Pick: Notre Dame
SCHWAB: LSU

International Bowl
Cincinnati vs Western Michigan

My Pick: Western Michigan
SCHWAB: Cincinnati

GMAC Bowl
Ohio vs Southern Miss

My Pick: Southern Miss
SCHWAB: Southern Miss

BCS Championship Game
Florida vs Ohio St.

My Pick: Ohio St.
SCHWAB: Ohio St.

He and I only agree on 12 of the 32 games. This should be interesting.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

The Jasper Denial: The Sweetest Block ...

… by a freshman you'll ever see.

When it comes to college basketball, Kentucky fans are the best. It's no contest.

Just as I begged in my delayed-live-blogpost for someone to put the Jasper block from yesterday's game against Indiana up on YouTube, who else but a Kentucky fan to put that clip up on YouTube 13 hours ago. Much thanks to the guy who uploaded it. So without further delay, here's college basketball's Block of the Year so far. After getting the ball stolen from him, Derrick Jasper chases back for the Rejection …

The Jasper Denial (or shown below)

Saturday, December 9, 2006

2nd Half Thoughts: Indiana_Kentucky

( The Jasper Denial @ the 1:37 mark of the 2nd half)

19:01: Fast break Kentucky, Perry to Bradley. Score. Sweet. Indiana Timeout. 32-26 Kentucky.

18:33: Air Ball Bradley? What's up?

18:01: Jasper denied, but Kentucky got back on transition D - got the ball off the boards.

16:57: Kentucky fast break - missed opportunity. Turnover Perry.

16:23: Morris rebounds - where's the foul??? 34-30 Kentucky.

15:56: TV Timeout. They highlighted the Jasper dish to Perry for the Jam. Jasper is going to be a great point guard - can't imagine what he'll be like if he stays four years at Kentucky. That's Jasper's third assist of the game; Bradley has 4 -- that's good to see out Kentucky's guards.

Crawford is quiet today. Maybe he'll emerge before the game is done.

15:42: Morris gave a gift to Indiana with a basket interference. It was a three-point shot. Count the trey. It was bouncing out too. 34-33 Kentucky.

14:42: After a breakdown in D, Jasper dished it to Morris. Score. 36-35 Kentucky. Again, Kentucky has gotten away from feeding Morris down low, but they are pushing the ball up the court more.

13:58: Michael Porter subs Jasper. Shot clock violation.

13:12: What a heads up play by Morris to bat the ball to his teammate for the turnover.

12:38: Four point swing for Indiana. Another breakdown on D and another poor inbounds pass which leads to another turnover and a score. 39-36 Indiana. 13 Turnovers for Kentucky already. On their way to twenty again.

11:38: Where's the foul on Bradley from the dish by Morris?

11:14: Kentucky Fast Break: Jasper DISH and the MONSTER JAM by Perry!!! 42-39 Kentucky. I can see Kentucky getting better on the fast break offense right before my eyes.

10:31: Crawford for the layup … and ONE. 44-39 Kentucky. Swish.

9:46: Crawford long three ball. Not good.

8:57: Great transition D by Bradley. Great hustle.

8:19: Perry denied, but got his own rebound and dished it to Crawford for the score. Sweet. 47-41 Kentucky.

TV Timeout: Indiana has made 2 of 19 three point tries. They've shot the three ball nineteen times man. Kentucky's not any better, but they've only shot it nine times. You know, when the three ain't sinking, when it's still a close game, you gotta go for high percentage shots which Kentucky is getting off of fast breaks and by pushing the ball up the court. Shooting percentage so far: Indiana 31% - Kentucky 44 percent. Again, Indiana has 16 more shot attempts over Kentucky.

7:10: Bradley for three ... man that three ball ain't sinking for neither team.

6:24: Just as I speak, Indiana's Roderick Wilmont drops two-straight Three Balls. Game tied 47-47. Crazy man. It's crazy!

5:58: Morris baseline. Turnaround shot … Swish and Foul! And Good. Kentucky 50-47. Feed Morris. Let's not forget to feed Morris this late in the game.

TV Timeout: Free Throw Stats: Indiana 3-5 -- Kentucky 9-14.

4:48: Bradley drive to the basket. Foul. That's what I want to see when the jumper ain't there. Bradley makes both. 52-47 Kentucky.

3:50: Crawford with the ball at the top of the key, drives, denied, Morris goes up mad with the ball. Foul. That's what I'm talking about. Show me that you're not going to let the Hoosiers push us around at Rupp! Timeout.

Morris with a double double, 15 pts, 10 grabs. Nice. Bobby Perry is just one rebound away from a double-double also.

3:25: Three ball ain't sinkin for Indiana, but offensive rebounds are. Steal by Crawford - fast break. Good for two.

2:30: Perry jumper - GOOD!!! 57-52 Kentucky.

2:00: Bradley turnover. Ouch this late in the game.

1:37: Jasper turnover. Not again. WHAT A BLOCK BY JASPER!!! WHAT A BLOCK BY JASPER!!! He may be making freshman mistakes, but this kid ain't giving up!!! Someone please put the Jasper block up on YouTube. I want the Jasper Denial. That just might be one of the sweetest blocks I've ever seen in my lifetime. 57-54 Kentucky.

1:25: Wow, that rebound should have been Kentucky's. Perry's hurt. Here comes Sheray. Kentucky lead is three; Kentucky just needs to take care of the ball, and fight for the easy basket. FEED MORRIS, and MORRIS should look to draw the foul. Morris is 4-5 from the line. Bradley is 6-6 from the line also.

Here we go. Indiana inbounds.

1:00: Long three ball no good for Indiana. Rebound by Sheray. Ironic justice. 54-57 Kentucky.

Remember, this Indiana team lost to Duke 51-54 earlier this season.

:32 -- Nice look for Meeks, but Morris was double-teamed should have went up strong for the basket and draw the foul. Three point lead for Kentucky with :28 seconds left.

:09 -- GREAT PERIMETER D BY KENTUCKY! The three ball has hurt Indiana today. Meeks at the Foul line. One and One. Good. And Good. Sweet. Kentucky 59-54.

:05 -- Tip by Jasper - GAME OVER. Great motivating win for Kentucky. Good for those kids. Kentucky 59-54.

Morris 16 pts 10 grabs; Perry 11 pts, 10 grabs; Bradley with 10 pts, 5 dishes; Crawford added 9 pts; Jasper with just 2 pts and 5 turnovers, but you can tell his presence on the court and his hustle makes this team a better one. He and Bradley combined for 10 assists. That's just awesome. Tubby Smith has to be pleased with the effort and close win against a rival team.

Kentucky with 17 turnovers - still a problem - Indiana 11 steals. Two things that helped Kentucky: Indiana 31% shooting (credit Kentucky's D) in which Indiana attemped 25 three point shots, only made four. Second, Kentucky shot well (45% and got to the line twice as much as Indiana, 14/20 FT's, and if Kentucky had connected on their three ball, they would have blown out Indiana.

Indiana 22 of 72 FGs. Kentucky 22 of 49 FGs.

Indiana with 23 more attempts. Although some of this reflects poor put backs and fouls, 22 offensive rebounds for Indiana vs Kentucky's 10 tell some of the story. Kentucky was dominant on the defensive glass with 29 rebounds. Kentucky would have been in big trouble if Indiana had connected on just a third of their three point attempts, but I give credit to Kentucky's D, for the most part, they didn't allow Indiana hardly any consistent good looks from three.

Good hard fought win for the Wildcats against a team that held Duke, at Duke, to pretty much the same, but I wouldn't stop carrying the b-ball everywhere around with me anytime soon if I were Kentucky.