Archive for February, 2009
Post UK-LSU Thoughts
By: Guy | February 28th, 2009 | Category: CatsThat one hurt. A win over now conference champion LSU would have made things a lot more comfortable for UK’s Tourney hopes, but instead, UK fell 73-70 on a Tasmin Mitchell three pointer with just under 10 seconds left. UK had a chance to tie it, but Jodie Meeks contested deep ball from the top of the key fell short and right, not even grazing the rim.
I will say this, though, the second half of that game was the highest quality basketball I have seen in a UK game all season. LSU came out of a very sloppy first half with a 36-28 lead, and the only reason UK was that close was because of very inspired play from Patrick Patterson. I’m not sure what happened in the UK locker room, but they looked like a different team after the intermission. Not only did they play much more inspired basketball, but Billy Gillispie also apparently came to the realization that UK is not going to be much of team with Michael Porter running the point.
The rotation was cut down severely in the second half. UK played with the core lineup of Kevin Galloway at the point, Jodie Meeks at the 2, Ramon Harris and Darius Miller both playing 3.5’s if you will, and Patrick Patterson anchoring things in the middle. The only other two players to play were Perry Stevenson (9 minutes) and AJ Stewart (3 minutes, and was subject to no discipline following his situation this week.
Kentucky not only made these lineup adjustments, but also installed some new sets that did wonders in terms of freeing Patterson and Meeks. Kentucky has had Patterson screen for Meeks a lot this season, but for the first time, Jodie returned the favor to a large extent by freeing Patrick from his man with good screens while Patterson cut hard to the basket. UK also played an isolation game for Jodie Meeks with four low on a few occasions, which was a welcome sight.
This lineup also played pretty solid defense throughout the second half and held LSU to only 4 offensive rebounds. UK did a solid second half job on Tasmin Mitchell (except for AJ Stewart’s defensive lapse that led to the winner), allowing him to score only 7 after scoring 14 in the first half. The big defensive issue was Marcus Thornton, who scored only 4 first half points, but went off for 19 in the second half. The guy is a phenomenal player, and there really was not much that could be done about him. It came down to who could make the big plays between Thornton and Jodie Meeks, and Thornton made crucial play after crucial play, and Jodie Meeks could not answer him in the final two minutes.
Jodie did a good job the whole game of finding ways to score, because for second consecutive game at Rupp, he just did not have the range. He scored 24 points, but only shot 1-9 from three (UK as a team shot only 3-14 while LSU shot 9-20…this was a big determining factor). Jodie did force things at times (5 turnovers and a couple shots blocked), but he did contribute on the boards (5 rebounds) and passing (4 assists). Regardless, I think that what Jodie will remember is that he did not produce down the stretch. He missed the front end of a key one and one right after the under four TV timeout that would have stretched UK’s lead to three. He missed a good look from three that would have tied the game with just over a minute left. He missed the final tying attempt at the end.
Instead, it was Darius Miller who hit the shot that looked like it might send UK into OT. After Kevin Galloway missed his second free throw with 34 seconds left, Patrick Patterson tracked down the carom for only his second rebound of the first half and Darius Miller hit an open look. Darius showed no hesitation in knocking the shot down, and I am very pleased with his response after a tough game in Columbia.
Darius Miller was a big part of what UK did after the break, and I will say that UK’s play in the second half was very encouraging. LSU is the best team in the SEC and they played a very good game. UK went blow for blow with them until Tasmin Mitchell hit the winner. Give the guys credit for showing up in the second half, and if they play that way the rest of the season, who knows what could happen. UK is probably on the outside of the NCAA picture looking in right now, but they can still right that ship. I’ll get into that in detail tomorrow in my SEC breakdown.
As encouraging as the second half was (until the last two minutes), I think the question on every UK fan’s mind right now is “why did it take so long”? It’s a coach’s responsibility to put his players in the best possible position to win, and after that, it’s in the players hands. The way UK played in the second half makes me wonder if Billy Gillispie believes he has put his guys in the best possible position to succeed.
What convinced him to play Porter zero minutes after playing him 17 in the first half? Why did it take so long to put Darius Miller and Kevin Galloway on the floor with Meeks and Patterson for an extended stretch? Is this change a permanent one? Most of all, what on earth happened in that locker room?
I have had enough of rehashing that painful loss, and there will be plenty of time to talk about what UK needs to do to extend its NCAA Tournament streak to 18 (and I really, really want that), so let’s get to the grades:
Turnovers/Point guard play: B- (last game F)
Kevin Galloway handled things for the majority of the second half (Jodie and Darius handled it the rest of the time), and it was no coincidence that UK’s point guard play was 100% better than when Michael Porter handled things. Galloway didn’t put up big numbers, but he did not turn the ball over one time and he put everybody in the right spots (UK had 10 first half turnover, and 5 after that). I think this is what Gillispie wants out of his “lead guard”, and he better play the majority of the next game or I will not be pleased.
Key Stat-Assist to turnover ratio: 18:15 (3:2 for Porter, Liggins, and Galloway) (last game 11:20 and 7:8 for Porter and Liggins)
Rebounding: B+ (last game C-)
It was pointed out in the Pinkie’s preview that LSU is a very good offensive rebounding team, so the fact that UK held LSU to only 9 offensive rebounds was a major win. Overall, UK outrebounded a very athletic team 32-29, which is good. Unfortunately, UK reverted to old habits when they didn’t put a body on Marcus Thornton with 1:49 left. Thornton dove between to ‘Cats, put his follow up and in, got fouled, hit the foul shot, and LSU never trailed after that.
Key Stat-Defensive rebounding percentage (defensive rebounds/opponent FG missed + opponent FT missed x100): (24/32+2)x100=70.6% (last game 59.5%) (last game 40.0%)
Getting the ball to Patterson: A (last game B)
Patterson scored 28 points on 12-17 shooting. He got the ball in good spots and was not often doubled by LSU, which he feasted on. UK also threw the ball around the rim for him to go grab, which was good to see.
Key Stat-FGA+FTA-offensive rebounds by Patterson: 17+6-3=20 (last game 28)
Secondary scoring: C- (last game D)
Just like Wednesday night, only three guys besides Patterson and Meeks scored tonight: Perry Stevenson (7), Kevin Galloway (3), and Darius Miller (8). Perry did nearly all of his damage in the first half, nearly disappearing after the first few minutes. Galloway only hit three free throws. Darius was the only guy who really stepped up. His shyness shooting the ball is gone, even when it matters most. Unfortunately, one guy was not enough today.
Key Stat-Percentage of points scored by Meeks and Patterson: 28+24/70=74.3% (last game 71.2%)
Temple Drops Second Strait at Dayton
By: Carl H | February 28th, 2009 | Category: SportsA furious flurry of threes by Dionte “Floyd” Christmas couldn’t save Temple’s postseason hopes from being dealt another crushing blow. This time the Flyers of Dayton built a lead and held on to win 70-65 by making six free throws over the last 41 seconds to counter Floyd’s two 3-pointers. Christmas finished with 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting (5-of-12 beyond the arc) to go with 1 board and 3 assists versus 0 turnovers. Temple is now 17-11 and 9-5 in A-10 play.
Naismith Watch: 19.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.4 spg, 42.4 FG%, 75.6 FT%, 35.3 3pt%
Temple real-time RPI: 46 SOS: 48
Fox’s Lockses – UCLA (-2) at California
By: Carl H | February 28th, 2009 | Category: Pinkie's PicksI got the wrong kind of streak going now, so let’s end it tonight. Check out Brianna for some inspiration. The Bruins minus two points, LOCKED!!
Career Record: 50-42-2
Foxy’s Balance: $119.50
Preview (8) Marquette at (6) Louisville : Bobby E’s Breakdown
By: Carl H | February 28th, 2009 | Category: Cards
Date: Sunday, March 1st
Time: 12:06 p.m. EST
Site: Freedom Hall (18,865) in Louisville, KY
Series History: UofL leads 37-24 (20-11 in L’ville, 17-12 @Milwaukee, 0-1 neutral)
Last Meeting: UofL 71, Marquette 57 (Feb. 16, 2008 in Milwaukee, WI)
National Rankings: UL No. 6, Marquette Nos. 8, 10 AP, ESPN/USAToday (2/23)
Officials: John Cahill, Michael Stephens, Mike Stuart
March Madness is upon us!!! Louisville welcomes the Marquette Warriors or Golden or Screaming or Fighting or Whatever Adjective (it’s Golden) they are now Eagles into Freedom Hall in a battle that is crucial to both squads BIG EAST regular season title hopes. Marquette is now in a must win situation if they want to cling to any hope of winning the conference (it ain’t happenin’). However, the Golden Eagles still need a win to hang on to the coveted fourth spot in the standings, thus attaining a double bye in the BIG EAST Tourney (it ain’t likely).
Louisville has regained their look of a Final Four team, which they really only lost for 40 minutes somewhere on their ride into South Bend. They have won four strait, and 14 of their last 16. They sit at 22-5 overall and 13-2 in BIG EAST play. With three games to go, Buzz Williams’ Eagles will be the last ranked team Louisville sees before the BIG EAST tourney starts (assuming West Virginia doesn’t sneak in come Monday). During the Cardinals current four game streak, they are forcing an average of 16 turnovers a game; that will be difficult to duplicate with a very experienced and guard laden Marquette squad. The Golden Eagles start four seniors and a junior Louisville needs to use its press to wear down a not so deep Golden Eagle team (at least offensive-wise as the Marquette starters are accounting for 86.4 percent of the team’s offensive output).
Earl Clark appears to be peaking for the Cardinals’ stretch run. The junior’s 22 points Monday were his most since Jan. 7 in the Cardinals’ Big East opener. He has scored in double figures six games in a row and has scored at least 10 points in all but four games this season. Clark also has been a force on the boards, with at least eight rebounds in six straight games. At times Clark appears to force his game, but as Slick Rick told he and fellow NBA prospect Terrence Williams, “I told them this time of year, you’ve got to stop (just) being a good college basketball player,” Pitino said. “If you’re going to be an NBA basketball player, this is the time you’ve got to pick it up.”
Marquette (23-5, 12-3 BIG EAST) has won 15 of its last 18 games, including a 12-game win streak which was halted at USF on Feb. 6. The Golden Eagles won 78-71 at Georgetown on Saturday as Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal scored 23 and 22 points, respectively. Marquette lost to Connecticut 93-82 on Wednesday night in a game where Dominic James left after 4 minutes with a what has now been confirmed as a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Unfortunately for James he is done for the season, and his collegiate career is over. Connecticut snapped a squad’s long home winning streak for the second time this year, this time at Marquette’s 17 game expense. McNeal and Matthews again led the Golden Eagles with 26 and 20 points, respectively.
Senior guard Jerel McNeal, Marquette’s all-time leader in field goals made, scoring and steals, leads the Golden Eagles in scoring (20.0 ppg). McNeal is also in a heated battle with Louisville Forward Terrence Williams for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award. Go vote now! Junior guard Wesley Matthews, who has started 97 straight games, averages 18.7 points. Senior guard Dominic James, who is second in career assists at Marquette and is No. 3 in career scoring, averages 11.7 points and a team-high 5.3 assists as previously mentioned is out. So the Golden Eagles are down to three dynamos, McNeal, Matthews and all-name squad and the only underclassman to start this year, junior forward Lazar Hayward. Marquette is the top scoring team in the BIG EAST at 80.0 ppg, though it will be interesting to see how they play without their floor general James. Also, there is practically no scoring after these three, as guard Jimmy Butler is the next best contributor at 4.7 ppg and no one else tops 2.7 ppg.
Marquette has ten players who see at least eight minutes of action a game, and eight that see 12 minutes. While mostly these were just bodies to give the Fab Four some much needed rest, Marquette’s reserves are fully capable of holding their own. However, the Golden Eagles are led by their perimeter group, one of the best in the nation. Dominic James once again is a HUGE loss for this team. He is fearless when driving to the rim and can finish with anyone in the country. He is not overly consistent from three-point range, but he is a playmaker off the bounce and will sorely be missed. McNeal is one of the better two-way players in the Big East. He can do nearly anything on the court – besides shoot threes –and is a lockdown defender. Matthews can shoot the three and has a nice mid-range game to go with it. And Lazar is just 6-6, but he can hold his own in the post and has the offensive versatility to step out to the perimeter and consistently knock down three-pointers. He is also a very solid rebounder.
Bobby E’s Gamebreaker: COMPOSURE!!!
This should be a back and forth game with both teams putting together some impressive runs. Whichever squad can keep its composure and not allow itself to crumble, should be able to weather the storm and stay in the game. Also with Marquette able to match Louisville in speed and quickness, and given the Cards will also be donning throw-back uniforms in the style from the Wes Unseld era of the late 1960’s, Samardo Samuels, Terrence Jennings and George Goode will need to channel some of Wes’ dominance and control the inside game. Without James, I don’t think Marquette will be able to keep it together for the full 40.
Wes in his 60s era jerz...
If you plan on being in attendance, the University of Louisville Athletic Department would like to encourage you to don white in an effort to “White-Out” Freedom Hall. The Cardinals have been successful with their previous “White Out” promotions. The Cards knocked off Connecticut 68-54 on Jan 23, 2007 and beat No. 9 Georgetown on Feb. 9, 2008 when Freedom Hall was a bright white. U of L Coach Rick Pitino drew national attention when he wore a white suit for last year’s event.
The game will be televised nationally on CBS with the awesome tandem of Verne Lundquist (play-by-play) and Bill Raftery (color) calling the action. You can also hear the game broadcast on WHAS (840 AM) by Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (color) or on SIRIUS satellite ch. 123.
ONIONS!!!
Coach Gillispie Speaks on A.J. Stewart
By: nickev | February 28th, 2009 | Category: CatsHead Coach Billy Gillispie Quotes
On A.J. Stewart’s status…
“(A.J.) Stewart had a tough time the other night, like all of us have had before. He said some things he didn’t mean to say, and since that time he’s had a great deal of remorse. He’s part of our family. Those things happen from time to time. People make mistakes. Sometimes when you have a time of remorse you realize how lucky and fortunate you are. I don’t think young people should be punished forever for having a tough night. He quit when we returned from South Carolina. He didn’t ever want to quit. He was disappointed in his playing time and mad that we lost. It’s not the end of the world. That wasn’t where his heart was. I wish he hadn’t said it, but he did. He’s part of our family so we will move on. In a situation like this his teammates wanted him back on the team. There was never a lack of love for his teammates or respect for the coaching staff or the University of Kentucky.”
On what A.J. Stewart can provide to the team …
“He played quite a bit at the Vanderbilt game, but not as much the last two games. Hopefully he’ll provide the same things we’ve been looking for him to provide the whole time. We need a defensive rebounder because we haven’t been rebounding the ball very well. That’s a major deficiency for us.”
On Patrick Patterson…
“(Patrick) Patterson is on his way back to being super. He looks totally healthy. He looks very athletic. I hate for him to get a shot blocked but that’s as competitive as I’ve seen anyone after he had his shot blocked several times. I think that’s going to carry over to the next games. He got 24 shots off and nine offensive rebounds. I would like to see us get the ball to him more. We will have a great deal of success if we do. We haven’t been very consistent playing inside out, but we are working on that.”
On LSU…
“They have a bunch of seniors that provide a great deal of experience. There are guys there that have been a part of the team that went to the Final Four a couple of years ago. Trent Johnson has done a great job with that team and they have a great player for every position. They take better and more efficient shots than any team we have played in a while. Their shot selection is fantastic. They are really good defensively; they rebound the ball well; they are a really good free throwing shooting team. They are very consistent and they have a great deal of composure. They never seem to crack. I think that has a lot to do with experience. They are a really solid team. They are probably a more disciplined a team as there is anywhere. You know exactly what they are going to do every time. You know how they are going to execute offensively, defensively and in transition. It’s a very experienced, well-coached team which is why they have won so many games in a row.”
Player Quotes
#5 Ramon Harris, Jr.
On the past couple of days …
“The South Carolina game was not a good night for us. We were expected to do more and play differently than the way we did. Coach has really been able to use that game to make us better over the last couple of days. Hopefully we can show up and do what we need to do tomorrow.”
On the game today…
“Coach told us the South Carolina game was a big opportunity, but we still have a great chance to do something really special this season. With three games left, we still have a chance at winning the SEC East. Our season is not done and we still have a chance to make a big bang. We are getting close to March Madness and we want to be the best we can be, like any team across the nation.”
On relaxing in games …
“I think we just relaxed for a moment in some games instead of just pressing and pressing. We needed to take control of games at certain points. Coach has been working with us in practice and emphasizing to get better and keep our focus level up.”
#23 Jodie Meeks, Jr.
After the South Carolina game, on how much the team needs something good to happen …
“We definitely need the win, but I don’t think it’s time to panic. I think this game is very important to us, like all the other games. We’re going to approach tomorrow’s game it like we always do, try to stick to the game plan and play as best we can.”
On the margin of error for making the NCAA Tournament …
“We’re not on the board or committee. I don’t have too much to say about that, but the only thing we can do is control what we do and that’s play hard and give ourselves the best opportunity either way.”
On LSU’s Marcus Thornton and if there are similarities …
“He’s a great player. I like his overall game – he shoots it really well and gets to the offensive glass – he’s a complete player. He’s aggressive on offense and really plays defense hard.”
On LSU’s Garrett Temple …
“He’s a great defender. He’s pretty tall and very long with long arms and very athletic. He’s a complete defender and he tries real hard. I have to set up my cuts really well and take smart shots. I really don’t worry about people or the defense trying to shut me down. It’s not always about me.”
#54 Patrick Patterson, So.
On the South Carolina …
“I watched the South Carolina game on DVD a couple of times after we got a copy. That game is over, so we have to put it behind us and focus on LSU. South Carolina always had someone coming over to help out whoever was guarding me. I needed to do a better job of putting the ball above the rim and using the rim to my advantage.”
On the LSU game …
“It is a big game. They are first in the SEC and they have only lost one game in the SEC. Also, they are nationally ranked so it is a huge game. It would mean a lot to get the win tomorrow. We want to go out tomorrow and get the win. A win tomorrow would mean more recognition for us. If we get this win then hopefully it would carry over to the last couple games. A win would also help us out in the SEC and NCAA tournament.”
On proving how good UK is …
“I don’t think we have anything to prove. Tomorrow will be a hard game because LSU is a great basketball team. They do a lot of things very well. They play hard game in and game out. We know tomorrow will be tough because of how well LSU executes.”
Courtesy of UKAthletics.com
…And finally some really, really big news. The poodle picked the Cats again and we all know what happened when the poodle picked the Cats against the Razorbacks. Here’s to hoping that will happen again because the Big Blue really needs this one.
Also, check out some highlights from the 1996 thrashing when the Cats put up 86 in the first half against the Bayou Bengals.
The Pinkie Previews LSU at Kentucky: Wink’s Breakdown
By: nickev | February 27th, 2009 | Category: CatsAfter last season’s 13-17 campaign, I don’t think anyone expected LSU to start out 12-1 in conference play this season. Yeah, many pundits picked them to finish first in the SEC West but we are talking about a division that didn’t really have a clear cut favorite.
They entered the 2007-08 season with high expectations. They were a year removed from the final four and had one of the best freshmen (Anthony Randolph) and best JUCO transfers (Marcus Thornton) coming in. But, then Tasmin Mitchell got hurt in Maui and the Tigers collapsed with their combined youth and John Brady’s inability to coach basketball.
They showed signs toward the end of the year last year, winning four of their last five regular season games, before bowing out to South Carolina in the SEC tournament and it looked as if they were finally coming together as a team, largely thanks to casting off the burden of having John Brady as coach (who really may be the worst coach to ever make it to the Final Four).
Twenty-eight games into this season and they have already clinched a share of the SEC regular season title and appear to be the only SEC lock for the NCAA Tournament. They have won 11 strait since losing their SEC opener at Alabama and are in the Top 5 in every offensive and defensive category in the league. John Brady always was able to recruit athletes but new head coach Trent Johnson has molded those athletes into a very balanced and competetive basketball team.
The Tigers are the only team in the SEC in the Top four in both scoring offense (4th, 77.0) and scoring defense (3rd, 65.1). They still have two starters with Final Four experience (Garrett Temple, Taz Mitchell-both Chris Rix Award Candidates, they are long and athletic, and they are gaining confidence with each victory. The latest coming at home in a big win over Florida that served as their introduction to a national audience. There’s no doubt that this game is a similar opportunity for them, playing on CBS in one of the most famous arena’s in the sport.
Even though they have been winning a lot lately, they haven’t been winning BY a lot; their last five wins have come by an average of 5.2 points. Contrast that with their first 7 SEC wins that came by an average of 17.3 points. They are not invincible, but they have learned how to come back from a deficit and win close games, which will prepare them for March. I do think this means that if UK shows up, they’re going to be in the game. We’ve learned that there’s no guaranteeing that.
LSU is led on the court by star guard Marcus Thornton. I’ve talked about Thornton in my SEC rundowns and him being overlooked as an elite SEC player. The senior transfer from Kilgore College was a Second Team All SEC selection last year is averaging 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals. He’s taking fewer shots and playing fewer minutes than last season, but has improved his scoring by a point per game. This is a credit to better shot selection and efficiency.
Devan Downey, Jodie Meeks, and Nick Calathes have hogged all the attention, but Marcus Thornton is as difficult a matchup as UK will face all season, and possible the most interesting. Thornton and Meeks are a natural matchup on the court. They’ll be guarding each other, and the way they defend the other is going to be just as important as how they play on offense. Both guys will kill you from three if you let them (you know about Jodie, but Thornton is shooting 39.7% and hitting over 2 a game).
LSU’s second leading scorer is 8th year (OK, 4th) junior Tasmin Mitchell. The forward is scoring 16.8 points a game on 54.8% shooting to go along with 7.3 rebounds a game. He’s a scary matchup for the ‘Cats. He’ll give trouble to Ramon Harris and Darius Miller with his size, and with the way Perry Stevenson has been playing lately, I’m not sure if he could do a thing about him. He’s enough trouble inside the arc, but mix in the fact that he’s 9-16 from three on the season, including 6-8 in his last 6 games. You have to get a hand in his face even when he’s 20 feet out.
Mitchell can blow up on you just easily as Thornton. He has 8 twenty point games on the season, including a 41 point game a couple weeks ago against Mississippi State. I know it’s been guards that have killed UK this season, but I think Jodie Meeks and Marcus Thornton are going to cancel eachother out. Tasmin Mitchell is who I’m really worried about.
The starting lineup is rounded out by guards Bo Spencer and Garrett Temple and center Chris Johnson. LSU has benefited from playing only 2 starting lineups all season (Terry Spencer started two games in place of Bo Spencer).
Bo Spencer joins Thornton and Mitchell in double figures, scoring 11.7 a game. He is a significant threat from three, shooting over 42% on the year. The Florida game was his second game back following an ankle injury that forced him to miss recent games against Mississippi and Arkansas.
Spencer is the smallest of the LSU starters at 6-1, but Garrett Temple handles the ball the majority of the time. It seems like it’s been years since LSU has had a true point guard, but they have certainly made due this year. Temple leads the club with 4.5 assists and he will fill up the stat sheet with rebounds and points as well. However, he is not a good shooter by any stretch. He’s shooting 36.1% from the field on the year and only 30.4% from three. Expect UK to dare him to shoot the ball.
Senior center Chris Johnson has put together a very solid season. He’s scoring 8.5 points a game to go along with 7.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks, good for second in the conference.
The starters for LSU play the majority of the minutes (all but Johnson average more than 30 minutes), but the guys you can expect to see off the bench are guard Terry Martin, forward Quinton Thornton, and guard Chris Bass. None are going to wow you with offense, but they all come in and play solid defense and fit in well.
LSU does a good job taking care of the ball (29th nationally in turnover % according to KenPom.com) and they get after you on the offensive boards (28th in offensive rebounding %). All of their starters except for Spencer average at least 1.4 offensive rebounds, so if UK doesn’t get in front of guys and block out, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow.
Like I said, I think UK can play with LSU if they show up, and I think they really could go either way on that front. As difficult as the week has been for UK fans, it has to have been even harder for the players. Who knows how in the loop they were about AJ, who by all accounts, is a very popular player.
I do think the crowd has the potential to make a big difference tomorrow. If the crowd has the same do or die attitude as they showed during the Florida game, I think it would be a huge postive for the team to know how supported they still are. However, if things don’t go well tomorrow, it could really get ugly in that building, worse even than it was for Mississippi State. Regardless, I say let’s control what we can and make it hard for LSU with a crowd every bit as loud as it was when Nick Calathes bricked those free throws.
AJ Stewart still a Wildcat
By: Guy | February 27th, 2009 | Category: CatsWLAP in Lexington is reporting that AJ Stewart is “back” with the Kentucky Basketball team. If you remember, during the preseason, AJ was kicked out of the Wildcat Lodge and his locker was cleaned out. I assume that this was a similar occurence.
Even though he may be back, I have to believe that this soap opera will make AJ think hard about his future as a ‘Cat under Billy Gillispie this offseason. When more info is available, I’ll let you know.
**UPDATE**According to Brett Dawson:
A.J. Stewart quit the Kentucky basketball team after Wednesday’s loss at South Carolina, UK Billy Gillispie said at his news conference today, but he has been reinstated.
“We’ve all said things in anger that we don’t really mean,” Gillispie said. “There was never a lack of love for his teammates or respect for the coaches and players and the University of Kentucky.”
Triple Yump Friday! Golf Channel’s Lauren Brooke Thompson
By: Carl H | February 27th, 2009 | Category: GirlsThat’s right, a third yump on this the final Friday of February. Much tinks to BT for bringing this beauty to light. Head on over to InGameNow for more pics and videos of today’s unprecedented third yump, the Golf Channel’s Top 10 host (Tuesdays at 8:30pm ET), Lauren Brooke Thompson. Lauren Brooke, UH YUMP!!
No more clarity on AJ Stewart situation
By: Guy | February 27th, 2009 | Category: CatsWow, it sure has been an eventful last week in the life of any UK fan. First, UK revives everyone’s hopes with a dismantling of Tennessee in Rupp on Saturday, then dismantles everybody’s revived hopes by losing in VERY convincing fashion to South Carolina. If that wasn’t enough, things get even more interesting with the AJ Stewart rumor mill churning at near Jake-Peavy-to-the-Cubs levels of last winter.
Basically the only concrete thing I can tell you is that Coach Billy Gillispie is holding his pregame press conference at 5:30 today. Most people seem to think he’ll shed light on this whole situation, but honestly, he could just as easily give whatever unfortunate reporter that asks the questions the Jeannine Edwards treatment and sidestep the matter altogether, pretending nothing has happened. We shall see.
Here’s what Jerry Tipton had to say on the matter:
Amid rumors of his dismissal from the Kentucky team (or did he quit?), sophomore forward A.J. Stewart is the focus of intense speculation.
Kentucky had not said anything. But I just received word from UK that there are no roster changes. So we can assume Stewart remains on the team.
Presumably, UK Coach Billy Gillispie will be asked about Stewart’s status when the coach holds his regular day-before-the-game news conference later Friday.
Meanwhile, we’re checking and re-checking sources. No one knows for sure.
It’s good to know that, for once, the people in the know are just as clueless as the rest of us. Stay tuned for an update as soon as Gillispie comments (or doesn’t) on the matter at 5:30. Before that happens, I’d like to challenge our readers to come up with a pet name for this team along the lines of Comeback Cats, Unforgettables, and Team Turmoil. We UK fans love to give our teams pet names, and I think it’s about time this team gets one, because this is just getting crazy.
SI Swimsuit Afternoon Yumpage with Hilary Rhoda
By: nickev | February 27th, 2009 | Category: Girls - VideosHappy Friday! Go check out Pauly Shore tonight down at the Improv at 4th Street Live and live it up with the Strait Pinkie Squad. By the way Hilary Rhoda…UH YUMP!!!
