Back in the Saddle and UK by the Numbers 2/28

Those of you who pay close attention will have noticed that Nick and Carl have been covering for me on UK coverage since the middle of last week. The reason for my absence is that my little brother was in a car accident last Wednesday on the way home from school. He sustained some pretty severe head trauma as well as a broken arm and is currently resting in the hospital. The last few days have been pretty taxing for our family, but everyone around has been so helpful. I just ask that you keep my little brother in your thoughts.

Any time you are talking about a head injury it’s scary, especially one as serious as my brother’s. The recovery and rehabilitation won’t happen overnight, but I can see it in my little brother’s eyes and I can hear it in his voice that he is going to make that recovery and make it faster than anyone tells him he will. He’s been incredibly strong throughout this whole thing and I really admire him for it.

This has been one of those experiences that makes you realize what’s really important in life (family, friends, and relationships) and how things like UK basketball are far from life and death, like I sometimes make them out to be. Ironically, though, it has also made me realize WHY UK basketball is so important to me. You see, the ‘Cats are one thing that my brother and I share with one another, something that we will always have in common, something that bonds us in a way that nothing else can.

One story specifically calls that to mind. On Thursday evening, we were sitting in my brother’s room in the ICU. He was in a lot of pain but was able to interact with us and carry on a conversation. He was asking questions for the first time trying to piece together his new reality. We weren’t sure about what he would remember, so we were obviously listening very closely to what he was saying.

His questions started to become very pointed. He asked what day it was. We told him it was Thursday. He asked if it was morning or night. We told him it was night time. He asked what time it was. We told him it was a few minutes before seven. The look on his face changed and he asked, very concerned, “Has the UK game started yet?”

Not only did this make us very happy to know he was aware enough to know about the date of a UK game, but as a big brother it was a cool moment for me to know that in the face of everything else going on, the first thing that came to mind for my little brother, the main thing he wanted to know, was whether UK had played yet.

Also, another quick story that I thought was funny and pushed my get back to posting on the Pinkie. We watched the Tennessee together yesterday and I came back to his room later in the evening. He asked me if I had posted my customary recap yet. I told him that I hadn’t posted since the accident on Wednesday, and he totally called me out, saying “So you’re using me as an excuse I see?” He’s still got his sense of humor, that’s for sure.

Anyway, let’s get down to business with some quick thoughts on the week that was in UK basketball before the weekly numbers.

The readers digest version is that UK avenged a January loss at the hands of Devan Downey and South Carolina by controlling things most of the way and exploding with a late game run to race a 21 point victory. After a short turnaround from a late night Thursday game, UK travelled to Knoxville for a 12 pm game against the Vols. The ‘Cats dug themselves a 19 point second half hole, but rallied all the way back to tie the game with just over two minutes left. UK ran out of gas and the Vols won 74-65.

I’m not sure if there’s ever been a time where I was less discouraged about a loss. I’m sure the perspective of the previous week contributed to that, but I just don’t think it was that bad of a loss. UK weakened its case for the #1 overall seed, but UK still has a good shot.

The Wildcats faced a very tough environment and laid a first half egg. However, UK battled back with everything they had and just missed pulling it off. John Wall and Darius Miller (who is having a renaissance) led their team back and showed why they are never out of a game. I don’t think loss is really all that concerning, other than the way that it further revealed UK’s collective lack of confidence in its shooting stroke.

Individual Stats

John Wall – 6.2 assists per game (7th nationally)
1.8 steals per game (t-85th nationally)

Patrick Patterson – 58.6% field goal shooting (45th nationally)

DeMarcus Cousins – 10.3 rebounds per game (t-17th nationally)
1.7 blocks per game (93rd nationally)

RPI

UK took a bit of a hit this week after losing to Tennessee, falling to fourth in the RPI according to RealTimeRPI.com. No worries though, because UK is right there with Syracuse and Kansas in the running for the #1 overall seed.

Ken Pomeroy

UK dropped to tenth from seventh in Ken Pomeroy’s rankings this week. UK’s poor offensive showing in Knoxville was to blame.