Kentucky vs. TAMU: Game Thread

[BJD]

[QUOTE=BobS;n115922]

17 assists to 6 turnovers is limping offensively?

We are a much improved team from the beginning of the season. 7-2 on the road in the SEC playing everyone's super bowl and T shirt night.

Monk had a bad scoring game and we win anyway?

My favorite team of all time, the 1978 team, lost 2 SEC road games. One was a total embarrassment at Alabama. Stuff like that happens on the road. Especially against SEC teams that build their whole season around playing UK.

Again today, 17 assists to 6 turnovers. And out point guard is nursing a sore

Much improved since beginning of the season? Ok. Now you're just trolling.

Trolling?? You don't know that this team is light years ahead of where it started?

You are just playing now.

[lilproUK98]

26-5 and 16-2 is pretty darn strong any way you cut it. We're winning ugly, but we finished the season on a 7 game win streak. Not many teams out there can say that. I'm thrilled.

8 even

[BJD]

We've improved defensively recently, that's for sure. Hawkins getting more minutes is part of that, but some of the issues we were seeing earlier haven't come up as much.

Offensively it's clear we go as Monk goes, but one big thing this team has to deal with are these sloughing defenses every night. It takes awhile to crack those. You have to probe, work, and kind of stretch them out.

The good news is that those kinds of defense work better for the home team. Crowd gets excited, the rims tighten, and you can kind of slough like crazy.

It's a little tougher to play that way on neutrals because the possessions become so much more crucial. A couple of made shots might work teams out of the slough.

There's a reason we play like a different team once we get into the NCAA tourney. It's not a coincidence. It happens every year.

[BJD]

We've improved defensively recently, that's for sure. Hawkins getting more minutes is part of that, but some of the issues we were seeing earlier haven't come up as much.

Offensively it's clear we go as Monk goes, but one big thing this team has to deal with are these sloughing defenses every night. It takes awhile to crack those. You have to probe, work, and kind of stretch them out.

The good news is that those kinds of defense work better for the home team. Crowd gets excited, the rims tighten, and you can kind of slough like crazy.

It's a little tougher to play that way on neutrals because the possessions become so much more crucial. A couple of made shots might work teams out of the slough.

I'm not sold on more play from Hawkins being the reason. But I'm OK with Hawkins getting all of Briscoe's minutes.

[Joneslab]

I'm not sold on more play from Hawkins being the reason. But I'm OK with Hawkins getting all of Briscoe's minutes.

If we get the Briscoe we got today then he can be essential.

Somebody on Twitter during the game said it's like having Chuck Hayes at guard. I agree with that. Does so many different kinds of things...when he's playing well. When he's not he can be cringe-worthy as we've all seen.

[BJD]

If we get the Briscoe we got today then he can be essential.

Somebody on Twitter during the game said it's like having Chuck Hayes at guard. I agree with that. Does so many different kinds of things...when he's playing well. When he's not he can be cringe-worthy as we've all seen.

If he would just stop shooting then he could be a help. He can't make jump shots, he can't make lay ups and he can't make free throws. I mean, he can, but not enough that you can trust him.

Of course a slow paced game like Cal wanted to play today is far better suited to Briscoe's strengths.

Willis showed today that Cal's confidence in him was warranted. He struggled to guard their lottery pick but so has everyone. Bam did a pretty good job on Davis. Gabriel did a good job today, except for that airball free throw, with 6 boards.

We are still a work in progress but we are getting it.

[kr24]

OVC talent Hawkins has saved us.

And TAMU has two very good forwards. This Williams guy is going to play for a long time in the NBA. Just not much at guard.

Excuse me. OVC talent? You dissin on my Racers Will? :-)

[Catsrock]

No cutting on the Racers. Just a reference to the last 2 week's debate about the value of Hawkins.

[Uncle Dave]

8 even

LOL!!! You're absolutely right. Great catch.

[Lighthouse]

Well add me to the Kennedy had a great game plan bunch. It worked well in the beginning and we had no answer for their bigs. I don't want him at Kentucky either, but I agree, he is a good coach.

[BJD]

Well add me to the Kennedy had a great game plan bunch. It worked well in the beginning and we had no answer for their bigs. I don't want him at Kentucky either, but I agree, he is a good coach.

What was that plan? Hope we miss shots? Because that's all it was. Wasn't particularly good defense as they were open shots. They weren't turning us over as we only had 6 for the game.

They weren't killing us on offense as they only scored 28 points for the first half.

So what was this masterful plan? If it was planning on us to miss open shots then yes, it worked to perfection. We missed shots.

I bet next Friday at high noon in Nashville our opponent has the same plan, hoping we miss. Genius really!!

[teamchemistry15]

Well add me to the Kennedy had a great game plan bunch. It worked well in the beginning and we had no answer for their bigs. I don't want him at Kentucky either, but I agree, he is a good coach.

It was pretty evident what they wanted to do. Willis isn't a great defender and Williams is the strength of the team. Bam might have learned how to stay out of foul trouble. I like that we started to double down knowing they aren't a great shooting team.

[teamchemistry15]

I'm not sold on more play from Hawkins being the reason. But I'm OK with Hawkins getting all of Briscoe's minutes.

So, it's just a coincidence that when Hawkins started playing more we started getting better defensively? Cal just stated today he's thinking about starting him. But yeah, he doesn't bring that much to the table.

[teamchemistry15]

Too many people only think a kid is worth their high school ranking. Hawkins has been phenomenal lately and a major reason we are getting better defensively. He has also shown the ability to get in the lane and help break a zone with a floater or the lob to Bam. It takes guys like that to win the whole thing.

Another thing around this time is people make predictions based on the name of the school. So many people last year counted off Villanova because they hadn't had recent success in the tournament. People are doing it again this year without even seeing them play. The same with Oregon. I guess by default the more popular school with more tradition should win and the higher ranked player should play.

[Jeff ROCKober]

Hawkins was so impressive the first half. He locks down the defender and prevents dribble penetration. That leads to long passes or a rushed shot clock. A great game. Fox played great offensively the second half. He just seems to be struggling to make the rest of the team better as great point guards do. I think its a combination of not getting practice in because of injury and some lost mojo confidence.Hawkins is the better defender and is healthier. I like that he is getting Briscoe's or Fox's minutes and not hurting UK when he is in there.These are the guys that help win championships. Liggins seemed to peak at the right time as well n UK's run to the Final Four and this team may be able to make a similar run