Kentucky at Texas A&M Game Thread.

[Joneslab]

Oh, you're talking the play where Ulis WAS blocking out a taller player and was called for "corralling" the taller player with his arms?

Yes. Weird call. I assume the officials made the...here it comes...judgment call that the big guy could've gotten that rebound.

But it didn't look like the big guy even moved to get the ball because unless he was Stretch Armstrong or had the ability to enter the Matrix, he wasn't getting that rebound.

[Matt Dillon]

Concerning the T, on Humphries, it's my understanding it was the correct call. As Mark Story pointed out, it's unfair to place too much blame on Humphries. As Mark stated, had Humphries not committed the T, there's no guarantee we would have won anyway. One other comment, had the situation been reversed, and a T not been called, we would all have been howling over that. It just depends on what side of the fence you're on most of the time.

[justafan]

Yes. Weird call. I assume the officials made the...here it comes...judgment call that the big guy could've gotten that rebound.

But it didn't look like the big guy even moved to get the ball because unless he was Stretch Armstrong or had the ability to enter the Matrix, he wasn't getting that rebound.

Yea, I wonder if that was "inspired" but complaints from the A&M coach.

Again, it wasn't the basis for my question (and its an honest question, I don't know the answer) - to the "over the back" vs. "on the back".

[TrueblueCATfan]

Someone correct me if I am wrong but didn't Briscoe just get a T last Thursday for doing the same thing

[Joneslab]

That Kentucky fans would've been "howling" about it is inconsequential. You could make that same point with every big call.

I go back and forth on it. I think on its head, if you just isolate the play and think about it, it's a T that's called most every time. But three players were there, they were all explaining to the ref what had happened, there were no TAMU players around, it wasn't taunting, it wasn't bad sportsmanship...he could've just given a warning there.

But Humphries played a tremendous game. We would've been blown out if not for him.

[Joneslab]

Someone correct me if I am wrong but didn't Briscoe just get a T last Thursday for doing the same thing

Yes, but different circumstances. We'd just dunked the ball and Briscoe got it out of the net and threw it down.

You can easily interpret that as taunting.

I don't think the T was called on Humphries for taunting. I think it was more that Pat Adams was like "Give me the ball" and Humphries was like "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL" and Adams was like, "Okay, here, take this technical."

[Matt Dillon]

I agree about Humphries playing a great game. If we had a capable backup for him, and could get that kind of production from him every time out, I'd be a lot less worried about our inside game.

[Joneslab]

Yea, I wonder if that was "inspired" but complaints from the A&M coach.

Again, it wasn't the basis for my question (and its an honest question, I don't know the answer) - to the "over the back" vs. "on the back".

As I understand it you can go up over a player and tip a ball, and as long as you don't make contact it isn't a foul.

Derek Willis had the highly questionable over the back call at Kansas where he didn't look like he touched anybody. It's only when the player is directly making bodily contact that they blow the whistle (most of the time).

[George]

Disappointing loss aside, is it realistic to believe that Humphries may be elevating the team to another level? Or do you doubt his ability to play with competence for the rest of the season?

FWIW, I'm encouraged. As long as Willis isn't hobbled for the rest of the season and we can count on Poythress returning at some point, I think we may have a chance at another Final Four. I know we still have deficiencies that we're just going to have to live with, but I no longer doubt that this team can win. Willis and, now, Humphries, are two big reasons why.

[Wonderstruck]

The only thing I take solace in is that, who knows what would have happened had the technical not been called. Humphries still would have had to go to the line and make free throws, and A&M would have still gotten one more shot.

But this morning, I feel even worse for him than I did last night. I hope it doesn't cause him to lose any of the fire that he showed last night.

I love that this team rallied around him and didn't put one bit of blame on him.

Go Cats.

[Joneslab]

Disappointing loss aside, is it realistic to believe that Humphries may be elevating the team to another level? Or do you doubt his ability to play with competence for the rest of the season?

I think that was a good game for him. Big, strong, immobile big man for TAMU...the guy is a lot like him.

Humphries has a little harder time in games where he has to move around against smaller teams. But he'll get his nose in there and isn't afraid. And he's strong, as soft as his body is.

[jpay]

I think that was a good game for him. Big, strong, immobile big man for TAMU...the guy is a lot like him.

Humphries has a little harder time in games where he has to move around against smaller teams. But he'll get his nose in there and isn't afraid. And he's strong, as soft as his body is.

Adapt to your talent go zone. Let him anchor in the paint..
Cal really needs to look at playing more zone with the injuries we have. Involve Matthew' and Mulder more..

[Joneslab]

Adapt to your talent go zone. Let him anchor in the paint..
Cal really needs to look at playing more zone with the injuries we have. Involve Matthew' and Mulder more..

Matthews is going to have to play more with Willis out. (Assuming he's going to be out.)

I thought he was okay in a short spurt against Tennessee. Had trouble in that game last night. Just no offensive game and that hamstrings him badly. Mulder might get some run.

But we need Willis back in the worst way. Team goes nowhere without him.

[Joneslab]

Jay Bilas ‏@JayBilas 1m1 minute ago
The unsporting technical foul on Humphries was unnecessary and wrong, in my judgment. It should not have been called.

[George]

Matthews is going to have to play more with Willis out. (Assuming he's going to be out.)

I thought he was okay in a short spurt against Tennessee. Had trouble in that game last night. Just no offensive game and that hamstrings him badly. Mulder might get some run.

But we need Willis back in the worst way. Team goes nowhere without him.

How was Matthews one of the top-rated high school SGs at one point? I'm assuming he wouldn't have earned that ranking without some semblance of an offensive game. How do a guy's skills vanish like that?