BCG vs. The Fans

This one has been brewing for a while. The last 4 years have not been up to UK standards and no one looks for reasons for reasons to complain more than UK fans. Couple this in with the fact that a lot of the fan base was divided on Tubby Smith to begin with, and you have a tough situation for Billy Gillispie. These events combined with some sub-par performance on the court has led to somewhat of a backlash against the Big Blue's Commander-in-Chief. I'm gonna lay out some of the points of contention of the last couple of months and how I feel about them.

Halftime Interviews

We've all seen them. From the "bad question" response to the "I didn't hear you"
Big Blue Nation (and some other media outlets) are not happy about the way BCG has treated poor Janine Edwards. Message boards have erupted over our coach being a jerk to the halftime reporter. It's predictable that the media has called him out on it, and the fans seem to be divided.

My Take: My first thought is that I don't really care if our coach is nice or not, and his time is better spent in the locker room making adjustments, but I also realize the bad press isn't doing us any good. Our head guy needs to be an ambassador at all times and sell the program to the media, fans, and recruits. The more the media likes you, the more coverage you will get. Billy needs to straighten his act out a bit, throw out some cliches, and get to the locker room.

Substitution Patterns

At times it seems like underachieving is rewarded under BCG. The fans are screaming for more of the likes of Harrelson, Galloway, Liggins, and Miller. There is one common theme among these players: they bring more to the table offensively. It is clear that defense is king in BCG's mind, and players not executing on that end of the floor have a VERY short leash. What is not clear, however is why 2 players averaging over 4 turnovers per 40 minutes played continue to get clock while providing minimal offensive output on a team that struggles at times to put the ball in the basket.

My Take: Seeing Ramon Harris dribble off his leg and Michael Porter get ripped at halfcourt over and over is getting somewhat old. Turnovers might be the main thing holding back UK from being a good offensive ball team and I think more of Miller and Galloway gives us a better chance to succeed.

I had intentions of putting up 3-4 more points of contention. However, it's game time and i must be making it to Rupp. However, let me say this. BCG has mopped the floor with Sweaty Bruce coaching-wise in their 3 career meetings. This one might take another Herculian effort by Jodie F Meeks, but with PPat coming back I think the Cats do it up big with a rocking house, 79-68.

Game Preview: Jean Shorts Edition

Florida's domination of us over the last couple of years cannot be argued.  This is what mostly fuels my hatred for the reptiles.  Couple that with the fact that UK would be on the outside looking in for the NCAAs with a loss, and we have a recipe for a must win game.  Despite the fact that Billy G and P Pat won't admit it, I think everyone knows this to be true.  Kick the Gators in the mouth today and the Cats are Co-leaders in the SEC East with the possibility of winning the conference.  The formula for success is pretty simple the rest of the way out:

• 40 + points from Meeks/Patterson every night
• Someone other than the "Big 2" must show the confidence to step up offensively
• Limit "drive and kick" jump shots
• Keep the other team off the offensive glass

I know this is obviously a biased opinion, but UK has not lost 3 straight home games EVER.  Billy G gets the boys fired out and we get a big contribution from an unexpected spot (Harrelson?).  Cats 75 Gators 67

An Update, Finally

Last time I updated the blog, I was preparing to run the Atlanta marathon.  I said that if I did not update in a couple of days, assume that I died.  Well I did not die.  I completed the marathon in a little over 5 hours and ate about 10,000 calories in mashed potatoes to make up for it.

That is not the point of today's post.  It is to say this: screw T-Will E5 and the rest of the filthy Cards.  It's time for Billy to reverse this terrible record we have against ranked opponents and bring the Ville to their knees.  Much like the football wins the last 2 years have decimated the Cards, A big win in Freedom Hall could cause the same damage for their basketball program.  The boys in Vegas have us 8 point dogs, but if Jodie can catch fire, this will be a spectacle to behold.

Race Day

So tomorrow is the big day. I'm not even sure that I have talked about it at all on the blog, but tomorrow I run the Weather Channel Atlanta Marathon. About 5 months of training for 4 and a half grueling hours. I struggled a bit with my 20 miler a couple of weeks back, and couple that with the fact I am just getting over strep throat it could get interesting. I have long since abandoned any visions of grandeur when it comes to a goal time. I am focused on finishing in one piece. I think burning 10,000 Calories justifies eating my weight in Mashed Potatoes right? Check back in to see how I did. If this blog isn't update for a couple of weeks, assume I didn't make it.

Game Day Preview

I had planned on giving you my breakdown of this year's UK basketball team after the first game, but barring last night's developments I feel like I should myself calm down a bit before trying to give an objective opinion. Let's just say that my man-crush status on BCG could possibly be wavering. However, we do have a big football game today and focus must be shifted.

Fun Fact: Vanderbilt is 0 for their last 19 attempts to become bowl eligible in the last 25 years. WOW! That includes a 0-3 record against the Cats. Part of that is the schedule tends to be front-loaded with easy out of conference games prior to the SEC schedule, but you figure the ball might bounce their way one time. Today is not their day.

So I have to make the preview quick because I must get back to work, but here's how it breaks down: when Vandy was winning they were turning over their opponents and not turning the ball over themselves. In the last 4 games they have committed 8 turnovers. With sloppy conditions, holding onto the ball should be at a premium. Also, Vanderbilt's offense is bad. REALLY bad. 115 out of 117 in D1 bad. So, if we don't give them great field position, I really like our chances.

Cats 24 Dores 10

WOW

Well, that was an ass-whooping of epic proportions.  Luckily enough, I was in person to witness it.  Never in the thousands of possible scenarios did I consider us forcing Tebow and the Gators into a 3 and out followed by 2 blocked  punts on our next 2 possessions.  I have had the pleasure of witnessing all 3 UK losses this year so I am beginning to feel like a curse.  Moving on from this, we will focus on the clash between the Cats and the Dogs.  

• We face a team in Mississippi State that is possibly more inept on the offensive end than we are.  I personally witnessed this ineptitude when they took a beatdown from the Yellow Jackets 38-7.  
• Once again, this one will be won and lost up front.  Jared Jefferies is returning at right tackle and it couldn't come at a more important time as he has to protect Cobb's blind side.  With Moncell Allen getting his first career start, the Cats will try to establish the power running game early and hope Cobb can use his playmaking ability to get the Cats out of some bad spots.  
• Can a true freshman lead the Cats to victory in his first career start on the road?  Will the defense get back to form after being embarassed in the Swamp?  Can the Cats become bowl eligible and return to the post season for the 3rd straight season for the first time since the 50's?  Win and Atlanta is still an option, lose and the season could go down the tubes.  All these questions will be answered in a short couple of hours.

A Confession

*Cue cheesy political ad music

My name is Derek Burden, and I approved this message. I would like to take this space to make a confession. I, Derek Burden registered superfan turned off the University of Kentucky football game last Saturday. I obviously kept the gamecast open and switched back to the game once it became clear we had a chance, but that is of no excuse. What is the world coming to when I am giving up on Kentucky? I declared vehemently on this blog that the football gods would not allow us to lose. Yet, I lost hope. This is my confession and hopefully I will be forgiven. Would I have gone home if I were at the game? I'm not sure, but I can guarantee you I will not allow this to happen again. That is my pledge. Thank you.