The Big Blue Daily Mail -- Summertime in Kentucky

Truzenzuzex — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:50:45 -0000

Coach Cal's experience is that a bunch of walk-ons make practice less efficient.

Today, I'm blogging from the deck since the weather is so nice. Unfortunately, there is just not that much to talk about (well, there is this other piece I am working on and hope to have up later, but we can talk about that later). So instead of pussyfooting around, I'll just get right to the news of the last couple of days:

UK Basketball News

2010 Kentucky Recruiting Breakdown " UKmadness
A look at who the 'Cats are chasing for 2010
Calipari is no technophobe.
Embrace technology, or those who do will leave you behind.
Who is the best coach in college basketball?
Interesting commentary. All these guys have plenty to recommend them.
Top 5 Golden Spikes of the Rupp Arena Era (Minus Tayshaun’s 5th 3-pointer)
Any post that remembers Tayshaun's 5 threes is awesome.
The Immortals: UK's 25 'Legends' #23
Danny Jett is ranking the UK legends.
Silk Roads and Siamese Smiles
Oh, hell yeah! Nothing like the great equalizer of an AK-47 to make up for lack of size. I think this guy has Patrick's back.

UK Football News

Rich Brooks, the WhatMeWorry.
No recruits? No problem. I have faith in Brooks.
Brooks Says Leadership Won't Be A Problem, Rebuffs Retirement Rumors - LEX18 - Lexington, KY - News, Weather, Sports -
"We have better players than we've had in a long time," Brooks said. "We have better depth than we've had in a long time. Now we have to go out on the field and prove it."

Preach, Brother Brooks.
UK Special Teams No. 8 in the Nation
Three words -- Florida at Florida. When it comes to special teams last year, that's the first thing that jumps into my mind.
Heh. I'll bet.

Brooks shoots down retirement speculation | KentuckySports.com
"Just ask my players if I've got any fire," Brooks said. "That'll get (that question) answered."

Heh. I'll bet.
Cobb will stay plenty busy for Wildcats - SEC - ESPN
Very interesting. 15 times per game?
Friday's "Randall Cobb" Clickables
True Blue Kentucky has some great links.
Whatever happened to Mumme’s staff? John Clay’s Sidelines
John Clay clues us in to what became of Hal Mumme's staff. Mumme is coaching division III now, and Morris is coaching FCS. But Mike Leach is outstripping them all.

Other UK Sports News

None today

NCAA Sports News

NCAA spoils dinner: Coaches told to stay away - ESPN
The NCAA cautioned Division I basketball coaches that attending the Grassroots Basketball of America dinner in Las Vegas and paying the entry fee could constitute a violation.
In Defense of Loud Music at Opportune Moments - Dawg Sports
Heh. Kyle King comes to Brian Cook's defense about loud music at football games. Personally, my eardrums were victims of the 1970's, and if it isn't loud, it doesn't exist as far as I am concerned.
Bluegrass State Basketball: Former Wildcat Allen Edwards Hired at Towson
Great to hear. Allen was a great Wildcat.
Leftover Hot Dog: Help choose a nickname for USC PG Devan Downey
Heh. How about "Slick" for, "slicker than snot on a doorknob?" Good player.
SEC 2009 // Rebellious Answers - Team Speed Kills
Team Speed Kills interviews Ole Miss' SBN Blog, Red Cup Rebellion. Giggity.

Other News of Interest

Billie Jean King Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
I remember when Billie Jean King played Bobby Riggs in the much-hyped "Battle of the Sexes" back in 1973. She beat him handily. Things sure were different then.
This is just wrong.
Upcoming PGA events at Valhalla mean millions for city
I loved the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the Ryder Cup. Another PGA would be great for the city.
A Q&A with Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times
Remember Jerry Brewer? He used to write for the Courier-Journal, and now he's out in Seattle. The Big Lead interviews him.

The Daily Schadenfreude

Whoops, Louisville Recruit Incapacitated
A bit of bad news for the football Cardinals.
Greg Brohm reassignment is unsettling
Kragthorpe is apparently bouncing the Brohms from Louisville football. Bold move for a coach with an 11-13 record in two years to make moves that look like the rejection of the one family that was arguably most responsible for getting Louisville football on the map. Card Chronicle has more.
Commitment Stands Strong for Some; Blurry Line for Others
More accusations and rumors of wrongdoing. Embrace. The. Hate.

What Losing Jodie Meeks to the NBA Means

Truzenzuzex — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:01:57 -0000

Uh oh. 3-point shooting could FAIL next year ...

View full size photo »

Jodie Meeks' decision to stay in the NBA draft is probably the best thing for him, but it is definitely not the best thing for the Kentucky Wildcats next year. This puts UK in a real pickle when it comes to outside shooting. Let's take a look at the leading 3-point shooters from last year:

Name	3pt Field Goals
Name	3pt Field Goals Made	3pt Field Goals Attempted	3pt Field Goal Percentage	% of 3 point shots made	Remaining
Jodie Meeks	117	288	40.60%	57.92%
Michael Porter	32	97	33.00%	15.84%
Darius Miller	18	55	32.70%	8.91%	8.91%
DeAndre Liggins	12	51	23.50%	5.94%	5.94%
Ramon Harris	6	25	24.00%	2.97%	2.97%
Josh Harrellson	5	15	33.30%	2.48%	2.48%
Landon Slone	4	15	26.70%	1.98%
Perry Stevenson	3	10	30.00%	1.49%	1.49%
A.J. Stewart	2	5	40.00%	0.99%
Mark Halsell	1	1	100.00%	0.50%
Mark Krebs	1	4	25.00%	0.50%	0.50%
Dwight Perry	1	2	50.00%	0.50%	0.50%
Jared Carter	0	0	0.00%	0.00%
Kevin Galloway	0	4	0.00%	0.00%
Patrick Patterson	0	1	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
*Totals*	*202*			*100.00%*	*22.77%*

Now, just let that chart roll around in your mind for a few minutes.

If that doesn't cause you a moment of panic, I don't know what will. UK is losing 78% of the team's three-point scoring from last year, and bringing in only one player, Darnell Dodson, who is somewhat known for his shooting. Jon Hood is also a decent 3-point shooter, but he is much more like Michael Porter in that respect than Jodie Meeks. What does that say to every coach in college basketball? That's right, boys and girls -- we are going to get a lot of practice playing against zone defenses next year, or seriously sagging man-to-man from teams that eschew the zone. Why would you not force a team with a profile like next year's Wildcats to put up the three ball rather than pass it in to huge post studs or allow a lightning-quick Wall or Bledsoe to get to the rack by playing man-to-man?

So Calipari is now faced with an interesting challenge, and probably one that he does not relish. The Dribble Drive Motion Offense depends on good three-point shooting to function well. Without it, man-to-man defenses will be sagging into the middle like crazy, and zones will be as passive as they want to be. Heck, the perimeter players might even be touching fingertips with each other daring UK to shoot.

This really changes things, folks. Anyone who understands basketball knows that, too. With Meeks on the perimeter, other teams had real problems -- he could spread the floor by acting as a decoy, opening up driving lanes and making it hard on everybody, even if he never put up a shot that wasn't unopposed. Now, every 3-point shot is going to be largely unopposed, because that's what opponents will want UK to take, not slash to the rim for a layup or a dish to Patterson, Orton or Cousins.

The old Chinese curse comes back to the fore. We are living in interesting times, unless Dodson is better than I think he is, or Hood suddenly develops into Rex Chapman.

SB Nation - Dwight Perry