Is this a stretch? Could it happen? Could all the planets align and Coach Cal work his magic whereby the personnel of this year's team could match the level of team play those dasterly Gators exhibited in both the 2006 and 2007 national championships?

For the most part , the Florida teams played a 7-8 man rotation with most of those players currently playing some sort of professional ball. So let's compare position by postion and see what might need to happen in order for UK to have the type of season that Forida had

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Wow! Who would have thought a bunch of five star high school kids could have risen to such success based on sheer athleticism and desire. As soon as these guys hit the floor, life changed speeds. It all became a blur.

From the start this team was thrust into the spotlight. These youngsters had no time to learn really learn to play together. There was no time to learn team defense let alone the DDMO, but they did have length, size and quickness. Game after game, they ground it out, by taking advantage of the opponent's mistakes, missed shots, rebounding, getting the quick outlet pass and racing down the court before the defense could set up. Weaker teams wilted under this relentless offensive pressure. The three times when the opponent was able to hit their shots, get back on defense and fight through fatigue , the Cats lost. In the process of watching these young men display such intensity of purpose, I grew to appreciate how truly special this team was.

So what does this year tell us about the preparedness of these young men for the NBA?  That's the $64 MILLION dollar question! Read on after the jump!

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Thanks Ken. So many times your articles trigger and stimulate my thinking. I have been watching all season and observing what today's article describes. While these Cats may in fact be undefinable, I think it is time to "beknight" this team with a title befitting their character (i.e. Fiddling Five, Comeback Cats, etc.) Using some of the words Ken used in his article and some other ideas, I humbly would like to begin the process. For those of you who wish, feel free to adapt, modify and offer new suggestions so that we will have a monicer to describe this team for posterity.  I have no ego involvement. Have at it.

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Promoted from the diaries -- Ed.

Obviously, Coach Calipari is known as a great recruiter, but even he has not had the quality of talent that he finds on this year’s Cats team. Like many of you, I have been yearning for a new up-tempo style of play that will attract major high school talent. One of the most important jobs of a college is to develop the overall skills of a player so he can play a number of different positions and become both marketable to the NBA and hard to guard at the collegiate level.

To me, the DDMO will provide UK’s players with a variety of new weapons with which to dispatch their opponents. With Coach stating that "he would not play anyone over 28 minutes a game," it seems I am about to get my wish of seeing waves and waves of blue and white players playing in the games. For the last few years, I would have liked to see the development of our "secondary" players to assist in case of an injury or, of course, in order to find that "diamond in the rough." This development has to happen with REAL game experience in a TEAM setting.

As the first week of practice draws to a close, let’s look at the current level of talent and how individuals must both develop their talents and mesh into a team concept.

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For some time now, I have felt UK basketball has lacked the big strong athlete with an "on-court attitude".  While we have had excellent players, they have either had to play up a position from what they would play in the NBA or they had more introverted personalities. While these smaller, but skilled players lead quietly by example, they never intimidated the opponent or established the type of swagger for which UK has been known. This level of intimidation can easily translate into 5-10 points during the course of each game.

There is a prototype for the type of player I think filled this position. James Lee comes to mind, with his marvelous build and leaping ability, he repeatedly finished off fast breaks with a thunderous dunk! Though only 6'5" you simply could not muscle him out of position for a rebound. His defense was "in your face", rugged, very physical Kentucky basketball. "Not HERE"! was his motto. If you played against Lee, contact was inevitable.

So now we have a well-documented tough guy coming to campus. IMO DeMarcus Cousins will be the "enforcer" for this team. John Wall will wow us with his speed and skill, but he will not muscle people around. Patrick Patterson has a wonderful "blue collar" work ethic, and will be a "beast" along side of Cousins, but he has more of a  "businesslike" approach to his game. Cousins, on the other hand,  is the "James Lee reincarnation" I have been awaiting to see don the proud blue and white.

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As we all know we have lost Jodie Meeks and seven other players from last year's 15 man squad. Jodie's accomplishments have been well chronicled (most minutes played, most FG made, most FG attempted, most 3 pt. made, most 3 pt attempted, most FT made, most FT attempted, and most points scored (32% of entire team's offensive output). After looking at last year's stat sheet, I began to wonder how the other seven players contributed and what will be needed from the rest of the team fo us to have the outstanding year we all want and need.  

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We are all excited about the upcoming season. Everyone knows we are young, lacking collegiate experience and yet extremely athletic.  I thought I would explore some of the intangibles that early in the season might be problematic for this group of young men as they seek to find their individual roles on "THE TEAM". These "problems" will certainly not be missed by opposing coaches so it will be interesting to see how Coach Cal prepares the team as our opponents try to exploit them.

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Enjoying UK Basketball again

There is something about having fun that imprints knowledge on the brain more effectively and more completely. This is not to say that drills are not important in order to get the fundamentals right, but during game situations, creativity needs to be encouraged in order to allow the learner/player the ability to apply what he has learn in new and challenging situations. What helps is that the learner in a basketball game is not alone when he applies this new learning. He is part of a group effort . . . a team working together toward a common goal. If this experience of working together can be turned into effortless fun and not boring work, the energy level rises as does the enjoyment level of each player. Obviously, victories add to the enjoyment level, but I am talking about something that has been missing for some time now in Kentucky basketball, FUN and CREATIVITY on the court!

More after the jump ...

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My wishlist for next year's team.

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Could it be that having three coaches in four years caused Jodie to say enough is enough? Obviously the crowning blow came when Jodie told the opposition, "The coach told me not to shoot"! That level of frustration is not characterisitc of the stoic Jodie Meeks we have all come to love.

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While I believe Detroit and Atlanta have very good shooting guards, I think that Oklahoma City and/or Washington could be looking at players like Jodie Meeks for some much needed offense next year.

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look at the possiblities for the depth of our team. Not only will the first team be awesome, but the second team will be made up exceptional talent, as well. In fact, the way I figure it, some of the third team players could be some of the most experienced players on the team. These experienced players will be able to lay claim to having been coached by Tubby Smith, Billie Gillispie, and Coach Cal. That is quite a coaching pedigree. Like everyone else, I am not sure of the status of Liggins, Stewart, Williams and Harrellson, but not counting their talent, look at the talent we can put on the floor and literally run the opposition down. As you will notice, I also assume Jodie and Pat will return.

PG: ? , Galloway

SG: Meeks, Hood

SF: Dotson, Miller, Harris

PF: Patterson, Pilgrim, Stephenson

C: Cousins, Orton

Notice each position has several large players or players who play large. For the first time I can remember, except for Galloway and Pilgrim, we have a four or five star player on all positions of the first and second strings. This scenario even has a four star (Stephenson) possibly on the third team. If the players truly become interchangeable (heard that before), then adding fresh legs throughout the season will keep everyone fresh for March and give the newbies a season of experience.

This lineup should be a good reason for me to get HDTV. I can be patriotic by helping the economy, and then sit back and watch Big Blue roll. What do you think?Will Mama by it?

For a number of reasons the fellows who will make up the 2009-20010 Kentucky Wildcats basketball team will have been recruited by three very well known coaches and the seniors, will by the end of the year,  have played under three different big name coaches. In the process the team composition has evolved into a group of very tough, long athletic players.

Two players sould have been ready to command huge dollars in the NBA by this time. However, due to injuries, lack of depth and a continual transition of coaches, Meeks and Patterson still lack some basic skills that keep them, IMO, from being high lottery picks. As a guard, Jodie needs to improve his handle and midrange shot. As a potential small forward in the pros, Patrick needs to improve his mid and long range shooting. As a power forward, Patrick must get bigger and stronger. He is currently a tweener like Chuck Hayes.

For the last few years, KY has been looking for an outstanding PG; and the quest continues. Physically and emotionally, I don't believe I have seen a tougher point guard than Porter. The problem was that he was really a shooting guard. He took a great deal of physical abuse on the floor from other players and a great deal of emotional abuse (criticism) from the fanbase. However, he rose to the challenge every game and played his heart out. Always the loyal soldier, he did what was asked of him. I hope is walks on, or at least is recognized on senior night. It will not be complete without him.

So now we are left with four additional seniors to lead the team. Galloway is a gifted athelete who has a great handle, but must develop his outside/FT shot, Meeks who I hope for his sake will return, Ramon who is the best defender coming back from last year's team who has to become more offensively minded and Stevenson who cannot not get lost in a game and must dominate.

To this class, we find three juniors. The beast Matt Pilgrim is finally unleashed. At 6'8" 233 lbs, he is claimed to be a great rebounder and quick enough to play SF. Along side of him is Stewart, who has may really florish under Coach Cal's system. At 6'8" and 218 lbs., Stewart is a fine athlete. Finally we come to Josh Harrellson(6'10" 260 lbs), one of my three sons(Patterson and Stevenson). These three big men along with Orton (265), Cousins(250) and Patterson(235) make the deepest and highest quality front court I can ever remember. No one, and I mean no one should push us around like Georgia did last year.

This leads me to the sophomores. Miller (6'7" 225lbs) can playt the 2 or 3 and sometimes brought the ball up the court last year.He is alredy getting high praise from Coach Cal. Liggins (6'6" and 208 lbs.) has shown some talent at the PG but will need to make better decisions. He also must become a team player, because the talent level around him has risen exponentially.

The freshmen on this class are among the most talented athletes on the team. That is both good and bad. Good in the case that by March, barring injuries, we will have a dynomite team. Bad in terms of most freshmen have games early in their career riddled with mental mistakes that cost games. Poor defense, missed FTs, or fouling the three point shooter late in the game are just examples of what can happen. Nevertheless, Cousins (6'10 250 lbs.) gives us the enforcer that this team desparately needs. Orton (6'10" 260 lbs.) (hope he stays) is             another 5 star beast. Hood (high 4 star 6'6" 185 lbs.) is ranked higher than Meeks was when he graduated from HS. 

With Coach Cal's system, I forsee a team that plays 9 players many of whom have years of experience and all who were ranked a four or five star coming out of high school. These players are backed up by four experienced two star players who are good athletes. Coach Cal can certainly "call off the dogs" and still increase the lead with this team. We will just keep coming.

Finally, if someone gives up their scholarship, and walks on, transfers or something else happens, we have the opportunite to add a quality PG to this equation.  It is a very exciting prospect.

The last few seasons have shown KY fans that we can be beat by teams like VMI. Then we look at the roster and they have an awesome offense with two members scoring over 20 point a game for the entire year. We then look at the hated Gardner-Webb and find a coach who had a plan and had his team ready and executed that plan with precision. Obviously that guy can coach and IMO would do well at KY.

Finally, for your viewing pleasure look at the 2009 NABC All-District Coaches of the year. It is an interesting group Some of the names are familiar, but some are not to me. I think all should be considered credentialed and should be considered. I got this from the Citadel's website, so Conway's name is highlighted. It does not show any preference from me. This is jsut for discusiion purposes.

2009 NABC Division I All-District Coaches
District 1: Joe Mihalich, Niagara
District 2: Leonard Hamilton, Florida State
District 3: Duggar Baucom, VMI
District 4: Jim Baron, Rhode Island
District 5: Jay Wright, Villanova
District 6: Stew Morrill, Utah State
District 7: Tom Izzo, Michigan State
District 8: Bill Self, Kansas
District 9: Eric Reveno, Portland
District 10: James Flint, Drexel
District 11: John Calipari, Memphis
District 12: Brad Stevens, Butler
District 13: Jeff Jones, American
District 14: Reggie Witherspoon, Buffalo
District 15: Jerry Eaves, North Carolina A&T
District 16: Ben Jacobsen, Northern Iowa
District 17: Jim Boylen, Utah
District 18: Mike Rice, Robert Morris
District 19: Bret Campbell, Tennessee-Martin
District 20: Lorenzo Romar, Washington
District 21: Trent Johnson, Louisiana State
District 22: Ed Conroy, The Citadel
District 23: Lewis Jackson, Alabama State
District 24: Don Maestri, Troy

With all of problems at point guard, why not give some time to Delph, Halsell, Perry or Scherbenske? These guys have been under pressure before and maybe could do just as  well as the starters. Why not try them and see? Wouldn't it have been wonderful if we would have found a sleeper in the mix? If we get way ahead or way behind in the NIT, it would be nice to play them in post season. Certaily I would like to see Jarrod Carter for more than a cameo appearance. The same goes for Mark Krebs and Slone. Are Donald Williams and Jarvis Walker really on the squad? Play them and see what happens. That's eight players by my count, who for whatever reason, have not played that much this year. I know they are walk-ons, but I think their enthusiasm would help.

I have a theory that mass and strength combined with speed are needed to be dominate in the SEC and college basketball. In order to have speed, you must have a bench that has a skill level and experience that is close to the starting five. This is particularly true when it comes to the first man off the bench. This sixth man must be good enough to start for most teams and needs to be an enforcer who makes an immediate impact on the game. I don't care if he eventually fouls out, he has to be feared/respected by the opposition. This is a psycological imperative.

Back to mass and strength height really doesn't not matter, but:

LG/PG:  under 200 lbs is too small

Wing/SG: under 215 lbs. limits what he can do when guarded by long SFs

Wing/SF: under 220 limits your rebounding ability which we need

Post/PF: under 250 lbs doesn't permit you to bang the boards when the opposition plays two centers (Vandy)

Post/Center: under 250 lbs doesn't permit you to bang the boards when the opposition plays two centers (FLA nest year)

Total weight=1135 lbs.

All of these players need to be mobile and athletic and ready to run. Everyone needs to be a shooter and everybody needs to be willing and able to set a screen. The bench needs to be deep in order to rest the starters and develop the second string. No one should play more than 25-30 minutes. The backup forward and backup center need to be big strong players.

Kentucky is close to putting this type of team together. Obviously, they need an outstanding point guard who can step right in, but they will also need a quality backup if they crank up the speed. Jodie simply has to get stronger and  look for the screens. Miller and Harris have to develop skills that are the other player's strengths. Miller needs too become a defensive presence and Ramon needs to hit his free throws and three point shots. Patterson needs to add 10-15 pounds of muscle in his upper body. In the show business of the NBA you are more marketable when you look powerful. Orton should start at Center permitting Patterson to move to the PF. Stevenson will be a backup for the SF or PF positions. If he is good enough, Pilgrim will back up PF and I think we need one more four star Center who weighs in at around 250.

Finally with al of this new strength, depth and increased fundamentals, there needs to come an iron will that will not bend no matter how many losses occur. Here is where we fans need to make Rupp rock for 40 minutes no matter what the outcome. If all this occurs, other teams should, and I feel will, fear UK again.

"Catastrophe strikes and a person’s world falls apart. People respond variously, but two of the more common responses are denial and despair. Denial refuses to acknowledge the catastrophe. It shuts its eyes tight or looks the other way; it manages to act as if everything is going to be just fine; it takes refuge in distractions and lies and fantasies. Despair is paralyzed by the catastrophe and accepts it as the end of the world. It is unwilling to do anything, concluding that life for all intents and purposes is over. Despair listlessly closes its eyes to a world in which all the color has drained out, a world gone dead."

Obviously the All-American response is to "pick ourselves up by our bootstraps" and move forward. However, in a team sport everyone must be on board with "the plan". I just don't see that right now. We are currently in one of the two places described above.

What do you think?

We have now lost three games by three points or less and we have been in the game against the best teams in the SEC. Change those games (combinded 10 more points) and we could have been ending the year 24/7. Winning the tournament is not out of the question. It would be a great way to go into the NCAA tournament. We lost three away games (UNC, Vandy, USC) really badly (ave. 17pt.), but have been competitive in the other 7 losses.  

I believe Miller and Galloway are a great defensive addition to the team. Their stats show they commit less turnovers per minutes and play better defense. Miller, particularly, is becoming more of an offensive threat. At this point we must play Patterson in the post with Stevenson at the the PF. With subs that should get us through the SEC tournament. If the planets are alighned right, we could even get a win or two in the NCAA. That would be quite a wonderful ending to this year.

Coming out of high school, Meeks was seen as a combo guard and was a 4* (7th SG 2006 Rivals 39th overall) behind several players. While all three of the above players are outstanding balll players and most certainly play at the next level, Meeks is now getting asserting himself on the national scene. Meeks' numbers this year put him IMO ahead of each of the other two players. He has done this playing though trick defenses with which the other players have not had to deal.. When Jodie has an "off night", he scores 15 points which is what Ellington and Henderson (5* players) are averaging. Jodie is now third in the nation in scoring and could very well move up. This is what a shooting guard is expected to do . .  shoot and score.

Another point against the star system and for good recruiting.

It is always nice to have great press and commit to big name school. However, with the signing comes huge if not unrealistic expectations that can cause a student/athlete to question himself. Take a peek at who the rating services of Rivals and Scout, say our team is:

OFFICIAL ROSTER

Star Name                 Ht. Wt. Cl. 

4*  Darius Miller      6-7 215 Fr. 
4*  Kevin Galloway 6-6 215 Jr. 
2*  Michael Porter  6-3 198 Jr. 

3* A.J. Stewart       6-7 225 So. 

4* Perry Stevenson 6-9 215 Jr. 
2* Ramon Harris      6-6 218 Jr. 
4* Jodie Meeks        6-4 208 Jr. 
3* Matt Pilgrim        6-8 235 So. TR 

4* DeAndre Liggins 6-6 200 Fr. 

3*Jared Carter        7-2 277 Sr. 

5* Patrick Patterson 6-8 235 So. 

3* Josh Harrellson 6-9 255 So. TR

New

2* GJ Villanaro 6’1” 165 Fr

4* Jon Hood 6”6” 185 Fr

5* John Orton 6’10” 260 F

The boxes didn't come out right but they are supposed to show those non-senior players with more than one year of eligibility who could transfer next year. Note the large number of four * players and if how that translates to expectations. If they fall in are in the high twenties and high thirties in their respective classes like Jodie Meeks, these players could be really terrific.

I think the talent is improving but they have to live up to the expectations. When it comes to Stevenson, I don't think he has developed like it was hoped. He was ranked in the 60's in his class. Rankings are obviously very subjective.

It is interesting at this point in the year to look at the progress of those recruits UK tried to get and then either backed away from or simply lost out. Here are a few that went to other SEC teams and their current level of productivity. Maybe the story here is to be easier on our freshmen.

Name                                              PTS/G           R/G

During the preseason I remarked that I was worried about our team's scoring ability. At that time I suggested we would probably be alright if we took care of the ball and had a team FT% over 75 %. I was chided that the % was too high and was unrealistic. Today we had another 20 point scorer. It was the team's total number of points earned at the line. It really helped. It would be a neat research project to see how many points we have earned from the line this year and how that has helped the cause. You just can't foul anyone on this team without paying for it. That is our third option.

Wow, has the season been full of surprises! I would never have thought that Meeks would have had so many turnovers at this point in the year and that we woul miss Harris so badly at SF. With Miller struggIing, I must recognize like so many others that Porter is needed on the floor both for his foul shooting and lack of turnovers. Never thought I would say that.

LG Porter (He has to call for the ball more and the team must trust him) Backup: Galloway

Wing Liggins ( He has to handle the ball well and also take more shots) Backup: Porter

Wing Meeks ( He has to handle the ball less and become more like Crawford shooting threes or driving to the basket like he does so well.) Backup: Stone

Post Stevenson (He has to take the three and 12 footer to keep the defense honest). Plus contintue to play great defense.) Backup: Stewart

Post Patterson ( He has to just be himself and look to lead this team) Backup: Stevenson

The entire team must continue to trust each other and talk to each other. I really wanted to win this game, but no one can deny that we can play with these guys and beat them. We are becoming a team that nobody will want to play in March, if these 5 players stay healthy.

What do you think of this lineup? Go CATS!

LG Liggins (backup Galloway)

SG Meeks (Backup Porter)

SF Miller (Backup Harris unless foul shooting and offense improves)

PF Matt Pilgrim (Backup Perry Stevenson) Would that be interesting!

C Patrick Paterson (Backup Josh Harrellson)

I know, it makes 10 deep players, but it permits a number of combinations and gives a lot of experience for each team member. Add the three new recruits to this group who would already have had a chance to learn to play together (cut down on the guffy number of turnovers) and it could be a final four team.

FACTS:

1. We played hard and with superior resources; did not prevail.
2. We are an athletic team, but not a quick team.
3. We are going to turn the ball over 15-20 times every game this year.
4. We do not have a good point guard and we are average at SF.
5. We are undisciplined. We still don't stick with our man but rather go for the spectacular block or rebound or one-one move. Forty is right! To paraphrase him, it is better to win 61-60 than lose 111-103.
6. We don't play like we understand our opponent's strengths and respect then for what they can do.
7. We still have not decided upon our starting 8, as if that is a magic number, That must be important since everyone else uses only 8 players, It must be the correct way to coach. I don't know anything about it, but during the game,IMO we did not use all of our resources.
8. A question is now arising as to the quickness, leaping ability and conditioning level of Patrick Patterson.
9. Don't know, but maybe Coach G. was using this game for a "wake up call" since he made no radical coaching changes..
10. Don't know but maybe a whole bunch of players are in the doghouse and not avaialable to play.

Now what . . .

1. The team did not seem to be a team! They seemed caught by surprise at the amazing quicknes of VMI and undable to adjust. We have got to pull together. Part of the turnover problem was caused ecause players were not talking to each other Jodie's taking it to the hole also makes us a one dimensional offense and cuts down on our assists.
2. The bench part of the team was underutilized.
3. We must get mentality into each game before tip-off.
4. Our man-to-man defense has to be turned up several notches and we have to have a larger rotation of players to keep that intensity on the court and fatique out of our game if we are ging to run. We were continually out of position trying to get the rebound and we left our man alone for the uncontested three. We reached and fouled rather than get in there face.
5. We need not to play unsure, but rather to enjoy disciplined organized basketball. On offense, it is the LG's job to call one of 3-5 set plays everytime down the court. This is what has made KY great. Like Farmerand Pelfrey, we were not quick, but were successful because we played to our own talents and did not react to the opponentsstyle of play. Maybe our team is closer to that team in talent than we realize.
6. We have to have more assits and hit our free throws to counter the turnovers we are going to commit.
7. Ultimately, it is the job of the coach to help the team see where they are and help them get to where they need to be, but the game is played by the players!

Among the many options, Coach G has is to go tall. Thinking outside the box, what about Jodie Meeks at PG/LG and Darius Miller at the SG/Wing.

• Most guards would be smaller and so this combo (6'4" and 6'7")should be able to get their shots off either in transition or in a half court game.
• Both players are offensive threats.
• Miller could really help the rebounding in the SG/wing position. Meeks would rebound well for a PG/LG.
• Both players do not turn the ball over.
• Both players are good FT shooters.
• IMO both players could defend well in these positions.
• It iwould be one of the fastest and smoothest combinations we could have at these positions.
• Both players would have to handle the ball more than they are used to, but it would make them a major part of the game.

IMO, both these players will be playing these positions at the next level due to their natural ability.  I would like to see if this combination would really work.

Looked at the box scores on Ukathletics.com Now we see the power of two walk-ons; M. K.and L.S.. I think one or both of these players will see significant minutes this year. With twenty players, if the injury bug hits again, Coach is prepared.

Looks like Meeks will be awesome this year. His pictures look like he too has put on some muscle. If we are a defensively strong team and he scores 32 points, look out.

Pattrick Patterson had another solid game although he must improve the foul shooting because he will be fouled.

Whoa, what happened to Carter? Wouldn't that be neat to have him be a great backup for Harrelson. Harrelson had a great game.

Nine (9) assists! Way to go Liggins. Very interesting!

IMiller's box scores were very good. Nice foul shooting.

I still see 9-10 players playing a lot of minutes. Some of the players are good rebounders, others are good scorers,several are good foul shooters and could see time at the end of the game. It was to see a respectable A:TO ratio and good three point shooting percentage.

Can't wait for Monday!

With the depth of talent on this year's team, it is time to reach back into Kentucky basketball history and have our current players drink from the old bloody cup of "in your mouth", "not on my side of the court", enforcer basketball. We need to adopt the spirit of Stamper, Lee and Magloire. "Come inside here and you WILL pay" ought to be our defensive motto. We can't bob and weave to a SEC championship. We need to pound the league like a sledge hammer. Last year's foul on Bradley at Georgia was a message that was sent and left unanswered. A few years ago, the hard pick set on Rhondo was a message. Both those plays were "legal", but I believe they would have been due an equally legal response of "back at you".  The swagger needs to come back. We now have the size and athleticism in each of our positions. Let's lift our heads and stick out our chests as we walk on the court, then get down in a good defensive stance and harrass the opposition all night long. We can't wait until next year. The time is now. This team needs to be the team that let's the world know that THE CATS ARE BACK!

Lost:

1. Michael Williams 6'10" 260 -never played much
2. Alex Legion 6'5" 200- scorer never gave UK a chance
3. Ramel Bradley 6'2" 198- lotta points lotta turnovers
4. Mark Coury 6'9" 245- no production had to like him
5. Joe Crawford 6'5" 211- irreplaceable scorer/ defense?
6. Derrick Jasper- 6'6" 213- rebounder but needed a year off to heal

Gain

1. Ramon Harris 6'6" 218 -vastly improved
2. Patrick Patterson 6'8" 235- a year of experience and a beast
3. Michael Porter 6'3" 198 much stronger
4. Perry Stephenson 6'9" 215 gaining more strength
5. AJ Stewart 6'8" 225 gaining more strength
6. Jodie Meeks 6'4" 208 healed completely
7. Kevin Galloway 6'6" 215 great versatile athlete
8. Matt Pilgrim 6'8" 235 beast waiting in the wings
9. DeAndre Liggins 6'6" 200 shooting point guard
10. Jared Carter 7'2" 277 improved but will see if enough
11. Josh Harrellson 6'9" 255 replaces Coury and then some
12. Derrick Miller 6'7" 215 high potential but young
13. Donald Williams 6'4" 200 rising 3* gurad
14. Jarvis Walker 6'4" 200 rising 3* wing (walkon)
15. Mark Krebs 6'5" 200 great shot (walkon)
16. Landon Stone 6'3" 180 great shot (walkon)

Better athletes than Williams and Coury , will miss Crawford and Bradley scoring and maturity. Jasper had to have another year of rest his knee and could not have helped us this year. Legion left and wouldn't helped us anyway Higher quality walkons. Returnees are all much older and stronger.. Mainly a junior laden team that should have less turnovers and shoot better FT. Three point shooting will be a question, but overal speed and defense will be better. Ball handling better so there should be more running and cutting to the basket. Many more interchangeable parts with three deep in all five positions. Possibility of 3-4 starters averaging in double figures in ppg and at least 3 averaging over six rpg.

Other than the obvious difference that a lead guard shoots first and the point guard passes first, I have several questions since many of you seem to believe Coach will be leading us in that direction. It is all new to me.. Heere they are:

1. How does a lead gurad change UK's game?
2. Will our number of assists decline or be picked up somewhere else?
3. Will the LG still handle the ball most of the time like a PG?
4. Do you have to have speed to be an effective LG?
5. Must you be able to drive to the hoop to be an effective LG?
6. Must you have a good handle to be an effective LG?
7. Do you have to hit your FT to be an effective LG?
8. Do you think DeAndre and/or KEvin have the shoot first skills/mentality to run a LG position?
9. If we need more offense, why would we not have Jodie take over the lead guard position?
10. Is the recent acquisition of 6'4" shooting guards an attempt to provide more SG options if Jodie moves to LG?
11. With his defensive skills, do you think Miller will ever have the offensive skills to play the two guard or is he stuck fighting it out with Ramon at the wing?

Have at it. I am very interested in your responses.