SB Nation User Blog: UK44

The SEC Vs. The Pac-10 in Football

UK44 — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:28:24 -0000

There has been much debate about what conference is the best. I have always said I would take the SEC over anyone because of there depth but I decided to take a look at it as sort of a SEC vs. Pac-10 end of the year challenge. The SEC #1 vs. The Pac 10's #1, The SEC #2 vs. The Pac-10's #2. This is going to be very entertaining to write and hopefully to read.

This is all based on BCS Rankings:

Arizona St. @ LSU

To me this is one of the most unentertaining games. Even though Arizona St. is the best team in the Pac-10 [according to the BCS rankings], they just don't have the speed to keep up with LSU at home. Rudy Carpenter would struggle with the pressure LSU's front 4 will bring and will make mistakes. Arizona St. might be able to get some help from there 3 headed machine at running back. On the defense side for ASU, I don't think they can handle the depth at all positions from LSU. I like LSU in this game. Tigers win 31-17

Georgia @ Oregon

This game is going to be a classic. These maybe the two fastest teams you are going to see on a football field all year. Oregon will be pressure with their front line and pressure Stafford into some bad throws. On the other side Knowshon Marino [who is an absolute stud], will have no problems running all over this Oregon defense. Another big factor is that Oregon is going to be playing at home, a place where they rarely ever lose. This one is going to be a fast paced high scoring game but I think it will be won in three overtimes by Oregon.

Oregon 50-48 [3 OT]

USC @ Auburn
This also should be a great game. A very physical game between two great defenses. Auburn is going to have to stop the run to have a chance. If they do that they can bring pressure on John David Booty and force him into mistakes. I think USC defense can stop Auburn's offense and Joe Cox has to take advantage of what the USC defense gives him. This game is going to be a old fashioned between war. Think of the game between these Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks this year. Auburn at home is to much for USC.

Auburn 17-14

California @ Alabama
Alabama to me is sort of overrated. They can't cover explosive receivers and Cal has Desean Jackson, one of the best receivers in the nation when properly used. California will design a whole gameplan around Jackson and run the ball well. Alabama has to get the ball to DJ Hall early and often to have a chance.

California 34-27

UCLA @ Florida
UCLA will be no match for Florida. Florida is way to fast for them and UCLA will struggle in a very hostile environment. Tebow should have a big day and Percy Harvin should just run all over this Bruin defense.

Florida 42-14

Oregon St. @ South Carolina
Closer game than the experts think. If you watched the game where Oregon St. pulled a upset @ Cal you saw that the Beaver defense brought pressure on the Cal Offense. The Beaver linebackers are very good and will put pressure on whoever is quarterbacking the Gamecocks. The Beavers will also put blanket coverage on Kenny McKinley and make Mitchell [who I am assuming will be the full time starter] find receivers like touchdown Freedie Brown [his nickname at my high school] and other targets. Still Spurrier's play calling helps the Cocks win a close game.

S CAR 21-17

Stanford @ Tennessee
Should be a blowout. Tennessee absolutely kills people at home and this should be no different. Stanford can't cover receivers and Erik Ainge will find open receivers. Chalk up another one for the SEC.

Tennessee 49-10

Arizona @ Kentucky
You get a feeling that Arizona is a very talented team that is just waiting to pull a huge upset. That is why they will play this game close. Andre Woodson and this offense will be too much for this inexperienced Arizona defense. Look for this to be a close game though as Arizona will be pretty jacked up.

UK 27-20

Washington St. @ Vanderbilt
Should be a very good game. Dwight Tardy will be the key to try to establish the run vs. this Vanderbilt defense. But I just don't know if the Cougars can cover all world receiver Earl Bennett and he should have a breakout game. The key for the Cougars will be trying to contain Bennett and a very pissed off Vanderbilt team. Vanderbilt has had many chances to win huge games in the past and they have come close, they finally cash in during the SEC Pac-10 challenge.

Vanderbilt 40-37

Washington @ Mississippi State
This is a upset for the Pacific 10. Jake Locker finally lives up to the hype of being "the west coast" Tim Tebow and runs all over this Miss St defense. Miss St. will not be able to score on Washington.

Washington 17-3

Lots of close games here. SEC wins the challenge 7 to 3.

Poll

Which conference is better?

SEC

17 votes

Pac-10

0 votes

17 votes | Poll has closed

SEC East Preview

UK44 — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 20:44:52 -0000

This is my SEC East preview, teams that I think are serious contenders get big explanations about there strengths and weaknesses. Others just get a few sentences about how bad they will be.

SEC EAST

1. Tennessee:

Strengths: I really like Tennessee's running attack. This team can throw any combination of running backs at you and hurt you. This team had three running backs that ran for over 200 yards last season and this was on a team stacked with wide receivers. I look for Foster to have a big season with his speed to get to the outside and his pass catching ability out of the backfield. Erik Ainge has developed so much as a quarterback over the past few seasons, he is really developing into one of the nations premier pocket passers, and even though his team lacks receivers I feel his rocket arm and pin point accuracy can make up for that. Xavier Mitchell is a very exciting defensive end and has worked on his strength in the off-season, this guy should be able to get around the edge and get a lot of sacks. This team also has a lot of veterans that can make plays in the defensive backfield led by their speedy and experienced safeties.

Weaknesses: I think the weakness everyone knows about is the receivers, but I don't believe it is that much of a gaping hole. Sure they are going to have to work harder to get open, but Erik Ainge is a great quarterback and can squeeze his passes through some tight holes if given time. I think this team has a bigger hole at defensive tackle where they have to replace two NFL draft picks, this means that the linebacker core is going to have to step up and fill those interior holes.

2. Georgia

Strengths: I think the strength of this team is going to be more experienced, this team was very young last year and that hurt them in some late game situations but that experience should help them carry through this year. Matthew Stafford is poised for a big year and a big career as well, I really like his maturity towards the end of this year and his arm strength is great. Thomas Brown is ready to step up at running back and I think his speed and vision is going to allow him to have an absolutely huge year. The defensive has always been impressive and I don't expect that to change this year.

Weaknesses: The wide receiver core needs to step up and I just don't see them doing that. This team doesn't really have SEC talent at this position and this year it will keep them out of first place in the east. An offensive line that hasn't been heavily recruited over the past few years could hurt this team as well.

3. Florida
Strengths: Speed at every position, everywhere you look this team is loaded with speed and quickness. At quarterback Tim Tebow will once again be one of the better scramblers in the nation, and Percy Harvin will be a heisman candidate with his break away speed, pass catching, and kick returning ability.

Weaknesses: Two many weaknesses on defense for this team to return to a BCS bowl. They have to replace nine starters on defense and I know they recruited some great players on the defensive side of the ball but I don't expect these guys to be able and compete at a level that is going to be good enough for this team to go to a big bowl game. Also I really don't trust Tim Tebow's pocket passing ability, once teams figure out how to stop the draw up the middle [honestly how hard can it be?] his passing ability will have to take over and right now he is a mediocre passer.

4. Kentucky

Strengths: This is the best offensive team in the nation if everyone on the offense stays healthy. Andre Woodson is going to be a good NFL quarterback and a first team all American this season if he maintains his health and his composure in the pocket. Jacob Tamme is an absolute beast of a tight end he can block and catch passes, and he is another all American candidate for this team. Burton is also a pro prospect with very good hands and jumping ability and he will be in the end zone often. Wesley Woodyard will provide much needed leadership for the defense.

Weaknesses: The defense was a mess last year and they will be a mess this year. They couldn't stop the pass or the run last year and they have done anything in recruiting that will help them immediately. The pass defense has some young talent but I don't expect them to shine until later in the season.

5. South Carolina: I don't like the Gamecocks this year except for a six win season and maybe a upset over Florida or Georgia. This team has to many off the field problems to resolve and an unproven quarterback in Blake Mitchell. The defense might get better but they should still have some major problems stopping opposing teams on the ground.

6. Vanderbilt: I really like this teams offensive talent. Chris Nickson can throw the ball up to a number of receivers including one of the most talented in the nation in Earl Bennett who can beat you with his speed or size. But this team is still horrible on defense and all of this bowl talk really needs to stop because they are not that good yet. 4 or 5 win team at best.

So this is the SEC East, Tennessee is underrated, Florida is very overrated and Kentucky should be poised for another eight win year.

Liberty, Texas Southern, Stony Brook, And UNC Game Previews.

UK44 — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 21:56:00 -0000

This is the jammed packed preview of 4 games: Liberty, Texas Southern, Stony Brook, And the North Carolina Tar Heels. I skipped over the 2k Tournament but I do have my predictions, I believe UK will go 3-1 in this tournament with a loss to Memphis[who is stacked this year] in the final.

Game One: Liberty

Guards: This is more intriguing than one might think. Liberty has some talent at guard including some size in "6'4" five time state champion from Kentucky Jeremy Anderson. Anderson is a very strong player that can beat you with any part of his game. TJ Bannister is a transfer from Virginia so you know he had to have some talent to transfer from an ACC school. Justin Holland proves to be more of a passer than a scorer with his game high last season in points only being eight. UK will win this guard fight because Liberty lack of speed and perimeter shooting. I look for Joe Crawford to be able to drive the lane and score, and Ramel "Smooth" Bradley to have a great game from beyond the arc.

Big Guys: This is were UK has a big advantage, Liberty only has one true Center Russell Monroe and his high in points last season was six points. Perry Stevenson should be able to handle this scrappy player with his wing span to block shots and his jumping ability to grab big rebounds. Senior Alex McLean is a solid player, collecting twelve double-doubles last season. But he should be no match at all for Patrick Patterson's strength and size down low.

I Like the Cats to move to 5-1 with a 76-55 win over Liberty.

Game 2: Texas Southern

Texas Southern is a team that lost four players to graduation after last season so they will be replacing two guards and two forwards this season. The team is very athletic, and even though they are VERY small they can usually make up for it with good team speed. But they won't be able to do that versus Kentucky. I look for Kentucky to use there speed and power to win this game. Jodie Meeks and Alex Legion lead Kentucky to a 82-55 win.

Game 3: Stony Brook

Guards: The teams leading scorers Ricky Lucas [16 PPG] and Mitchell Beauford [12 PPG] are gone and these kids were talented. Lucas was one of the better pure scorers and shooters in the conference, and this didn't shock anyone since this kid was a top 50 prospect at one time. Beauford got the best out of his ability and fought for his points of second chance rebounds and inconsistent shooting ability. I do not believe they can replace these guys and Alex Legion should have a field day with his quick hands and three point touch. Unless Eddie Castellanos is ready to step up from a mere 8 points per game last season this should be an easy advantage for the CATS.

Big Guys: UK will have a big advantage here also. The only player who might be a threat for UK is Andrew Goba a 7 foot forward from South Africa but considering this kid has no muscle and considering Patrick Patterson does we should get rebounds easily. I look for Jared Carter to shine here and gets some nice turnaround jumpers as he gets more playing time.

UK will win this game easily because this Stony Brook team only won nine games last year and they are looking even worse this year.

Game Four: North Carolina

I am from North Carolina and let me say there actually isn't much hype for this team compared to last year. Last year the fans handed them the national title before the season began and honestly the team didn't meet there expectations. I think this years Carolina team is better than last years honestely and they should be a great rebounding team.

Point Guards: Tywon Lawson Vs. Ramel Bradley. I think Tywon's speed gives him the advantage here, this guy is one of the fastest players in the nation and I don't think Ramel can guard him one on one. Even though Ramel's jump shoot will make this closer than it looks I doubt Lawson lets him drive to the bucket that much at all.

Shooting Guards: Wayne Ellington Vs. Joe Crawford
Got to go with Crawford. Crawford is only going to get a better jump shot and legs in the off season, and I know for a fact that he is stronger than Ellington. Ellington is to inconsistent for me to go with him. Crawford out shoots and for once in his life out works a player.

Small Forwards: Jodie Meeks [Proj. Starter] Vs. Marcus Ginyard.
Got to go with Meeks for consistency reasons. Ginyard can be a force grabbing rebounds and shooting at times but for most of the time he is just a pretty good defensive player. Jodie Meeks will beat him with his blazing speed and three point shooting and he should be able to guard Ginyard.

Power Fowards: Patrick Patterson vs. Tyler Hansbrough

Boy this should be a absolute war. Both of these guys are some of the most agressive guys you will ever see play college basketball. As long as the refs don't get in the way this should be awesome to watch. I give the advantage to Hansbrough because of experience and scoring ability.

Center: Perry Stevenson/Jared Carter Vs. Deon Thompson/ Alex Stepheson

This is the biggest mismatch and the advantage goes to Carolina. Deon Thompson and Stepheson are twice as agressive and have three times the scoring ability of Carter and Stevenson and that's why I give them the advantage.

X FACTOR: Rupp Arena will go as nuts as they did when Florida came to town this past February. This crowd wil be hectic as it is truely there first big game in the Gillispie era at home. This crowd will push UK to win a very close game 77-75 on a winning two point shot by Jodie Meeks.

So that's my four game preview.

Poll

Who will win?

UNC

11 votes

UK

19 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

UK Basketball Game Two: Seattle

UK44 — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:48:02 -0000

The Joe Callero led Seattle Redhawks will come into Rupp Arena with there backs hitting the wall. This is another small team with there tallest player "6'9" Travis Welt graduating last year. So how will this team stack up against the our Wildcats?

Guards: This should be no contest, the Redhawk guard are way to small and not very athletic compared to the UK guards. Jodie Meeks should have a field day, a 30 point plus game since he is so much faster and stronger than these guards on the Redhawks. Taylor Olson is a player for the Redhawks to watch as he is very fast and get into the hole fairly easily versus his competition last season. I don't expect that to happen since strength is such an issue for this kid and this team.

Big Guys: This a complete mismatch, I look for Perry Stevenson to have a big game here much like he did last year in the preseason games. He has a huge reach advantage over these players and I look for him to block a ton of shots in this game [look for 6 or 7 at least]. I look for Leigh Swanson to be a factor for the Redhawks since he is the tallest player coming back for Seattle.

This should be a bigger mismatch than the first game I covered for you. I like Jodie Meeks and Perry Stevenson to lead the Cats to a 98-52 win.

UK Basketball Game One: Pikeville

UK44 — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:35:43 -0000

UK kicks off the season versus a instate foe in Pikeville. Pikeville is a team loaded with guards and scrappy players.

UK Vs. Pikeville Preview

Guards: Joe Crawford And Ramel Bradley will not have trouble going versus P Ville guards. Even though this team has a lot of good guard play and speed they can and no way match the strength of Joe, Ramel, Jodie, and Derrick.

Players To Watch [Pikeville]: Donnell Dobbins is the teams 1st leading scorer and is the "speed" guy that could give our slower guards a problem. Will Holloman is a strong guard that can muscle down rebounds to give his team second chances.

Bigs: This is even more of a mismatch than the guards. UK has a big advantage, Pikeville only has 2 players over 6'9 and both had minimal contributions to the team compared to there guard production.

Player To Watch [UK]: Patrick Patterson should have a 20/20 performance in this game, it's that simple. He is stronger, and more forceful with the ball in his hands than any player on the opposing team [and a lot of other teams].

Prediction: Led by Jodie Meeks, Alex Legion, And Patrick Patterson the Cats win their 1st game [or preseason scrimmage] 89-53.

Meeks

UK44 — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:01:23 -0000

A lot has been made of University Of Kentucky basketball this off-season, the huge coaching move whether it is Tubby Smith leaving or Billy Gillispie getting hired after Donovan said no to the Cats. And in recruiting though Alex Legion out of Oak Hill has committed to Kentucky, Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson are still weighing in on their options.

You may ask me; well what other news was there to report? Well I thought one of the biggest stories that didn't get reported is that my favorite current Wildcat Jodie Meeks was staying and not transferring. This kid has great future as a Wildcat, he hustles for every loose ball, plays skin tight defense, hits three pointers, and often is the first person back on defense. In games where he got a lot of playing time, Meeks was a spark igniting big Kentucky runs or scoring ten plus points. And this player is just going to get better and better. I am the only one that would be surprised if Meeks isAll SEC in some respect next year? And hopefully when he enters his senior season we can have an all American campaign that says: "All He Does Is Win".

This was a similar ad campaign to the one of my favorite UK player in my lifetime Chuck Hayes, and that is exactly who Jodie reminds me of. He gives everything he has every second that he is on the floor. The scary thing is that he is only going to get better.