Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

Hazegray96 Reputation:93 Level:All-Star Since:Jan 21, 2009
	November 20, 2009 10:15 am Score: 153
	Although Wall has made an impressive start to his UK career, there is one thing missing...a little thing called defense. This pretty much goes for everyone who guards someone on the perimeter. We made two mediocre teams look like superstars due to our lack of defending the three point line. I have no doubts that Coach Cal is on top of this...I just hope that it makes dramatic improvements before our real competion in the comming weeks.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

wildcats9698 Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Nov 12, 2006
	November 20, 2009 10:29 am Score: 87
	I'm a little worried, but this is a very young team. Coach just recently started preaching D in practice. My guess come December 5th, we will see the best UK team in the last 6-7 years in Rupp.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

hawkins3403 Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Nov 24, 2008
	November 20, 2009 11:11 am Score: 101
	I'm curious to see how much they hold Rider to. Rider scored 88 and 86 @Miss St. and against Lehigh, but were blown out @Virginia and were held to 46. I'm thinking a realistic goal would be for the Cats to hold Rider below 70. I figure UK is good for 90+. wildcats9698 is right the team is very young, so it is understandable that they are thinking more about shooting and less about defending. Cal just has to get them focusing on D, because if the Cats have a cold shooting night...they have to be able to win with defense. I'm sure Cal will do everything he can to fix this before the big games
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

kentucky rocks Reputation:95 Level:Superstar Since:Nov 6, 2006
	November 20, 2009 11:27 am Score: 77
	Cal just needs to preach the only two things we really need to work on, Dribble drive and the perimeter shot. When we finally perfect these two things we will deff be ready to play with whoever.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

UKWILDCAT4LIFE Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Feb 13, 2008
	November 20, 2009 11:58 am Score: 141
	I'm sorry for the absence from this board. But, my arrival and resurgence is like one one of Kentucky. I don't live in Kentucky, but in Kansas City, MO.. Where Jayhawk fans are ripping at UK every chance they can. Many are doing the same on this site, saying they beat a team from the conference as Sam Houston State.. Well I'd expect them to beat them easily. Why?, 1) Because KU isn't learning a new system on offense 2) They are running the same one they have been running for years3) They don't have three freshmen starting like our Wildcats do As for our beloved Wildcats, yes they have a lot of work to do, its a work in progress but, I would like to see another team with three starters-(two of which are freshmen) put 20+ points on the board, and have a the other two with 19, and 15 respectfully. We are just seeing the building process of team. The landscape is just being laid out. Coach Cal is making the players believe in themselves, and buy into what has worked at Memphis for the last seven years. Last, I guarantee you that no other coach in America would dare say, that they were thrilled when his team was down by 18 points in the first half to a Mid-Major team. Bill Self would never say that. Go Big Blue... the best is yet to come!
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

catsfan4ever Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Mar 14, 2007
	November 20, 2009 12:38 pm Score: 126
	Calipari has always had good defensive teams and he will get the defense in order. We would have been 1-2 possibly 0-3 with Gillispie still at the helm especially with the way the teams have played us thus far. We are still transitioning give us time, be patient. Kentucky will be one of the best defensive teams in the country come within the the next month or so. I am not saying that I am not frustrated with our defense but we are extremely young, and we know that defense is non-existent at the high school level. When we learn to not leave our feet and play fundamental defense we will be hard to beat. Go Cats!!!
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

mdupchurch Reputation:88 Level:All-Star Since:Mar 9, 2009
	November 20, 2009 12:49 pm Score: 121
	I know Coach Cal has a proven system that has had a lot of success in recent years. So I'm not here to second guess him or bash his system thus far in the year....wouldn't help anything. Offensively, last night was great. Defensively, there's no reason we should be giving up 30+ threes in 2 games. Bad teams having that much success from beyond the arc will always be able to contend with us. We've got to do better. It's early, VERY early, and we're very young. So am I worried? No, not really. I have confidence in Cal and our players, so I think we'll be just fine when we hit December, but hopefully before then. One comment/question to add though: Does anyone else think this team is absolutely made for a halfcourt/fullcourt trapping defense? I think with our length, speed, and athleticism we could have great success running an extended 1-2-2 trap at times. I know college players can be tough to trap, but schools like AZ, Syracuse, UCONN, Michigan, and some others run these defenses. I'm not talking about doing it every time down the court, but I think we could do very well if we threw it in there every now and then. GO CATS!
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

BLarkin4HOF Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Nov 29, 2006
	November 20, 2009 12:51 pm Score: 120
	This is the way I look at it. The last two games UK has let up record breaking 3-pts made for team and player yet won both games. Last year if this occurred where a player got real hot UK would have lost by 10 points. I agree Bledsoe and Wall, Wall especially, look lost on defense but in time experience and Cal's teaching will help this team defend the 3 pointers. Let the haters talk now because by March UK will be up and running at full speed. Just a side note what do you all think about the huge amount of minutes being played by the starters especially Wall and Bledsoe. I believe UK has a deep bench but Cal isn't using it as much as he should. Especially in games against non-BCS conferences where bench players can gain some experience and confidence in case of injuries or foul trouble cause them to come to action during big games or conference play. I'm not a 100% positive but I think last game vs Sam Houston State the bench scored 0 points but I know that Wall, Bledsoe, and Patterson had to be over 35 minutes and Miller and Cousins over 30 minutes.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

Tcash201 Reputation:89 Level:All-Star Since:Dec 8, 2008
	November 20, 2009 12:51 pm Score: 107
	I was really impressed with the improvement on the offensive end last night. We still had way too many turnovers (freshmen), but the ball movement was 100% better. The defense has obviously been a problem early on. I see it as a lack of communication. This doesn't suprise me, because we have such a young team. The defense will come when the players get more familiar with each other. With the athlecism that we have, we will be a good defensive team, but it will take time.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

Tcash201 Reputation:89 Level:All-Star Since:Dec 8, 2008
	November 20, 2009 12:59 pm Score: 120
	BLarkin, Cal and every UK fan loves to win, and I think Cal knows that these games are important to get his best players playing together, and to get in a rythm offensively. Hood has been hurt, Dodson and Liggins are in the doghouse, and Stevenson, Harrelson, and Harris aren't that good. When we play North Carolina, Louisvill, Connecticut, and conference games, he probably will only use 8 or 9 guys at the most. The bench players you are going to see are probably going to be, Dodson, Orton, Harris, and maybe Hood or Liggins (depending on whats going on). He's already said that he isn't going to play someone that can't help us win. The games we have played haven't been blowouts or out of hand at any point. So I think he is just doing what he has to do to get the win and make his best players better.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

SportssFanatic9 Reputation:87 Level:All-Star Since:Nov 16, 2009
	November 20, 2009 1:09 pm Score: 79
	I know Coach Cal has a proven system that has had a lot of success in recent years. So I'm not here to second guess him or bash his system thus far in the year....wouldn't help anything. Offensively, last night was great. Defensively, there's no reason we should be giving up 30+ threes in 2 games. Bad teams having that much success from beyond the arc will always be able to contend with us. We've got to do better. It's early, VERY early, and we're very young. So am I worried? No, not really. I have confidence in Cal and our players, so I think we'll be just fine when we hit December, but hopefully before then. One comment/question to add though: Does anyone else think this team is absolutely made for a halfcourt/fullcourt trapping defense? I think with our length, speed, and athleticism we could have great success running an extended 1-2-2 trap at times. I know college players can be tough to trap, but schools like AZ, Syracuse, UCONN, Michigan, and some others run these defenses. I'm not talking about doing it every time down the court, but I think we could do very well if we threw it in there every now and then.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

bowlinggree3 Reputation:59 Level:Pro Since:Jul 18, 2009
	November 20, 2009 1:51 pm Score: 36
	A friend and I just started a UK basketball blog/news site. We'll write features and news stories. Please check it out: http://ukcatscratches.blogspot.com. You can also fan Cat Scratches on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ukcatscratches.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

ukfan68 Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Nov 28, 2007
	November 20, 2009 2:04 pm Score: 122
	I think the defense will come along as it should. In time. I think it's much like Wall commented on that the teams he played for in High School and on his AAU team they really didn't have to play much defense since they where blowing teams out. And that's probably why we're not seeing that urgency on defense right now that Cal mentioned that we're missing. Extremely young team just learning the college game. As far as a trapping defense goes half and/or full court I'd love to see that. Put as much pressure on the ball as possible and I think it's a necessity especially when you have the speed in the backcourt that we have with Wall and Bledsoe in the game. Then of course the turnovers created from that would create alot of easy baskets in transition as well as wear the other team down and might stop some of these teams from shooting the way they have been if they're harassed constantly and have to worry about getting the ball up the court more. On all those three's.....Well first its not like we're not playing defense and not getting a hand in their faces. Sure these two teams have had some wide open looks and that's obviously a defensive let-down but as I watched the game last night I saw that most of those shots where contested....the only thing they didn't do was what Macy commented on late in the second half and that was put a body on them and make them realize they where being guarded.....of course that means fouling the shooter and they've probably been instructed not to do that. But I'm positive Cal has an answer for them on that. How he wants them to handle teams in the future. But it's hard to do anything with someone like that when they get hot and are shooting off balance 25 and 30 foot double pump jump shots with Wall in his pocket and even Patrick Patterson flying at him he's throwing bombs! But if nothing else I believe these two games have served as an eye-opener for this young team. Cal will be preaching their funerals with all the things they didn't do or where supposed to do. Won't take long before the defense starts clicking as well. Another thing I've noticed is that we're not nearly as bad from the outside as what most of the experts have been saying. Bledsoe, Miller, Dodson, Patterson, and Stevenson as well as Harrellson can all shot the three pretty consistently. Wall really needs to work on his shot. ALOT!!! Not saying anything bad about him at all because I think he's great! Far better than Rondo ever was at UK but I think he needs to get in the gym on his own and just shoot. I also wasn't pleased with some of their efforts to take care of the ball last night which resulted in those 21 turnovers but again it's early and they're extremely young....So we should expect some sloppy play. I did like their hustle especially Cousin's diving for loose balls...and he's obviously stepped up his game quite abit. I know people have said he plays lazy and maybe he did in high school but I've not seen it yet. I think he's a bigger version of Patrick Patterson and once he learns a little more body control like Pat has he'll be unstoppable! The kid is already a beast! Someone mentioned the bench or lack of scoring from it but I don't think that will be an issue as the season progresses. I'm not sure what Dodson did but he's definitely a scoring threat as well as Miller. From what I've read about Cal is that he prefers to develop a strong eight man rotation and stick with that. So I look to see alot of Wall, Bledsoe, Miller, Dodson, Cousins, Patterson, Orton, and either Hood or Liggins. Something to think about though...this game never really was in question at all, at any point that I saw. I'm just saying that's a testament to how far this team has advanced from the last two seasons to have a game like that one when the opposition drops 18 three's and you still win by ten. Last year we'd lost that game by at least 10 or 15 points. Go Cats!!!!
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

mdupchurch Reputation:88 Level:All-Star Since:Mar 9, 2009
	November 20, 2009 3:51 pm Score: 59
	What's with copying and pasting my post? Did you have a question or comment to add? I'm confused?
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

UKWILDCAT4LIFE Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Feb 13, 2008
	November 20, 2009 5:00 pm Score: 136
	This team is explosive, and they have a chance to blow people out. They aren't focusing on the defense end of the floor. For this team to win in March they HAVE to play tough defense, and they will. And as somebody said before, we would 1-2 if Billy were still the head man at UK. This team isn't familiar with one another yet either. The guys that are used to playing together are all sitting on the bench now, and one hasn't played a single minute this year. So, once this team gels, you will notice a HUGE difference in the way they play on the defense end of the floor. I also like the fact that we have more than one scoring option on the floor this year. Last year teams were able to guard Pat and Meeks, which forced other guys to step up and score. Now opposing teams have to deal with five to eight guys capable of scoring 20+ points a night. What Cousins, Wall, Patterson, Bledsoe, and Miller did last night was incredible to say the least. A little food for thought here as well. When we play UNC, we match up very nicely, I think they have more questions than answers on that team. They struggled to put away a Ohio State team that wasn't ready to play. Ohio State didn't look good at all last night, and if OSU would have hit four three pointers they would have won that game. Also, the Heels have turned it over 20+ times in each of the first four games they have played. Go BIG BLUE...
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

kencats1 Reputation:94 Level:All-Star Since:Nov 9, 2008
	November 20, 2009 6:47 pm Score: 49
	http://isportsweb.com/2009/11/20/co usins-leads-kentucky-past-sam-houst on-state-in-a-shootout/ Good recap from the shsu game.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

Fella Reputation:97 Level:Superstar Since:Feb 14, 2008
	November 20, 2009 9:56 pm Score: 118
	I wouldn't say perimeter defense is the "only problem" for this UK team; turnovers still appear to be an issue, and free throw shooting looks like it could be a trouble spot as well. These are the exact same three problems the team had last year under Gillespie. I don't know if that is just a coincidence or what, but I do expect the results to be much better this year, both in terms of actually addressig and fixing these problems (which Gillespie never did), and in terms of actually winning the games. Having talent that is light-years better will allow us to win more games, but I do wonder why these problems seem to persist on UK's teams.
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- Only weakness could make UK hit the "Wall"

ibleedblue03 Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Mar 18, 2007
	November 20, 2009 11:05 pm Score: 125
	Calipari has always had good defensive teams and he will get the defense in order. We would have been 1-2 possibly 0-3 with Gillispie still at the helm especially with the way the teams have played us thus far. We are still transitioning give us time, be patient. Kentucky will be one of the best defensive teams in the country Great post Catsfan4ever, The thing that Callapari said at the 1st of the season is that (He wouldnt even start on the defensive training till the 1st month was over. So that said I guess they just need more time to get familiar with the defensive sets that he wants to into the system. I think they show improvment every game. S.H. State did a great job at taking it to us every chance we gave them and i mean gave them with the turnovers leading to some of those 3 Pt makes. Some of the time we were just sloppy and sometimes we were lazy but all in all with Cousins comming out to play now with the little speach, Hes a beast!! Not to mention the team won that game with the starting 5 only with no offensive help at all. I think we showed great will in both games by not letting the other team get over on them, when they scored we fired right back with great success. Our FG% is much better they the other teams and our steals/blocks are having good output. If we just get the FT thing and that 3pt defensive set down then we will be exteamly tough to beat the Wildcats this year. Go Big Blue!!
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