2010 Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball - 5th edition

[Scrap Irony]

The telephone tactic could very well backfire, as Cousins is the type of talent that could go 30-20 on a team like MSU. (Of course, he could just as easily get so jacked up that he commits two stupid ticky tack fouls early and becomes a non-factor after being T'ed up for mouthing off.)

I don't like the idea of calling an opposing team at all; what is particularly galling is the language used by those so-called fans. Were I Cousins, I'd save every phone number and call them after the game. (Assuming, of course, I had a good game and my team won.)

[WVRed]

The telephone tactic could very well backfire, as Cousins is the type of talent that could go 30-20 on a team like MSU. (Of course, he could just as easily get so jacked up that he commits two stupid ticky tack fouls early and becomes a non-factor after being T'ed up for mouthing off.)

I don't like the idea of calling an opposing team at all; what is particularly galling is the language used by those so-called fans. Were I Cousins, I'd save every phone number and call them after the game. (Assuming, of course, I had a good game and my team won.)

Outside of Tennessee, I would say that this shows just how much an impact Cousins has had. Teams have tried everything to contain him, now MSU fans are trying to get into his head.

[Scrap Irony]

Anyone watching Kansas at Texas A&M? Kansas just does not impress me at all.

Xavier Henry is okay. At best. (He's no Jodie Meeks, though. Heck, he's no Tasmin Mitchell.)
Aldrich is big and strong, but that's it. His next post move will be his first. (Anyone else get a Bryant "Big Country" Reeves from him?)
I'd take four SEC point guards before Sheron Collins. How he was even mentioned as a possible pre-season All-American? (The four SEC PGs? Devan Downey, John Wall, Courtney Fortson, and Chris Warren)

That said, the Morris boy are decent and their depth is fair. Self is a decent coach as well. Still, is this really the best team we have to offer?

[Javy Pornstache]

Anyone watching Kansas at Texas A&M? Kansas just does not impress me at all.

Xavier Henry is okay. At best. (He's no Jodie Meeks, though. Heck, he's no Tasmin Mitchell.)
Aldrich is big and strong, but that's it. His next post move will be his first. (Anyone else get a Bryant "Big Country" Reeves from him?)
I'd take four SEC point guards before Sheron Collins. How he was even mentioned as a possible pre-season All-American? (The four SEC PGs? Devan Downey, John Wall, Courtney Fortson, and Chris Warren)

That said, the Morris boy are decent and their depth is fair. Self is a decent coach as well. Still, is this really the best team we have to offer?

Agreed re Collins, and I'd personally also add VU's Jermaine Beal to that SEC PG list, Scrap. But I definitely agree. I was just talking with a buddy a few days ago about Big Country and Aldrich comparisons, I don't get AT ALL what makes him the best 5 in the country hands-down, as many pundits have said all year. I know Bob Knight sure loves the guy, it's apparent each week on "Big Monday" - even Big XII games not involving KU.

[WVRed]

Great article on Billy Clyde. It's a long read but its basically a two hour interview regarding his time at Kentucky. Really hoping he gets back on his feet sometime in the near future:

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/1970319.html

[Blimpie]

Regarding the MSU game tonight, Calipari was quoted as saying "they are going to attempt about 30 three-point FGs tonight. If they make half of them, we lose the game."

Also, I was surprised to learn that MSU commits more personal fouls per game than any other team in the entire NCAA. Now would be a good time for Cousins, et al to remember that they call it the 'charity stripe' for a reason.

[WVRed]

I would absolutely LOVE this bracket. From Bracketology:

Milwaukee
(1) KENTUCKY (24-1)
(16) Opening-round Game

(8) CALIFORNIA (17-8)
(9) UTEP (19-5)

San Jose
(5) Wake Forest (18-5)
(12) Marquette (16-8)

(4) NEW MEXICO (23-3)
(13) Oklahoma St (17-7)

New Orleans
(6) BUTLER (23-4)
(11) Virginia Tech (20-4)

(3) Wisconsin (19-6)
(14) WEBER ST (15-8) / Big Sky

Oklahoma City
(7) NORTHERN IOWA (22-3)
(10) Dayton (17-7)

(2) Kansas St (19-4)
(15) BELMONT (16-10) / Atl Sun

I think Wisconsin would beat Kansas St and we have the athleticism to top New Mexico, Wake, and Wisconsin.

[Joseph]

Wow, that would be a cakewalk bracket to be in.

[joshnky]

Regarding the MSU game tonight, Calipari was quoted as saying "they are going to attempt about 30 three-point FGs tonight. If they make half of them, we lose the game."

Any team would lose if their opponent made 15 threes.

Calipari and Pitino are proving to be cut from the same cloth this season. Two days after Calipari claimed UK's finishing schedule is toughest in the nation (facing only two likely tourney teams and two bubble teams), Pitino basically made Notre Dame sound like the 96 UK team. And this is a Notre Dame team minus Harangody that just lost to St John's (not that there is anything wrong with that).

[Scrap Irony]

It will take an excellent effort to beat MSU tonight, IMO, as they are a completely different team at home. Johnson, Bost, and Vanardo are all good normally, but much better at home. (For example, Johnson can actually shoot the ball in Starkville.)

Kentucky hasn't fared well against tough opposing places to play this season. (Though, to be fair, they've only played in one difficult away gym so far.) Cousins hasn't seen a defensive player like Vanardo and MSU's physical style of defense is the type to give Wall and Patterson difficulties.

If it's a Big Ten-style, walk the ball up the court game, MSU wins. If they're able to run, Kentucky wins big.

[improbus]

What are Vanardo's numbers against other big men? Is he a weak side defender (ala Ben Wallace) or more of a straight up guy (ala Shaq). Typically, shot blockers are better help defenders than man defenders which would bode well for Cousins.

[TeamSelig]

I hope Big Cuz drops 30-20 tonight

[WMR]

Vanardo gets almost all of his block by coming to the weak side to provide help.

Cal's plan is to go at him directly with Cousins to hopefully negate that somewhat.

[WVRed]

I thought only WVU fans threw stuff onto the court. Jeanine Edwards tried to interview Cal after the game and got pelted with water bottles.

Almost wish the game would have went into a second OT though. Wall was two assists shy of a triple double.

Stat lines:

Wall: 18 pts, 10 rebs, 8 ast
Cousins: 19 pts, 14 rebs
Patterson: 19 pts, 10 rebs

[WMR]

What a satisfying victory.