The Big Blue Lowdown

Another question was answered Saturday, as the temporarily number one ranked Kentucky Wildcats rebounded from a deflating first loss earlier this week and thoroughly dominated a very good Vanderbilt squad.

Rather than recapping the entire game, we’ll go Clint Eastwood in this write up and give you the good, the bad and the ugly from today’s performance.

The Good

DeMarcus Cousins - Big Cuz is becoming a more complete big man day by day. The 260-pound goliath showed off an impressive combination of agility, hustle and knack for finishing around the rim in a 21 point, 10 rebound effort. Vandy had no answer for him in the post, as the big boy went to the line 13 times and racked up 10 or 12 fouls on the mix of big men who tried to stop him. As commentator Jimmy Dykes pointed out in the telecast, there is no big man in college hoops right now who is more consistent. The BBL is salivating over a possible chance to see him go toe to toe with Cole Aldrich in a late round tourney game.

Darnell Dodson - Getting a rare start in place of Eric Bledsoe (no news on why just yet), Dodson responded with four threes and 16 points. He played nice interior defense, too, pulling in seven boards and doing a nice job on Ogilvy and Taylor, both of whom struggled mightily. Getting more games like this from DD will be a huge plus down the stretch.

Rebounding - The Cats utterly dominated Vandy on the boards today, outrebounding them 39 to 21 overall and 18 to three on the offensive glass. Second chance points were the story as the Cats used their huge front line to dictate every offensive possession and keep the ‘Dores from making any runs late in the game.

Patrick Patterson - PP rebounded from a bad game last week to drop 12 points, which included a career best three three-pointers. But he’ll need to be more aggressive than he was today inside. Patterson passed up the opportunity to take his man to the rack or go strong to the hole on several occasions, opting instead to clear the ball back outside. For his personal future in the pros, and the success of UK this March, he will definitely need to play stronger and look to score. Coach Calipari should also give him more opportunities with set plays.

The Bad

Darius Miller - Not sure where Miller’s game has gone, but after last week’s 18 point effort vs. Arkansas, he’s thrown up two goose eggs and continues to look confused or scared.

Turnovers - The Cats turned it over 17 times, and seven of them were on Wall (who helped balance it out with nine dimes). Sloppy play on the part of UK prevented this game from being a blowout.

Free throws - Surprise, UK shot poorly from the line again today. The Cats missed 14 FTs, including a combined 12-21 by Wall, Bledsoe and Liggins, who did the majority of the ballhandling late. This may not prevent them from winning a championship, but the Cats won’t become a complete team until they get better here.

The Ugly

Technical fouls - Big Cuz received a tech in the second half and narrowly avoided being tossed in the early going, after throwing a vicious forearm to the head of a Vandy big man.

Messy basketball - In all, there were 58 fouls called in the game, and officials needed to separate or warn players on both sides several times. UK showed it can thrive in a brutal halfcourt slugfest vs. Louisville and then again today, but this is a better team when it plays to its strengths of getting out in transition and attacking the goal.

BBL Take

Kentucky made a nice statement today against a Vanderbilt team that showed athleticism and grittiness. The Commodores will be a much tougher test in their own gym next month. All in all, you have to be encouraged by the play of DeAndre Liggins, who logged 25 minutes, dropped nine points and continued to play the role of human bruise in diving for loose balls and playing tenacious defense. The Cats were also a force from deep range today, going 12-23 from behind the arc with five different players knocking down triples.

A top 25-ranked Ole Miss team comes to Rupp Tuesday for what should be another opportunity to prove this Kentucky is a national championship contender.