The Big Blue Lowdown

The UK hoops team put on quite a performance against Rider Saturday afternoon at Rupp Arena. Here are the high points.

The BBL believes UK’s main vulnerability at this point is giving up the 3-point shot. Rider was the first team UK has played who shot poorly from outside the arc. The result was a 30 point pasting.

Kentucky’s team speed and athleticism is seemingly unmatched in college basketball. If you don’t make shots to equalize the ability of John Wall and Eric Bledsoe to get out on the break, it’s going to be tough to beat the Cats.

John Wall put on an amazing show with 21 points and 11 assists, including catching some sick backdoor lobs where his head was level to the rim. Coach Calipari became disenchanted with DeMarcus Cousins early in the game due to some silly fouls, and he quickly inserted Daniel Orton who went on to have his finest performance as a Wildcat. It appears there is little drop off from Cousins to Orton as both players have soft hands and a knack for finishing down low.

Patrick Patterson was his usual self with a double double of 19 points and 18 rebounds. Eric Bledsoe chipped in 11 while going 3-4 from behind the 3-point arc. Big Cuz contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds in only 15 minutes of play, all of them in the second half.

It appears Darnell Dodson has joined DeAndre Liggins in the Coach Calipari doghouse as neither player saw the floor for the 2nd consecutive game. We continue to be in the dark as to what the future holds for either of them entering the rotation.

UK will face Stanford and perhaps UVA this coming week in Cancun. In both games they should be facing athletes of a similar caliber to their own. It will be interesting to see how UK’s youth and inexperience matches up with BCS teams.

The BBL is certain the Cats are getting better each time out. Their ability to help and recover on defense vs. Rider was a dramatic improvement from their previous three games. Coach Calipari’s teaching and instruction appears to be making a difference with this team. If it continues the sky is the limit.

Cats At A Glance
Record: 4-0
PPG: 85
Opponent PPG: 71
Leading Scorer: John Wall, 20.3 PPG
Leading Rebounder: Patrick Patterson, 12.3 RPG
Assists Leader: John Wall, 7.3