My Observations

[Wildcatcrazy11]

First off I want to say that that was the most exciting Ive seen in two years and it is about time... The Cats are back everyone...

Rebounding - Our rebounding was impressive, I'm not that impressed that we outrebounded USC, I am impressed that we were ripping rebounds out of the sky and boxed out very well. Morris especially.

Joe Crawford has become the leader of this team. IMO he always was, but people outside of our program (other coaches, teams) are now going to know the Joe is our man.

The On ball defense that I heard Tubby mention needed improvement in a recent press conference was outstanding in my opinion out of our set defense. Tre Kelly managed to drive numerous times but most of these were off of fast breaks or other times where we didnt get set. Joe, Derrick, and Ramel looked good on D all night. The segment they did on Jasper "refusing to be screened" was very evident throughout other parts of the game as well.

We showed last night what were are going to need from our team inorder to win an SEC title. Veteran leadership. We NEED ramel, JC, and morris to step up every night like they did. Without a solid 4 spot we need our juniors to lead the team. IMO thats what i enjoyed most about last night.

Heres to the best game in a while, and i hope there are many more to come in the near future.:wildcatface

[sardiscat]

Crawford and Bradley have become players. The missing link now is Bobby Perry starting to play every game like he is capable of.

[UderricKY]

That's the thing..I'm afraid this is what Bobby is capable of on a consistent basis.

[lribookend]

Maybe it's just me, but I think maybe Stevenson should be getting more minutes, and Perry less. Offensively, neither one isa star. Perry may have greater range, but Stevenson is more of an inside threat. BP has experience, PS does not. PS is the better shot blocker and rebounder. I don't know, I just think that Bobby Perry is not the cornerstone that we had hoped. He is a good player, and can contribute in many ways.But he plays a lot of minutes, and his offense is erratic, his defense acceptable. But maybe if Stevenson was on the floor for longer periods, he might block a few more shots, or get some offensiveflow.

I know Tubby won't fiddle with a starting lineup that has won 11 in a row....so let BP start. But give PS more playing time.

[Will Lavender]

lribookend wrote: Maybe it's just me, but I think maybe Stevenson should be getting more minutes, and Perry less. Offensively, neither one isa star. Perry may have greater range, but Stevenson is more of an inside threat. BP has experience, PS does not. PS is the better shot blocker and rebounder. I don't know, I just think that Bobby Perry is not the cornerstone that we had hoped. He is a good player, and can contribute in many ways.But he plays a lot of minutes, and his offense is erratic, his defense acceptable.

I know Tubby won't fiddle with a starting lineup that has won 11 in a row....so let BP start. But give PS more playing time.

Bobby is rarely out of position on defense. Granted, we've not gone against any Noah-esque power forwards on this winning streak (the Stemler kid from Indiana is a pretty good player that Bobby & Co. completely shut down); and granted, Bobby's offensive ineptitude may be enough to warrant a change.

But Bobby is a very good "switcher" (if you get my drift), he's an intelligent defender, and he plays surprisingly hard-nosed in the paint. I'm not going to crown him Chuck Hayes, but he's a pretty tough defender who really doesn't get his due.

Unfortunately, Bobby's stunk on ice offensively this season. And Perry Stevenson is starting to put some semblance of an offensive game together.

But like you say: I don't think Tubby's going to make a change right now.

And in all honesty, I don't really mind the 3-headed monster of Bobby/Perry/Sheray. I do believe that the power forward spot is going to get us beat at some point this season, but it's really no different than what a lot of teams do at other positions. You see a lot of teams splitting minutes between average players at center; Tennessee really doesn't have a point guard; etc. That 4-by-committee thing might just work if Bobby continues to assert himself defensively and if his back-ups keep up the energy they've been playing with.

[bleedbluelady]

Will Lavender wrote:
And in all honesty, I don't really mind the 3-headed monster of Bobby/Perry/Sheray. I do believe that the power forward spot is going to get us beat at some point this season, but it's really no different than what a lot of teams do at other positions. You see a lot of teams splitting minutes between average players at center; Tennessee really doesn't have a point guard; etc. That 4-by-committee thing might just work if Bobby continues to assert himself defensively and if his back-ups keep up the energy they've been playing with.

I've been thinking the same thing all day. Play the 4-by-committee and focus on the positives each bring to the game. Sprinkle a little Woo and Harris in. :shrug:

[Wildcatcrazy11]

I am not that disapointed with Bobby Perry. Yes, he is a weak spot in our starting five, but its not like hes ruined games for us. Hes playing hard nose defense down low and isnt shooting a rediculously bad number from the field (better than meeks actually). With that said i feel he should still be starting because he hasnt really done anything to warrant being removed. I agree with everyone for the most part that a 3 headed balanced attack would mazimize our output from the four spot

[sardiscat]

" Yes, he is a weak spot in our starting five, but its not like hes ruined games for us."

No, he's not losing games for UK. It's just that were he hitting his shots consistently, that would take UK to another level up.

[Will Lavender]

sardiscat wrote: " Yes, he is a weak spot in our starting five, but its not like hes ruined games for us."

No, he's not losing games for UK. It's just that were he hitting his shots consistently, that would take UK to another level up.

Very true.

[BlueBloodCatFan]

bleedbluelady wrote: Will Lavender wrote:
And in all honesty, I don't really mind the 3-headed monster of Bobby/Perry/Sheray. I do believe that the power forward spot is going to get us beat at some point this season, but it's really no different than what a lot of teams do at other positions. You see a lot of teams splitting minutes between average players at center; Tennessee really doesn't have a point guard; etc. That 4-by-committee thing might just work if Bobby continues to assert himself defensively and if his back-ups keep up the energy they've been playing with.

I've been thinking the same thing all day. Play the 4-by-committee and focus on the positives each bring to the game. Sprinkle a little Woo and Harris in. :shrug:
I like what you've got cookin'...sounds like a recipe for success to me.....BUT don't give up on Mr Perry just yet..This young man has more heart than anyone on this team (Knows what it means to wear Kentucky across his chest.) I will go out on a limb here and guarantee that Bobby's offense will come around. so until he has that breakout game ..I see no reason notto play the "4" by committee. Hang in there Bobby...I still believe in you :wildcatfaceGO CATS

[poodoo]

bleedbluelady wrote: Will Lavender wrote:
And in all honesty, I don't really mind the 3-headed monster of Bobby/Perry/Sheray. I do believe that the power forward spot is going to get us beat at some point this season, but it's really no different than what a lot of teams do at other positions. You see a lot of teams splitting minutes between average players at center; Tennessee really doesn't have a point guard; etc. That 4-by-committee thing might just work if Bobby continues to assert himself defensively and if his back-ups keep up the energy they've been playing with.

I've been thinking the same thing all day. Play the 4-by-committee and focus on the positives each bring to the game. Sprinkle a little Woo and Harris in. :shrug:

I think that's exactly what we will do. Too, while I don't think we actually have a "3-headed monster"in Bobby/Perry/Sheray, I think it CAN work, especially if we're performing well at all the other positions.

I like the bit about sprinkling in a little Woo and Harris, bleedbluelady. Iespecially like Woo in there with Morris WHEN he's not needed to back up a foul-plagued Morris. Certainly all of these guys should have fresh legs and plenty of energy to play EXTREMELY HARD while on the floor, a positive in itself.

[Mark Blueblood]

I remember Earl Weaver platooning left field between 3 players with the Orioles and, while none were great players, when you added up their stats, "they" could have made a run for MVP.

Look at Perry, Stevenson, Thomas - you're getting about 13 points a game, 7 or 8 rebounds and solid defense. Plus Perry's shooting 84% from the line. (FAR superior to Stevenson at 44%). Hey - they're not player of the year numbers, but we're not faring too badly at that position.