Sitting Alone Atop the Awestruck SEC

WOW! That was a close one. It was like dry-shaving a three day beard with no water and a dull razor; there is going to be blood and burns (I did this before a good friends wedding. I was a groomsman...walked around with paper towels stuck to my neck. Yeah, a whole sheet...not good.) Kentucky ran into a very determined, and no holds bar, Auburn team that hung around until the final buzzer. The Great News; Kentucky is alone, at 4-0, as the leader in the SEC east. The Good News: Meeks' 31 points. He is definitely going to be in the conversation for the Player of the Year and All-American. Another person that would and should be in the All-American talks: Patterson. 21 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists and a few blocks. And Perry also had a great game as he went for a double double; 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Bad News; turnovers and a weakness in defending a team that has quick guards. I know that I boasted about an Amazing Human Sponge, but Mike Porter just had an off game, contrary to what we have come to expect of him over the last few games. He didn't take care of the ball; he didn't hit is timely shots. Now having said, he did have 6 assists and only 4 turnovers...but the turnovers were really unforced for the most part, dribbling off his knee and just losing the handle. I know that the Auburn guards didn't make it easy on him. They were quicker and more athletic; he has still come along way, though. I hope that everyone watching didn't see too great of a slide in performance, although there was a slight dip. But Kentucky was not playing a big, slow Tennessee team. Tonight Auburn brought a great game to Kentucky, but the Cats won regardless. What is impressive, and what will carry them through the SEC and NCAA tournament, is the toughness of this team. They did not tire at the end of the game. Auburn was showing signs of losing some tread, but the Cats looked like they could have played another hour or so. They just really had an off night with handling the ball. They took great shots (mostly wide open) and really banged it low with Patterson and Stevenson. It appeared to me that Patterson was having problems with his finger, the one with the ligament tear. The passes that he would usually catch were slipping through his hands and there were lots of turnovers in the paint. (And for that matter at the top of the Key)

I think Gillispie will be happy with a win over Auburn. He warned against a potential battle, and he got one. But what he will not be pleased with is the Cats effort and urgency with the ball handling . They play with such great energy, but they have yet to harness it.   The Tennessee and Georgia game gave us an indicator of  what is to come early February and in to March.

This is still a maturing team and no matter how great they've played in some games, there are going to be let downs and just bad games.   Even your clutch players may seem to lose bearing...if in those games you can pull it together with grit and determination and pull out a win...well, that only bolsters one's confidence. "We didn't fall apart, we didn't give in to the temptation to lay it down...we fought, we fought a well match foe, and we won; end of story. (thoughts that a player might have)" That is Gillispie's main philosophy, what his team chemistry is focused on, COMPETING. He demands his player compete on every single possession, and if you are not willing to do that, then you will be sitting the bench next to ball boys (nothing against the ball boys, but come on, not since Water Boy did a ball boy get any playing time). Most of the media and fans in the Bluegrass didn't understand the language of "competing every play"  According to the Hearld-Leader, even the players didn't know exactly what he meant. The foreign concept is so simple: Every second you are on the court you need to be giving every ounce of strength you have to that play...that play is the most important play in the game. Don't worry about saving yourself for offense, because there are plenty of guys on the team that can score.  Text book example of what Coach is looking for;  At Tennessee, Jodie has 52 points and he is diving on the floor for a loose rebound at the waning seconds of a game that is well in hand. Kentucky did compete tonight but not to the level that Gillispie is pushing them to reach (and no it was not a shut out, like I had hoped.  Maybe next time).

Teams like Auburn, who come in the ubber underdogs and have been experiencing a shooting drought, are very dangerous to a team like Kentucky. They have nothing to lose,so the weight is lifted off of their shoulders.  It seems to free up their arms just enough to throw in a few threes.  They gave us one of there better games and we gave them something less than on par. Yet a win is a win. Gillispie said, earlier in the week, "You say little when you win and less when you don't. (The quote, from Monday's call in show [www.kentucky.com], was in reference to being ranked in the top 25 but I think that it applies here as well)."

 I really feel like we are where we are suppose to be at for this time of the year; on our way to bringing home our 44th SEC title.  4-0 is a great start to that goal.  Maybe Coach Gillispie could win one of those SEC Coach of the Year Award.   I'm sure that would only add to the ambiance of his home, and a great conversation piece.  (One more couldn't hurt).
"How many does that make for you, Billy Clyde?" Says a man at the local convenient, as Gillispie is buying a nutritious breakfast of Dr. Pepper and Peanut Butter Crackers.
"Well, I don't really keep count, but I know I got two holding up my coffee table in the living room." They all have a big laugh.

Fans don't hang your head in thinking that we got away with one! No!   We fought, and competed and won. I reiterate that point because I want you to get it. My dad always repeated himself, and I rarely have forgotten anything he ever said. Kentucky, is a program that have been successful for a great many years, and they will be successful for a great many years. "They had it before you, they'll have it long after your gone." (Al Mcguire, Marquette Coach). We know that we can't expect Jodie to pour 54 every night, but you can rely on Jodie competing every play. 

The game plan tonight was to get the ball the Patterson and Perry and pound the lane; it worked.   Two double doubles from UK's big men, and the icing on that cake was Jodie's 31..."outfreakingstanding!" There will be more on the break down later tomorrow. Until then I bid you a good night. And I hope NCAA titles dance in your head...our time is coming.