Happy Birthday Billy G!

(thanks to Mike Rutherford at Card Chronicle for the pic)

Well, that game Wednesday night was ugly. I retract my last post.

The defense was ridiculous, the turnovers were awful. Poor Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion are the two early leaders on this team, and they're freshmen.

Give it up to Ramel Bradley. At times, he looked like "Bad Ramel." But for most of the night, he was "Good Ramel." And that problem has been around before Billy G graced us with his presence. There are too many "Good" and "Bad" fill-in-your-favorite-player's-name-here. The inconsistency is the most frustrating thing a UK fan can go through. Another example: Tuesday night--"Good Joe", Wednesday night--"Bad Joe." Crawford is the epitomy of Wildcat inconsistency. Not the happiest of birthdays for Coach G, who turned 48 Wednesday.

But credit the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. This was not a fluke. GW was ready--UK was not. Billy G claimed responsibility for the loss. I'm glad he did. Who knows if it's his fault, really, or not. But the bottom line is, when a team looks ridiculous for the first four minutes of the game, and trail 14-0 in a blink, I'll put that on the coach.

But the Bulldogs went Princeton on the Cats, and it worked. The backdoors, the crisp passing, the solid three-point shooting, the I-don't-give-a-damn attitude as the little six-footers penetrated their way to the hoop.

Is it true, with this year's squad, that as Mark Coury goes, so do the Cats?

Somewhere in Minneapolis, there's a guy named Tubby, silently laughing.

But, that all being said, I do have faith that Gillispie will turn this around. But, they may just have to play the freshmen all year. Maybe even Mike Williams too. I saw heart from those guys.

Early thoughts on UK hoops

Sorry I haven't been posting, but it's going to get better.

The Billy Gillispie era has begun, and I'm really enjoying what I see so far.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not sure about the talent on the acutal team. Crawford scares me sometimes. He's very inconsistent. Having Bradley at the point guard position just hasn't worked out at this point.

It's early, but I do like what Patrick Patterson has to offer, and it looks like he wants to be a leader on this team (which is one thing I've always enjoyed about Ramel Bradley as well).

That all being said, I enjoy the way Billy Gillispie does things. He sits kids who don't do the things right on the court, he loves conditioning, he loves defense. He knows a good possession when he sees one.

So far so good in my book...

But it's very early.

Some Tuesday Night Links

Just thought I'd start off the new blog campaign with some interesting internet links... at least they're interesting to me.

• Pitino has been very busy recruiting, and he's real close to the # 1 class in 2009. [ESPN Insider]
• An AP article that is interesting regarding how life isn't over for UK football just because BCS chances probably are. [AP]
• Pat Forde's weekly Forde-Yard "Dash" is a weekly must-read. And while UK football isn't talked about, he's got a great quote from UK play-by-play man Tom Leach. [ESPN]
• Out of all the local kids that I can't wait to see in the NFL. The one I truly CANNOT wait to see is James Hardy. I think he's going to be sickening good in the pros, and finally, I find a legitimate columnist that agrees with me, ESPN.com's Bruce Feldman. [ESPN Insider]
• Reds fans, like me, always knew the Big Red Machine was great... but guess what. The Machine thinks the Rockies are awesome. [ESPN Insider]
• Pete Fiutak at CollegeFootballNews.com is always a fun read. Very reader-friendly articles. And this is another one... breaking down the current BCS rankings. [College Football News]
• Colts fans, before you start talking to the fellow Colts and NFL fans about the Patriots game, read this. [Scouts]

That's all for now. Enjoy the show tomorrow.

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 21

Moving to the East Rutherford Region, our first game features a tournament favorite against a team that barely snuck by in its first round game. The #1 1996 Kentucky Wildcats pounded the #8 ’02 Indiana Hoosiers 83%-17% in its 1st round game. The Cats broke out to an early lead and never looked back. Behind the hot shooting of Tony Delk, the Cats won by the second largest margin in the 1st round. The starters were pulled very early in the 2nd half by Coach Pitino as he looked forward to the 2nd round. The #4 1953 Indiana Hoosiers did not have that kind of luxury in its 1st round game. The Hoosiers barely snuck by the #5 1958 Kentucky Wildcats in what turned out to be a thriller. The final score was 51%-49% in favor of the Hoosiers. Don Schlundt hit a big basket with only :05 on the clock to put the Hoosiers into the lead. The Cats had a chance to tie the game but Vernon Hatton missed a 15 footer as time ran out.

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 20

The bottom game in the St. Louis region provides the tournament with another All-Kentucky match-up. The #6 1984 Kentucky Wildcats upset the #3 1983 Louisville Cardinals easily by a score of 74%-26% in their first round game. The game was never really close due to Kentucky’s interior presence provided by Kenny Walker and Sam Bowie. This dynamic duo scored 16 and 17 respectively and blocked a combined total of 12 shots. They prevented the Cards from establishing any kind of post play. The #2 1954 Kentucky team won its opening game 69%-31% over the #7 2005 Louisville Cardinals. Frank Ramsey and Cliff Hagan led the Cats offensive output, scoring a combined 30 points while providing a defensive spark against the high powered Cardinal offense. The two held Taquan Dean and Francisco Garcia to a combined 24% fg shooting from the field on their way to victory.

VOTING OVER!
ST. LOUIS REGION - REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
# 2 '54 Kentucky: 70%
# 6 '84 Kentucky: 30%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 19

The first game in the St Louis Region of the 2nd Round features two teams from the 70s. One blew out their first round opponent while the other squeaked by in the closing minutes. The #1 1978 Kentucky Wildcats destroyed the #8 1972 Louisville team by a whopping 94%-6%. The game got out of hand quickly when Goose Givens and Kyle Macy poured in 15 points each in the first ten minutes of the game. The Cats defense was stifling and held the Cards in check all game. They advanced to the 2nd round where they will meet the #5 1975 Louisville Cardinals, who upset the ’98 Kentucky Wildcats in the 1st round. The Cards needed the entire 40 minutes to put away the “Comeback Cats” who clawed and scratched their way back into the game several times. The Cards finally put the last nail in the Cats coffin when Jeff Sheppard fouled out of the game with just 1:23 left. Allen Murphy drained two free throws to ice the game for the Cards who were led by Junior Bridgeman and Wesley Cox with each scoring 17 points and pulling down 7 rebounds. The Cards won 52%-48%.

VOTING OVER!
ST. LOUIS REGION - REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
# 1 '78 Kentucky: 92%
# 5 '75 Louisville: 8%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 18

Game 18 of the Big Three Championship features two teams with many of the same players. The #6 1993 Kentucky Wildcats face off against the #7 1992 Kentucky Wildcats after a stunning upset. The ’93 Cats won their opening round game 70%-30% over #3 ’86 Louisville. Jamal Mashburn dominated the Cards scoring a game high 25 points. Travis Ford knocked down a couple of late 3-pointers to widen the margin of victory. The ’92 Cats pulled away late from a tough ’87 Indiana team. The Hoosiers led most of the game but faltered midway through the second half when both Keith Smart and Steve Alford picked up their fourth fouls and had to sit on the bench for a while. During that stretch, John Pelphrey and Richie Farmer drained numerous 3-point shots to put the Cats into the lead. Once Smart and Alford returned, they were shut down and the Cats pulled away, winning 63%-37%.

VOTING OVER!
PHILADELPHIA REGION - REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
# 6 '93 Kentucky: 63%
# 7 '92 Kentucky: 37%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 17

Game 17 of the Big Three Championship is the first game of the second round. It matches two National Champions against each other after each won easily in their first round games. The #1 1976 Indiana Hoosiers beat the #8 1959 Louisville Cardinals by a large margin in the opening game of the tournament 85%-15%. Scott May and Kent Benson led the Hoosiers in scoring and provided an early spark that sent the team out to a big lead. Early in the second half, Coach Bob Knight took out his stars to save them for the next game. The #4 1951 Kentucky Wildcats won their first round game by a comfortable 60%-40% margin. The game saw Bill Spivey and Shelby Linville lead the Cats over the #5 1940 Indiana Hoosiers. Coach Rupp left his starters in for most of the game due to a second half run put forth by the Hoosiers, but the Cats fought back and won easily.

VOTING OVER!
PHILADELPHIA REGION - REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
# 1 '76 Indiana: 51%
# 4 '51 Kentucky: 49%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 16

The final game of the first round of the Big Three Championship features a one-loss team against a team that made an incredible run. The #2 1975 Indiana Hoosiers face-off against the #7 2003 Kentucky Wildcats. The '75 Hoosiers were 31-1 and Big Ten Champions. Under Coach Bob Knight, the Hoosiers did not lose a game until the NCAA Regional Final where they were defeated by Kentucky. The '03 Cats were SEC regular season and tournament Champions during a 26-game winning streak. The Cats were the second Kentucky team to go 16-0 in regular season play along with the '96 Cats. They were led by Keith Bogans, Gerald Fitch, and Marquis Estill. Many fans believe these two teams would have been National Champions if their star players hadn't got hurt. IU lost Scott May and UK lost Keith Bogans during their runs in the NCAA Tournament.

VOTING OVER!
INDIANAPOLIS REGION - ROUND 1
# 2 '75 Indiana: 51%
# 7 '03 Kentucky: 49%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 15

Game 15 of the Big Three Championship pits the #3 1948 Kentucky Wildcats against the #6 1981 Indiana Hoosiers. The '48 Cats were know as the Fabulous Five and won the school's first National Championship. The Cats were also named World Champions after winning the gold medal at the London Olympics that year. They were led by Alex Groza, Ralph Beard, and Wallace "Wah-Wah" Jones. The '81 Hoosiers were also National Champions as well as Big Ten Champions. The National Championship victory was the school's second in six years. The Championship game saw the Hoosiers avenge an early season loss to North Carolina. They were led by Isiah Thomas, Randy Wittman, Ray Tolbert, Ted Kitchel, and Landon Turner.

VOTING OVER!
INDIANAPOLIS REGION - ROUND 1
# 3 '48 Kentucky: 66%
# 6 '81 Indiana: 34%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 14

Game 14 of the Big Three Championship matches two teams from the same school. The game features the #4 1949 Kentucky Wildcats battling it out with the #5 1975 Kentucky Wildcats. The 49 Cats were 32-2 and 13-0 in the SEC on their way to SEC and National Championships. They were caoched by Adolph Rupp and led by Alex Groza, Ralph Beard and Wallace "Wah-Wah" Jones. The '75 Cats were 26-5 and the National Runner-Up. The Cats were SEC Co-Champions coached by Joe B. Hall. The Cats defeated Indiana in the Regional Final giving them their first loss of the season. The Cats were led by Kevin Grevey, Jimmy Dan Connor, Rick Robey, and Jack "Goose" Givens.

VOTING OVER!
INDIANAPOLIS REGION - ROUND 1
# 4 '49 Kentucky: 55%
# 5 '75 Kentucky: 45%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 13

Game 13 of the Big Three Championship pits the #1 1980 Louisville Cardinals against the #8 1973 Indiana Hoosiers. The ’80 Cardinals went 33-3 en route to winning the school’s first National Championship giving Coach Denny Crum his first Championship as a head coach. The Cards were Metro Conference Regular Season and Tournament Champions. The Cards were led by Darrell Griffith, Derek Smith, Wiley Brown, Rodney McCray and Jerry Eaves. The ’73 Hoosiers were Big Ten Champions and advanced to the Final Four with a record of 22-6. The Hoosiers were led by Big Ten MVP Steve Downing and played in the Final Four in St. Louis, Missouri.

VOTING OVER!
INDIANAPOLIS REGION - ROUND 1
# 1 '80 Louisville: 51%
# 8 '73 Indiana: 49%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 12

Game 12 of the Big Three Championship matches up a storied Kentucky basketball team against a very good Indiana team. The game features the #2 1966 Kentucky Wildcats against the #7 1992 Indiana Hoosiers. The ’66 Cats were known as Rupp’s Runts with no starter taller than 6 foot 5 inches. The Cats were 27-2 under Coach Adolph Rupp and advanced to the NCAA Championship game after winning the Sec Championship. The Cats were led by Pat Riley, Louie Dampier, Thad Jaracz, Larry Conley and Tommy Kron. The ’92 Hoosiers went 27-7 under Bobby Knight advancing to the Final Four before losing to Duke who was the defending champ and went on to win back-to-back titles.. It was the 7th Final Four appearance for Indiana. The Hoosiers were led by Calbert Cheaney, Alan Henderson, Damon Bailey and Eric Anderson.

VOTING OVER!
EAST RUTHERFORD REGION - ROUND 1
# 7 '92 Indiana: 56%
# 2 '66 Kentucky: 44%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 11

Game 11 of the Big Three Championship features a matchup between the #3 1997 Kentucky Wildcats and the #6 1982 Louisville Cardinals in the East Rutherford Region. The ’97 Cats were National Runner-up to Arizona and went 35-5 en route to winning the SEC Tournament Championship. The Cats made their second trip to the Championship Game in as many years and also won the Great Alaska Shootout. They were led by Ron Mercer, Derek Anderson, Scott Padgett, Anthony Epps, and Allen Edwards. It was Rick Pitino’s final season as UK coach. The ’82 Cards were Metro Conference Tournament Runner-Up with a record of 23-10. The Cards were led to the Final Four by a cast of great players. The team included Derek Smith, Jerry Eaves, Lancaster Gordon, Rodney McCray and Poncho Wright under Head Coach Denny Crum.

VOTING OVER!
EAST RUTHERFORD REGION - ROUND 1
# 3 '97 Kentucky: 60%
# 6 '82 Louisville: 40%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 10

Game 10 of the Big Three Championship pits the #4 1953 Indiana Hoosiers against the #5 1958 Kentucky Wildcats. The '53 Hoosiers went 23-3 and were Big Ten Champions as well as National Champions under coach Branch McCracken. It was Indiana's 2nd Championship win. They were led by Don Schlundt and Bob Leonard as they beat Kansas in the Championship game. The '58 Wildcats were coached by Adolph Rupp and won the school's 4th National Championship in 11 years. The Cats were SEC Champions with a 23-6 record. They were led by Vernon Hatton, Johnny Cox, John Crigler, Adrian Smith and Ed Beck.

VOTING OVER!
EAST RUTHERFORD REGION - ROUND 1
# 4 '53 Indiana: 51%
# 5 '58 Kentucky: 49%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 9

Game 9 of the Big Three Championship features two teams from not so long ago. The #1 '96 Kentucky Wildcats face off against the #8 '02 Indiana Hoosiers. Arguably one of the best college basketball teams of all-time, the '96 Cats went 34-2 and 16-0 in the SEC regular season, the first team to go undefeated in league play in 40 years. The Cats won the National Championship under Coach Rick Pitino, his only championship to date. They were lead in scoring by Tony Delk, Antoine Walker, Walter McCarty, Derek Anderson, and Ron Mercer. The '02 Hoosiers were Big Ten Co-Champions under Coach Mike Davis. They were National Runner-Up after losing to Maryland in the Championship in Atlanta, GA. The Hoosiers were led by Jared Jeffries, A.J. Moye, Tom Coverdale, Jeff Newton, Dane Fife, Jarrad Odle, and Kyle Hornsby. The Hoosiers advanced to the Final Four after defeating Duke in Rupp Arena in the Regional Final.


VOTING OVER!
EAST RUTHERFORD REGION - ROUND 1
# 1 '96 Kentucky: 83%
# 8 '02 Louisville: 17%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 8

Game 8 provides the tournament with a little old school versus new school match up. It features the #2 ’54 Kentucky Wildcats versus the #7 ’05 Louisville Cardinals. The ’54 Cats went 25-0 and were SEC Champions. The Cats declined an NCAA Tournament bid due to sanctions from the ’53 season. The team was led by seniors Cliff Hagan and Frank Ramsey. The ’05 Cards featured a high-powered offense led by Taquan Dean and Francisco Garcia along with Ellis Myles, Juan Palacios, and Larry O’Bannon. The team made the Final Four in St. Louis, their first in 19 years. They were coached by Rick Pitino and lost to Illinois in the National Semifinal.

VOTING OVER!
ST. LOUIS REGION - ROUND 1
# 2 '54 Kentucky: 69%
# 7 '05 Louisville: 31%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 7

Game 7 matches #3 ’83 Louisville versus #6 ’84 Kentucky. The ’83 Cards, under coach Denny Crum, went 32-4 and advanced to the Final Four after winning the Great Alaska Shootout and Metro Conference regular season and conference tournament. The Cards were led by sophomore Milt Wagner, junior Lancaster Gordon, senior Rodney McCray, junior Charles Jones, and senior Scooter McCray. The ’84 Cats were SEC regular season and tournament champions under Joe B. Hall and finished the season 29-5. They advanced to the Final Four in Seattle where they were defeated by Georgetown. The team was led in scoring by senior Melvin Turpin, sophomore Kenny Walker, and senior Sam Bowie.

VOTING OVER!
ST. LOUIS REGION - ROUND 1
# 6 '84 Kentucky: 74%
# 3 '83 Louisville: 26%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 6

Game 6 pits the #4 ’98 Kentucky Wildcats against the #5 ’75 Louisville Cardinals. The ’98 Cats were SEC regular season and tournament champions. The “Comeback Cats” were NCAA Champs coached by Tubby Smith. They were led by seniors Jeff Sheppard and Allen Edwards along with juniors Nazr Mohammed, Scott Padgett, and Wayne Turner. The ’75 Cards advanced to the Final Four with a record of 28-3. The Missouri Valley Conference Champions were led by seniors Allen Murphy and Junior Bridgeman as well as sophomore Wesley Cox.

VOTING OVER!
ST. LOUIS REGION - ROUND 1
# 5 '75 Louisville: 52%
# 4 '98 Kentucky: 48%
UPDATED BRACKET

BIG THREE CHAMPIONSHIP: Game 5

Game 5 is a match up between the #1 ’78 Kentucky Wildcats and the #8 ’72 Louisville Cardinals. The ’78 Cats won both the SEC and National Championship under Joe B. Hall. The team was led by Co-Captains Jack Givens and Rick Robey along with senior James Lee and Sophomore Kyle Macy. The ’72 Cards were Missouri Valley Co-Champions and advanced to the Final Four. The team was led in scoring by five seniors including Jim Price and Ron Thomas.

VOTING OVER!
ST. LOUIS REGION - ROUND 1
# 1 '78 Kentucky: 94%
# 8 '72 Louisville: 6%
UPDATED BRACKET

NEXT GAME COMES OUT WEDNESDAY, JULY 11.