SEC and the RPI

The Patrick Patterson loss has greatly hurt the Cats chances to get into the dance. I believe that Kentucky has fallen behind most bubble teams, some of which are in the SEC.

Thru Friday, February 29, 2008 from Kenpom

SEC: RPI Rank 5

1. Tennessee
7. Vandy
41. MSU
44. Arkansas
47. Ole Miss
50. Florida
56. Kentucky

Top Frosh

1 (1). Michael Beasley, Kansas State - He is number 1, no contest . He averaging 26.2 ppg and 12.6 rpg. His numbers are still rising. In 27 games he has a double-double in 24 of them. He has scored over 40 points in the last 2 games. NBA!

2 (8). Derrick Rose PG, Memphis – Not a great shooter but possible the next great guard in the mode of Jason Kidd. He is averaging 13.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, and 4.3 apg. He could be the number 2 pick behind Beasley.

3 (2). Eric Gordon SG, Indiana - Pure scorer with 21.4 ppg. Good for 20 points every game in the Big Ten. With Kelvin "The Cheater" Sampson stepping down, Gordon will be NBA bound.

4 (3). Kevin Love PF, UCLA - He is a dominate force down-low averaging a double-double (17.0 ppg and 11 boards) He has 17 double-doubles on the season. What is great about Love is that he can step out and knock down an occasional 3; he is 15 for 21 on the season. If he sticks around next year, he will be the best big man in the country (outside some super Frosh).

5 (11). Jerryd Bayless SG, Arizona – Maybe the second best guard in the field behind Rose. He has 4 30 point games but he disappeared in his last game against Mayo and USC. He had 8 points, 3 assist and 6 turnovers in the loss. He is averaging 21.1 ppg and 4.4 dimes.

6 (7). O.J. Mayo SG, USC - Combo guard who is a better shooter. Averaging 20.1 ppg but he has 3.8 turnovers per game 2.9 assist. He has been on the National scene since he was in 8th grade, I assume he will be a lottery pick even though he is only the 4th best freshman guard in the class.

7 (4). J.J. Hickson C, N.C. State – In the N.C. State 6 game freefall, his numbers have been average. He is still averaging 14.7 points shooting 59.3% from the floor. He also has 8.7 rpg and blocks 1.7 bpg (8 Double-doubles).

8 (12). Blake Griffin PF, Oklahoma - The Big Man has 9 double-doubles on the year to go with 15.3 ppg and 9.3 rpg. His play has gotten better in league play. If he sticks around another season he could be a top 5 big man.

9 (9). Patrick Patterson PF, Kentucky -Has flown under the radar outside of the SEC all season. He is averaging 16.4 points and 7.7 boards (6 double-doubles). Patterson will miss the rest of the season with a stress fractures. Cats fans should not worry though, even though Patterson is projected in the first round by some Mock drafts, he would be better served returning to Lexington.

10 (14). Nick Calathes G, Florida – Probably the SEC Freshman of the year who is averging 15.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 6.1 apg. Should be around next year and be SEC POY candidate.

11 (10). Donte Greene SF, Syracuse – A pure scoring, long wingman who is averaging 17.1 ppg and 7.4 rpg. Scored in single digits the 3 of the last 5 games, all loses.

12 (6). Kosta Koufos C, Ohio State – A European style big man who is averaging 13.9 ppg 7.1 rpg, and 1.9 bpg. The Buckeyes have are only 1-4 of late but Koufos has played some of his best basketball. He has 6 double-doubles on the season.

13 (6). Jonny Flynn PG, Syracuse – Flynn's scoring is a bit erratic but he is averaging 15.3 ppg and dishing out 5.1 apg with only 2.7 turnovers.

14 (15) DeJuan Blair PF, Pittsburgh - He is averaging 12.2 ppg and 9.6 rpg for Bubble team Pitt. He has 11 double-doubles on the season.

15 (14). Kyle Singler SF, Duke – Another good rich white kid for Duke. He is averaging 14.3 points and pulling down 6.0 boards. He won't blow anyone away with his numbers, but he does play for DUKE and you can't spell Duke, without E-S-P-N.

NR (NR). DeAndre Jordan C, Texas A&M – A top 5 lottery pick (because he is tall) for falling Texas A&M. He is averaging 9.0 ppg and 6.6 rpg a game. In his first 14 games he had double digit points 10 times, in his last 12 games he has only hit double digits 3 times.

Oh Sh!t

On the first day of the NFL free agent signing period I am accustomed to hearing horrible news out of Redskins park but this year the news is coming out of Lexington.

Patterson is out for the Season!

Sean Salisbury Out at ESPN

How can I concentrate on this game in light of Sean Salisbury's departure from ESPN. He may be best known for making a delicious steak but he actually had original opinions. Even though he worked for the Evil Empire (Disney) and they do employ a special needs running back as an expert NFL analyst, Sean rose above it all.

Who else has the grapefruits to send a picture of his "Monkey" to female co-workers, not Chris Mortensen. It was Sean. My advice never open a Pic message from him.

And who put that little nerd Jon Clayton in line by calling him the "Cyptkeeper. It was Sean. Who hasn't wanted to punch Clayton in the face at one time. Look at the guy, he was dealt a deuce-seven in the gene pool game, but somehow he remembers a couple of states and he is a leading analyst.

I think of Mr. Salisbury as the kid in high school who had his Varity Letter jacket and jersey everyday to school even if it was 115 degrees. You know the guy; the jock who got the girl and made your life a living hell.

I salute you Mr. Salisbury.

Woodson's Stock Down

Kentucky Gets On the Bubble?

Bubble Teams Before and After Bracketbuster Saturday.

Kentucky really improved their position Saturday with the win over Arkansas. With 4 games, left Kentucky needs to go 4-1 giving them a conference record of 12-4 in conference. There is no way that Kentucky will be left out of the Dance if this happens.

The teams with the worst RPI to receive a bid have been #74 New Mexico in 1999, #70 Air Force in 2004, #66 Minnesota in 1995 and three teams #No. 63.

By the Way: Dukie V. believes that Kentucky will play their way into the NCAA tournament.

BOLD = Losers
Italics= Not in action Saturday
(##) RPI on Friday, Feb 22

Biggest Gains:
Creighton: +18
Kent State +9
So. Illinois +9
Kentucky +9
San Diego St. +9

27. (25). BYU (lost to San Diego St.)
31. (26) St. Mary's (lost to Kent State)
26. (27) South Alabama
25. (28) Miami, FL (beat Maryland)
28 (29) Oklahoma (lost to 5 RPI Texas)
29. (30.)Purdue
32. (31) UMASS
40. (32) USC (beat #244 Oregon St.)
33. (33) Dayton
35. (34) Gonzaga
38. (35.)Arkansas (lost to Kentucky)
34. (36) UNLV (beat #212 Wyoming)
39. (37) Kansas St. (lost to Baylor)
44. (38). Texas A&M (lost to #119 Nebraska)
30. (39) Kent State (beat St. Mary's)
36. (40). West Virgina (beat #101 Providence)
45. (41) Ole Miss (lost by 20 to LSU)
37. (42) Baylor (beat Kansas St.)
42. (43) Rhode Island
41. (44) Mississippi St. (beat #111 S. Carolina)
58. (45) Oral Roberts (lost to Creighton)
48. (46) Ohio State
46. (47) Syracuse
47. (48) Stephen F. Austin
43. (49) New Mexico (beat Utah)
62. (50) Houston (beat #270 Rice)
55. (51) Western Kentucky
50. (52) Illinois St.
54. (53) St. Joes
57. (54) Oregon (lost to #9 UCLA)
61. (55) Davidson
49. (56) Villanova (beat #11 UCONN)
59. (57) Florida
56. (58) Texas Tech (beat #128 Iowa St.)
50 (59) Southern Illinois (beat Nevada by 25)
52. (60). VCU (beat #91 Akron)
63. (61) VA Tech (beat #81 GA Tech)
60. (62) Ohio (beat George Mason)
65. (63.)Maryland (lost to Miami)
67. (64) Wake Forest
80. (65) Temple (lost to #157 Fordham)
69. (66) NC State
69. (67) UAB (beat #278 Southern Methodist)
70. (68) George Mason (lost to Ohio)
73. (69)Seton Hall (beat #147 Depaul)
74. (70) Wright St.
53. (71) Creighton (beat Oral Roberts)
82. (72) Nevada (lost to So. Ill by 25)
64. (73) Kentucky (beat Arkansas)
71. (74) Arizona St. (beat #102 Wash)
66. (75) San Diego St. (beat BYU)
75. (76) Cincinnati (lost by 20 to Georgetown)
89. (77) Utah (lost to New Mexico)
76. (78) Cleveland St. (beat #121 Marist)
78. (79) California
72. (80) Cornell (beat #110 Brown)

Senior Guards Led Kentucky over Arkanasas

The Box Score breakdown is back. For the readers it is a in depth look at the Stat Sheet.

For 3 Plus Years I have cursed Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley. I am a complete idiot. Yes, Bradley will make plays that make me want to scream, but he and Joe have led this team numberous times with toughness and confidence.

Here is it is:

Team Notes:

• Attendance 24371, 5th most ever
  
• Cats win 6 in a row at Rupp (6-0 SEC at Home)
• UK 37 Rebounds (13 offensive) / Arkansas 24 (3 offensive)
  
• UK only committed 10 fouls (tied lowest number of the season)
• UK has held 16 of its last 17 opponents under 50 percent shooting.
• UK has won 7 conference games by 6 points or less

Player Notes

• Meeks has not played in the last 2 games
  
• He has only played in a 11 games.
  
• Crawford had 18 points
  
• 13th game in a row with double figures
• Only twice has he gone for less than 10
  
• Bradley was 4-12 from the field, but 10-12 from the line.
• Assist to Turnover 5/2
• 3rd game in a row where he had more assist than turnovers
  
• Coury logged an impressive 5 minutes, he has only hit double digits in minutes 2 times in the last 9 games.
• 1.1 ppg in that time.
  
• Patterson had 14 points, 11 rebounds (6th double-double), his first since January 12th
  
• He played all 40 minutes
• Leads SEC averaging 39 minutes a game in conference play

Official Basketball Box Score
Arkansas vs Kentucky
02/23/08 2:00 pm at Rupp Arena - Lexington, KY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISITORS: Arkansas 18-8, 7-5
                         TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
00 Ervin, Gary......... *  3-6    2-2    0-0    0  0  0   0   8  2  1  0  1  28
13 Weems, Sonny........ * 10-20   3-6    3-4    0  3  3   3  26  2  1  1  2  32
15 Washington, Michael. *  1-2    1-2    0-0    0  1  1   2   3  0  1  2  0  16
21 Beverley, Patrick... *  1-8    1-5    1-2    0  6  6   4   4  4  4  0  0  37
51 Hill, Steven........ *  0-0    0-0    1-2    1  2  3   3   1  0  0  1  1  18
03 Thomas, Charles.....    2-4    0-0    0-0    1  3  4   3   4  1  4  0  0  24
05 Townes, Darian......    1-4    0-0    4-4    0  5  5   1   6  1  0  1  0  22
14 Welsh, Stefan.......    2-3    1-2    0-0    0  0  0   4   5  0  0  0  0  17
33 Hunter, Vincent.....    0-1    0-1    1-2    0  0  0   1   1  0  0  1  0   6
  TEAM................                         1     1
  Totals..............   20-48   8-18  10-14   3 20 23  21  58 10 11  6  4 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  6-18 33.3%   2nd Half: 14-30 46.7%   Game: 41.7%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  3-7  42.9%   2nd Half:  5-11 45.5%   Game: 44.4%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  7-8  87.5%   2nd Half:  3-6  50.0%   Game: 71.4%   4,1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: Kentucky 15-10, 9-3
                         TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
03 Bradley, Ramel...... *  4-12   0-3   10-12   1  3  4   2  18  5  2  0  1  39
32 Crawford, Joe....... *  6-13   2-5    4-6    1  2  3   2  18  0  3  0  0  35
34 Harris, Ramon....... *  0-0    0-0    0-0    3  1  4   0   0  1  2  0  0  17
42 Coury, Mark......... *  0-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   5
54 Patterson, Patrick.. *  5-11   0-0    4-6    2  9 11   1  14  0  2  0  1  40-
05 Jasper, Derrick.....    2-6    1-1    0-1    1  4  5   0   5  1  1  0  2  29
13 Porter, Michael.....    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  1   1
15 Stewart, A.J........    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   0  0  0  0  0   2
21 Stevenson, Perry....    3-6    0-0    2-2    4  3  7   4   8  0  2  0  1  32
  TEAM................                         1  3  4
  Totals..............   20-50   3-9   20-27  13 25 38  10  63  7 12  0  6 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 10-27 37.0%   2nd Half: 10-23 43.5%   Game: 40.0%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  1-5  20.0%   2nd Half:  2-4  50.0%   Game: 33.3%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  6-8  75.0%   2nd Half: 14-19 73.7%   Game: 74.1%    3


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: Tony Greene, Pat Adams, Mike Nance
Technical fouls: Arkansas-None. Kentucky-None.
Attendance: 24371
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
Arkansas......................   22   36  -   58
Kentucky......................   27   36  -   63
5th Largest Attendance Ever

Points in the paint-ARK 16,UK 22. Points off turnovers-ARK 12,UK 10.
2nd chance points-ARK 1,UK 12. Fast break points-ARK 6,UK 2.
Bench points-ARK 16,UK 13. Score tied-2 times. Lead changed-7 times.
Last FG-ARK 2nd-00:08, UK 2nd-01:17.
Largest lead-ARK by 7 2nd-13:25, UK by 5 1st-03:41.

Bracket Buster Weekend

Right Now I am watching Davidson slaughter Winthrop early on ESPN's much over hyped Bracket Buster weekend. Well here is how the Cats stack up against these juggernauts.

Conf Standing	Winthrop 1		Davidson 1		UK 2
AP Rank	0		0		0
RPI	0.5344		0.5657		0.5597
RPI Rank	107		62		72
SOS	0.4862		0.4981		0.5698
SOS Rank	192		164		23
Wins & Losses
Overall	18-9	(66.7%)	20-6	(76.9%)	14-10	(58.3%)
Home	10-1	(90.9%)	11-2	(84.6%)	11-4	(73.3%)
Away	5-6	(45.5%)	9-3	(75.0%)	3-5	(37.5%)
Neutral	3-2	(60.0%)	0-1	(0.0%)	0-1	(0.0%)
Conference	9-3	(75.0%)	18-0	(100.0%)	8-3	(72.7%)
Top 25	1-0	(100.0%)	0-3	(0.0%)	2-3	(40.0%)
Blowout (> 19)	3-0	(100.0%)	9-0	(100.0%)	5-1	(83.3%)
Close (<>	1-6	(14.2%)	2-2	(50.0%)	3-2	(60.0%)

Kevin "The Cheater" Sampson Out

It finally happened, Kevin "The Cheater" Sampson has "resigned" at Indiana University. He accepts a 750K buyout with the stipulation that he will not sue the university. It was nice to see a team to the North that was worth a damn but I am sure Dan "The Players Hate Me" Dakich will do fine.

Thursday's Bubble Games

The Cats are not getting much help from the other bubble teams. Last nights teams went 3-2. WKU and Arizona St. lost. The only way Kentucky is going to climb out of that 70ish RPI range is to beat number 34 (and tournament bound) Arkansas on Saturday. Kentucky needs to be in the 45-50 Range come tournament time.

What Teams to Watch Thursday

Conference	UMASS A-10		S. Bama Sun Belt		WKU Sun Belt		Oral Roberts Summit League		Arizona St. Pac 10
State	MA		AL		KY		OK		AZ
Founded	1863		1963		1906		1963		1885
School Type	Public		Public		Public		Private		Public
Enrollment	22,812		13,538		18,391		5,500		45,693
Rankings
Conf Standing	9		2		1		1		4
AP Rank	0		0		0		0		0
RPI	0.5865		0.5902		0.5808		0.5825		0.5581
RPI Rank	39		37		45		44		74
SOS	0.568		0.5115		0.5008		0.5075		0.54
SOS Rank	30		131		155		139		79
Wins & Losses
Overall	16-9	(64.0%)	21-5	(80.8%)	21-5	(80.8%)	19-6	(76.0%)	16-8	(66.7%)
Home	9-3	(75.0%)	14-0	(100.0%)	12-0	(100.0%)	11-0	(100.0%)	12-3	(80.0%)
Away	4-6	(40.0%)	5-4	(55.6%)	8-3	(72.7%)	7-5	(58.3%)	2-4	(33.3%)
Neutral	3-0	(100.0%)	2-1	(66.7%)	1-2	(33.3%)	1-1	(50.0%)	2-1	(66.7%)
Conference	5-6	(45.5%)	13-2	(86.7%)	13-1	(92.9%)	14-1	(93.3%)	6-6	(50.0%)
Top 25	1-2	(33.3%)	0-0	(0.0%)	0-2	(0.0%)	0-2	(0.0%)	2-2	(50.0%)
Blowout (> 19)	2-0	(100.0%)	5-0	(100.0%)	7-0	(100.0%)	5-1	(83.3%)	5-2	(71.4%)
Close (<>	2-2	(50.0%)	3-4	(42.8%)	5-3	(62.5%)	3-2	(60.0%)	5-2	(71.4%)

A No Win Wednesday

Talk about bad luck. There were 12 teams in action last night who are on the bubble and only one (Maryland) lost because they played another bubble team, VA Tech.

Kentucky dropped 3 spots to number 73. Damn Computers.

Dusty Mills Off the Team

Goodbye Dusty Mills, the dream is over. Was Gillispie too hard? Don't know but it "appears" that Coach over reacted. I disagree with anyone who says we are only getting one side of the story. Coach has an opportunity to explain his decision but doesn't.

Wednesday Bubble Busters

These teams are in action tonight. There are some big games for Kentucky. I believe the Cats are going to need all the outside help they can get.

Conf Standing	Temple 3		NC State 9		TX Tech 7		Villanova 10		G. Mason 2		VCU 1
AP Rank	0		0		0		0		0		0
RPI	0.5642		0.566		0.5598		0.5655		0.5635		0.5645
RPI Rank	64		61		71		62		66		63
SOS	0.5764		0.5599		0.59		0.544		0.515		0.4974
SOS Rank	19		44		4		71		124		167
Wins & Losses
Overall	13-11	(54.2%)	15-10	(60.0%)	13-11	(54.2%)	15-9	(62.5%)	18-8	(69.2%)	19-6	(76.0%)
Home	8-3	(72.7%)	10-3	(76.9%)	11-2	(84.6%)	9-2	(81.8%)	11-1	(91.7%)	11-1	(91.7%)
Away	4-5	(44.4%)	2-7	(22.2%)	1-8	(11.1%)	3-6	(33.3%)	5-5	(50.0%)	6-3	(66.7%)
Neutral	1-3	(25.0%)	3-0	(100.0%)	1-1	(50.0%)	3-1	(75.0%)	2-2	(50.0%)	2-2	(50.0%)
Conference	6-4	(60.0%)	4-7	(36.4%)	4-6	(40.0%)	5-7	(41.7%)	10-5	(66.7%)	12-3	(80.0%)
Top 25	1-3	(25.0%)	2-4	(33.3%)	3-2	(60.0%)	1-2	(33.3%)	1-1	(50.0%)	0-1	(0.0%)
Blowout (> 19)	1-0	(100.0%)	2-3	(40.0%)	3-1	(75.0%)	3-1	(75.0%)	5-0	(100.0%)	4-0	(100.0%)
Close (<>	5-5	(50.0%)	6-2	(75.0%)	1-5	(16.6%)	3-3	(50.0%)	2-5	(28.5%)	3-2	(60.0%)

Conf Standing	Wright St. 2		Florida 4		VA Tech 6		Marylan 3		Miami, Fl 7		Kentucky 2
AP Rank	0		0		0		0		0		0
RPI	0.5642		0.5673		0.5584		0.5781		0.5895		0.561
RPI Rank	64		58		72		51		38		69
SOS	0.5045		0.5198		0.5568		0.5782		0.555		0.5715
SOS Rank	146		117		50		17		54		27
Wins & Losses
Overall	19-6	(76.0%)	19-7	(73.1%)	14-11	(56.0%)	17-9	(65.4%)	17-7	(70.8%)	14-10	(58.3%)
Home	11-3	(78.6%)	14-2	(87.5%)	9-2	(81.8%)	13-4	(76.5%)	10-2	(83.3%)	11-4	(73.3%)
Away	7-3	(70.0%)	2-5	(28.6%)	3-7	(30.0%)	4-2	(66.7%)	4-4	(50.0%)	3-5	(37.5%)
Neutral	1-0	(100.0%)	3-0	(100.0%)	2-2	(50.0%)	0-3	(0.0%)	3-1	(75.0%)	0-1	(0.0%)
Conference	11-4	(73.3%)	6-5	(54.5%)	5-6	(45.5%)	7-4	(63.6%)	4-6	(40.0%)	8-3	(72.7%)
Top 25	1-0	(100.0%)	1-3	(25.0%)	0-4	(0.0%)	1-3	(25.0%)	0-2	(0.0%)	2-3	(40.0%)
Blowout (> 19)	1-0	(100.0%)	9-1	(90.0%)	4-1	(80.0%)	6-0	(100.0%)	6-0	(100.0%)	5-1	(83.3%)
Close (<>	12-3	(80.0%)	2-2	(50.0%)	3-5	(37.5%)	5-2	(71.4%)	4-2	(66.6%)	3-2	(60.0%)

RPI after the Georgia Game

Kentucky up 2 spots to 70 after win.
Ohio falls from 56 to 62 after win.
Davidson up 8 to 58 after win.
Creighton falls a spot to 71 after win.
Oral Roberts gives up one spot to 44 after win.
Baylor falls 2 spots to 42 after loss.

Man.......Watching the RPI sucks.