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.

2008 McDonald's All-Americans

Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller were not selected.

EAST
# Tyreke Evans, SG, undecided
# Mike Rosario, SG, Rutgers
# Kemba Walker, PG, Connecticut
# Sylven Landesberg, SF, Virginia
# Elliot Williams, SG, Duke
# Chris Singleton, SF, Florida State
# Ed Davis, PF, North Carolina
# Tyler Zeller, PF, North Carolina
# Al-Farouq Aminu, PF, Wake Forest
# William Buford, SG, Ohio State
# JaMychal Green, PF, Alabama
# Samardo Samuels, C, Louisville

WEST
# Iman Shumpert, SG, Georgia Tech
# Brandon Jennings, PG, Arizona
# Luke Babbitt, PF, Nevada
# Greg Monroe, PF, Georgetown
# Malcolm Lee, PG, UCLA
# Willie Warren, SG, Oklahoma
# Jrue Holiday, SG, UCLA
# Larry Drew, PG, North Carolina
# Demar DeRozan, SF, USC
# Scotty Hopson, SF, undecided
# B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State
# Michael Dunigan, C, Oregon

Bubble Wednesday

Big Wednesday today. There are approx. 11 bubble teams in action on Wednesday.

Temple (63) on the road against St. Bonaventure
N.C. State (58) home against North Carolina
Texas Tech (67) on the road against Colorado
Villanova (60) home against West Virginia
George Mason (65) home against Delaware
VCU (64) on the road against Northeastern
Wright St. (62) home against Detroit
Florida (57) home against South Carolina
Virginia Tech (71) at Maryland (50)
Miami, Fl (39) hosting Duke
(Joe Lunardi, ESPN's Brackatologist has VCU and Maryland in the field of 64)

Bubble Watch Tuesday, Feb 19

The Cats took care of business against the Georgia Bulldogs. The other bubble teams also won when needed except for Baylor. Using crude math, I figure there are still about 20-25 teams ahead of the Cats for an "At Large" bid. This game will not sway the voters.

Here are the results of the "Bubble" games that mean something to the Kentucky faithful.

Bowling Green 48 vs Ohio 69
Missouri St. 67 vs. Creighton 88
UNC Greensboro 66 vs. Davidson 75
Southern Utah 62 vs. Oral Roberts 71
Baylor 91 vs. Oklahoma 92


(Tuesdays Results have not been calculated)

Conf Standing	Ohio 3		Creighton 4		Davidson 1		Or. Roberts 1		Baylor 5		Kentucky 2
AP Rank	0		0		0		0		0		0
RPI	0.5687		0.56		0.5633		0.584		0.588		0.5582
RPI Rank	56		70		66		43		40		72
SOS	0.5206		0.5245		0.4969		0.5113		0.5618		0.5725
SOS Rank	117		111		166		131		42		27
Wins & Losses
Overall	16-9	(64.0%)	17-8	(68.0%)	19-6	(76.0%)	18-6	(75.0%)	17-7	(70.8%)	13-10	(56.5%)
Home	9-0	(100.0%)	13-2	(86.7%)	10-2	(83.3%)	10-0	(100.0%)	10-3	(76.9%)	10-4	(71.4%)
Away	5-8	(38.5%)	4-6	(40.0%)	9-3	(75.0%)	7-5	(58.3%)	4-3	(57.1%)	3-5	(37.5%)
Neutral	2-1	(66.7%)	0-0	(0.0%)	0-1	(0.0%)	1-1	(50.0%)	3-1	(75.0%)	0-1	(0.0%)
Conference	7-5	(58.3%)	8-7	(53.3%)	17-0	(100.0%)	13-1	(92.9%)	5-5	(50.0%)	7-3	(70.0%)
Top 25	0-1	(0.0%)	0-3	(0.0%)	0-3	(0.0%)	0-2	(0.0%)	1-4	(20.0%)	2-3	(40.0%)
Blowout > 19	0-1	(0.0%)	6-1	(85.7%)	9-0	(100.0%)	5-1	(83.3%)	6-0	(100.0%)	5-1	(83.3%)

RPI Update

After last night's events Gonzaga rises from 40 to 32, Syracuse and the Cats each fall a Spot (47 & 72).

Bubble Watch

Here is the Bubble Watch after Monday nights games:

(ALL RPI rankings as of February 17)

Lousiville 61 - Syracuse 50
Syracuse
RPI 46
Overall: 17-10
Conf: 7-7 Big East (9th)
SOS: 13
Top 25: 1-4
RPI Top 50: 2-8
RPI 50-100: 5-0
RPI 101-150: 7-2
RPI 151-200 : 2-0
RPI 200+ : 1-0
Big Wins: Feb 16 against #8 Georgetown
Big Losses: Feb 13 against South Florida (RPI 156)

Syracuse really helped themselves last week with a big win against top 10 Georgetown. It nearly erases the bad loss 3 days earlier to South Florida. There is not an easy game left on the schedule.

Gonzaga 56-San Diego 51
Gonzaga
RPI: 40
Overall: 21-6
Conf: 10-1 WCC (1st)
SOS: 93
Top 25: 0-4
RPI Top 50: 3-4
RPI 50-100: 2-2
RPI 101-150: 3-0
RPI 151-200: 6-0
RPI 200+ : 7-0
Big Wins: In late November, early December on Neutral or Road courts the Zags beat VT (72), St. Joe's (RPI 41) and UCONN (RPI 12)
Big Loses: None

They play in the WCC (RPI 12) so their SOS is not going to be great. The Zags have beat the teams they were supposed to beat (13 with 150+ RPI) and lost to good teams (Texas Tech, Washington State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Memphis, St. Mary's). They have done enough to get in and will probably go deep into the conference tourny without a loss.

Kentucky
RPI: 71
Overall: 13-10
Conf: 7-3 WCC (4th)
SOS: 25
Top 25: 2-3
RPI Top 50: 3-4
RPI 51-100: 1-3
RPI 101-150: 3-3
RPI 151-200: 2-0
RPI 200+ : 4-0
Big Wins: Jan 12 Vandy, Jan 22 Tennessee,
Big Loses: You Know!!!!!

Games tonight:
Bowling Green vs Ohio (63)
Missouri St. vs. Creighton (70)
UNC Greensboro vs. Davidson (56)
Southern Utah vs. Oral Roberts (44)
(42) Baylor vs. Oklahoma

Bubble Watch

After a long month out of the country..........and away from a computer I have returned to the DREADED BUBBLE WATCH. So this week I am tracking the games that have meaning for Kentucky.

Monday Night
Syracuse at #23 Louisville.
Gonzaga at San Diego

The Orangemen (RPI 46) could slide in if the season was to end today, but they have a lot of work to do. The Zags (RPI 40) are in with maybe a 9 or 10 seed but if San Diego could knock off a Top 50 team it would strenghen their RPI (115) therefor helping the Cats (RPI 71).

Complete breakdown of these games tomorrow plus a preview of the match ups on Tuesday.

Mississippi St. Holds off Kentucky, 69-64

Well Kentucky just didn't have the weapons last night. It was evident and Mr. Obvious, Jimmy D, pointed it out on a number of occasions. Jodie Meeks and Derrick Jasper were both out with sickness or injury.

Case in Point: After Kentucky had cut the gap, Jarvis Varnardo kept getting removed from the game because of his offensive liability. Coach Billy Gillispie used the same concept: Mark Curry was coming off the bench for defense. He was repeatably taken out on the offensive side of the ball by............Perry Stevenson. Thats how bad it was.

Just a quick thought about the game. It is hard to tell if Ramel Bradley is more a liability or lifesaver. He missed a number of open shots and had costly turnovers down the stretch. But without him, the Cats might have lost by 20.

Last note before the breakdown. My worst fears came true. I was afraid that the Bulldogs would erase every shot, and they did. I was also afraid the Bulldogs would contain Patrick Patterson, and they did. Kentucky got intimidated early, fell behind and never caught up. Props to the Cats for playing hard............................IN THE SECOND HALF.

Notes:

• Ramel Bradley has played every minute in the last 3 games.
• Kentucky only had 10 turnovers, there lowest of the season
• They had 12 in the loss to G-Webb
• MSU had 15 blocks, UK 5

To hell with it, you saw the game, plus it is two days later.

VISITORS: Kentucky (7-8, 1-1 SEC)
                        TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
34 Harris, Ramon....... f  1-3    0-1    0-0    2  2  4   3   2  1  3  2  2  38
42 Coury, Mark......... f  1-6    0-0    1-2    0  3  3   2   3  1  0  0  0  20
54 Patterson, Patrick.. f  4-11   0-0    2-2    1  2  3   3  10  0  0  1  0  36
03 Bradley, Ramel...... g  6-17   2-10   8-8    0  4  4   2  22  4  5  0  4  40
32 Crawford, Joe....... g  8-19   4-8    0-0    3  2  5   4  20  5  1  0  1  39
12 Krebs, Mark.........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   0   0  0  0  0  0   1
13 Porter, Michael.....    1-1    1-1    0-0    0  0  0   1   3  0  1  0  0   2
15 Stewart, A.J........    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   0   0  0  0  0  0   1
21 Stevenson, Perry....    2-3    0-0    0-0    3  4  7   5   4  1  0  2  0  23
 TEAM................                         2  3  5
 Totals..............   23-60   7-20  11-12  11 22 33  20  64 12 10  5  7 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 12-28 42.9%   2nd Half: 11-32 34.4%   Game: 38.3%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  3-9  33.3%   2nd Half:  4-11 36.4%   Game: 35.0%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  0-0   0.0%   2nd Half: 11-12 91.7%   Game: 91.7%    1


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: Mississippi State (12-5, 3-0 SEC)
                        TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
23 Rhodes, Charles..... f  5-8    0-0    2-4    1  2  3   0  12  2  3  1  1  30
32 Varnado, Jarvis..... c  3-5    0-0    4-10   2 10 12   2  10  1  1 10  0  36
22 Stewart, Barry...... g  2-11   0-5    5-8    3  1  4   3   9  4  5  0  1  35
25 Turner, Phil........ g  4-10   3-8    0-0    1  3  4   1  11  1  0  0  0  33
44 Gordon, Jamont...... g  7-11   5-7    5-9    2  7  9   3  24  5  2  1  0  36
02 Johnson, Ravern.....    0-3    0-2    0-0    0  1  1   0   0  0  0  1  0   6
03 Begley, Billy.......    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   1
15 Benock, Riley.......    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   1   0  0  1  1  0  11
21 Johnson, Brian......    1-2    0-0    0-0    2  0  2   1   2  0  1  1  0   9
45 Bailey, Elgin.......    0-1    0-0    1-2    1  0  1   2   1  0  0  0  0   3
 TEAM................                         2  1  3
 Totals..............   22-51   8-22  17-33  14 26 40  13  69 13 13 15  2 200

TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 13-30 43.3%   2nd Half:  9-21 42.9%   Game: 43.1%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  5-15 33.3%   2nd Half:  3-7  42.9%   Game: 36.4%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  1-4  25.0%   2nd Half: 16-29 55.2%   Game: 51.5%    9


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: Doug Shows, Anthony Jordan, Rick Crawford.
Technical fouls: Kentucky-TEAM. Mississippi State-None.
Attendance: 9862
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
Kentucky......................   27   37  -   64
Mississippi State.............   32   37  -   69
Actual attendance: 8,787. MSU owns 7-game win streak (6 straight SEC home wins
dating back to last February). MSU has first 3-0 SEC start since 1993-94. MSU
wins back-to-back games over UK for second time in school history (1962 & 63).
Varnado records third triple-double in school history (J. Gordon & L. Roberts)

Points in the paint-UK 26,MS 24. Points off turnovers-UK 13,MS 9.
2nd chance points-UK 6,MS 13. Fast break points-UK 2,MS 2.
Bench points-UK 7,MS 3. Score tied-0 times. Lead changed-5 times.
Last FG-UK 2nd-00:09, MS 2nd-06:26.
Largest lead-UK by 5 1st-18:34, MS by 12 2nd-14:58.

Kentucky Upsets Vandy in 2 OT, 79-73

Billy Gillispie, welcome to the SEC. The Cats played great the first half and parts of the second. There was about a 7 minute stretch in the second half when the Commodores trimmed port of the the 16 point lead. Ramel Bradley played horrible during that period . He took bad shots and had costly turnovers. It's no secret that I do not like Ramel (as a player), but at least he tried to step up and win the game, he just doesn't have the skill or basketball IQ to do it. I am not sure if Ramal's play allowed Vandy to come back or keep the Cats in the Game, but he didn't quit and neither did the team.

Also would like to point out that Joe Crawford played a great game, especially on defense. Mark Coury and Perry Stevenson also played very good. Lets get to the Box Score Breakdown:

Team Notes

• Attendance was 23965
• This was the 12th different starting lineup.
• The wins stops a 12 game (two year) losing streak to ranked opponents.
  
• Kentucky dominated on the glass, they had a 45 (17 offensive) to 23 (4 offensive) rebounding margin.
• Vandy had only 2 second chance point. It sent the game into 2 OT. Kentucky had 18.
  
• Both shot well below their season average from the line. Kentucky was 24of 36 (66%).
• There was a lot of sloppy play from both teams, Kentucky had 23 turnovers, Vandy had 22.
• Kentucky only had 11 assist.
• Kentucky only shot 31% (4-13) in the overtimes, fortunately Vandy shot 2 of 10 (20%). from the floor including 0 for 5 from three point range.
• Kentucky had 12 steals.

Player Notes

• Ramel Bradley played the entire 50 minutes.
• His numbers look pretty good, He had 20 points (6-15 FG, 1-7 from behind the arc) 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 5 assist. He also had 6 turnovers.
• It was his fourth straight 20 point game.
  

• Joe Crawford added 17 points, 2 boards, 3 assist and 5 turnovers.
• He also made his second start.
• He held the SEC leading Scorer (20.8), Shan Foster, to 17 points.
  
• Mark Coury played well yesterday. This is the role I envisioned him in, well maybe not starting.
  
• He scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 17 minutes.
• Patrick Patterson had his his third 20/10 game of the season, a UK record.
  
• He had 23 points and 12 rebounds, 6 were offensive.
• He owned Ogilvy.
  
• Derrick Jasper took 3 shots in 26 mintutes. He had 6 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 turnovers.
• Jasper left the game with a sprained ligament in his left knee.
  
• Perry Stevenson still has the worse hands in the world. His stat line does not jump out at you but he had 5 big steals (career high) in 33 minutes of play.
• Michael Porter only played 1 minute.
• Jodie Meeks sat out again with his hip flexors injury. This is the 8th game he missed.
  

Conclusion
Could this be the game that turns the season around. Bradley believes the team can go 16-0 in the SEC. Don't know about that, but lets try.

VISITORS: Vanderbilt 16-1, 1-1
                        TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
00 Beal, Jermaine...... *  2-5    1-4    1-2    1  1  2   3   6  5  1  0  1  37
03 Gordon, Alex........ *  4-10   4-9    3-4    0  3  3   3  15  3  4  0  0  46
04 Ogilvy, A.J......... *  6-11   0-0    4-7    1  4  5   4  16  2  2  5  1  34
32 Foster, Shan........ *  5-11   3-7    4-7    0  3  3   3  17  4  5  0  1  47
41 Neltner, Ross....... *  1-2    0-1    0-0    1  2  3   5   2  0  7  0  2  24
11 Metcalfe, Alan......    2-5    0-1    0-0    0  1  1   3   4  0  0  0  1  19
13 Bell, Keegan........    1-2    1-2    0-0    0  1  1   1   3  1  1  0  0  16
21 Mcclellan, Darshawn.    3-5    0-0    4-5    1  2  3   2  10  3  2  0  0  22
24 Walker, Andre.......    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   3
34 Drake, George.......    0-2    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   0  0  0  1  0   2
 TEAM................                            2  2
 Totals..............   24-54   9-24  16-25   4 19 23  25  73 18 22  6  6 250


TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  8-19 42.1%   2nd Half: 14-25 56.0%   OT:  2-10 20.0%   Game: 44.4%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  3-8  37.5%   2nd Half:  6-11 54.5%   OT:  0-5   0.0%   Game: 37.5%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  3-5  60.0%   2nd Half:  9-12 75.0%   OT:  4-8  50.0%   Game: 64.0%    6



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOME TEAM: Kentucky 7-7, 1-0
                        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...... *  6-15   1-7    7-10   0  6  6   4  20  5  6  0  3  50
32 Crawford, Joe....... *  5-13   2-4    5-6    1  3  4   2  17  3  5  0  1  48
34 Harris, Ramon....... *  1-3    0-1    2-4    2  3  5   2   4  0  1  1  0  25
42 Coury, Mark......... *  4-8    0-0    1-2    3  2  5   3   9  1  1  0  2  17
54 Patterson, Patrick.. *  7-12   0-0    9-13   6  6 12   4  23  1  3  2  1  50
05 Jasper, Derrick.....    2-3    2-3    0-1    2  5  7   2   6  1  4  0  0  26
13 Porter, Michael.....    0-0    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   0   0  0  0  0  0   1
21 Stevenson, Perry....    0-3    0-0    0-0    1  2  3   4   0  0  3  0  5  33
 TEAM................                         2  1  3
 Totals..............   25-57   5-15  24-36  17 28 45  21  79 11 23  3 12 250


TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 12-26 46.2%   2nd Half:  9-18 50.0%   OT:  4-13 30.8%   Game: 43.9%  DEADB
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  3-7  42.9%   2nd Half:  2-5  40.0%   OT:  0-3   0.0%   Game: 33.3%   REBS
F Throw % 1st Half:  5-8  62.5%   2nd Half: 13-19 68.4%   OT:  6-9  66.7%   Game: 66.7%   8,1



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officials: Tony Greene, Bert Smith, Mike Nance
Technical fouls: Vanderbilt-None. Kentucky-None.
Attendance: 23965
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   OT  OT2   Total
Vanderbilt....................   22   43    7    1  -   73
Kentucky......................   32   33    7    7  -   79

Points in the paint-VU 22,UK 30. Points off turnovers-VU 24,UK 27.
2nd chance points-VU 2,UK 18. Fast break points-VU 2,UK 6.
Bench points-VU 17,UK 6. Score tied-5 times. Lead changed-6 times.
Last FG-VU OT-00:00, UK OT2-00:33.
Largest lead-VU by 2 OT-01:55, UK by 16 2nd-14:20.