I wrote yesterday that if the Cats came out flat, looking like they were overlooking the Tide, it would be a close one. John Wall and Eric Bledsoe did everything, inside and out, as the Cats get a tough 1st round win. Lets look at the boxscore.

• The Cats were outrebounded 44-32, also being dominated on the Offensive end 20-7. This can not happen very often and still win. It is an eery feeling when you watch a team that you hope will win get out hustled. Talent won this game.
• The #1 pick played like the #1 pick today. John Wall did everything. He was cheerleader, shot blocker, point guard, free throw shooter, and rebounder. He was excited to be playing and he showed it. I bet he has bruises on his chest from beating it to death to get the crowd fired up. I love John Wall, and if he keeps playing like this it will make it harder when he goes.
• Eric Bledsoe, the first time in a long time, played like the lottery pick everyone said he was. Bledsoe, ironically, hasn't played well since people started saying he was a lottery pick. The kid can play, and was the radio's player of the game. I love listening to an Bledsoe interview.
• Perry Stevenson gave a very memorable 8 minutes as he gave a shot in the arm when he played in the first half. He had 4 points andn 1 of everything else. Guys like this make championship teams.
• Darius was "same ole Darius" as he couldn't hit a shot and his play reflected it. When Miller gets a 3 in transition he seems like his eyes light up and he plays the entire game. If he doesn't hit shots, he seems lost.
• 1-13 from the 3. Bruce Pearl might be right.
• My player of the game was Patrick Patterson. 20 points and 8-8 from the free throw line. Pat is the calm after the storm as he seems to always hit a big shot when the Cats need a big shot. Clutch player and just so consistent. Has to keep playing this way to make a deep run.
• DeMarcus Cousins hasn't done anything in a while, yet the Cats still win. The next game everyone should be on "Boogie Alert" as I expect him to dominate. He can not stay this quiet for this long.

Other than the rebounding debacle and the inablility to hit the broad side of a red barn from the 3 point line, it was a nice battle for a win. Cats came back down 10 and fought till the end of the game. There are still times the Cats take possessions off and with the teams they will be playing from here on out, they can't afford to take ANY plays off. It was a fun day at work watching the Cats.