Game one of the 2010-11 season is officially in the books and the youthful Cats looked sharp. The improvement we’ve seen from August until game one was obvious. Jones and Lamb were out of their minds from the field. Knight had his normal, or what is quickly becoming his normal, outing.
Rebounding, as much as we thought it could be a problem, wasn’t an issue in this match up. The outside shooting woes from last year and early season turnover troubles were absent as the Cats dominated in both categories.
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Lets look at some of the numbers that seemed to count:
[SIZE=4]51: [/SIZE][SIZE=2]The total number of rebounds grabbed by the Cats. In an area of concern for most, the Cats absolutely dominated, grabbing 51 boards to only 33 for East Tennessee State. The Cats had 19 offensive boards alone while ETSU only gathered 26 defensive boards. Although still a concern, game one’s result was a pleasant surprise.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=6]10: [/SIZE][SIZE=2]The total number of turnovers by the Big Blue. Compare that to 24 turnovers from game one of the 2009 season and you have to be excited. The Cats were an amazing team last year, but turnovers could be a problem at times. This years teams seems to have the ball handling skills under control. Forcing turnovers will need to be a focus as ETSU only had 10.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=5]2: [/SIZE][SIZE=2]The number of UK Freshman scoring 20 or more points. Terrence Jones and Doron lamb accomplished something no other Freshman have ever accomplished at Kentucky, they scored 20 or more points in their first outing. This scoring duo could have a lot of 20+ games throughout the season. Great pair to watch…[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=7]1979:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] The last time a Freshman had a 20-10 in their debut game. Then it was Sam Bowie who managed 22 points and 17 boards against arch rival Duke. Now, it’s Terrence Jones who put up 25 points and 12 boards. Jones shot 10-19 from the field including 2-3 from 3 point range, all while grabbing 5 offensive boards and 7 from the defensive end. Some, like N of B’s Scott Anderson, think Jones is the key to the season. Without Kanter, I agree as Jones may have to be the man on the boards.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2][SIZE=5]8:[/SIZE] The number of words out of the mouth of the media before the word “Kanter” came out. Alan Cutler started the presser off with “Coach Cal, what can you tell us about Kanter?” To which Coach Cal responded, “Did we just play a game or no?”[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=6]2,024:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] The number of wins in the book after the ETSU victory. In an off-season where the Big Blue Nation was concerned that the Cats could have lost the honor of being the first program to achieve 2,000 wins, it feels great to know that 2K is secured and growing.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=5]12:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] The number of points scored in the second half by Terrence Jones before any other Cat put a point on the board. In a night where Jones was The Beast, he opened the second half by running off 12 straight points prior to Doron Lamb breaking Jones’ streak with a 2-point lay up at the 13:22 mark.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=7]9:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] The total number of free throws made by UK. The number attempted, 23. An area that will be a focus for Coach Cal come next practice. Free throws tend to be a focus item. I think the team was focused tonight, they just were not good from the charity stripe. The Cats will have to be good down the road, when those crunch times come. Expect this percentage to improve.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=6]8:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] The total number of seconds East Tennessee led. It happened early and happened only once. ETSU took the lead at the 15:01 mark of the first half, 8-9. The Cats quickly squashed that thought when Doron Lamb hit his first of three from behind the arc, putting the Cats back on top to stay, 11-9, at the 14:43 mark.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=7]1:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] The current number of wins accumulated by this years Cats. A perfect record and one that many of us are glad is in the books. Lots of talk this week about ETSU and that this could be a tough game. The Cats put that to rest early as they rained the 3’s and put on the D.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=4]23,740:[/SIZE][SIZE=2] The number of lucky ticket holders in attendance for the opening of the 2010-11 season. None went away unhappy, unless they were for ETSU, and if they were a Big Blue fan and wasn’t extremely happy with what they witnessed tonight, then you are one hard critic.[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=2]Until next time, Go Cats!!![/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Contact Chip Miller with your Kentucky questions or comments at [EMAIL=”[email protected]”][email protected][/EMAIL], via twitter at [URL=”http://twitter.com/ukbigbluenation”]@ukbigbluenation[/URL] or here at N of B, at his NofB Profile, by [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/members/chip-miller/”]clicking here[/URL]. [/SIZE]
