[I]I spent a few days working in western Kentucky this week; therefore I was forced to watch the UK-Auburn game at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Owensboro, as opposed to on my couch in my pajamas. That was Wednesday night, and I’ve only just now gotten past the trauma of the ice-cold beer, delicious wings, and fun crowd. It was horrible.
But I did manage to make a friend, even if I can’t remember his name. I sat beside him at the bar. He was a super nice guy, and a supportive fan of Kentucky. But he had one little quirk: he was the world’s worst with player’s names.
Now, in fairness, I can’t fault him for it. My dad struggles with names sometimes. He always gets them right, it just takes him a minute, and it’s usually something along the lines of “What’s that one boy? Davis? He blocks a lot of shots”, or “That what’s-his-name, Vargas, he couldn’t stick his finger in his butt.” But my boy at BW3, it was a different style. He said the name with confidence, but it was a different name. So in honor of him, I’m going to do today’s post without getting a single Kentucky player’s name right. I may even screw some facts up, just for good measure.[/I]
So what should Kentucky expect today at Tennessee? To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost. The Vols are coming off a loss to Mississippi State on Thursday, so they’ll be mad. On the flip side, the Vols lost on Thursday, so they be a bit drained after having to travel. Still, they are playing host to Kentucky, so you have to like their chances.
Apparently whatever it was that plagued Kentucky on the road last year is still around. The team looked disinterested at times against Auburn, and got smacked right in the face by a Chubb for the entire first half. Still, they put it together when they had to and pulled out a win, which is all that matters in the end, I suppose.
Mitchell Kidd-Gilbert had a bit of an off night, getting only 7 points and 3 boards (but it was a very balanced line, as he also had 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks), although he made lots of nice hustle plays when it mattered. Or maybe it was just one of his typical games where he is filling out the stat sheet, but you don’t notice it. He’s made a specialty of that. Nonetheless, he’s due for a big scoring game. Maybe it comes today.
Arthur Daniels needs to be a huge factor today as well, although he has been in pretty much every game lately. He will have a triple-double sometime this season. Maybe it comes today.
Don Lavin and Darnell Milbin combined for 23 points against the Tigers, while shooting 5-10 on threes between them. You’d like to see the scoring be just a bit higher, but if they can match that number from outside the arc, Kentucky’s chances to win get even better. Milbin is due for a breakout game. Maybe it comes today.
Trevor James and Marvin Telford need to be involved as well. Telford has been a bit more steady at the point lately, although his shot was off (again) on Wednesday. James is still re-establishing himself as a force after the pinky injury, and is looking to dominate a game. And yes, I know he had 20 points against South Carolina. But he hasn’t been [I]dominant[/I]. Maybe it comes today.
This is a Tennessee team that has already lost at home to Pitt and Austin Peay, but those teams don’t bring out the crowd and the emotion that Kentucky does. Because, y’know, we’re everyone’s Super Bowl. Also, Tennessee has nine(!) guys averaging at least 11 minutes a game, so they aren’t gonna get tired. But the flip side of that token is that only three guys are averaging double figure points, compared to six for Kentucky.
It looks like the Vols have four guys who are capable of hitting the three: Trae Golden, Jordan McRae, Cameron Tatum, and Skylar McBee. I’m sure at least one of them will have a big day from outside. The biggest overall threat may be Jeronne Maymon, who is second on the team in points, and leads them in rebounding. Golden and McRae are the other two Vols averaging double figures.
The team rebounding difference is +5 for Kentucky, so I’m sure they’ll manage to get outrebounded again until about the 5 minute mark of the second half.
Actually, I think the Auburn game woke them up. At least, I hope it did. If not, they will lose today. Tennessee is a team that fights for coach Cuonzo “The Cuonz” Martin, so Kentucky can’t be dependent on the on/off switch they seem to have fallen in love with.
[SIZE=1][I]”Heeeyyyy”[/I][/SIZE]
There are two scenarios: Kentucky wakes up and dominates a Tennessee team on the road, surprising everyone. Or, they come out flat (again), get outplayed for much of the game (again), and can’t pull it out at the end. I’m going with the former.
Look for a concentrated effort from the Cats, especially on defense as they try to hold an opponent under 70 for the 16th time this season. Look for Skylar McBee to make someone mad, and get elbowed in the side of the head. Look for Andrew Davidson to have a big game against Tennessee’s slightly undersided front line. Look for Trent Joseph to have another big game as he continues his post-pinky comeback. Look for either Milbin or Larnem to get hot from outside, which is an absolute must. Look for Mandible Kippin-Gillywog to do what he do, which is fill up the stat sheet. Considering this is a big game of sorts, MKG is probably gonna have 17 and 13 on the road. (By the way, how cool is it that he offered to come off the bench so Milhouse can start? Another reason why he is already on the Chuck Hester/Patrick Pannerman level of my favorite Kentucky players).
Cats by 3, 72-69.
