From press row at Rupp Arena:
- Should have figured, but for some reason Word Press database went out last four minutes of game. As you probably already know, VMI held on to win 111-103. So much for my prediction that Cats would come back. Check back for more after press conferences, and I’ve written column.
- UK takes a 97-95 lead, but VMI ties it at 97-97 with 4:06 left. Still think UK will pull this one out. VMI looks spent, and those threes aren’t falling as frequently. The Keydets are 13-of-28 from three for the game. They are 5-of-14 this half. Meeks has 39 points. Don’t have book with me, but isn’t Prince the last one to hit 40+ for Cats? Believe so.
- DeAndre Liggins is not the smoothest ball-handler, is he?
- So if Cats complete comeback, should they get credit for that, or blame for falling so far behind VMI?
- Gabriel fouls out with 7:47 left for VMI. He finishes with 20 points. TV timeout at 7:47 and UK is within 90-86.
- Cats on an 11-0 run that cuts lead to 90-84 with 9:05 remaining. Meeks has 37 points. VMI calls time.
- Prediction: Kentucky is going to come back and win this thing.
- Cats within 10 at 90-80 with 9:29 left.
- VMI lead is 87-71 with 11:44 left, but UK has made a 9-2 run here. The Cats are showing a bit of life. And you’d think that the Keydets would cool off at some point. Right now, they are 10 of 15 this half from the floor. Meeks has 28 points to lead all scorers. Stevenson has 16. Patrick Patterson has four points. He’s taken two shots and has four rebounds.
- This is starting to get serious. Well, real serious. UK forced to call time as VMI lead is now back to 20 at 78-58. Is ESPN flashing one of those “upset alerts” at bottom of the screen in the U of L-Cincinnati football game?
- It’s 73-58 VMI with 15:53 left in game, and Perry Stevenson at the line for Cats. So Kentucky didn’t exactly come out and take control these first five minutes of the second half. In fact, the Keydets are a near-perfect 5-of-6 from the floor so far this half. They are a perfect three-of-three from three.
- Patterson’s first field goal comes with 18:47 left in second half.
- Boom, Boom, VMI comes out and hits back-to-back threes to start second half.
- Patterson played nine minutes in the first half.
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
Keep the comments coming…I’m unable to watch the game tonight!!!
I see Tubby’s point guard recruit (Porter) is failing miserably.
I’m affraid we’re 2 years away before things turn around.
how lucky you are ukfan…this game is simply a reality check for us…you aren’t missing anything except some great 3 point shooting exhibition from vmi..good night all…maybe better next game.
John, what seems to be the demeanor/attitude of BG and his coaches ? I know you cant get into their heads but do they seem to be working or observing ??
Billy Gillispie = Eddie Sutton
No, correction.
Billy Gillispie < Eddie Sutton
More like a “flashback alert”
The timing of Pat. Patterson being here at UK now (when in shambles) reminds me of the unlucky timing Rex Chapman had being when he was here.
No excuse for this. Even in the worst season with the worst talent UK has to destroy VMI.
Coach has to go.
I was there when Rex was there. My college career was in lock step with Eddie Sutton’s tenure at UK. Not fun…except the early years. David Robinson and Navy coming to Rupp? That was fun.
This is as important a first game as I can remember. We lose this game, then the dark ages continue.
By the way John, no flashing of ‘Upset Alert’ on the ESPN crawl. However, after the NCAAM Top 25 scores, UK’s was the first score from outside the Top 25 (90-75). Tubby, Tubby, Tubby.
UK losing is not the big news it used to be. Amazing we still have a chance to pull this out. Here’s hoping.
Gotta love it !!
John, here’s another prediction. Gillispie will get run out of town just like Eddie Sutton was.
Prediction: Kentucky is going to come back and win this thing.
That’s why you are the best in the business John!!
give em credit..imho
still no excuse for this mess we’re in
reminds me of the 95 LSU game.
LSU was on fire for 30 minutes then went ice cold.
Hope VMI does the same
ESPN Gamecast is at least five minutes behind you, John. They still show it 87-71 when you show it 90-86. Conspiracy theory says Bristol froze the Gamecast just to get more mileage out of UK trailing.
so glad station down here is showing South Carolina vs. Jackson St.!!!
I hope Meeks becomes the first Wildcat to hit for 40 since Prince…and I hope he’s the first ‘Cat to go 5 for 5 from ‘treyland’ against North Carolina since Prince.
a lot of effort to just collapse at the end against a team like this. We are are an embarrassment once again. BCG can recruit, but not so sure he is a coach. I never thought I’d see it. This is worse than GW loss last year.
Gotta value the ball turnovers.
38 points off turnovers for VMI to 22 for UK…..Game over man……
Sorry for the duplicate,,,,not sure why I had the extra “turnovers” in there….agravated I guess, I HATE turnovers.
Gotta value the ball.
38 points off turnovers for VMI to 22 for UK…..Game over man……
Disgusting. The Big South owns UK. BCG and staff better wake up quick.
Man…they look like a bunch of idiots out there losing to freakin VMI……or should i say Gardner-Webb 2
See ya Billy!!!! I guess that is why there has been no signed contract
Was just checking RPIs from ‘08 VMI finished last season ranked 275. Gardner Webb was 200.
This was not the same team as seen last week regardless of the opponent. I have never seen such horrible defense in my life! To give them credit VMI outplayed us and deserved to win. You have to figure that this is really Billy G’s first year after having to deal with Tubby’s crap. Give the guy some time.
On a positive note Meeks and Stevenson looked great! Who is suppose to be the All American? Patterson? Come on kid, get your head in the game. Glad we got those new recruits to sign the other day cause they would have said hell no after this showing tonight.
Keep your head up Big Blue Nation, we still have a football game to win tomorrow!
you guys can forget them letting BG go, not gonna happen. he needs to be in the locker room ripping heads off of guys, maybe he didnt coach the game the way you want but the players cant let the other team post up for uncontested 3’s over and over. they came out flat the first half, blame whoever but the players cant do that, these guys are college players, get yourself ready !!
Are you kidding me. I’m in physical pain here. Patrick Patterson goes several possessions in a row without touching the ball. Either he’s hurt and not saying so, or our PG problems are worse than we’ve been led to believe. Jeez.
Go Big Blue…we love you.
…and I mean that.