Big Blue Links for Wednesday:
(H-L photo/Charles Bertram)
Jerry Tipton of the H-L writes that Calipari is ok with undefeated talk: “Yet the Cats have been talking for weeks about finishing with a record that has a zero on the right side of the hyphen. The quest, apparently serious, resumes Wednesday against Long Beach State.”
Jen Smith of the H-L reports on UK women remaining unbeaten: “The Wildcats’ show highlight was the high-flying act of Victoria Dunlap, who tried to become the first Kentucky woman to dunk in a game. The 6-foot-1 junior was just centimeters shy.”
(H-L photo/Joseph Rey Au)
Eric Lindsey of Cat Scratches on the Dunlap dunk attempt: “Victoria Dunlap nearly dunked herself into history. Yes, dunked. Late in the second half of UK’s 87-47 rout of UT Martin on Tuesday night, Dunlap tried to do what only five women’s college players and three WNBA players (according to various reports) have ever done before. With the game already well in hand, Dunlap tried to throw down a slam dunk, which had it gone in, would have been the first dunk in UK Hoops history.”
High School Hoop reports Knight’s comments didn’t bother Marquis Teague: “Pike High (Ind.) star guard Marquis Teague said that he “wasn’t moved at all” by Bobby Knight’s comments about Kentucky head coach John Calipari during a fundraiser for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame last week.” (Hat tip Bluegrass State Basketball.)
My column on the return of DeAndre Liggins: “Such was the case with Liggins, the athletic but mercurial product of the Chicago City Schools who rode the Billy Gillispie-driven roller coaster through his freshman season. Then the driver changed, and the season started, and Liggins sat the bench through the first game, then the second, and the third, and so on and so on.”
Brett Dawson of the C-J writes on Liggins: “Don’t bother asking why he was out of it. Liggins met with reporters Tuesday for the first time since UK’s preseason media day, but that topic was off the table. Other than saying he wasn’t out for academic reasons, Liggins didn’t offer any explanation, nor has Calipari.”
Video of John Calipari talking about DeAndre Liggins:
Chip Cosby of H-L writes on Trevard Lindley: “A high ankle sprain suffered in the Alabama game Oct. 3 cost Lindley four games and, when he returned for the stretch run, the ball-hawking big-play-maker had been reduced to a bit player. The same players a healthy Lindley would have blanketed were catching passes on him, and receivers who would have never sniffed the end zone on Lindley were beating him for touchdowns. His one interception and 10 pass deflections were the worst numbers of his career.”
Tom Leach has some football videos.
Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger talks to Steve Brown: “Kentucky defensive coordinator Steve Brown has seen the Wildcats go from allowing 453.4 yards per game in 2006 to 362 yards per game this season.”
Kentucky Sports Radio on today’s game with Long Beach State: “As the Cats shake off their post-UK2K hangover, they’ll face a potential trap matchup against 6-5 Long Beach State at Rupp Arena, their third game in five days. The 49ers, who were picked to win the Big West Conference, not only pose a legitimate threat as a team who loves to get up and down the floor and shoot the three, but they likely will not be intimidated by the bright lights of Rupp Arena.”
Armchair Quarterback writes on UK basketball fans: “Disney couldn’t have done it better. The retired jersey’s above in the rafters could be heard. The ‘Coach-in-Shining-Armor’ allowed his team to do what they do best, on a night when the crowd waited with Christmas-eve-like anticipation for the seconds to tick off the clock. And what do they do best? Win.”
Wildcat Blue Blog interviews Brandon Knight: “BK: ‘Yeah, I’ve watched most of the teams. Kentucky, Kansas, they’ve all been playing good right now. Syracuse, Florida, all those teams have been doing pretty good.’”
Wildcat-Den on DeAndre Liggins: “Liggins, who missed the team’s first nine games, has made the most of his opportunity in a reserved role, The sophomore guard made his first appearance of the season at Indiana. Liggins saw more time against Austin Peay and scored six points in the Wildcats’ 88-44 rout over Drexel Monday night.”
A Sea of Blue compares UK and Texas after wins over UNC: “Looking at these three games, does anything jump out at you? How about the difference in offensive rebound percent? Texas dominated UNC so thoroughly on the glass that words fail me. Kentucky, in their game versus the ‘Heels, did not fare as well, actually losing the OR% battle. Michigan State had it much closer the OR% battle with the ‘Horns, but the Spartans lost mostly because Texas’ defense forced them into only a 50% eFG% while shooting 62% themselves.”
Straitpinkie previews UK-Long Beach St: “The 49′ers are extremely athletic and shoot the ball well but they are small up front, do not have much depth and have struggled defensively. In their loss to Texas, they were outscored 62-28 in the paint and 61-11 in bench points. That trend could easily continue against Kentucky’s deep and talented front line.”
