Bragg, I really like your leans. As a matter of fact, I made several of them plays already. I hate to say it, but I'm leaning USC right now pretty heavily, for some of the same reasons you mentioned about UK. I think UK relies too much on Meeks. They are going to cover him like flypaper. USC will see if anyone from UK will
step up. That is the problem here. I don't think they will. I see
another Vandy like game here. I believe USC will be hitting tons of jumpers and will be taking Meeks out of the game also. I don't see Kentucky being more fired up than USC here neither. Both teams are fighting for that SEC East #1 spot with Florida going down last night. Have to lean USC here still.
step up. That is the problem here. I don't think they will. I see
another Vandy like game here. I believe USC will be hitting tons of jumpers and will be taking Meeks out of the game also. I don't see Kentucky being more fired up than USC here neither. Both teams are fighting for that SEC East #1 spot with Florida going down last night. Have to lean USC here still.
One note on this ... the Vandy game can be thrown out, because UK didn't have Patterson. Having two main scorers helps a lot. With the focus on Meeks so much, people are getting WIDE open shots. That is why UK actually shoots great FG% lately, because people have focused too much on Meeks. Meeks will not determine this game tonight. That is problem. Everyone thinks that UK losses when Meeks sucks ... that is not true at all.
UK losses when they don't rebound well and play defense. UK will score enough points, you just never know who it is going to be. Galloway did it against Florida. Miller did it against Tenn. There is always going to be a third person. Porter and Stevenson have been that person before. Shoot, even AJ Stewart has done it.
Defense and rebounding will determine this game ... not Meeks
So far ... not many people really like him. People in Kentucky only like you if you win (they are not patient fans and expect to win right away). He has some good recruits coming in next year (Daniel Orton and Jon Hood). If Meeks and Patterson stay with those guys coming in and they aren't winning next year ... bye bye birdie.
He is a great recruiter and great person to prepare for games. His main problem is in game coaching. He doesn't seem to adjust to games very well. That is the main thing I am scared about tonight. He sticks to the game plan even if it is not going well. He is very stubborn and thinks his system and game plan should win and they are just not executing and it is the players fault. Hopefully the game plan works tonight ... I think it will.
bad news tonight ... Galloway will miss the game. Okay, it's not terrible but he does add a little depth.
Insider information (not really, I just love saying that) is that UK will be matching up with Downey with Ramon Harris and Darius Miller (6'6'' guys). Harris played him great in the first half and then Gillespie was stupid and switched him off. They will make Downey REALLY work hard tonight for his shots. They can move with him and really get a hand in his face because they are so long.
I just pray and hope they don't switch EVERY pick and roll tonight. That was a major problem (I left out) from the last game. They would pick with Perry Stevenson's man and he would switch up on Downey. How ignorant is that.
If Gillespie does this again, I will make a trip to Lexington and beat the piss out of him.
Insider information (not really, I just love saying that) is that UK will be matching up with Downey with Ramon Harris and Darius Miller (6'6'' guys). Harris played him great in the first half and then Gillespie was stupid and switched him off. They will make Downey REALLY work hard tonight for his shots. They can move with him and really get a hand in his face because they are so long.
I just pray and hope they don't switch EVERY pick and roll tonight. That was a major problem (I left out) from the last game. They would pick with Perry Stevenson's man and he would switch up on Downey. How ignorant is that.
If Gillespie does this again, I will make a trip to Lexington and beat the piss out of him.
