Hey guys, don’t usually post much but had the opportunity to sit behind UK bench for the game last night so wanted to share some thoughts from inside the arena:
-Crowd was heavily on favor of the Cats, would say about 65% blue. Felt very much like a late November, early December game in Rupp. From the onset, there was no threat of defeat so crowd was very subdued and just watched the game. Really only time folks got loud was when Johnny David was fouled in last few seconds and it wasn’t called. Was encouraged however with all the blue, as I’m sure the noise and energy will ratchet up on Saturday.
-PJ just didn’t look like a guy who didn’t intend to play again. Was only a few feet from him and he was super engaged in the game. Spent most of his time encouraging and coaching up EJ and Nick. Was all smiles, and very locked into the team. Who knows what’s going to happen Saturday but after seeing his demeanor, plus remembering how he rallied the team post-UT loss in Nashville, I’m going to hold out hope he will give it a go Saturday. But if he doesn’t...
-Wofford is a good matchup for us. Stayed for the first half of their game and I like this matchup. Don’t get me wrong, they are a great team. At this point of the tournament you’re going to play a top 25 caliber team and Wofford is deserving of that. But man, their offensive philosophy could play right into our hands. Two types of teams have hurt us this year; ultra-athletic bigs that negate Reid due to their length (LSU) or super quick and athletic guards who get around their man kick to the open 3 point shooter (UT-Bone). Post November- we have actually had great success against teams who are so one dimensional on offense towards the 3-ball (Auburn, Louisville). I have no doubt that Cal will devise a game plan to suffocate their shooters.
-Tyler and Keldon are soooo smooth. THIS was the lottery pick Keldon we all expected. Hit open shots and his drives to the basket were so efficient and in control. ACU was really overmatched but I’d be hard pressed to name a better scoring duo on the wing in the country. They are much stronger physically than I had thought. Going to be really hard for Wofford (or anyone for that matter) to contain their drives.
-Reid Travis is a freaking MAN. Seeing him that close, it’s jarring how big that dude is. He seemed to relish being the number 1 option in the post with PJ out. He played a very specific role on offense for us this year, but let’s not forget he was the primary scorer for four years at Stanford. If PJ doesn’t play on Saturday, I feel very comfortable with running offense through Reid, especially against a frontcourt he matches up well with. He was all business last night. Seems like a man on mission.
-Quickley’s mind is still racing. He moves and drives without purpose on so many occasions and you can just tell he is thinking too much. Game just hasn’t slowed down for him yet. Honestly, I just don’t see him as a PG. In a weird way, his body type and build reminds me of Tony Delk. Either way, I think if Quickley is going to have a big impact at UK it’s going to be as a SG.
-Ashton will make a couple “where were you going” moments each game, but he probably doesn’t get enough credit for how he facilitates our offense. Losing him would be a bigger loss than anyone on the team IMO. He’s the only one on the team that can do what he does for us. Wofford guards won’t be able to take him off the dribble so this could be one of those games where his defensive prowess is highlighted.
-EJ and Nick are SOOOO long and big but they just aren’t as skilled or physically mature (i.e. coordinated) as their peers. Will be curious to see how much Nick will play on Saturday. Based on how Wofford plays, could see EJ spelling Reid and then going small most of the game. Just seems like a game Nick wouldn’t flourish in.
-Keldon and Cal had a really funny/cool moment in the second half last night. Cal was riding Keldon hard for his man scoring a few buckets in a row at the start of the half. Cal was sarcastically smiling and clapping (almost mocking) KJ whenever his man scored. Than the next few trips down, KJ would score and look right at Cal and start jawing, almost as if Cal was a fan in the stands talking smack to him lol. It was all very playful, but was nice to see Cal challenging KJ on his defense even with the game in hand.
-Jacksonville as a city is admittedly not a wonderful layout to host these events based on how spread-out the city is, but the sports complex itself was absolutely terrific. They basically shut down the street adjacent to the arena and it’s like one big party. 72 degree weather, bars and drink stands everywhere, NO OPEN CONTAINER LAWS, bathrooms, TVs to watch games…overall a very good setup. As someone who travels to most NCAA UK games, it was a breath of fresh air. Also sell beer in the arena, not sure I can recall many arenas who do that.
-Will be back behind the bench on Saturday. The guys and coaches seemed so locked in right now. I predict our length and athleticism will wear Wofford down in second half and we’ll pull away in the last 12 minutes. Kentucky 74 Wofford 61, Reid Travis MVP. GBB.
-The scooter in all its glory…
-Crowd was heavily on favor of the Cats, would say about 65% blue. Felt very much like a late November, early December game in Rupp. From the onset, there was no threat of defeat so crowd was very subdued and just watched the game. Really only time folks got loud was when Johnny David was fouled in last few seconds and it wasn’t called. Was encouraged however with all the blue, as I’m sure the noise and energy will ratchet up on Saturday.
-PJ just didn’t look like a guy who didn’t intend to play again. Was only a few feet from him and he was super engaged in the game. Spent most of his time encouraging and coaching up EJ and Nick. Was all smiles, and very locked into the team. Who knows what’s going to happen Saturday but after seeing his demeanor, plus remembering how he rallied the team post-UT loss in Nashville, I’m going to hold out hope he will give it a go Saturday. But if he doesn’t...
-Wofford is a good matchup for us. Stayed for the first half of their game and I like this matchup. Don’t get me wrong, they are a great team. At this point of the tournament you’re going to play a top 25 caliber team and Wofford is deserving of that. But man, their offensive philosophy could play right into our hands. Two types of teams have hurt us this year; ultra-athletic bigs that negate Reid due to their length (LSU) or super quick and athletic guards who get around their man kick to the open 3 point shooter (UT-Bone). Post November- we have actually had great success against teams who are so one dimensional on offense towards the 3-ball (Auburn, Louisville). I have no doubt that Cal will devise a game plan to suffocate their shooters.
-Tyler and Keldon are soooo smooth. THIS was the lottery pick Keldon we all expected. Hit open shots and his drives to the basket were so efficient and in control. ACU was really overmatched but I’d be hard pressed to name a better scoring duo on the wing in the country. They are much stronger physically than I had thought. Going to be really hard for Wofford (or anyone for that matter) to contain their drives.
-Reid Travis is a freaking MAN. Seeing him that close, it’s jarring how big that dude is. He seemed to relish being the number 1 option in the post with PJ out. He played a very specific role on offense for us this year, but let’s not forget he was the primary scorer for four years at Stanford. If PJ doesn’t play on Saturday, I feel very comfortable with running offense through Reid, especially against a frontcourt he matches up well with. He was all business last night. Seems like a man on mission.
-Quickley’s mind is still racing. He moves and drives without purpose on so many occasions and you can just tell he is thinking too much. Game just hasn’t slowed down for him yet. Honestly, I just don’t see him as a PG. In a weird way, his body type and build reminds me of Tony Delk. Either way, I think if Quickley is going to have a big impact at UK it’s going to be as a SG.
-Ashton will make a couple “where were you going” moments each game, but he probably doesn’t get enough credit for how he facilitates our offense. Losing him would be a bigger loss than anyone on the team IMO. He’s the only one on the team that can do what he does for us. Wofford guards won’t be able to take him off the dribble so this could be one of those games where his defensive prowess is highlighted.
-EJ and Nick are SOOOO long and big but they just aren’t as skilled or physically mature (i.e. coordinated) as their peers. Will be curious to see how much Nick will play on Saturday. Based on how Wofford plays, could see EJ spelling Reid and then going small most of the game. Just seems like a game Nick wouldn’t flourish in.
-Keldon and Cal had a really funny/cool moment in the second half last night. Cal was riding Keldon hard for his man scoring a few buckets in a row at the start of the half. Cal was sarcastically smiling and clapping (almost mocking) KJ whenever his man scored. Than the next few trips down, KJ would score and look right at Cal and start jawing, almost as if Cal was a fan in the stands talking smack to him lol. It was all very playful, but was nice to see Cal challenging KJ on his defense even with the game in hand.
-Jacksonville as a city is admittedly not a wonderful layout to host these events based on how spread-out the city is, but the sports complex itself was absolutely terrific. They basically shut down the street adjacent to the arena and it’s like one big party. 72 degree weather, bars and drink stands everywhere, NO OPEN CONTAINER LAWS, bathrooms, TVs to watch games…overall a very good setup. As someone who travels to most NCAA UK games, it was a breath of fresh air. Also sell beer in the arena, not sure I can recall many arenas who do that.
-Will be back behind the bench on Saturday. The guys and coaches seemed so locked in right now. I predict our length and athleticism will wear Wofford down in second half and we’ll pull away in the last 12 minutes. Kentucky 74 Wofford 61, Reid Travis MVP. GBB.
-The scooter in all its glory…
