2 Losses in a Row, South Carolina Beats Kentucky, 78-77

After a slow start and a somewhat similar first half compared to the last few games, Kentucky was finally able to get it together early in the second half, but the Gamecocks put a run together and the lead was back and forth late in the second half all the way to the end.  Kentucky had a last second shot put up by Jodie Meeks from half-court as the final buzzer sounded, but it fell just short and clanked off the front of the rim.  The final score was 78-77 in favor of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Jodie Meeks had only 2 points in the first half, but was able to get his looks in the second half as He finished with 20 points and 2 assists.  Jodie Meeks reminds me so much of Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons, the way He rolls through screens to get open looks at the basket and how He is always moving on the defensive end.  Jodie doesn’t get enough credit for his defense, but I see it Jodie, keep it up!

Patrick Patterson, what can I say?  I think this was one of his best basketball games as a UK Wildcat.  He was good on the boards, at the free throw line, and everywhere in-between.  Patrick finished with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.

Perry Stevenson has to be one of the most timely blockers in the game.  He is 4th in the SEC and Perry is one of the reasons that Kentucky is leading the nation in blocked shots this year.  He had an all-around game with 8 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks.

It was a better game on the offensive end for the Kentucky Wildcats’ basketball players, but yet again, way too many turnovers with bad decisions and carelessness.

A few more notable players for the Cats in the basketball game were:
DeAndre Liggins: 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists
Josh Harrellson: 5 points and 3 rebounds
Darius Miller: 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block

The stars for the South Carolina Gamecocks were Zam Fredrick with 24 points and Devan Downey with 23 points and 4 assists.

Kentucky Loses to Mississippi, 85-80

A day after the Kentucky Wildcats finally made it into one of the polls for the top 25, their top 25 tenure will be short lived as the Wildcats go down to Mississippi with a final score of 85-80.

Jodie Meeks was unable to get anything going in the first half and went 0 for 6 from the field on some very good Mississippi defense.  Patrick Patterson and Darius Miller did pick up the slack in the first half to keep the Wildcats in the game.  The half-time score was 39-37 in favor of the Cats.

UK could not get anything going in the second half and trailed almost the whole half all the way to the end.  The Rebels pushed the lead out to as much as 12 and Kentucky kept cutting into the lead, but the Mississippi Rebels had an answer every time Kentucky made a run.

This was just one of those games that the Cats have to put behind them and keep going.  They are still the number 1 team in the Southeastern Conference and they just need to keep focused and get back on the grind.

Top Performers for Kentucky:
Patrick Patterson - 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks
Jodie Meeks - 21 points (4 of 15 from the field)
Darius Miller - 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists

Notables from Mississippi:
Terrico White - 21 points and 7 assists
David Huertas - 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists
Malcom White - 20 points

The Kentucky Wildcats did a great job of not turning the ball over for most of the game as they only had 10 turnovers for the whole basketball game (average 18+ on season).  I guess the accurate thing to say is that if Jodie Meeks is having an off night, then the outlook for Kentucky will be bleek until someone else is willing to step up for the Cats and help Jodie and Patrick Patterson with the scoring.

Kentucky’s Next Game is at Mississippi, 27 Jan 2009

The Kentucky Wildcats’ next game is versus the Ole Miss Rebels in Mississippi at 7:00 p.m. on 27 January 2009.

The Wildcats haven’t really been able to run away with the basketball game in the last couple of games that they have played.  Turnovers have plagued the Cats, but to their credit, they have been able to pull away in the last couple minutes of the game.

The Rebels are just having a horrific season with 10 wins and 9 losses overall and only 1 win and 4 losses in the Southeastern Conference.

I would say Kentucky Wildcats all the way, but this might be another one of those games that comes down to the last couple of minutes in the ball game.

We all shall see tomorrow, this game is being aired on ESPN at 7:00 p.m.

Kentucky Wildcats Halfway There, In Top 25

The new top 25 polls are out and the Kentucky Wildcats did manage to squeeze into the top 25 on one of the polls.

The AP Top 25 has Kentucky ranked as the number 24 team in the country, but Kentucky did not manage to make it into the USA Today/ESPN poll.  What I really find hard to believe, is that Florida received more votes in the poll than Kentucky did even though Florida had lost a game earlier in the week.  Florida received 59 votes while the Wildcats only received 50 votes.

The Utah St. Aggies were also ahead of Kentucky in the voting with 56 votes.  I give them credit because they are 19 and 1 on the season, but I did not see any major opponent faced when I researched their past games for the season.

Yet again, the Kentucky Wildcats just are not getting the credit that they deserve.  I hope everyone keeps thinking that way and maybe the Cats can come up as a sleeper in the NCAA Tournament!

Ramon Harris Cleared to Play

Ramon Harris has been cleared by doctors to return to the team and begin practicing again.

Harris fainted while walking out of the locker room at halftime during the basketball game against Alabama.

Ramon Harris had been out of the lineup for the Wildcats once before this season when He injured his neck and back after a collision with teammate Michael Porter, but it is believed that those injuries had nothing to do with his collapse during the game at Alabama.

Harris went under extensive tests on Monday after being excused from basketball practice on Sunday, but doctors have not determined the cause of his sudden illness.

Update on Ramon Harris’ Condition - 24 Jan 2009

A Kentucky spokesperson states that Ramon Harris has been released from the hospital and is now traveling back to Kentucky with the basketball team.

Ramon Harris collapsed outside the locker room at halftime earlier today in the Wildcats’ win over Alabama and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

Kentucky Coach Billie Gillespie stated after the game that Ramon Harris hadn’t been feeling well and eventually fainted.  Another Wildcat player then called for the trainer as they were getting ready to come out of the locker room to start the second half of the game.

Harris had some shortness of breath and threw up.  Coach Gillespie stayed in the locker room with Harris while the rest of the team went back onto the court to start the second half.  The second half’s start was delayed a few minutes while Kentucky’s staff sorted the situation.  Eventually, Gillespie returned to his seat around the 18:30 mark of the second half.  Coach Gillespie was reported as telling his team that “Ramon is going to be fine and to keep playing the game”.

On December 3rd, 2008, Ramon Harris collided with teammate Michael Porter.  Harris was taken off the court with a stretcher and taken to a local hospital.  Harris would then miss 3 straight games due to a back and neck injury, returning for 1 game and then missing 2 more due to back stiffness.

It is unknown if the 2 incidents have any relation to one another at this time.

Kentucky Comes Out on Top Against Alabama, 61-51

Kentucky was unable to get much going in the first half.  Jode Meeks was able to get some baskets here and there, but no big spirts from the Wildcats in the half.  They finished the first half with only 19 points while the Alabama Crimson Tide sunk a basket at the end of the first half to finish with 25 points.

There was a situation at halftime where Kentucky Basketball Player, Ramon Harris, collapsed in the locker room and required immediate medical attention.  He was taken to a local medical center for treatment, according to a school statement.  A Kentucky Spokesman did state that Harris was conscious when he left the building.  There was no immediate update on his status at that time.

Kentucky started the second half the way they finished the first.  Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks both missed their first shots to start the half.  Then, Patrick Patterson found himself in foul trouble early in the half and popped a squat on the Kentucky bench.  Kentucky’s focus was probably a little distorted to start the second with the loss of Ramon Harris and everyone searching for an answer of what was wrong with Harris and if He was okay.

Kentucky finally was able to get their focus back and started picking up the tempo of the game.  Kentucky started pulling away from Alabama as soon as Patterson got back into the game.  A big hustle play by Jodie Meeks turned Kentucky’s scoring around and they eventually jumped out to an 8 point lead with a little over 5 minutes left in the game.  They maintained that lead and finished the basketball game, winning 61-51.

Kentucky Wildcat Top Performers:
Jodie Meeks - 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals
Perry Stevenson - 16 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block
DeAndre Liggins - 11 points, 3 assists, and 1 block
Patrick Patterson - 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks (fouled out late in second half)

The Kentucky Wildcats still finished with 23 turnovers for the game, an indication that their ball control was not at it’s best today.

An update on Ramon Harris will be posted as soon as we receive word of his condition.

Kentucky at Alabama, 24 Jan 2009

The Kentucky Wildcats’ next game is at the Alabama Crimson Tide, 24 January 2009, 3:00 p.m.

Kentucky comes in at 4 wins and no losses in the SEC.  Their last game was in Rupp Arena versus the Auburn Tigers where the Cats did not do too well in taking care of the basketball, but were able to come away with a win.

The Alabama Crimson tide is 2 and 2 in the SEC and 12 and 6 overall.  The Crimson Tide’s last game was a hard fought win against the Mississippi Rebels.

This basketball game is in favor of UK.  Don’t look for it to be an easy win though!  The Wildcats need to come out, play, and set the tempo of the game early.

AND PLEASE, take care of the basketball

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