Well, I thought the game went about the way I expected. Plenty of fight but not enough talent to compete. It was a game that Kentucky had to lose. Not that we did not represent, just not enough of an offensive game to win. CC was about the only player who played winning basketball. Duriji had one of his negative games that he gets from time to time. Can't win when one of the very few bigs isn't going to score points. Overall, I think the starting lineup and rotation is about right. It is up to a few key players to score and if they do then we can compete. If they don't then.... Jones looks like he is prepared to be one of those players and I do hope he is. We need a shooter BAD. Fleming is going to have to find his mojo. I don't see enough scoring if he doesn't find his groove. And hopefully Felder is prepared to take up some minutes and production. We shall see.
Nothing to get upset about. We were supposed to lose, and we did. Gotta get a couple more wins before the SEC tournament.
I’d sit Duruji until he decides if he wants to play basketball or not. Felder needs to get Duruji’s minutes. We are playing 4 against 5 with the way Duruji is playing currently.
Coach White's post-game comments included: Couple of untimely turnovers led to open 3s and dunks. We gave in a little defensively. Credit to KY for attacking the zone in the second half. Doesn't remember a team being man-handled by a player like the KY big guy.
(More from Coach White): They got a little rattled by KY's pressure leading to TOs without Appleby in the game. Our kids have to handle pressure better. KY got them playing too far out on offense. Our kids didn't play how they practiced going into the game. Need work on mental toughness and poise.
(More from Coach White): Played well enough to steal one down the stretch but then it got away from them. CC is barely practicing. His wind is down . . . as is Duruji's [My translation: Meaning they get tired quicker and more easily.].
(More from Coach White): Most wouldn't even be trying to play given CC's shoulder injury. Commends his toughness. Appleby re-aggravated the same injury. That's it . . .
He never pulled the starters the entire game. Pretty safe to pull your starters when you are up 16 with 2 and a half minutes to go. Would you not pull them at that point either?
Oh, and another observation, CC has a nice midrange jumper. He isn't going to make it as a stretch 4 but if he can hang down low enough on defense and have plays run to allow him to shoot them then I can see him having a role on an NBA team. Not a huge part but definitely a NBA contract. Probably two-way but still, he should be encouraged in his development.
Problem is the program is at the point where Gator fans know we won't beat Kentucky, let's get back to where Gator fans feel like we should beat Kentucky
My point was that the game was over long before it officially ended and Calipari could have pulled his starters with 2 and a half minutes to go at the very least. He let his team continue to shoot threes till the very end.
