Entries Tagged 'UK opponents' ↓
September 11th, 2009 — UK opponents
Former Kentucky player John Pelphrey got a voice of support from the University of Arkansas chancellor on Friday. It came at a time Pelphrey probably needed a kind word.
Earlier in the week, the Arkansas program was rocked by news that a female student accused three players of rape at a fraternity party.
No charges were filed, but the accusation capped a turbulent early tenure for Pelphrey as Arkansas coach.
“We’re standing behind Coach Pelphrey,” Arkansas chancellor David Gearhart told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Friday. “I think we’re going through some pretty serious growing pains, growing the program and changing the program, and that would have happened regardless of who the coach would be.
“I think he’s got to be given time, and then the problems we’re seeing will be taken care of.”
Problems on and off the court have plagued Pelphrey, who will be entering his third season as Arkansas coach. He played for Eddie Sutton and Rick Pitino at Kentucky in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In that time, the Paintsville native became one of the program’s famed “Unforgettables,” a designation given four players who remained at UK after NCAA sanctions caused several higher profile players to transfers.
Pelphrey’s problems as fledgling Arkansas coach include the loss of would-be star Patrick Beverley after the 2007-08 season. He cheated on a class paper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
As a result, the Razorbacks finished a league-worst 2-14 in Southeastern Conference play in 2008-09.
Pelphrey suspended or lost to transfer four newcomers during or after last season. Marcus Monk, a regular contributer, had to leave the team because of a NCAA rules violation.
Arkansas also had the lowest Academic Progress Report of any SEC basketball program last season: 888.
“There have been some unfortunate things happen,” Gearhart said. “But the wayI would look at it is that when these things have happened, (Pelphrey) has immediately tried to attack the problems. He’s immediately tried to correct them. He has exercised discipline and he has exercised leadership.
“Instead of trying to make allowances for them, he’s taken care of them in a very serious way.”
March 24th, 2009 — UK opponents
UK released a few quotations from Coach Billy Gillispie about Notre Dame. The Cats play at Notre Dame on Wednesday night in the quarter-finals of the NIT.
Here are the quotes:
On Notre Dame…
“They’re an outstanding team. I think somebody said they’ve played all four number one seeds in the NCAA Tournament, six games against the number one seeds. You look at their record and say, ‘Wow, they’ve lost 14 games.’ Then you start looking at the teams they’ve lost to and they’re all great teams. They’re a fantastic team, a very well coached team with one of the very best players in college basketball. They do a good job of surrounding (Luke) Harangody. They’re a sound defensive team and they’ve got home-court advantage.”
On Luke Harangody …
“He’s as good of a low post player as we’ve seen all year and as good of a low post player as I’ve seen in a long time. They surround him with four guys that can really shoot the basketball, so it makes it hard to help on him.”
On the quick turnaround between games …
“We’re looking forward to playing another game. We had a great win against Creighton on the road. It was a hard fought victory. It is a short turnaround, but our guys will be ready to play, it should be a lot of fun. When you talk about Notre Dame, whether you talk about football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, whatever, it’s one of the most traditionally renowned schools. It’s a school with a tremendous tradition and a great deal of exposure. They have a great basketball program and we look forward to coming in and playing them.”
March 23rd, 2009 — UK opponents
Walking to the Qwest Center Omaha, I had two people volunteer their opinion that Kentucky will beat Creighton Monday night.
Why?
Creighton is young. Creighton struggles inside.
The fans did not include (but could have) that its best three-point shooter, Booker Woodfox, made only four of 17 shots from beyond the arc in the last two games. Plus Patrick Patterson should be dominant inside, assuming UK gets him the ball.
We shall see beginning with the 7 p.m. EDT tipoff.
The winner will play at Notre Dame on Wednesday night. That game also tips off at 7 p.m. EDT. It will be televised by ESPN2.
March 20th, 2009 — UK opponents
Creighton seems genuinely honored to have the chance to play Kentucky, the winningest program in college basketball.
So we’ll assume it was inadvertent that Creighton’s media notes for Monday’s NIT game includes two bits of potential bulletin board material.
In the section for schedule and results, Creighton included a home game against Notre Dame on March 25 (tipoff time to be announced). Of course, the winner of the Kentucky-Creighton game will play Notre Dame in the NIT quarter-finals. That game could be at Notre Dame if Kentucky beats Creighton.
And in the notes assigned to each probable starter, Creighton had plenty of choices of UK big man Patrick Patterson: All-SEC selection. All-American candidate. Four straight double-doubles. Fifteen double-doubles this season.
Creighton chose: “HS teammate of O.J. Mayo.”
February 20th, 2009 — UK opponents
Tennessee practiced at Berea College on Friday as the Vols headed for Saturday’s game against Kentucky.
With thanks to a member of the Tennessee press corps, here’s a brief question-and-answer session with UT Coach Bruce Pearl:
Q: What do you think of Saturday’s showdown in Rupp Arena:
Pearl: “When I first came to Tennessee, I wanted to have meaningful games at Rupp Arena, and this game is for first place.”
Q: How does Patrick Patterson’s presence impact the game?
Pearl: “With Patterson being out there, they are a different cover. Wayne (Chism) has played Patterson well.”
Q: How do you feel about your rebuilt backcourt?
Pearl: “In the backcourt, we’ve got three brand-new players in Bobby Maze, Scotty Hopson, and Cameron Tatum and Josh Tabb is playing point guard for the first time in his career.
“It’s challenging to win game, to be competitive, much less to be in top 20 in RPI and tied for first in the SEC East.
“Can you win a championship with the guard play we’re getting? The answer is no. The guard play has got to improve.”
February 13th, 2009 — UK opponents
Arkansas, which plays Kentucky on Saturday, lost another player on Friday when the school announced that Marcus Monk was no longer on the team.
That’s not as serious a loss as point guard Courtney Fortson, who was suspended indefinitely on Thursday.
But Monk could play, as evidenced by scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds against Oklahoma and scoring 10 points and grabbing five rebounds against Florida in games earlier this season.
Monk’s lost was no surprise since he had missed the last 6 games as Arkansas officials reviewed his eligibility.
Here’s the release from Arkansas:
Senior Marcus Monk will not return to competition for the University of Arkansas men’s basketball team it was announced on Friday.
“Unfortunately, Marcus is no longer a member of the University of Arkansas basketball team,” Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “We appreciate his contributions to the Razorback program and respect that he completed his undergraduate degree while competing as a student-athlete. We wish him well in the future.”
Monk had been withheld from competition since Jan. 24 pending a review of an issue affecting his eligibility. University of Arkansas administrators have worked with the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA Academic and Membership Affairs staff regarding this matter.
“Upon initially receiving information that a student-athlete was possibly involved in a rules violation, the University of Arkansas took appropriate action to withhold Marcus from competition and worked exhaustively to review the matter in a thorough and fair manner,” Long said. “The University of Arkansas is committed to compliance with all SEC and NCAA rules and will continue to monitor and enforce all rules.”
The University plans to have no further comment on the matter
February 12th, 2009 — Injuries, UK opponents
Arkansas Coach John Pelphrey just dropped a bombshell. He announced that point guard Courtney Fortson has been suspended indefinitely and will not play against Kentucky on Saturday.
Fortson has been the starting point guard all season. Earlier this season, he recorded a triple-double, which reflects his importance to the Razorbacks.
At his customary news conference called to discuss the upcoming game, Pelphrey refused to say why he suspended Fortson.
“I think we deserve a disciplined program,” Pelphrey said. “I think the coaching we’ve had, the players we’ve had, the success we’ve had, it’s just what I believe.”
Fortson, a 5-foot-11 freshman from Montgomery, Ala., is the Razorbacks’ second-leading scorer at 14.6 points per game. He leads the team in assists (6.5 per game), minutes (32.4 mpg), steals (28) and turnovers (95). He’s also second on the team in rebounds (5.3 rpg).
Fortson recorded his triple-double against North Carolina Central on Dec. 10. He had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in that game.
Perhaps reflecting what Fortson’s absence means, Arkansas’ next leading assist man is Stefan Welsh, with 49.
Pelphrey did not name a player to take over the point guard duties.
“Do I have a lot of options?” he told reporterse. “… We’ll see. He will not practice (Thursday).”
Pelphrey noted the importance of soldiering on without the point guard.
“I expect the Razorbacks to get out there and play hard,” he said. ” I expect us to have an unbelievable attitude, to encourage our teammates, to understand what it’s all about to be a part of a team and to do your job . To handle adversity. I think we should act a certain way, whether we’re winning or whether we’re losing.
“Do I understand there’s going to be some challenges to that? I certainly do. I certainly do. Like I said before, I’m not perfect and neither are the young men I coach. That doesn’t mean we can’t work at it very, very hard and do the best we can.”
Like Rick Pitino, who coached him at Kentucky, Pelphrey tried to turn this negative into a positive. He spoke of how one player’s absence creates opportunity for others.
“What more of an opportunity could you have than to play for the University of Arkansas - noon game, CBS, I believe - against the winningest program of all time?,” Pelphrey said. “What a great opportunity.”
January 27th, 2009 — UK opponents
Ole Miss has sounded what it calls a “red alert” for Tuesday night’s game against Kentucky.
The Rebels got permission from the SEC office to wear red uniforms. Plus, the school asked fans to wear red at the game.
In Andy Kennedy’s three seasons as coach, Ole Miss has a 40-5 record in home games.
Ole Miss did not answer the call for a “red alert.” The Tad Smith Coliseum (a.k.a. the “Tad Pad”) was hardly half filled, if that, at tip off.
January 13th, 2009 — UK opponents
Kentuckian Scotty Hopson acknowledges that Tennessee’s game against Kentucky Tuesday night captures his full attention.
Hopson, who played for University Heights in Hopkinsville, became a national prospect with his play in the spring and summer recruiting circuit. He originally committed to Mississippi State, then signed with Tennessee despite overtures from UK.
Hopson is averaging 8.6 points. He’s started 10 of 14 games. He’s made 47.4 percent of his shots (41.5 percent from three-point range).
Here’s a portion of a question-and-answer session Hopson had with Tennessee’s press corps Monday night:
Q: As a Kentucky native, is this game a little more special than most to you?
HOPSON: “Of course it’s a big game. This is why I came to Tennessee, to play against Kentucky in a game like this and hopefully get a victory.
“Of course it’s not going to feel the same. I’m from Kentucky, so it’s a big game for me. My family’s going to be here — more of my family, I mean. It’s going to be a big game.”
Q: What do you know about this Kentucky team?
HOPSON: “From seeing the scouting report, they run a lot of screens for Jodie Meeks. He’s going to get his shots, and (Patrick) Patterson’s going to get his plays, so we’re just going to have to stop them.”
Q: Do you worry about getting too hyped up for this one? You usually look like a pretty calm guy.
HOPSON: “It’s another SEC game. I’m geeked up for this game, just like I would be any other game. I’m going to go out there and be confident and do the best I can.”
Q: Have you noticed a different intensity during SEC play?
HOPSON: “The intensity is another level, man. Watching film is a lot longer. You have to do a lot more. The preparation is a lot different, so it feels pretty big.”
Q: Where is your game right now, offensively?
HOPSON: “I think my game has really come around, in terms of being an all-around player. At the beginning of the season, coaches told me to really look for my shot and hunt that shot. Coach Pearl is still telling me that, and I’m still working toward it, but putting it on the floor is my game. I’ve got to go to my strengths and stay away from my weaknesses. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
Q: Getting back to Kentucky, what do you have to focus on when guarding Meeks?
HOPSON: “I saw a lot of screens on film. I saw a lot of shots, and a lot of them going in. I’m just got to the best I can defensively to stop him when I get the chance. Hopefully I can help my teammates out against him.”
January 3rd, 2009 — UK opponents
Louisville may have slipped from a pre-season top 5 ranking to No. 18. And if Kentucky wins at Louisville on Sunday, the Cardinals may drop out of the rankings.
Yet, UK Coach Billy Gillispie spoke of U of L as a formidable opponent.
Speaking of Louisville’s “outstanding” half-court defense, Gillispie said, “That’s why they were a pre-season No. 3 team and why they’re playing to that ranking.”
More than once, Gillispie noted Louisville’s experience and depth of talent.
“They can always put five guys out there you have to guard,” the UK coach said. “That sounds simple. But not too many people do that.”
Of his own team, Gillispie noted UK’s relative lack of experience and the team’s only previous game on an opponent’s court. No. 1 North Carolina roared to an early lead and went on to beat Kentucky 77-58 on Nov. 18.
“We have to make major steps forward,” he said. “Last time on the road we had a horrific start. We can’t do that again. . . . The most scary part of an inexperienced team is taking them on the road.”
With five of UK’s next seven games on the road, Gillispie said UK will need to be improved.
“I think we’ll be very, very, very well prepared,” he said.
Gillispie dismissed the suggestion that a loss in its last game will give Louisville added incentive to play well against Kentucky.
“I’d say they’ll give their best shot because that’s what they normally do,” he said.
In response to other questions, Gillispie said that:
– Ramon Harris is doing better and should be expected to play at Louisville. Harris has missed five games and played a total of 15 minutes in two other games since he collided head to head with teammate Michael Porter when UK played Lamar on Dec. 3.
– Freshman Darius Miller is practicing normally. Miller’s father noted his son’s frustration earlier in the week.
