Entries Tagged 'UK opponents' ↓
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.
December 4th, 2008 — UK opponents
Miami got word on Thursday that its star guard, Jack McClinton, can play against Kentucky on Saturday.
McClinton got into a fracas at Ohio State on Tuesday. The incident could have been considered a fight, which raised the possibility that he could be suspended.
McClinton is an all-ACC caliber player who has scored more than 1,100 points in his career.
Here’s a portion of the release from Miami:
The Atlantic Coast Conference office reviewed the play in question from Tuesday’s men’s basketball game versus Ohio State that resulted in the ejection of McClinton and determined that the officials administered the call properly and that no further action will be taken.
“Jack is absolutely a leader and valued member of this team,” said fifth-year Miami head coach Frank Haith. “He’s a young man of high character who reacted inappropriately and has paid the price. Now we will move forward and re-focus on men’s basketball and our upcoming game at Kentucky.”
November 29th, 2008 — UK opponents
After committing 31 turnovers against Kansas State on Friday, Kentucky faces potentially even more defensive heat against West Virginia in Saturday night’s finals of the Las Vegas Invitational.
West Virginia cooked Iowa 87-68 in Friday’s other semifinal. In that game, WVU feasted on an Iowa team that started three freshmen and a sophomore.
“Their level of intensity and aggressive play was something we hadn’t experienced,” Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter said. “They took us out of all our sets.”
Kentucky can say it has experienced defensive heat. Beginning with Virginia Military Institute in the opener and followed by North Carolina and Kansas State, the Cats have had their new ball-handling core severely tested on a regular basis.
UK Coach Billy Gillispie expected more of the same against West Virginia.
“They’ll get up and after us like everyone should,” Gillispie said of the Mountaineers.
UK will go into the game averaging 23 turnovers a game. Against Kansas State, the Cats brought the ball upcourt by committee with even big man Patrick Patterson getting a few turns.
When asked about so many players bringing up the ball, Gillispie said the move was born of “a lot of guys didn’t want it. We ran from it.
“We’re one-tenth of the composure department (from) where you need to be.”
West Virginia’s pressure made Iowa crumble. The Hawkeyes committed 17 first-half turnovers.
“It’s hard to compete with that,” Lickliter said.
WVU Coach Bob Huggins, whose teams are synonymous with intensity and physical play, shrugged when asked about the heat applied to Iowa. In his typical deadpan delivery, he said of the pressure, “We just do what we do.”
Much like Kansas State, West Virginia carries on collectively this after losing last season’s individual star, in WVU’s case, forward Joe Alexander.
“The wonderful thing about this bunch is from Day One, they bought in,” Huggins said. “They weren’t sure quite what it was, but they bought in.”
West Virginia opponents are averaging 22.3 turnovers a game.
Kansas State Coach Frank Martin is a disciple and unabashed admirer of Huggins. Earlier this week, Martin spoke of how similar their philosophies are. The only significant difference comes on offense, where Kansas State gives its players a bit more freedom to create, Martin said.
Gillispie spoke of West Virginia bringing a similar challenge as Kansas State. But the UK coach said West Virginia was better offensively, better rebounders, more experienced and more talented.
Fatigue might be another challenge for Kentucky. The Kansas State game was an exhausting 94-foot, 40-minute battle.
“Our guys left their souls on the court,” Martin said. “I thought their guys played hard as heck, too.”
Now UK must play arguably a superior opponent using the same energy-draining strategy within 24 hours.
Although on record as no fan of a late tipoff in a two-games-in-two days scenario, Gillispie said, “We’ll be ready to play. . . . We’ll play better.”
Huggins 0-fer vs. UK
Huggins, the sixth winningest active Division I coach, has an 0-2 record against Kentucky. Of the opponents he’s coached against more than once, Huggins has failed to beat only seven: Kansas (0-4), Michigan (0-2), Illinois (0-2), Georgetown (0-2), Notre Dame (0-2), Ohio State (0-2) and UK.
November 17th, 2008 — UK opponents
North Carolina Coach Roy Williams made it official at a Monday afternoon news conference: All-American center Tyler Hansbrough will not play against Kentucky in Tuesday night’s game.
Hansbrough has been sitting out more than two weeks because of a stress reaction in his right shin. Without rest, a stress fracture could develop.
Williams has repeatedly noted that UNC will use a conservative approach on Hansbrough’s return, erring on the side of caution.
The Tar Heels started two high-profile freshmen in their opening game against Penn last Saturday. Tyler Zeller, once a recruiting target of Kentucky’s, started and scored 18 points.
Ed Davis came off the bench and contributed a double-double: 10 points and 14 rebounds.
March 2nd, 2008 — UK opponents
Tennessee planned to retire Ernie Grunfeld’s jersey at halftime on Sunday.
Before the game, Grunfeld held a news conference to reflect on the honor. He called it a “humbling experience.”
A reporter noted that his ex-teammate, Bernard King, had his jersey retired at halftime of Tennessee’s home game against Kentucky last season.
“The biggest rivalry is between Tennessee and Kentucky,” Grunfeld said. “When you beat Kentucky, you earn your victory.”
Grunfeld noted that Tennessee won six of eight games against Kentucky when he played.
