Greetings Golden Eagles

[UK CAT]

Let me start this topic by stating that I am not one of the board bashing types that just came here to talk trash.

That said, I can't say I'm overly happy to be meeting you all again in the tourney. We seem to have a history that hasn't worked to UK's advantage the last few times we have met in the tourney. However, that was then and this is now and I think this game will be one of the better games of the first round.

I have been skimming other topics and reading some of the other posts and I have to say that some people are selling UK short on ability. UK is without Patrick Patterson and they do run a little thin in the big positions...however, UK has won 6 of 8 without Patterson. One loss coming by 3 points to the number 1 ranked team in the country (thanks to some real good home cooking for UT at the end of the game) and they lost to Georgia when a prayer of a shot by Georgia was answered. So, UK is thin but they are solid and Marquette will have to do a lot more than just show up on Thursday.

I am sad to say that I do not know a great deal about the Golden Eagles this season outside of what I have seen on SportsCenter and what I catch in the newspaper here in Lexington. Lexington really doesn't cater to a Big East venue so often there is little more than a box score, except when you guys play Louisville. 

I did see a portion of the game you guys played against Duke. To an outsider, you guys look to be a very quick and athletic team. Not overly big but very athletic and you have guards that can fill it up consistently. I am concerned about getting into an up and down game with you guys. It should be a good chess match between Creen and Gillispie as well.

Good luck to you Golden Eagles on Thursday. I'm looking forward to this matchup.   

[mu_hilltopper]

UK CAT - Thanks for writing.  Please, please have your team go easy on us.  We haven't had an NCAA victory since .. um .. well, the last time we beat you, as a matter of fact.  5 years running.  To say we need an NCAA win very badly is an understatement.

[NYWarrior]

UK is without Patrick Patterson and they do run a little thin in the big positions...however, UK has won 6 of 8 without Patterson.

This is what intrigues me as I review the UK season.......even with Patterson out, UK has done just fine on the boards and is winning at a higher % than they did with him.  What kind of adjustments has Gillispie made -and who is stepping in his absence?

[Markusquette]

Despite an 18-12 record, Kentucky is still a very tough team to play.  I really like Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford.  They are pretty experienced seniors and we really need to keep them in check.  I guess the good thing is that we match up well inside in the fact that neither team really has any dominant inside players.  As long as we can get better production from our guards, we have this game won.

[UK CAT]

The overall record of UK really is something that needs to come with an explanation. The non-conference portion of the schedule, especially in the beginning, was really hectic. The players were adjusting to Gillispie's style of play which was a sharp contrast to Tubby Smith's style of play. The players weren't buying into the system and it was literally chaos. That's the main reason why you see the losses to Gardner-Webb, San Diego, and Houston, losses that would be considered "bad" losses to the rest of the country and especially to the UK following.

However, as soon as the SEC schedule began, it was like someone flipped a switch on this team. Bradley and Crawford began taking the leadership roles that seniors need to take and other players like Perry Stevenson started coming into their own. (BTW, you better watch out for Stevenson, his free throw defense is the best in the country!) 

When Patterson went down, UK went to a slower style of play and really focused on defense and ball security and limiting the number of possessions in the game. It worked out for them as UK has lost only 2 games since Patterson went out by a total of 7 points.

UK likes to keep the game in the 60-70 point range. It sounds kind of low scoring and I guess it is but it doesn't seem like the game is progressing slowly when you watch them. It's hard to explain how the team operates on the floor.

I know you guys are Golden Eagles but if you are a fan of the game of basketball as well, you will like to watch the play of Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley. I have heard some good things about your players and am going to see if I can find some video online and see how they play as well.

I haven't seen many of the Marquette fans on the UK sites. My main site is thecatsdomain.com if any of you want to come over and check us out. We're pretty civil over there. I imagine you've seen some other sites that have a lot of junk talking, we don't do that at TCD.

Check us out if you want. link

[Markusquette]

Good explanation of the team.  I can imagine how difficult it can be for the team making the coaching transition.  We cannot take KU lightly because we have been known to get ourselves in a bad situation at the start of some games, and it is hard to claw our way back in.  I think you should watch some videos of Lazar Hayward, if you can find any, because he has really stepped up his game this year.  He has a good stroke from beyond the arc, aggressive when taking it to the hoop, and a good rebounder for his size (6'6").  I am excited for this match-up.  The only unfortunate thing is that my father went to Kentucky for a couple years in college, and he also teaches at Marquette.  Too bad he can't cheer for both teams separately!   

[Steak]

(BTW, you better watch out for Stevenson, his free throw defense is the best in the country!) 

I honestly laughed out loud at that one

[esotericmindguy]

Tell Ashley Judd she still owes me ten bucks.....filthy.

[MUSF]

"I am concerned about getting into an up and down game with you guys."

If you do, you are in trouble.

"UK likes to keep the game in the 60-70 point range."

If you do, we are in trouble.

[jt92]

Look at MU's record in March since they last played Kentucky....UK fans should feel pretty good about this matchup.

[NYWarrior]

UK CAT -- check your message box 

[pbiflyer]

Tell Ashley Judd she still owes me ten bucks.....filthy.

I propose a bet:
If we win, I get to sleep with Ashley Judd.
If you guys win, she gets to sleep with me. 

[4everwarriors]

Sorry, pbiflyer, ZFB is the resident MUScoop stud.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Sorry, pbiflyer, ZFB is the resident MUScoop stud.

If MU wins, Ashley is going to pick up a dollar off my forehead.   

That's the one thing that Erin won't do.   

[esotericmindguy]

Tell Ashley Judd she still owes me ten bucks.....filthy.

I propose a bet:
If we win, I get to sleep with Ashley Judd.
If you guys win, she gets to sleep with me. 

SOunds nice.