The House of Blue

the numbers are what they are. you can explain them any way you want. How many games this year did this team "let up" down the stretch to give opponents "garbage points"? Do you think UK is the only team that has had commanding leads going down the stretch? Is it the only team that gives up garbage points in those situations? Why should the way they actually play the games not be more indicative of what they will do in the future than how you or I wish they had played the games?

The Kentucky defensive efficiency has slipped in recent weeks. That is a fact. There may be multiple explanation for why this has happened.

This has absolutely nothing to do with Louisville. It has even less to do with what Louisville fans or UK fans say about these teams.

The Kentucky offensive efficiency has climbed in recent weeks. This also is a fact. There may be multiple explanations for that too. That also has nothing to do with Louisville.

You've also got to say they've played some awfully good offensive clubs in ISU, IU and Baylor (not to mention a new pace) that affected those numbers.

That is another explanation for the slippage in the defensive efficiency we have seen in recent weeks.

Your misuse of statistics in this situation is bizarre.

The game is 40 minutes. You are comparing apples to oranges. First you mention 10 posessions. Then you mention 17 posessions, then you mention 43 posessions.

How in the world could baylor have the ball for 23 minutes in the second half when there are only 20 minutes in the entire half.

When you look at the game, our defense was VERY effective. Basketball is a game of runs. Of course there might be a 5 or a 10 minute stretch that the opponent does well. But the bottom line is that UK's defense was EXTREMLY effective.

You also have to consider the circumstances. Davis was playing tenatively in the second half because of the scare with his knee. perspective is VITAl when exploring statistics.

It's much like your argument that UK isn't as good in non-conference games on the road or neutral sites as they are at home. Of course they aren't. When they go on the road in non-conference UK is playing UNC or IU, or KU etc...

You must give perspective when presenting statistics. Taking out "snipits" in time is very biased.

Thanks Prof. This is exactly what I saw on the court. We clamped down and Baylor was swamped for that long stretch of the first half and the game was basically over. They played better after their coach challenged them but the damage was done. The point I was making is that UK can still throttle a team with defense. Our improvement on offense has made this level of defense unnecessary for the most part but I think they can still do it. I attribute some of this deemphasis of defensive pressure with Cal 1. wanting the team to keep fresh legs for the next game and 2. avoiding foul trouble which we all know could cost them a game in certain circumstances.