The House of Blue

Agree 100% with the toughness and rebounding, both of which just so happen to go hand in hand. Poythress definitely did not show up like he is capable of. However, as far as Polson goes I still don't think he should be in the third string position, and yes that is something I have been saying all along not just after the way he played last night. I just think, depending on how cal wants goodwin to play, then Polson should not be any less than the second string. If Harrow is still gonna be the starting PG then Polson IMO should be the second string PG and nothing less. The kid is pretty tough, he has really got a good game, he consistently plays hard, and one of the most important things for me is he has really really proved he wants to be there and play. What I mean by that is he wanted to be at UK so badly that he was willing to walk on with no guarantee of scholarship and that kind of love and desire for a team can't be learned. HE'S GOT HEART.

I agree with the Polson stuff. Let's be honest all these highly tauted 5*'s are here for one reason. Cal and the NBA after one year. They can say what they want about loving UK, the campus, the fans, they're staying more than one year etc. It's all crap. They're only here cause they can't go to the NBA immediately after high school and UK is the best place to be for a year while they wait for NBA money. That's fine. But Polson wants to be at UK and only UK. He plays hard and hustles because he has to. It's the only way he can play. So if he out hustles and outplays these 5*'s he should play. Just that simple.

Its the first game of the season get used to the ups and downs we have zero returning scoring from last year and just beat a tough maryland team the rebounding will come with reps.

KY played like it was their 1st game, oh yeah it was their first game I forgot. I agree on certain points like Goodwin really does have to learn to play under control but Cal never told him to drive no matter what thats on Goodwin, but he will learn. I knew we would have trouble with Len. I watched the kid play last year in a few games and he really is talented and will get even better as the year goes along. I guarantee you that Cal stresses rebounding everyday in practice and will have to sress it a little more forcefully in the future. Polson no doubt was the Mvp and should get future quality minutes as long as he continues the kind of play he exhibited last night. This team will play a Duke team on Tuesday and I am worried which UK team will show up 1st half KY or 2nd half KY.

This team will be fine. The talent is there. The chemistry isn't bad for only playing 3 games against other teams. Cal has his work cut out for him on fundamentals, specifically blocking out, and playing hard all the time. Those things are easily taught. Well, playing hard all the time might not be as easy, but guys will get the point when they spend significant time on the bench.

Overall, I'm pleased how the first game went for this group on the big stage. They showed they could stretch a lead, then took an uppercut to the mouth and held off a pretty good team.

I'm excited to see what they can do against Duke's starting 8.

Cal will be able to teach from this one game all season. Too bad some of the fans can't learn this simple lesson.

Nothing new here ... we've seen all of the issues you mention before with various players at UK under Cal. I think it's pretty indisputable that Cal has been able to work through those issues with pretty good results so far.

I expect nothing less this year and am not worried about the season.

It's the first game of the season & clowns are yelling that the team has to get tougher, Cal has to settle on a point guard, etc etc etc. Good God people, most teams open up against awful teams, UK played a very physical Maryland team who kicked their butt on the boards. UK played well defensively & that will get better as well. Calm the hell down & let these kids grow.

BTW, I don't support Archie driving all the time. But he is so good that most of the drives ended in scores or being fouled. If he polishes his drives a bit more, he could turn into another Westbrook.

I understand all that Carl, but it just seemed that you were over critical after the first game. Their rebounding was horrendous, but I think that's a technique problem that is fixable. They were just walking to the rim and in turn was getting pushed under the rim. You won't get a rebound like that. I was not trying to ride you, I just thought you were over critical of them

I totally agree I was over critical lol It's part of the fun. Not that I think anything I said was wrong. It's just that it's only the first game of a very young team so you have to take my critique with a grain of salt. I do. Now if they're playing like this in mid December you'll really see a rant. But there's a 100% chance they'll have improved exponentially by mid December.

I will say the only thing that is really concerning me at this point is Harrow. I would bet 100% of everyone and everything I mentioned will improve. I'm not sure about Harrow. He was part of the team last year. He ran the offense in practices against the main squad. The only thing he didn't do for UK last year was play in the games. And he has a year experience at NC State. He's looking over at Cal every play. He should be further along than he is. It's far from panic time with him. I don't think it's over the top to be concerned about the Harrow situation even this early.

Carl has a right to express what he thinks and feels and put it in a post if he wants to. If you arent interested in replying to a particular post by all means excercise your right to not comment on it. I dont always agree with Carl on things but he sure has a right to express them. Man I sound like a ACLU lawyer dont I, but thats the way I feel.