A Dem is in office and Florida and UK sit atop the SEC East. Order has been restored.
From what I”ve seen, Florida’s D looks a lot better this year, but their inside game seems a little inconsistent. When we clash, it will be a battle of a physical Kentucky team against an offensively skilled Florida team. Should be interesting.

By Daniel on 01.21.09 3:01 pm

An aside to this matchup, and one that is vastly underrated, is the role Kenny Kadji is going to play in both contests.

First off, I should note that the first game is at Rupp, and that almost half of the team, as freshmen, has never been there. The other half, of which many are sophomores, were there on Senior Night last year.

If KK can play some quality minutes, that would allow Alex Tyus, as compared to Dan Werner, guarding Patrick Patterson. Given that Tyus has gone through a considerable maturation while Werner has regressed, it’s the lesser of two evils.

Also, watch for Erving Walker to get a lot of minutes at point guard, while Calathes switches to SG to defend Jodie Meeks.

Last, but not least, I envision Florida running a press defense against the Wildcats due to their lack of size.

UF and UK split the series, each one winning at home.

By Vince Gagliano on 01.21.09 3:52 pm

I agree with the split notion, but if you’ve watched, the press has not hurt UK at all. They have made many turnovers, but most have come in the front court. Louisville pressed us all game without much success. I don’t think Calathes should guard Meeks. A-Meeks is too fast B-Calathes could get into foul trouble.
I don’t think Florida will have trouble scoring, the games will probably be decided on the boards and on turnovers.

By Daniel on 01.21.09 4:07 pm

Still, I like the Calathes-Meeks matchup on paper.

Meeks and Calathes both lead their teams in net possessions AND in steals. Besides, are there any better alternatives?

Walter Hodge, the typical starter, is 4 inches shorter and 40 pounds lighter. Putting Walker on Meeks is roughly the same height difference as Udonis Haslem and Yao Ming (Who has had excellent games against the Heat of late.)

Florida doesn’t have the length to do conventional half-court defenses, particularly against Patterson. They’re almost being forced into doing a lot of press in this matchup precisely BECAUSE of their size.

By Vince Gagliano on 01.21.09 5:21 pm

Meeks likes to lose his defenders and get free for shots. Unlike Crawford, he’s not much on posting up a defender. Granted, a height difference gives him a better look at the goal, but I would start with Hodges and go from there.

By Daniel on 01.21.09 6:17 pm

As a neutral observer, one thing that worries me about UK is the lack of a reliable third option in scoring.

Because the SEC is not overtly strong this year, it’s probably not going to become apparent immediately, but you’re going to see a lot of defenses late in the season try to “cheat” as far as leaving players not named Patterson or Meeks wide open in zone defenses. Even last year’s team, as much maligned as it was, had three reliable scorers.

Anyway, if I’m Donovan and I’m employing a zone, I shut down Meeks and Patterson at all costs and try to make someone like Perry Stevenson beat me.

And if I was Gillispie, I’d employ a lot of 3-2 and/or 1-3-1, and dare Alex Tyus to beat me. I’d also try to make the Gators’ perimeter shooters take a lot of contested 3s and long 2s.

By Vince Gagliano on 01.21.09 7:44 pm

Honestly, UK is a ways off. I’m more worried about the cocks tonight and the fact that including this one we have 3 out of the next 5 on the road.

When does football start again? :)

By urbanisagod on 01.21.09 8:46 pm

I am not watching any more games when Florida wears the black unis!

By GatorPilot on 01.21.09 9:03 pm

That was a painful waste of time.

By urbanisagod on 01.21.09 9:06 pm

Yeah, that was a dreadful finish. There are days when I really miss Taurean Green…

By peachy on 01.21.09 9:08 pm

Sorry, Gators. Sometimes even a Gamecock has his day, and God owed us this one after all we’ve been through lately. Good game and looking forward to the trip to Gainesville. This team has me feeling pretty good.

By gamecock man on 01.21.09 9:32 pm

You want to know what’s really bad, GP?

They’re actually selling black unis with #1 on them at the campus bookstore! I’m dead serious.

By Vince Gagliano on 01.21.09 9:32 pm

In that case, I should’ve traveled back in time to prevent you guys losing to Clemson earlier this season.

By Vince Gagliano on 01.21.09 9:49 pm

Can’t say I wouldn’t have taken that one instead of this one. Not that this doesn’t feel almost just as good, though.

By gamecock man on 01.21.09 9:52 pm

Congrats GC Man, your guys held up down the stretch. Ours choked. Good win for you.

By Gatorpilot on 01.21.09 10:13 pm

You mean to tell me that you might actually pass up a win against…Clemson?

In every way, shape, and form, they’re the Palmetto State version of FSU (Or, I should say, the FSU).

They’re like that annoying little brother that always tries to find a way to spoil the fun.

By Vince Gagliano on 01.21.09 10:18 pm

No, I meant that I would have taken the win against the Tigers; I said “Can’t say that I WOULDN’T have taken that one.”

Thanks, GP. To be honest, we did get a little lucky; I thought you guys had it. I’ll take it, though.

By gamecock man on 01.21.09 10:37 pm

Ohhh, it was:

“Can’t say that I WOULDN’T have taken that one.”

And not

“CAN’T say that I wouldn’t have taken that one.”

By Vince Gagliano on 01.22.09 10:22 am

You got me, I guess. Anyways, to clarify, I would have loved to have beaten Clemson. Would have traded this win for that one; they’re our rival and they’ve spent time in the top 10. I can say I’d take it even in the post-win euphoria I’m feeling after beating you guys.

By gamecock man on 01.22.09 11:16 am

Don’t worry about it, GC Man.

A lot of communication is nonverbal, and cannot be expressed over a blog.

I was just surprised, given that the Tigers are your premier rival and the hatred behind it.

By Vince Gagliano on 01.22.09 1:35 pm