That’s what yesterday was. Don’t get me wrong, Delaware State was terrible. I’m well aware of that. However, it was just what this team needed. I want to thank Delaware State for not forcing the tempo and actually taking lots of time off the shot clock. That allowed Kentucky to avoid getting into a panic, and the result was only 12 turnovers. This team is not yet ready to push the pace of the game. There needs to be more stability at point guard before that happens. I can definitely see more stability coming with DeAndre Liggins, but it’s just not quite there yet.

When your team wins a game by 29 points, it’s difficult to find fault, so I went over to talk with my friends at Cats’ Pause, and it turns out a lot of posters on that board think that Patrick Patterson was not giving maximum effort. Most UK fans from this state aren’t big fans of the NBA because there aren’t any teams within range except the Indiana Pacers, and really, who wants to cheer for them? I enjoy the NBA, and I always have. I bring this up because I’ve seen enough NBA games to know when a player is dogging it, like the people of TCP are accusing Patterson of doing. The best example of this was Vince Carter when he wanted out of Toronto. He mailed it in every single night. He stood around on offense, jacked a bunch of threes and generally played with zero enthusiasm. That’s why he’s my least favorite professional athlete. Patterson just had a rough day against Delaware State, and if anything, I don’t think his legs are actually 100% like he claims they are. You could just tell he was playing tentatively (NOT lazily) on defense, almost like he was watching the legs of his man and worrying that his legs were going to come into contact with them. In other words, I’m not concerned and I think he’ll be okay. You should too.

Darius Miller has the basketball savvy of a fifth-year senior. He just does little things that impress you. He had a bad game against North Carolina, but freshmen will do that sometimes. Yesterday he did everything right. I don’t know when I last saw a Kentucky freshman play so smart – maybe Chuck Hayes in 2002, but before then, you probably have to go back to Antoine Walker. Miller is always getting deflections on defense. He just bugs guys when he’s guarding them. He had a nice hesitation move on a driving score in the first half and a sweet assist to Patterson when he pulled up and looked like he was going to shoot the three, but threw a bullet pass in midair instead.

In the words of Herm Edwards, “WE CAN BUILD ON THIS!” They built on the performance of the second half against Carolina. Delaware State couldn’t throw it in the ocean, but the Cats did defend them very well, both in terms of FG% defense and forcing turnovers. For those of you who are a little dismayed at the 71 points we scored, Kentucky missed its fair share of bunnies around the rim, I would say maybe 20 points’ worth. Also keep in mind the patient approach DSU utilized. It was like playing a Kevin O’Neill team. Kentucky shot well from the perimeter. Jodie Meeks looked way more under control in this one, taking his shots within the flow of the offense and making most of them. Hopefully this will be another thing from which we can build. Only way we can tell is if we have another good game tomorrow against Longwood before heading out to Vegas.

I’m Seth Stogsdill, thanks for reading.