Ugliness. In a word, ugliness can describe the scene a year ago in Nashville.
It was in Nashville, that the Kentucky Wildcats suffered the most embarrassing, lopsided loss in the Billy Gillespie era losing to the Commodores by 41 points.
Kentucky scored only 11 in the first half and at the final gun the score- 93-52. This year however, the teams and situation is different.
The Cats head to Nashville with a little confidence, swagger, and mindset that they have turned this season around.
The turnaround began last week with a last second three point shot by Jodie Meeks to knock off the Gators and then Saturday, Kentucky dominated the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. Meeks, again was unstoppable scoring 45 points.
With the Cats hitting stride again, they travel to Nashville. The opponent—Vanderbilt, has struggled immensely this season. Losing shooter Shan Foster has proved to be a huge loss for the ‘Dores, as they appear to be headed to a tournament-less season for the first time in 3 years.
The struggling Dore team is led by sophomore big man A.J Ogilvy.
Ogilvy was injured when the Cats last met in January, but should be a key to victory for either team.
According to Billy Gillespie yesterday, the coach was less than optimistic about his big man Patrick Patterson, who injured his foot one week ago and sidelined him in Arkansas.
“He did not seem to be where I wanted him to be”, said Gillespie.
Without Patterson in the line up, the Cats will be overmatched downlow. Without Patterson’s presence, the Cats loss rebound power, blocked shot capabilities, and the second scorer.
As Jay Bilas pointed out, “You look at Kentucky’s numbers and their third option has shot less than half the times of Kentucky’s second leading scorer.”
Meaning, that Kentucky is going to be in trouble today, if Jodie Meeks can be stopped and Patterson out, the supporting cast is less than sufficient.
It will be key, for Kentucky to get Jodie Meeks going early. The long shots will be key due to Kentucky being overmatched below the basket.
Kentucky takes on Vanderbilt at 9 pm on ESPN
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