Loge Level

What sticks out most during UK’s five-game winning streak is that they’re winning games they have no business winning.

A couple months ago, we were blaming a number of things for these Cats’ failures. They lost to Gardner-Webb, UAB, Houston and San Diego. There were plenty of excuses being made for losses that could not be excused.

In no particular order: Tubby’s recruiting, injuries, Tubby’s departure, Billy Gillispie’s lineup and playing time decisions, lack of chemistry between the new coach and the old players, etc. Did I mention Tubby’s recruiting?

Now, you won’t find any excuses being made. Jodie Meeks hasn’t played in three games — hasn’t mattered. Ramel Bradley gets the flu, then a concussion, and misses most of two games — doesn’t matter. Derrick Jasper still can’t run or jump like this — doesn’t matter. Joe Crawford’s feet feel like knives are shredding his arches with every step — doesn’t matter. Ramon Harris slams to the floor with a hip pointer — doesn’t matter. Michael Porter plays a lot — doesn’t matter.

There has been some good luck, although the scales have not been balanced. Richard Hendrix, a beast and one of the best players in a depleted SEC, must have received a virus-o-gram from Bradley and couldn’t play on Saturday. Auburn has no fans (read near bottom) and even fewer players who can accurately shoot the leather. Georgia’s defense was only topped in ineptitude by Auburn.

Still, without Bradley and Meeks – and with a hobbled Crawford only able to play in short spurts because of cramps and a foot condition that makes every step burn — the Cats had no business winning on the road at Georgia or Auburn.

But the Cats are finding ways to win close games. (Aren’t they all close?) And a lot of the credit goes to players emerging. Perry Stevenson has been a force. Patrick Patterson has been dominant. Bradley and Crawford are shooting the ball as fine as I can remember any Wildcat the last five, maybe 10, seasons. When Joe shoots, it seems automatic.

You expect good things to happen, don’t fear for the worst, and there are no longer any excuses.

The two SEC games they lost — at Mississippi State (Vanardo’s a hacker) and at Florida (let’s hope UK benefits the same way with borderline calls when the Gators visit Rupp) — the excuses were at least tempered.

But, most importantly, the message has been sent that there will no longer be inexcusable losses.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 10th, 2008 at 8:46 pm and is filed under Blue Goggles, College Basketball, UK. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.