(Just Past) Mideseason Grade Report

The Cats are sitting pretty at 20-1. Although according to Coach Cal they are probably 12-9 right now. Big Blue Nation doesn't really care though because the record shows true at 20-1 and we all know there are always games you "should have" lost on the schedule. The reality is we won those and now are looking like a #1 seed is coming our way in 6 weeks. As we move closer to Selection Sunday, I think it is time to review our starting lineup and first few off the bench and get one man's take on their performance to this point in the season:

• John Wall: PG. The season started on a high. Game winning shot in his college debut, absolutely owning the big name out-of-conference opponents. I don't care what records are to this point, big wins over over rivals Indiana and Louisville account for more than the RPI will show. Also wins over UCONN and UNC where Wall was the story account for a lot. The past 2 weeks have been interesting though. It was plain to see before Alan Cutler ask the question the other day that Wall has hit, well, a wall so to speak. I will take up for him here and say it is no big deal. Everyone goes through dry spells and John Wall is no exception to this rule. College courses on top on not being able to take a dump without every media outlet in the country wanting to report on it has to take its toll on a person. The good thing is, he has been in a slump so to speak and we are still 20-1. I look for Wall to get his swagger back very soon and return to Superman status. I think it might actually be good if he gets his second wind heading into March. Grade: A
• Eric Bledsoe: SG. A pleasant surprise. I think we all knew Bledsoe was good, but in many ways he has outperformed even Big Blue Nation expectations and provided big games in time of need. Solid performances on top of playing beside Wall and Cousins has garnered attention not only from KY fans, but NBA scouts as well. I don't think any of us really believed we would be talking about Bledsoe possibly leaving after his freshmen campaign as well. Bledsoe has looked like a lottery pick at times, but like a sloppy freshman at times as well. We need a solid 10-12 points from him every game along with consistently hitting the three when we need one. Grade: B+
• Darius Miller: SF. We want big things for Miller. For one, his is a homegrown talent and it is always good to homeboys do well. Secondly, we need this position to be consistent to bring home the banner in April. Miller has been hot from 3 point land many times and cold as ice others. His overall game has improved from last year, but I still see some timid play in games where we absolutely cannot have it. The good news is he is a sophomore and will be a solid 4 year player. Experience is great and it will pay dividends for him in the long run. For now though, we just need him to be better. Grade: B-
• Patrick Patterson: PF. What can be said about Black Kool-Aid that hasn't been said. He has stuck with Big Blue through the hard times and it looks like his loyalty will pay off this year with a deep run in March. Regardless of what media says, Patterson is the leader of this team. Behind the scene his leadership has helped these freshmen turn into what they are. Like Wall, Patterson started strong. Everything we expected was being given to us. Owning the boards, shutting down opponents, getting garbage points that no one else wanted. You name, he was doing it while getting no cred for it on the news source. As a junior and chosen team leader it has had to be difficult for him to hear nothing but news about the freshmen. The good thing is you would never know it from seeing him play or hearing him talk. The ability to take all this hype and be humble, alongside taking 18 hours of college classes to graduate in three years while leading UK to a 20-1 record accounts for a lot. With PPatt goes this team. How far we go in march will lie on the shoulders of the big man from Huntington. If we expect to see a Final 4 appearance, we need this man to take it on himself to propel us there. Grade A+
• DeMarcus Cousins: C. Boogie is straight getting it done. His ratio of points per minutes played is sick. If this guy could put in 35 minutes a game I am not sure he would not average 30 points/20 rebounds a game. Like Bledsoe, I think Cousins has been better than expected. We knew he was good, but he has progressed into a machine that cannot be stopped by another big man in the country. I like the way he has taken offense over. When we need that basket inside, Boogie will get it or get to the line 99% of the time. The one issue to work on is, wait for it, attitude. I understand the game gets in your head. His desire to win is exactly where it needs to be. However, the way he responds at times is still a work in progress. The word is out on getting into his head before and during games and it is only going to get worse as the season goes on. Boogie needs to find a way to filter that anger into more production. I want to see a broken backboard on a monster dunk before this year over. If Cousins ever figures out how to put it all together, the Nets might reconsider that #1 draft pick in June. Grade: A-
• Darnell Dodson: SF/SG. As good as expected. When he is on, lights out for the other team. He can make it rain if it is falling for him that day. Defense is suspect at times and there are lapses of time where he appears to be in Community College still. However, solid point production for most of the year that we need to continue. Grade: B-
• Daniel Orton: C. If there is a better backup freshman center in America I would like to see him. Orton is going to be huge for the Cats. note the words "going to be" in the last sentence. With Patterson/Cousins there just is not a lot of minutes available yet. I see Orton being a 3 year player for sure and possibly that rare 4 year guy. If he stays 4 years, I look for Big Blue nation to have a love for Orton like that of Chuck Hayes. The sky is the limit for Orton, but he loves to foul like I love to see Tiger Woods lose a major. One more prediction for Orton is that is he plays 4 years I think the shot All-Time SEC shot blocking record will move from Starkville, MS to Lexington, KY. Grade: B
• DeAndre Liggins: PG/SG/SF. Liggins does it all, the problem is how long will he do it. The doghouse was decorated for him for the first half of the season and I don't think we will ever know for sure why. Once he was back playing, his effort has been a surprise. I really looked for him to transfer with the trouble he seemed to be in but he has taken Coach Cal's advice and really worked hard and it is paying off for him now. He might have more upside potential than anyone on the team but he needs to keep listening to the coaching staff and work on improving his overall game. His ability to knock down the three this year has been a pleasant surprise. Grade: C+ (due to the trouble he has been in)

So, there it is. I will say I am surprised that we are sitting at 20-1. With the inexperience I really thought there would be a few more losses on the schedule to this point. I look for a good run in March from this team. If they ever figure out how to put together a full 40 minute game, I really don't think there is a team out there that can beat the Cats this year. I see potential roadblocks to an NCAA Championship being Syracuse, Kansas, Michigan State, and maybe Texas. Darkhorse problem teams include Kansas State, West Virginia, Georgetown. If these guys continue to grown and improve over the next 4 weeks, I do see a trip to Indianapolis in the near future. Go Cats!