The Cats travel to South Bend, IN tomorrow night to take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. This will be Kentucky's first true road game of the season, and it will be a tough one. Kentucky leads the series against Notre Dame 42-18, winning the last meeting (Dec. 8, 2010) 72-58.
Notre Dame by the numbers:
PPG: 74
RPG: 40
APG: 19
SPG: 5
BPG: 5
TPG: 12
FG%: 49
FT%: 63
3pt%: 37
Looking at those numbers, it's clear what Kentucky needs to do. REBOUND THE BALL!!!! With the Irish averaging 40 RPG, no way Kentucky can give them easy second chance shots like they have been doing this season and expect to win the game. Every person on the floor has got to start crashing the boards, especially the big men. No way, with two 7 footers should Kentucky give up offensive rebounds at the rate they have been.
Defense. If Kentucky plays tight defense, and closes out on the Irish shooters, they could walk away with a fairly easy W. The reason I said this will be a tough game at the beginning of this post is, because so far this season Kentucky hasn't done those two things (rebound and defend) very well.
The good news for Kentucky is Ryan Harrow is back practicing with the team, and is over his "mystery illness" that caused him to lose 7 lbs. I know earlier today Calipari said "Goodwin is our point guard, he's earned it". I agree, he has earned it, but don't kid yourself if you think he wants Archie at the point over Harrow. Putting Archie at the point limits his scoring ability, and that is what Archie does best, score. Harrow will need some time to get back in the swing of things before Cal has him as his starting point guard, then you will see the REAL Archie Goodwin. I know Goodwin has been the leading or co-leading scorer in just about every game so far while running the point, but put him at the two, and he will dominate people without having to worry about running the offense.
Kentucky has been showing signs of improvement every game so far (rebounding aside), and tomorrow night we should see much of the same. At least we better hope or we could see another loss, something Kentucky fans aren't used to seeing so early in the season under Calipari. Fans have to remember this is a very, very, young team. It could take a while for them to understand what Cal wants. Once they understand it, they could hurt some people's feelings come march.
Looking at those numbers, it's clear what Kentucky needs to do. REBOUND THE BALL!!!! With the Irish averaging 40 RPG, no way Kentucky can give them easy second chance shots like they have been doing this season and expect to win the game. Every person on the floor has got to start crashing the boards, especially the big men. No way, with two 7 footers should Kentucky give up offensive rebounds at the rate they have been.
Defense. If Kentucky plays tight defense, and closes out on the Irish shooters, they could walk away with a fairly easy W. The reason I said this will be a tough game at the beginning of this post is, because so far this season Kentucky hasn't done those two things (rebound and defend) very well.
The good news for Kentucky is Ryan Harrow is back practicing with the team, and is over his "mystery illness" that caused him to lose 7 lbs. I know earlier today Calipari said "Goodwin is our point guard, he's earned it". I agree, he has earned it, but don't kid yourself if you think he wants Archie at the point over Harrow. Putting Archie at the point limits his scoring ability, and that is what Archie does best, score. Harrow will need some time to get back in the swing of things before Cal has him as his starting point guard, then you will see the REAL Archie Goodwin. I know Goodwin has been the leading or co-leading scorer in just about every game so far while running the point, but put him at the two, and he will dominate people without having to worry about running the offense.
Kentucky has been showing signs of improvement every game so far (rebounding aside), and tomorrow night we should see much of the same. At least we better hope or we could see another loss, something Kentucky fans aren't used to seeing so early in the season under Calipari. Fans have to remember this is a very, very, young team. It could take a while for them to understand what Cal wants. Once they understand it, they could hurt some people's feelings come march.
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