College basketball 2009-10 running thread No. 1

What doesn't get noticed with those Aldrich numbers is how he starts the fast break after the rebound. He's quick to find someone for an outlet pass to get the Jayhawks running, and they're not always safe passes. He's spotted guys across midcourt and delivered strikes that lead to easy baskets. He doesn't get the assist on plays like that, but he's a huge part in KU scoring quickly in transition.

Watching last night's game, I didn't necessarily see that in Cousins' game.

 

Fair enough. Cousins isn't a "hustle all the time" guy.

 

From what one of the local TV guys is saying, Cousins *is* however a punch-a-fan-who-came-on-the-court kinda guy.

 

I heard there was a tussle on the way to the locker room at halftime, but I had heard it was more of a posturing/gesturing kind of thing. I hadn't heard anything about postgame.

But he is a bit insane.

 

Which only makes you even more hot and bothered

 

If you just watched last night, you wouldn't see that, because South Carolina did all it could to keep Kentucky off the break. But if there's one part of Cousins' game that doesn't get talked about enough, it's his passing. He doesn't pass much once he gets the ball in the post, but then again, he doesn't have to. When he does, it usually sets up an open look outside. And of Kentucky's big men, he's the best at getting a rebound and turning to get it up the court. And he's damn good at it too.

Wall gets all the hype for Kentucky, but over the last three weeks, Cousins has been far and away the best player on the team. And if he could stay on the court and out of foul trouble, he's probably the most effective guy in the nation. He's strong on defense, he's a monster on offense, and he gets every rebound that comes anywhere near him.

Kentucky has two major problems right now:

1) The two most talented guys on the team -- Wall and Patterson -- aren't asserting themselves on the offensive side of the ball. Wall could have easily had 30 points last night, but he was content with shooting the jump shot instead of going to the rim, even though there might not be a guard in college basketball that can stay in front of him. Patterson had five points and didn't attempt a shot in the second half. That can't happen if they're going to play to their potential.

2) Kentucky isn't getting any consistency at the three-spot. Darius Miller has the raw talent to start for every team in college basketball, but he doesn't use it. He, like Wall and Patterson, isn't assertive. Darnell Dodson is a one-trick pony who has struggled from the outside. Ramon Harris and DeAndre Liggins are both defensive-minded guys who don't bring a lot to the table on offense.

Kentucky, honestly, might need to be more selfish if its going to reach its potential. Wall, Patterson, Cousins, Miller and Bledsoe (the starting five) are all talented enough to score on anybody. But with the exception of Cousins, nobody wants to step up and take over the game. Wall won't do it until he absolutely has to. Patterson won't do it. Miller sure as hell won't do it. And Bledsoe likes to defer to Wall. Last night, after a lay-in and foul, Cousins turned to the guards and told them to "Get me the damn ball." Kentucky needs more of that from Patterson and Wall. There are times to be unselfish, and there are times when your stars have to be stars. They haven't figured that out yet. If they do, watch out.

 

Temple, Connecticut and Tennessee all on the hook for upsets right now. 'Nova the only top 25 favorite taking care of business right now.

 

Not sure how much of an upset Temple's loss is. Sure, Temple is ranked, but Charlotte's a fine team playing at home. I'm actually not surprised at all the Owls lost that one.

 

Just flipped over from Serena's Aussie semi win to catch the last 3 mins of BYU at Lobos as shown on "The Mountain" network.
The Pit was rocking as UNM held off the visitors and snapped the Cougs' 15-game win streak.
Steve Alford's got a 19-3 squad while BYU is 20-2
Great game and great to see the 1970s dramatic atmosphere back in Albuquerque.

 

A year after winning the SEC, LSU held to 38 points in a 19-point loss to a mediocre Alabama team in Tuscaloosa.

Where's Batman to blame the referees when you need him?

 

Tennessee isn't a top 25 team anymore. They played well for a week or so after losing Tyler Smith, but riding that "togetherness" emotion can only last so long. Tyler Smith was far and away the best player on that team, and the Vols are a borderline NCAA Tournament team without him. They still have some talent, but not enough to contend in that league, especially with Kentucky and Vanderbilt playing the way they are. Tennessee without Smith might only be the fourth best team in that division.

 

Not shocked at all that BYU lost in the Pit. The top part of the Mountain West is really good -- BYU, UNM, UNLV. And as a whole that league -- this year at least -- is better than the Pac-10. Let's see if people overreact and drop BYU like 10 spots in the rankings.

Good call on the Vols, Crash. And let's give a little respect to Vandy, who has been playing great basketball of late. Looking forward to watching the 'Dores and the John Walls on Saturday.