Kentucky Scrimmage Review #2

Written by Ian | 03 November 2009

No it wasn't pretty but UK won easily over Campblesville on Monday night to the tune of 74-38.  With John Wall sitting on the sidelines, Erik Bledsoe and Darius Miller ran the point position for the Cats.  The two combined for 13 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds.

Bledsoe also made several of the most exciting plays in the game.  He made a fast break drive off the right side of the lane and floated to the rim with a little scoop shot that seemed to stun everyone watching.  He also had a ridiculous blocked shot in the second half when a Tiger player thought he had an open layup.  Erik also had several nice passes, and overall played a solid game.

Miller; however, seemed to be absent most of the game.  He made several good drives into the 10 to 12 foot area and took his pull up shots.  Unfortunately they weren't falling for Darius and he only scored four points on the night.  Miller's shooting touch has seemed absent in the first two scrimmages and he'll need to find it to contribute solidly for this year's team.

One player who didn't get lost in the shuffle Monday was Darnell Dodson.  Converting half of his 14 attempts from the field, Dodson did not appear gun shy in the second scrimmage on his way to leading the team with 19 points.  Dodson has now been the leading scorer in the first two scrimmages and seems to find a way to get the ball in the bucket.  If he can continue shooting well from the outside and taking the drive when it's given to him Darnell will contribute a lot in the scoring column this year.

The three big men had decent nights, but none really put on a spectacular show.  Demarcus Cousins missed a few buckets inside that he should have made, but played well defensively and controlled the paint while he was in.  Daniel Orton hit the boards hard just as he did in the blue/white game.  Orton finished with a team high 7 rebounds to go with his four points.

Patrick Patterson's line on the game was one of the smallest ones he has posted as a Wildcat.  Four points, five rebounds, and a block didn't offset the six turnovers Pat Pat had on Monday night.  UK fans, don't panic.  Patterson didn't see more than a play or two in the post with his back to the basket.  He was ranging on the perimeter all night in the dribble drive against Camblesville.  When UNC and conference play shows up Patterson will definitely be seeing more scoring opportunities in the paint.

The surprise of the night has to be Perry Stevenson.  Coming into the game late for mop-up duty, Perry did his best Ramael Bradley impression by dropping 11 points during scrub time.  Perry knocked down a three, but we've seen him do that before.  What was most surprising was that Perry attacked the basket like a man possessed off the dribble.  I think that will be a point of emphasis for Cal leading into the next game.  He'll be able to point to Perry and say if a 6'10" guy can go past his man to the basket, why weren't my guards and wings doing it all night?

Overall a good showing by Kentucky.  The first half defensive intensity against an overwhelmed opponent was stellar.  While the second half was ugly, it can be a learning experience for the team.  The Cats play Clarion (motels?) on Friday.  Expect them to continue to work on the things they need to get better at and tune in to watch John Wall sit in street clothes (again).