The Big Game

[mhall]

Team Stats	Louisville	Kentucky
Shooting	23-58 (.397)	27-62 (.435)
3PT Shooting	6-26 (.231)	3-14 (.214)
Free Throws	14-22 (.636)	16-30 (.533)
Rebounds	12-36	17-44
Assists	8	8
Steals	6	3
Blocks	5	4
Turnovers	13	11
Fouls	25	19

The stat lines that I think were the real difference maker were rebounding, turnover margin, and fouls.

Kentucky won the boards and the (2) turnover margin was significant because it meant that we handled Louisville's press, didn't let them turn us over much more than we turned them over. That was big. I say that the number of fouls stat line was significant, not because it generated any more points for UK (we only had 2 more points from the line than Louisville did), but because a couple early whistles on Blackshear were troublesome for the Cards in the 1st Half. He only played 12 minutes total in the contest. To have played 20 minutes and only have 2 fouls, Behanan's only credit was 7 rebounds. His stat line is barren otherwise. She-nay-nay Stein's scoring for UK was lackluster to have played 35 minutes with only 2 points...but did swipe 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a steal. Mango had 4 blocks, to She-nay-nay Stein's 3 blocks.

Kentucky's scoring was more balanced than Louisville's, which did rest heavily on Smith and Jones. As much as I haven't been a big Harrison twins flag waver, they did account for 28 points, 3 assists, and 8 rebounds between them. I can't tell them apart anyway, so I just lump them together. lol Throw in Randle's 17 and Young's 18 and it was a bit too much for what Louisville had in the tank.

Good post. I looked at the box scores yesterday and rebounding and fouls were the two I payed most attention to. As much as I like to bust on Wynetta Blackshear I thought both those early ones were ticky tack fouls if they were even fouls at all.
It is what it is and in Rupp it went exactly as I expected.

[MrSplitshot]

I agree that the early fouls on Blackshear were ticky tack.

I did some digging yesterday and over the past 9 contests (as far back as ESPN box scores detail personal fouls online), the Cardinals have typically been called for more fouls regardless of venue. Considering their style of play on defense and the full court pressure that Rick Pitino teams are known for, I don't really find that to be a surprising statistic. His teams are always aggressive defenders that try to harass ball handlers and turn them over. There are bad calls in every game....and I don't think this year's game was any different than history.

What I do think is that college basketball needs more new blood in the pool of referees. Some of these same guys have been calling games for a long time.

---

2005 @ Rupp Arena (UL+7)
Officials:
Doug Shows, Jim Burr, Tony Greene
Personal Fouls:
UL = 26 UK = 19

---

2006 @ Freedom Hall (even)
Officials:
James Burr, John Cahill, Robert Donato
Personal Fouls:
UL = 21 UK = 21

---

2007 @ Rupp Arena (UK+6)
Officials:
Jim Burr, Mike Stuart, Doug Sirmons
Personal Fouls:
UL = 25 UK = 31

---

2008 @ Freedom Hall (UL+4)
Officials:
John Cahill, Tim Higgins, Tony Greene
Personal Fouls:
UL = 21 UK = 17

---

2009 @ Rupp Arena (UL+9)
Officials:
John Cahill, Doug Shows, Tony Greene
Personal Fouls:
UL = 30 UK = 21

---

2010 @ Yum Center (UL+3)
Officials:
Jim Burr, Mike Stuart, Michael Stephens
Personal Fouls:
UL = 18 UK = 15

---

2011 @ Rupp Arena (UL+7)
Officials:
Jamie Luckie, Michael Stephens, Tony Greene
Personal Fouls:
UL = 29 UK = 22

---

2012 @ Yum Center (even)
Officials:
John Cahill, Doug Shows, Ed Corbett
Personal Fouls:
UL = 21 UK = 21

---

2013 @ Rupp Arena (UL+6)
Officials:
Tony Greene, Doug Sirmons, Mark Whitehead
Personal Fouls:
UL = 25 UK = 19

---

[mhall]

Interesting stats and I hope I'm not sounding like I'm saying the ref's cost Louisville the game because lack of interior play was the obvious culprit. They got beat and thats that, I'll live and in a month or less I could care less. It is just another game I just hope slick Rick can figure something out for down on the blocks because they have been TOTALLY exposed.

[MrSplitshot]

Interesting stats and I hope I'm not sounding like I'm saying the ref's cost Louisville the game because lack of interior play was the obvious culprit. They got beat and thats that, I'll live and in a month or less I could care less. It is just another game I just hope slick Rick can figure something out for down on the blocks because they have been TOTALLY exposed.

No, you didn't...

I got a lot of crap yesterday though about "Corrupt Arena" and had to defend my honor. LMAO

[mhall]

No, you didn't...

I got a lot of crap yesterday though about "Corrupt Arena" and had to defend my honor. LMAO

LOL.....If Russ Smith doesn't miss those five foul shots down the stretch and miss his last five attempts than it could have went to the wire. That was BY FAR Kentucky's best defensive game this year WITHOUT question as they challenged everything and played like they had lit charcoil in their shorts. I still say Kentucky needed that game much worse than Louisville. Losing to your most hated rival in their house is not a sin and less than 10 points even gives more credibility. With no front court play Louisville will struggle against long teams and good Lord is Kentucky long, even the frickin ball boys are over 6 foot, LOL...
If Kentucky would have lost that game, Mattie Jones and about half of Lexington would have went on suicide watch. I listened to some of the Big Blue call in before the game and some of the fans were down right nasty. I think it was Tom Leach that got down right testy with the fans over being ready to bag a season with just three losses and I don't blame him.
Dude..............some of those folks that call in.....................DUDE.....LMAO

[know1]

It's looking like Behanan might be off the team as of today. Guess they kept him around long enough to see if he could help them beat UK. This is just a rumor at this point so I'm not 100% sure it's true.

[mhall]

It's looking like Behanan might be off the team as of today. Guess they kept him around long enough to see if he could help them beat UK. This is just a rumor at this point so I'm not 100% sure it's true.

Good Lord where do you people get this chit...............Matt Jones probably

I wish my wife's T-shirt would fit me....
Imagine a world without Lexington......LOL

[mhall]

YEP I just Googled it and Kentucky Sports radio is the one that said it..
Matt Jones is a useless windbag crossdressing nuthugger........
Reliable radio for sure....BAHAWAHABAHAW

[know1]

Ware is redshirting too. Not from KSR, either.

[mhall]

Ware is redshirting too. Not from KSR, either.

He should red shirt he almost broke his frickin leg into two pieces which is why he's played a whopping 55 minutes this year. He tried to come back way to soon after that injury and may never be the same.

I just wish Kentucky fans would get a life and quit wishing ill well on the Louisville program. Admit it Michael you have a Voo Doo doll in your room you push pins in to.

[mhall]

I hope he is gone, like I said earlier I can't stand him, he's a punk and a cancer on the team. I would have kicked his ass to the curb a long time ago...

[know1]

Chill out. I didn't wish anything. I just reported news I saw. The only thing that is even an issue to me is that they waited until after the big game to make these moves.

Behanan dismissal reported by ESPN a few minutes ago so I guess it was true after all... despite your rant.