Thoughts On UK's 85-80 Loss to Ole Miss

Kentucky's 85-80 loss to Mississippi on Saturday isn't the end of the world but it does raise some concerns about the way the Cats are built. First off give Andy Kennedy and the Rebels tons of credit. They devised an excellent game plan to stop Jodie Meeks. Meeks entered the game as one of the top five scorers in the country. But he was only 4-15 from the field for 21 points. Here are some things I noticed watching the game.

1. 
   Kentucky needs another perimeter scorer to relieve some of the burden on Meeks. The Rebels were daring other guys to beat them from the outside and no one could consistently hit a jumper. That second perimeter option, and third option overall is desperately needed.
   


2. Patrick Patterson's injured finger is bothering him more than he lets on. I can't count the number of times I saw Patterson mishandle a ball, or see it come off his hands an odd way. There's no doubt his severely jammed finger is affecting his game.
   


3. Coach Billy Gillispie's substitution pattern continues to baffle me. For Deandre Liggins to play 34 minutes, in a game in which he goes 3-16 from the field, is ludicrous. I understand Michael Porter was in foul trouble early but he only played six minutes. I guarantee you if Porter takes some of the 13 shots Liggins missed; he would have hit a few of them. The way the Rebels were playing defense, it seems like Porter would have been perfect in that situation. He's supposed to be one of the best shooters on the team.
   


4. 
   
   Coach Gillispie should have handled the halftime interview a little better. If you missed it Coach Gillispie basically dissed ESPN sideline reporter Jeanine Edwards. Here's a transcript of the exchange:

Edwards:Coach so far Ole Miss has doing a pretty good job keeping Jodie Meeks covered up. He's only got six points. What adjustments do you need to make for him in the second half?

Gillispie:This is Kentucky. It's not Jodie Meeks. he's a very good player. What difference does it make? Our team's ahead by two. Ole Miss is playing very good. This is not a one man team. And that's really a bad question.

Come on Coach you're better than that. True the timing of the question may have been bad. Jeanine probably should have warmed you up with another question first. But instead of trying to embarrass her on national television, take the high road and come up with a more diplomatic answer.

Like I said earlier the loss to the Rebels is not an end to the season, but if Kentucky wants to make a deep run in March they need to correct the problems Ole Miss exposed on Tuesday.

John L. Smith to Join Bobby Petrino at Arkansas

Former University of Louisville head coach John L. Smith is joining his old protégé, Bobby Petrino, at Arkansas. Smith will be named a defensive assistant coach with the Razorbacks. A formal announcement is expected Friday during Petrino's 2:30 est press conference. It's unknown which role Smith will have with the Razorbacks. Right now the Razorbacks are without a secondary coach after Lorenzo Wade departed to become defensive coordinator at South Carolina. Smith and Petrino, who was UofL head coach for four seasons, have a history with each other. Petrino was the Cards offensive coordinator in Smith’s first year at UofL. Smith was most recently head coach at Michigan State University before being fired in 2006. He spent four seasons with the Spartans and before that coached the Cards for five seasons, leading them to a bowl game each year. In 18 seasons as a head coach Smith is 132-86.

Kragthorpe Trying to Convince Thomas to Stay

Louisville football coach Steve Kragthorpe is hoping junior safety Latarrius Thomas changes his mind about transferring. In a statement given to me coach Kragthorpe says "We have attempted to contact Latarrius again to discuss his options. We haven't closed the door on his career at UofL."

Thomas is the second player this week to announce he's transferring. Earlier in the week redshirt freshman Matt Simms decided to leave the Cardinal football program. Thomas told the Courier-Journal he'd like to transfer to Eastern Michigan, where former defensive coordinator Ron English is now coach or Arkansas with former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino.

Simms To Transfer from Louisville

Redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Simms will not return to the University of Louisville. The son of Louisville native Phil Simms has decided to transfer although it's not known where at the time. here's the full press release from UofL:

University of Louisville quarterback Matt Simms has decided to transfer from the school," said head coach Steve Kragthorpe. "Matt informed me of his interest to transfer from the University of Louisville, " said Kragthorpe. "I wish Matt nothing but the best in all his future endeavors." Simms, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound redshirt freshman from New Jersey, played in just two games for the Cardinals in 2008, completing 4 of 10 passes for 39 yards and no touchdowns. He also threw an interception.

Simms transferring is no surprise. He didn't play in the Cards season finale against Rutgers even though the team was getting blown out. And he's been criticized for having a low release on his throws.