The Trial

Medcalf: Kentucky is the clear title favorite - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN

The Vandy game answered a few questions. What happens when Jones is off his game and pouting? How will Davis handle a physical big man in the post? What happens when someone throws a pesky zone, in this case a 2-3, at them?

There is no doubt that Kentucky is a head above the competition when Jones is on but during the first part of the game last night he was not. Coach Cal saw that and tore him a new one while sitting him on the bench for a while. Kentucky persevered. When Jones came back in he was hungry and out for blood.

Elezi is a better big man that many give him credit for. He bodied up on Davis and shoved him out of position but Davis compensated through agility and skill. The around, under and up move to score was a thing of beauty.

The zone was a harbinger of things to come. The competition is going to force Kentucky to hit the long ball. This is why Coach Cal put Miller back in with 4 fouls and it payed off. If you can't hit the long shot then it enables the opponent to pack the zone into the paint an deny the big men the ball. Kentucky struggled with it but adjusted and finally took control of the game again after allowing Vandy to come back from 11 down.

Teague made 2 passes that were exhilarating. The first was a bounce pass between 2 defenders to Davis who was breaking for the basket. It was perfect. The other everyone saw was with him going down. Rather than losing the ball or traveling he got the ball to Jones for the score. Teague is becoming a monster at the 1 spot with his ability to direct the team.

Width the other strengths of Kidd-Gilchrist, Lamb and Miller the Cats should go deep this year. They have great poise. The difficulties will be sure to come but they seem to have what it takes to survive.