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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-11-2014, 11:40 AM:

He came in and gave the Cats a lift over a very mediocre Columbia team.

Derek Willis isn’t a professional basketball player, but has developed the mentality of one on the Kentucky bench.

“The bigs in the NBA don’t play (a lot),” he said. “Guys are working out until an hour before the game and putting in an hour after the game as well. You just have to have the mentality (to be ready) when your opportunity comes up. You just take advantage (of it) and have to be ready.”

Willis played a key role in Kentucky’s ability to fend off Columbia with two free throws that gave the Wildcats their first lead – a 36-34 advantage — with 13:18 remaining. Willis, who finished with five points in nine minutes of action, also nailed a 3-pointer later that helped Kentucky pull away down the stretch to defeat the Lions, 56-46.

“Derek was really good today,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “I mean (he was) defensively active, played with confidence. There’s just a couple things that he’s got to do in the zone to post the ball, but I thought Derek was outstanding.”

Willis played on the second platoon in the absence of Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis, both of whom missed the contest because of illness and injury.

“I’m just trying to take advantage of my opportunity,” Willis said. “I just had to step up.”

He added his teammates also were happy he made a contribution to the victory.

“We are happy for each other and happy for everyone when they succeed,” he said. “They were happy for me.”

Link

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-11-2014, 07:13 PM:

Plus he's from the 8th region which is the region my High school alma mater plays in, (Not that my high school has ever played in the state tourney) Now they are in the same district with the Oldham County schools so they are lucky to make it out of the District Tourney much less win the regional.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-11-2014, 07:16 PM:

I lived in Oldham county for many years.

[ 12-11-2014, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: catmandoo ]

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-11-2014, 07:52 PM:

I worked in Oldham County in the late 80's. LaGrange, to be exact!

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 12-11-2014, 10:12 PM:

A guard??

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-12-2014, 06:26 AM:

No, NO. At the Kroger store. I've never stepped foot into the reformitory before.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-12-2014, 06:23 PM:

Willis should get some good minutes now that Poy is gone. Hopefully he can make good use of those minutes and help the Cats bring home a title.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-12-2014, 07:31 PM:

Coach was impressed with his response when coming into the game on Wednesday night!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-12-2014, 08:40 PM:

North Carolina would be a good game to show his talents.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-12-2014, 08:46 PM:

I like his confidence and his willingness to shoot when the shot is there.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-12-2014, 08:57 PM:

It will be interesting to see how Willis fits in and how many minutes Cal will play him.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-12-2014, 09:00 PM:

A lot of that depends on how the other boys are playing at the time. Just like the TExas game when Willie was playing so well that Marcus Lee never saw the floor again that evening!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 10:13 AM:

We are going to find out real soon and can't wait to see the Cats in action.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-13-2014, 10:44 AM:

This very well could be one of those nail biters.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 10:47 AM:

Think about it, we have far more talent, we are playing in Rupp and we have better coaching. We will win and big.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-13-2014, 10:50 AM:

I'm one of those Cautiously optimistic type people. I never talk trash, because Crow doesn't taste so good!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:10 AM:

Your a good man MH.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-13-2014, 11:18 AM:

I always say, even when I pay Ping-Pong at the end of the day at work, let the game do the talking and the trash do the walking!
We have a 15 minute clean up time at the end of the day. Sometimes a little Ping-Pong gets played!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:23 AM:

Good for you MH I bet you can play some mean ping pong.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-13-2014, 11:24 AM:

I have more of a defensive game, than an attack game. I play for my opponent to make the mistake.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:29 AM:

Defense wins games.

Posted by Green-Bean (Member # 13551) on 12-13-2014, 11:32 AM:

CMD DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS, OFFENSE WINS GAMES AND PUTS FANNIES IN THE SEATS. THIS GAME WILL BE WON IN THE LAST 3 MINUTES IMO.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:34 AM:

Keep the faith G-B we have way to much talent not to win and probably big. We are playing at home in front of 23000 fans and have a good coach.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:36 AM:

Do you really think it will take us till the last 3 minutes to beat North Carolina?

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-13-2014, 11:37 AM:

It'll BE A NAIL BITER IF IT GOES DOWN TO THE LAST 3 MINUTES, GB

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:40 AM:

We are better or sure should be with talent and depth this team has.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:40 AM:

You can't forget where the game is being played too.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:44 AM:

We have won 519 wins and 64 losses in Rupp

[ 12-13-2014, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: catmandoo ]

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:47 AM:

We have lost 2 games in Rupp since 1-15 2013.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-13-2014, 11:55 AM:

This has been a tight series throughout. But UNC leads the overall 23-13

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:58 AM:

Dean Smith killed us with a record of 13-3 against us.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:59 AM:

You have to give Smith his due he was a heck of a coach

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 03:58 PM:

Its 23-14 after the game today but due to my age I doubt I will see the day we have a winning record against North Carolina.

Posted by boomdaddy (Member # 2644) on 12-13-2014, 04:11 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by catmandoo:
Its 23-14 after the game today but due to my age I doubt I will see the day we have a winning record against North Carolina.

Wow! Negative vibes are not good. Don't pass that around to too many people. Wouldn't want an epidemic to start.

Posted by ALA_KAT2 (Member # 1559) on 12-13-2014, 05:55 PM:

Well, Willis' play on Wednesday sure didn't get him any playing time on Saturday, did it? I'm disappointed that Coach Cal still does not want to play Willis. Cal probably thought NC's bigs were too physical for Derek, but I felt that he should have gotten a couple minutes here and there anyway.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-13-2014, 08:50 PM:

I try not to question coaches decisions. HE earns the money to make the call!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 08:53 PM:

That's a good way to look at it.

[ 12-13-2014, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: catmandoo ]

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-13-2014, 08:58 PM:

I figured in the high profile games the high profile players end up getting the minutes!
I love Willis and think if he waits his turn he play an important role before it's all said and done!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-13-2014, 11:35 PM:

While Willis is waiting for his turn he has learned a lot playing with so many gifted athletes. The problem he has is Cal recruits the very best and when this crew leaves he will bring in another Mickey D crew. Hopefully Willis will get his start but with Cal's recruiting it's not a sure thing by any means.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-14-2014, 06:24 AM:

This is all true. Wiltjer could see the hand writing on the wall and decided to pack his bags for home!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-14-2014, 10:48 AM:

Wiltjer made the right decision for himself and it is paying off. Last night against UCLA he was by far the best player on the floor and was the main reason why Gonzaga beat UCLA handily. He scored 24 points on 9-14 shooting and 3-5 from the 3 point line. He is the leading scorer for the Zags and averages 17.1 points 5.4 rebounds and shoots 54% from the field in 26 minutes of play.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-14-2014, 02:05 PM:

I agree, Kyle is getter suited for the west coast brand of basketball!

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-14-2014, 05:39 PM:

When you are the top dog that helped beat UCLA at their place you know you can play some basketball. I know we sure could use his outside shoot.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-14-2014, 05:59 PM:

I'd say if we were playing at their place it might be a 15 point game. Playing in Chicago we should win by 20+

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-15-2014, 08:14 PM:

I think this full week of practice will get us ready to play a strong game and your 20 plus prediction sounds plausible.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-15-2014, 08:24 PM:

Camp Cal will be taking place between Now and Dec. 27th!
practice 2, 3, 4 times a day. Nothing but eat sleep and basketball!

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 12-15-2014, 08:40 PM:

I don't believe it will be a full week of practice. This is finals week. Now if it were at UNC, it wouldn't make any difference! [Big Grin]

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-15-2014, 08:58 PM:

I doubt North Carolina know what a class room looks like.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 12-15-2014, 09:54 PM:

Now guys that was days gone by. They'd be fools to not be attending at least until this all blows over.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 12-16-2014, 09:50 AM:

I bet it will be a short recess.