Playoffs? Playoffs?!? (in my best Jim Mora impression)
While the Dolphins and Ravens tangle and the Eagles and Vikings tussle, there are some great college hoops games you might want to TiVo
It doesn't get much fiercer and more intense than the annual meeting between Kentucky and Louisville for Commonwealth supremacy (4:30PM - CBS). The recent matches have seen the teams on different ends of the expectation spectrum, and on the surface this year would seem to be the same (Louisville preseason Top 5, UK unranked), but in truth, this a much more even matched contest that some Card fans would like to admit.
The Cards strength has been their frontcourt. The Cats offer up sophomore stud Patrick Patterson. The Cards have athletic wing players. How about Jodie Meeks? It would be hard to make an All-American list without including him somewhere. The Cards have been plauged by poor point guard play. Trust me, Wildcat fans can empathize.
So tomorrow's contest comes down to one simple variable. Both teams are going to "want it" and "fight for it" and every other cliche' broadcasters like to use. Each teams strengths and weaknesses are similar (with the Cards getting a slight edge for depth and coaching). The variable will be a simple one.
Who hits shots.
The Cats are going to need more than Meeks and Patterson to contribute offensvily. SO which Deandre Liggins shows up tomorrow? The 6'6'' Chicago wunderkind who gives them the athleticism and creativity the Cats so desperatly need? Or the eratic, poor decision maker that has shown up far too often in 2008? If Liggins can give the Cats a legitimate third option offensivly, don't be surprised if the Cats pull the upset.
For the Cards the question is can Edgar Sosa and their point guard platoon handle Kentucky's pressure and initiate the offense for their scorers? The Cards are so so good on paper. Unfortunatly the games have all been played on the court this season. Great interior and wing players can only flourish if their lead guard can initiate the offense and control tempo.
Maniac's Pick: It is going to be a great game. Probably the best, most even matchup in the past five years of this rivavly. I like the momentum Kentucky has been building and the emergence of Jodie Meeks as one of the collegiate game's true superstars. Lousiville looks better in warmups, but the Cats make it click after the whistle.
Kentucky 69 Louisville 64
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