Stanford (3-2) at (3) Kentucky (5-0)

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  • Game info: 9:30 pm EST Wed Nov 25, 2009
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In the first month of his career, Kentucky freshman John Wall is already putting up intimidating numbers.

Wall and the No. 5 Wildcats take on Stanford in the Cancun Challenge final on Wednesday.

This is the first meeting between Kentucky (5-0) and Stanford (3-2) since the Wildcats beat the Cardinal 86-85 in overtime in the 1998 Final Four, setting the stage for Kentucky’s last NCAA championship. The Wildcats also won the only other meeting between the schools by the slimmest of margins - 78-77 in Lexington during the 1973-74 season.

One of the nation’s top recruits, Wall has so far lived up to his billing. He’s averaging 19 points through his first four games, and finished with 15 in Kentucky’s 73-49 victory over Cleveland State on Tuesday.

“Our team started making shots and our big men were running, so that opened lanes for me,” said Wall, who attempted a season-low five field goals but made 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. “Every time they collapsed when I penetrated, I was kicking out to shooters and they were making shots. It was being more patient and finding the open people.”

DeMarcus Cousins was the only other Kentucky player to finish in double figures with 14 points and seven rebounds. The Wildcats had averaged 97.0 points in their previous two games, wins over Sam Houston State and Rider.

Kentucky had its biggest rebounding advantage of the season, outrebounding the Vikings 44-24 despite a subpar game from Patrick Patterson. The junior forward came in averaging a team-high 12.3 boards, but finished with only five.

“When teams watch film they think we’re soft and try to push us around,” Wall said. “We got tired of it and started to push back and the game got really physical. They can think that if they want to, but I’m not going to be soft.”

Kentucky is looking to open the season with six straight wins for the first time since 2003-04, when the Wildcats won their first seven games en route to a 27-victory season.

Stanford advanced to face Kentucky in the final following a 57-52 win over Virginia on Tuesday.

Jeremy Green hit a key 3-pointer and Landry Fields made two free throws with 11 seconds remaining to seal the win. The Cardinal shot 38.9 percent overall, but were 8 of 16 from 3-point range. Fields finished with a game-high 25 points to increase his team-leading average to 23.0. The senior swingman also had 13 rebounds and three steals.

Green added 10 points as the only other Stanford player in double figures. The sophomore guard, who had totaled 41 points in his previous two games, is averaging 13.8 through the season’s first five games.

The Cardinal are seeking their first three-game winning streak since opening 2008-09 with 10 straight wins. They’ve lost their last three games against top-10 opponents since a 67-65 overtime win over then-No. 9 Washington State on Feb. 2, 2008.

Updated Nov 25, 10:17 am EST
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Team Comparison

Team Record Conf Standings PF PA FG% 3 Pt% FT% Streak
Stanford 10-13 4-7 10th, PAC10 70.9 70.9 43.2 35.6 67.5 Lost 4
Kentucky 23-1 8-1 1st, SEC East 81.6 65.5 48.8 37.8 68.2 Won 4

93 Comments

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    bildthril Mon Nov 30, 2009 06:00 am PST Report Abuse
    Henry - What in the world are you talking about? Burned by your fire? Just what medication did you run out of? Whatever it is; please get it refilled. You wouldn't know decency if it bit you on the butt. Give better than you get? Your deluded little world is so sad.

    Go back to the nursery and get a little rest. You need it. Your commentary of UK's state of affairs is shallow and shortsighted.

    Your lack of confidence in our young men would be embarassing if you were really a Wildcat fan and not a poser.
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    HENRY Sun Nov 29, 2009 07:20 pm PST Report Abuse
    The nerves are fine. Just goes to show you that when you play with my fire and I will burn you. BE DECENT AND YOU WILL GET DECENT. Be an a$$hole and you will get it stuffed till it hurts! Get my point!

    I am not the least bit angry David. Not my department. I only give better than I will ever get. Proof is in print wouldn't you say?

    David, you do at least show some insight as to why KY is not an elite team. Maybe in 2-4 years but not this year nor next year. And as a KY fan, I will be around to see the glory days of championships come to the Cats once again. But as of today, without dillusions as if a drug addict, I know it won't be this year's players. (Notice I did not say team)
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    bildthril Sun Nov 29, 2009 03:33 pm PST Report Abuse
    Henry - It is obvious that your hypocrisy has traveled full circle. You complain about bullying and insults and yet that is all you have done since you have been posting on the UK blogs. So please grow up. I seemed to have touched an open nerve. Thanks for confirming that. I stand by my previous post.

    Oh,by the way, I didn't need a dictionary you irrelevant piece of human detritus.
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    David Sun Nov 29, 2009 12:39 pm PST Report Abuse
    Geeez! This all sounds like an Anger Management festival. Let's try to cut through all the crap and look at some basic and non-insulting facts:

    1: Kentucky has a very good group of youngsters playing on their team, many of which will soon reach NBA stardom.
    2: Calipari is a very good coach, with an excellent history of recruiting 1-and-dones
    3: Kentucky will undoubtedly have a good seed in the tournament when March comes

    Now for the flip side:
    1: Many of UK's victories have been lack-luster against teams whose players mostly have reaslitics expectation of having a picture in their office several years from now of a mid-major conference championship they were part of.
    2: UK has yet to play a quality team this year
    3: Talk is cheap, and actions speak volumes in sports
    4: There is a price to pay for targeting 1-and-dones for your team, called NCAA scholarship sanctions when your school doesn't graduate enough of its athletes

    Calipari has proven he can recruit 5 star talent and beat good teams, but struggles against great teams (the same can be said of almost any coach). Unfortunately, while I have no proof I feel he is going to bring a period of probation to UK in years to come (I said the same thing about Kelving Sampson at Indiana more than 2 years ago). I don't wish UK any ill-will, but the possibility exists.

    UK fans, do yourself and your school a favor by stop spouting rabid dog jargon that cannot be backed up on the court. Let your young players prove how good they are, or learn from their mistakes at the hands of more experienced, closer-knit teams as the situation deserves. Above all, stop predicting a National championship this early in the season before someone feeds you your own soiled shorts to eat for dinner. There are a dozen teams out there who at this point can contend for a championship, and while Kentucky is certainly talented I don't think there is a measurable difference between them and any other top 10 team. Save your breath and avoid carpel tunnel syndrome with all the meaningless posts about soemone else's mother.

    Non-UKers, let them be. if and when UK loses a few games, reality will rear it's ugly head.
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    cledus Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:23 am PST Report Abuse
    Henry, please teach me how to talk out of both sides of my mouth like you. My real name isn't Cledus idiot, but I do introduce myself as Cledus. I'll be your Huckleberry, oh you're so tough Henry. And if we are overrated like you think, we as fans are the wrong people to take it up with moron, this is not the complaint line. Call the NCAA and file your complaint with them. $2.00 an hour, well you're a liar or you're just dumb as Hell, I'll let you decide on which one you want to be in that matter. 6-0 GO BIG BLUE
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    HENRY Sun Nov 29, 2009 09:27 am PST Report Abuse
    And CLETUS, I haven't forgotten about you. You earning $2.00 and hour isn't enough for anyone. Maybe you should switch jobs. Perhaps you are also the brother of bildthril.

    CLETUS, really CLETUS!!??!!?? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
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    HENRY Sun Nov 29, 2009 09:16 am PST Report Abuse
    How many times did you have to go to the dictionary to spell those big college words BIDTHRIL?

    It's people like you who try to bully your insulting way around. Even on here. Doesn't work with me D#CK BREATH. In other words, I'll be your huckleberry. You look ridiculous no matter how hard you try. Just like the kids I know who would do anything for attention, even if it is negative attention. Pathetic! Let's stick with what these postings are about, commentary about an over-rated college team. You act as if the players are your brothers which is another soap opera in itself. Sheesh! Nuff said!

    It's not my fault KY hasn't had a championship in so many years. I know this fact burns deep in your soul tormenting you day after day, night after night. Calipari is no god. And no one on the team can rightfully claim savior status. The writing on the wall stands, KY is only average. I do hope they prove me wrong, but unlike you, I won't lose any sleep over it if they don't.
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    cledus Sat Nov 28, 2009 08:48 pm PST Report Abuse
    blah blah blah blah blah blah blah, what the F*** are you talking about Henry. Once again, what does that have to do with beating Stanford in OT? That's why you're a hater, cause you just constantly talk S*** about UK and its fans. You can keep that so called wisdom of yours, cause I don't get paid enough to listen to that BS. So, what exactly are you trying to prove with your opinions? And everybody that continues to talk S*** about UK, keep going, I'm retired from this. So, if UK is going to be in the dumps for the next lifetime like you say, it's good to see that you're the type of B****** that like to kick people while they're down. You girls must have big F****** testicles. And to those who think UK is the only program that supposedly cheats or is dirty, you're so wrong, and that alone shows how much you don't know. Just because everything don't get brought to light, doesn't mean it isn't happening. 3 sides to a story folks, my side, your side, and truth. Please bring some credible facts next time.
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    bildthril Sat Nov 28, 2009 08:42 pm PST Report Abuse
    Your spewing of hate and refusing to answer questions thus your revealing your own cowardice as being prevalent we have no choice but to ignore your claims. The simplest questions you refuse to answer. You speak with no authority whatsoever.
    Your challenges are no challenge. We refuse to give credence to them because they are without relevance. Go on and live in your delusion that you where you consider your view points have merit.

    You're just a common internet troll. Go back to your turd you dung beetle and roll on elsewhere.
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    HENRY Sat Nov 28, 2009 04:06 pm PST Report Abuse
    You give an opinion and you are lableled a hater on here. You stand up to moronic statements and name calling and you are labeled as announcing you are better than the moron. You speak with authority and experience and you are labeled assinine.

    THANK YOU!!!

    And just where are the brave little boys to back up your dillusions of a NCAA tournament team in the Cats when a challenge was issued? Turning tail and running the other way because you actually know that what I say about the team this year is right on the money!

    And remember this bit of wisdom for the rest of your fool lives. There can be no argument when one is right! No argument whatsoever!
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    john Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:53 pm PST Report Abuse
    ROGER V IS A MORON- its nice that even the haters are reading every story posted about uk, and not their team love UK or hate them you are still watching and reading ; as for the SEC being pathetic - whomever posted that is also a moron...... perfect example florida just beat #2 MSU
    MEMPHIS FANS- when Cal was there he was a great coach,but now you all call him a cheater and a liar, get over it so the ncaa srewed you guys on the d rose thing big deal like people are going to forget who was in the final four, just wish memphis fans would stop crying already, used to like memphis a little but the cry babies are making me hate them more everyday just the other day ran into 2 memphis fans wearing notre dame coats, they saw my UK shirt and asked if i was glad we got coach Cal, isaid yes then they started with the usual (he will get them a ncaa violation then leave) speach i simply said - it must suck to be you then i continued about my OWN business MEMPHIS STOP CRYING WE DON'T HATE RICK if Cal sux then why did memphis want him to stay
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    A Yahoo! User Fri Nov 27, 2009 06:56 pm PST Report Abuse
    Just got back from Appalachian Country- Happy Thanksgiving to all - My family is thankful for the wildcats! Love our Cats! Yes and thankful for Calipari!! Okay we might have people removing our Mountains to make it easier on them to get coal/money, we might not have the money that some people think that is all important but we have love, faith in God and hope in Calipari and our cats! And we try to make this world a better place - Stop Mountain Top Removal and Go Cats!
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    pinkie Fri Nov 27, 2009 01:08 pm PST Report Abuse
    hey whats up cledus.
    nic eto hear from a fellow cats fan. mac is definatly full of crap. i never crowned uk champs like he said i was this year. i am only stating the facts that he is just jealous. bu ti will say coach cal has made ky alot better. and i am not looking ahead to next year either. i am concentrating on this year.
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    cledus Fri Nov 27, 2009 01:00 pm PST Report Abuse
    Mac, you're full of s***, we will be having players coming back next year, and UK fans are not going to be calling for his head either, so please Mac, tell me where you got them facts from, considering I'm a UK fan and the same with my friends and family. I've heard nothing of those allegations, not facts that you just mentioned. As far as recruiting next year, we're good to go, Poole is the real deal and like I said not everybody is leaving, and not all of those young kids have signed yet, so just wait. Cousins, Patterson, and Wall are gone 99% sure of that. No guarantee in life but taxes and death. And everybody is who say's that the UK fans are sidestepping questions on here, how the hell do you answer an opinionated question with your hands over your ears. You guys bring no facts are just some off the wall S*** that has nothing to do with the game.
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    pinkie Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:29 pm PST Report Abuse
    first of all mac.
    i have not in any way said ky was national champs this year. i dont know where calipari ranks next year for recruiting. i am not worried about next year. i am concentrating on this year. as for as u calling me a hypocrite, that offends me. calipari gave memphis 10 yrs. of decent success. maybe u r the hypocrite. if calipari turns out to be nothing then so be it. as far as billy gillispie goes. he didnt get th ejob done. he didnt fit the system. now that answers all your questions. u may have not liked calipari but there are tons of other fans in memphis who did. and well as in ky, we r all gonna give this time. so thats what u have to say. just seems like everyone need to just back off cocach cal.
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    Mac Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:00 pm PST Report Abuse
    Bobby, Cal will have no players returning next year that are with him this year. So Bobby, what is Calapari's ranking for next years recruiting? You keep avoiding this!! You're six games into the season and already call yourself national champs. Sorry you're offended by my opinion of your coach, but what kind of things have you Cats said about your last coach? What a hypocrite..
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    pinkie Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:30 am PST Report Abuse
    TO MAC.
    HEY MAC. it seems u r a bit miffed about calipari leaving memphis. he may not have the caliber of players comin gin next year but u take what he has this year and put it all together with the players next year that spells success. u cant bash him for what he has this yr. he is not going to build it overnight. if i remember correctly abou the ncaa investigation i think the university is at fault here. so lay cal. i think everyone should just worry about their own coaches and players and leave uk alone. GO CATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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    Mac Fri Nov 27, 2009 08:56 am PST Report Abuse
    oh, and one last thing for UK to consider..... NAIVE.
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    Mac Fri Nov 27, 2009 08:50 am PST Report Abuse
    I've always loved my Memphis Tigers... win or loose. I didn't like Calapari right from the beginning when he came here. On local news, talking about the team as if they were trash. His statement, "I can't wait till this season is over and I can get some guys that want to play basketball". He's already stated about the Wildcats this year that HE was embarresed by his team; this is the worst defensive team that I've seen since, I think he said 1988. The Tigers began winning after Cals first four years here. He didn't get to bring the #1 team with him as he did to KY. He didn't build that team, now the Wildcats, on his own. He doesn't have the same caliber players coming in next year. If he doesn't win a championship this year, UKers will be calling for his head. Why did he take the UK job over the Memphis job, well, without a doubt, UK does have that tradition, can't deny that, but why did he go this year and not two years ago? He new since January that there was an NCAA investigation looming. He ran like a coward dropping the job off on a young man who was not informed of the investigation. CAL has played some easier teams to beat this year. Soon he'll be playing against the big boys. When he was in CUSA, all we heard was it's just because of the conference, and he couldn't do the same in a "real" conference..Now UKers, that's the facts. I'm sure you will be combing through this comment for spell errors, etc. Seems that's the way you avoid the issues. I wish you luck in winning another chamionship (after you dump Clapari), but I can assure you, for Cal, it'snot about the Wildcats, it's ALL about CAL.
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    Ryan A Fri Nov 27, 2009 02:03 am PST Report Abuse
    Let's also address the Tubby thing...

    1.) If UK was racist, you'd have to dump the entire team with the exception of Harrellson, Kreb, and Hood.

    2.) I felt sorry for Tubby. The pressure he received at UK was very high. He was a productive coach, but couldn't produce the championships. He's a good coach. Period. But, he doesn't fit the Kentucky profile at all. When you go to the winningest program in the history of NCAA - not just the fans expect wins, but the AD and school expect wins. Tubby didn't produce in 10 years...it makes sense.

    3.) I would try to use an illustration about how if you underperform at your job you'd get fired, but after your incoherent ramblings, I'm just going to assume that you are unemployed.
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    Ryan A Fri Nov 27, 2009 02:00 am PST Report Abuse
    Roger...

    You never asked a single question in your incoherent postings besides "Do you really think Calamari (again, you sound like a moron calling him that) is worth that pay?" To which I said, yes.

    It sounds to me like you're a bit miffed that Calapari left your school and now there's a new coach coming in. If you have a problem with Calapari, that's fine, but to claim that he's not a good coach and that Kentucky sucks shows your ignorance and stupidity when it comes to college basketball.

    Congratulations on affirming UK fans (again, I don't even know what "Ukers" are) suspicion that the rest of the world will hate Kentucky at 6-0, or cutting down nets in March.

    Enjoy your season. I know UK will.
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    james Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:00 am PST Report Abuse
    i know many on this board dislike UK..i am a fan born and raised in KY living in SC now. I will forever be a fan of Kentucky basketball. cats, toppers and cards. The only state that is close in the love of b-ball is North Carolina they have the same passion. If someone will discuss not argue i enjoy the give and take, one posted said "The SEC is the most pathetic conference in basketball." but look how many championships have come from SEC, football as well. Kentucky has what a lot of schools want a championship in football and basketball. Its the beginning of the season league play has not started yet..However to say title, is the dumbest thing to say its one and done..if it where a round robin style play we all know the true champ would win.dont hate any team pull for your team..enjoy the game we are not soccer hooligans
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    Bobby Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:41 pm PST Report Abuse
    Wildcat Fans, These nut cases on here that are talking all this Bull are only doing it because they are jealous of us and the coach and team we have. When they talk about about money he got to come to UK, just remember, Memphis offered more money if he would stay at Memphis and Coach Cal turned them down. Coach Cal was never named in either UMass or Memphis NCAA Investigation. I'm just glad he isn't on the NCAA's payroll like some of the ACC coach's and a few others who's programs get caught but nothing ever gets done to them. If these people had anything to do they would be talking about how they wish their teams would or could get to the level of being as good a team as our Wildcats are and will be come March.
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    Antwan Thu Nov 26, 2009 09:46 pm PST Report Abuse
    play to winn foolls !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! right play to the end a winn is a winn dummyyyy's john wall is reall deall punks lay down or get rolled over go catssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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    roger v Thu Nov 26, 2009 09:33 pm PST Report Abuse
    Look out Ukers, Vandy, Ole Miss,UT and UNC are coming! Not to mention Florida and MSU.......Haha have fun with the cupcakes! Oh hell did i forget Arkansas and Clemson?

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