I Hate To Say I Told You So, But....

[Jamin Leger]

I Told You So.

Seriously, back in May of 2007 when there was this huge controversy in the Bluegrass as to the priority of one Jai Lucas or Patrick Patteson and who we needed more than the other, you could find my thoughts very easily and largely outspoken. Patrick Patterson was the type of player we needed. He would be a force inside offensively and defensively. He would be the rebounder we needed. The game changer that UK so desperately needed was gift wrapped in Huntington, West Virginia. Jai Lucas was a very talented point guard out of Houston, Texas, but we have a point guard in Derrick Jasper.

I was told I was a fool. Jasper has no outside shot and will never be a good PG at UK because he is not a threat to score. If defenders don't have to respect his outside shot they can play off of him and negate his ability to drive and create.

Welcome to 2008. Derrick Jasper is a force to be reckoned with any time he is on the court. He immediately changes the outlook of UK's season thus far. He drives the lane. He creates for other shooters. He knows how to get the ball inside to Patrick Patterson. He immediately makes Bradley better because he allows Bradley to be the spot up shooter that he is. He takes the pressure off of Joe Crawford as Joe doesn't have to be the creator of offense that he thinks he has to be. He takes the sandwhich defense away from Patrick Patterson because defenders have to respect his ability to drive and create.

There's no way a 4 guard lineup will ever work at UK. Those are the words that haunt my memory from 6 months ago. Although it was against FIU, we all saw what a 4 guard lineup with Patterson in the middle could do at UK. Dominating, Relentless, Smooth...... those are all words that in conjunction with each other describe UK's last attempt on the hardwood.

When Joe is allowed to move without the ball, Ramel is allowed to spot up, Jodie is allowed to move and spot up, Patrick is allowed to post up, screen, be the beast he is, and Derrick is allowed to run Coach Gillispie's offense, UK suddenly looked like a tournament team.

**Warning: I said tournament team. Please do not take that as a prophecy of doing anything more than making the tournament this year.**

That being said, I didn't think I would honestly be able to make that statement this time last week, or this time last weekend actually.

But as I stated in a State of the Program Blog in December 2007, the injuries are healing, and that will have a drastic effect on this team. Our starting 5, if we keep the 4 guard lineup can carry us a long way. We, sadly, just do not have the depth, talent wise, to make a run.

I like what I saw Monday though, and it made me think..... maybe God does answer prayers afterall.

[CNC Shannon]

No doubt on Meeks, but like I said, just out of current need would I play him at the 1...... Let Bradley and Crawdaddy do what they do well (along with Meeks NOT playing the point)...

Just Meeks is not from the school of "me 1st", and I think he would sacrifice to make everyone better, and stated before the season, that he would play the point if asked to.

He even wants to play the point. Though a true shooting guard 2 spot, I think he has the moves and mentality to play the point.

That is all I am saying.

[Brian Shannon]

In respect to Meeks at the 1, it would be the same as having Bradley at the 1. Both are better when they are moving.

Meeks can set the tone from the outside or drive, either way both things will open it up for Patrick. We are in the situation now that all the teams we are going to play are going to pack it in, that is until they see another threat.

Meeks can do either to open it up and if Joe is hitting from the outside on a night with Meeks between the 2 of them and their drive capability Patterson would have a career night.

[Jamin Leger]

The main reason I don't like Meeks at the 1 is because it takes away a good majority of his scoring. Meeks is best when he can move without the ball on the wings and get open for the drive and dish plays that Jasper brings to the court. When he's allowed to do that, he is deadly. His shot percentage goes way down when he is running the point.

[CNC Shannon]

Jasper is a huge contribution, considering that we are only considering Jasper, Bradley, and Porter at the 1. My vote is Meeks, but everyone thinks that I am crazy. Jasper looked to be the one I would have to go with, over Porter and Bradley, if those are the choices.

I would not use Meeks at the 1, other than due to need right now, but if Jasper can show consistancy against some mobile 1's, then we will discuss it again.

But agreed. Jasper does bring another dynamic to the team, and thank God he is back.

[Brian Shannon]

Jamin there is NO DOUBT this team runs smoother with Jasper.

Heck we saw it last year more most of the time. Seeing him back and back strong after a short break is terrific.

Going to be nice to see how his game will grow under a coach that won't yank him out for a couple of mistakes.

[UKTopherdad]

Well, I was holding off an article about Jasper's affect on the UK teams ability until he actually played a few decent teams.....if hes feeding PP, Id lay 5ft of him to make the pass to PP difficult, and use the 5ft cushion to stop any drives...FLA Int'l didnt do that...UL, and the rest of the SEC will...let's see how it works out