I wonder if Kansas figured out how to defend Lawson’s drive to the basket and Kentucky was implementing the same defensive posture against him.

I don’t think this has anything to do with the ankle because he had looked good going to the basket after coming back from the sprain, before the Kansas game last year, but in that game and this one, his offensive production apart from his assists, was very poor.

I wonder if he can accept scoring under ten points a game and being an Ed Cota-type assist man, should that be what the team needs to win the title.

Everybody loves to say that Carolina doesn’t play any defense, well, thank goodness for the defense on Tuesday night, because the offensive production and efficiency was terrible.

I called for Ellington to be benched is freshman year. A lot of Ellington’s missed shots came from him trying to drive the lane and get a basket that way. He was 3-5 from three point range. I think he was simply trying to be aggressive which is probably what Roy wants him to do. Ellington is making the transition from being a shooter to a scorer. I think he will work it out.

Lawson’s speed looked fine last night. He missed some shots he should hit and I think UK’s bigger guards bothered him a bit.

With both of them I think they simply need to find a groove, the whole offense does. Hansbrough returning should be the answer. His presence on the block opens up everything else.

I have to disagree that with you regarding Ellington. Until he can play CONSISTENTLy, I think he’s the most overrated player on the squad. I know this will piss off all of the THF bloggers because everybody sees him as being the guy who makes huge shots in close game situations. But the truth of the matter is that he’s also the guy who misses a few too many easy jump shots in the middle of the game, especially considering that he’s a pure shooter. I’d have to further disagree with you and say that Curry has the prettiest stroke in the NCAA (just watch the highlights from last night if you don’t believe me).

And cut Bobby a break, of course he’s rusty. I do seem to remember, however, that he split the UK D and finished at the basket last night, so thats got to be promising no matter how you feel about him.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Z but if he is out for the season, I see a medical red shirt leading to a bulkier, more ferocious big man returning in ’09-’10.

I hate it for Zeller, and he represents a legitimate shot blocker. However, if Hansbrough comes back soon, then I think we can afford to lose him as long as Davis and Thompson keep playing well. I can’t say enough about Thompson’s play so far, I just hope that he continues when Hansbrough comes back. One small part of me worries that he might fade a bit due to Hansbrough getting most of the touches inside. Time will tell.

Putting to one side for the moment the Zeller injury, I was very encouraged by this game. I would go so far as to say that if Thompson plays this way when Hansbrough returns, there is indeed a realistic chance we’ll go undefeated. Thompson’s hustle, focus and defensive effort were all markedly improved, not to mention the offensive production.

Yes, Lawson had a poor shooting percentage, but he played a good floor game and had some of his old aggresiveness in going to the rim. Still, I wonder if anyone else here thinks he’s not quite as explosive as he was before last year’s high ankle sprain.

I don’t know what Ellington’s shooting percentage was, but I know that he hit big shots, and that when he’s on, as he often seemed to be, there is no prettier shot in college basketball. I think he’s the most underrated player on the team, because his overall game and athleticism do not get the credit they deserve.

I didn’t view Green’s performance so much as “disengaged” as fitting in with what the team needed for that particular game. Green’s problem in the past was trying to do too much, and tending at times to become a one-on-one player. That was not present last night, and I thought it helped, not hurt, the team.

I love Bobby Frasor, but he looks rusty. I trust this will improve with time; he did, after all, miss virtually the entire season last year. There was one vintage Frasor moment, however: He stole the ball, raced down the floor ahead of everyone, and missed the layup! As I say, I love the guy, but he really DOES need to learn to finish.

Ed Davis is going to be a big star. He reminds me a bit of Sam Perkins (although I wouldn’t want to put that on him). He has a world of talent, he hustles, has court sense, and gets great floor position.

Now as to Zeller: His production last night was slight, but I still think he’ll be a really good player. Beyond his years, he seems to kmow what he’s doing out there. Some added weight-room toughness will help him considerably.

If the wrist is broken, it will be a loss for sure. Generally somethiing like that takes six weeks to heal, and if that is the case, he’ll be back for conference play. What Coach Williams has to think about now is who will play the interior if and when Thompson and Davis encounter foul problems. Since I have no clue, all I can say is that we’ll probably win these next two games anyway, and then, with any luck, Hansbrough returns to solve the problem.

All in all, a good show last night. Let’s not forget we beat the winningest program in college basketball without our (or anyone’s) best overall player; without our best defensive player; and with our star point guard shooting 20%. And the game wasn’t close. If this is bad news, give me more.