Billy Gillispie Call-in Show Rundown 2/18/08

Rundown on the Billy Gillispie call-in show earlier this evening.

Reminder: Some tickets remain for both tomorrow’s game and next Wednesday’s contest with Ole Miss.

Talk starts off about tomorrow’s game against Georgia.

Gillispie: Thought Georgia has done very well without Billy Humphrey, who is be back for tomorrow’s game.

Brought up Georgia’s Sundiata Gaines, said he loved him and his pro potential. He’s a hard guy to guard, competitive defender, he’s something else. Coach went on with more praise of Gaines.

Tom Leach asked about what little things the team needs to improve upon with the season ending soon.

Gillispie: They need to cut better. Cutting is a skill, they don’t cut hard enough. They don’t zip passes like they need to. Don’t reverse the ball as quickly as they need to. Patrick Patterson has to work hard for too long, need to get him easier plays. Also mentioned…square up strong, face the basket, don’t pick dribble up, use dribble more effectively, jump stops etc. (Anything else?)

Tom Leach mentioned Mike Williams not making trip, asked if he was still in good standing.

Gillispie: He is, just didn’t travel with them.

Caller: Wanted to know if Jodie Meeks was going to be worked into the rotation.

Gillispie: He didn’t know, but hopes he will be healthy enough to play. They need Jodie if they want to be at their best. If he can, he can, if not they’ll have to make do with what they have.

Caller: Mentioned the good FT%, wanted to know how they spent time on it.

Gillispie: Agrees they’ve done well, exception was at Georgia. Hopes they will do better tomorrow. He believes FT’s at important times are coached more through mental toughness. Thinks the team has developed a great level of mental toughness and confidence.

Caller: Wants to know his thoughts on the most improved player. What young player has the most potential?

Gillispie: No doubt, Patrick Patterson. He’s has the most potential, but he’s already a great player.

He said everyone has improved, but that Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley have probably improved the most. Added it was odd because they’re seniors.

Tom Leach brings up how Crawford has begun to take pride in his defense.

Gillispie: Said he’s been great. Appreciates the whole team’s effort this season.

Caller: Brings up Crawford’s improved play. Mentions how some fans are impatient, doubting Jodie Meeks because of injury. Wants his thoughts on Meeks in the long term when he gets healthy and with Bradley/Crawford leaving at season’s end.

Gillispie: Joe’s been as clutch of a player he’s been around, makes comparison to Acie Law. He makes big and timely shots.

No one should ever doubt Jodie’s effort. He’s working extremely hard, no one knows the pain he’s going through on a daily basis. He’s already a good player, has the ability to be a great player.

They have to continue recruiting. He’s happy with the two guys they signed early, but they have to go get a scorer. A guy that can make big plays, change games.

Tom Leach brings up the three’s Jodie hit the last game. Gillispie goes into talking about some plays during last season with A&M.

Caller: My Connection Dropped (Something about Crawford’s play against LSU) Question on Perry Stevenson’s play

Gillispie: Crawford has been great all conference long. He’s going to continue to get better, playing very hungry. That’s what good players, who are seniors do.

Mentions how Ramel and Joe have few games remaining. The legacy and tradition mean a great deal to them. Wants to make sure the fans come out and support them.

Perry has been good, but inconsistent. Doesn’t know if he understands his responsibility to the team all the time. Wants him to be the best, he needs to adopt the mindset.

Caller: Told the coach he was doing a fine job, to keep his head up etc. Thought the best game was against Vandy at Rupp.

Gillispie: Wish it didn’t go into overtime. Happy they were able to win it. They saw last week just how good Vandy is. The earlier win was big and pushed them forward in conference play.

Tom Leach brings up how Vandy also beat Florida afterward.

Gillispie mentions the similar playing schedule, along with wins/losses, home/away games etc.

Caller: Brings up player conditioning. Wants to know how much further they have to go.

Gillispie: Conditioning has been a strong point. Could of been better, if not for injuries. In really good condition, it’s showed at end of games.

Email Question: What’s to know the type of offense system ran.

Gillispie: They like High-low offense., 3 out/2 in motion. They haven’t been as effective, fast paced as he would like. Likes to get the ball to the middle of the court, get it reversed, take good shots.

Caller: Wants to know how Gillispie can play all those tight games and stay so calm.

Gillispie: Said…you have to understand I play those games in practice. It’s stressful, but good stress. Mentions the great stress the players go through and how they handle it.

Caller: Mentions the Technical called against Vandy. Makes a joke about looking for a pen to autograph the ball.

Gillispie: Laughs about it…Said, was sure he didn’t want his autograph at that point.

Caller: Wanted to know about rules etc. on phone calls to recruits.

Gillispie: Went into details about how many, how often etc. The rules always change, you have to stay on top of them.

Email Question: What’s to know if it’s hard not talking with his former players at A&M. Also if he’s even allowed to.

Gillispie: He said you can’t, it would be a tampering violation.

Tom leach brings up Gillispie getting to see Acie Law in Georgia. Gillispie says it was great etc., talks how Law got his jersey retired and was the first at the school.

Caller: He thinks Patterson and Bradley are showing signs of wear and tear. Wants to know if there’s a way to get them some short rest during the game.

Gillispie: It’s probably not going to happen this year. Wish he had a complete roster for them to sit and get rest.

Caller: Talks about getting in new players with Bradley and Crawford being gone after the season.

Gillispie: They’re going to miss those two. It’s going to be hard to replace them. He went to see Darius Miller the other night, thinks he will make an major impact. They need to recruit another scorer who can play immediately. They’re working feverishly to get that done.

Caller: Brings up the previous comments on player stress.

Gillispie: He’s proud of the players. They have many responsibilities and do them very well for the university.

Email Question: Wants to know the most points Gillispie scored in his playing days.

Gillispie: He was not a very good player, but he probably scored about 2,500 during his high school career. The reason he did was because of bad competition.

Caller: Praised the assistants doing the show the other week. Asked if he got the chance to see DeAndre Liggins in Louisville.

Gillispie: Said they’re fantastic, do their jobs well.

He didn’t get a chance, but did talk to him recently. He’s really excited about him, said Liggins is really eager to play at UK.

Email Question: Why do the guys walk the ball up? If they could get there earlier, they could set up and have more time for a play.

Gillispie: Sometimes they want to push it as fast as they can if the defense isn’t set. If the defense is set, they may want to take more time to execute properly.

That’s about it! Until next time…Go Big Blue!