From: rws@duke.cs.duke.edu (Ronnie W. Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.college
Subject: Re: #1 UK/Vandy thoughts
Date: 12 Jan 93 17:29:02 GMT
Organization: Duke University Computer Science Dept.; Durham, N.C.

In article <1iusqvINNa49@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> as232@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Michael Lerner) writes:
>
>Most UK fans are very uncomfortable about the upcoming Vandy game.  Lets
>face it, UK has taken some darned good teams in there and failed to win over
>the years.  IMHO, this is the best Vandy team EVER, and I'm sure Coach
>Squiggey is going to have them ready. ;)

I always love the chance to talk about my alma mater #1.  The best team "EVER"
is a huge exaggeration.  Potentially, they can be very good, but right now,
they are still struggling with getting in sync offensively.  30 turnovers in
one game and then having McCaffrey score half their points in the next is not
a sign of a great team.  If they can ever get Elder and Anglin in sync with
McCaffrey on offense, then they will be a good team.  Essentially, Vandy plays
four guards all about 6'4" and 6'5", and one taller person ranging from 6'7"
to 6'10", occasionally sticking two big people in.

I was actually pleased with their performance at Florida though disappointed
in the outcome as I think Florida has a much stronger team than Memphis State,
especially with the quickness of the guards.  Apparently, Memphis State was
able to successfully muscle Vandy out of any offensive rhythm.  Vandy was
competitive until the end against Florida and will maybe do OK against
Kentucky's pressure.

Keys to Vandy UK
1. Vandy's foul shooting.  It's been not as good this year, but improving of
late.  You know you're going to the line when you play UK.
2. Rebounding - Vandy must not get slaughtered here.
3. Turnovers - If Vandy makes less than 10 I "guarantee" they win, 10 to 15
and they have a good shot; > 15 they probably lose, > 20 they get beat
soundly.
4. UK's 3 point shooting which has been solid

All time Vandy teams.  Well since there was a claim as this as the best team
(fortunately it isn't), I'll list my top few.  (1960's onward)

#1 - 1964-65; one of the Clyde Lee teams, lost by 2 in Region final to
eventual runner-up Michigan

#2 - 1973-74; Jan Van Breda Kolf and F troop; tied for title with powerful
Alabama team of Leon Douglas, Charles Cleveland, et. al. lost in 1st round of
NCAA tourney to eventual national runner-up Marquette by 8.

#3 - 1987-88; Will Perdue, Barry Goheen, etc. had 2 3's in the last few
seconds to push #2 seed in region Pitt into OT, then won the OT without
Perdue; lost soundly to eventual champ Kansas in the next round.  Amazingly,
this team finished only 4th in regular season and lost in 1st round of SEC
Tourney.

#4 1988-89; The Frank Kornet at center and the "bomb squad";  only a thrown
tennis ball kept them from the Dores first SEC title in 15 years.

This one could be pretty good.  With a couple of recruits or development of
some of the young big men, next year's could be much better.
be better.
-- 
Ronnie Smith      East Carolina University      Greenville, NC
   (and still at Duke a little bit)
 INTERNET: rws@cs.duke.edu
The next Duke Invitational,  April 3 - 5, 1993 in New Orleans.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.college