Saturday Morning

Well, I contradicted myself in two out of my last four posts and it looks like I was closer to right the first time. UK and Georgia will face off at noon, with the semis pushed back until 6pm and 8:30. The final tomorrow has been pushed back from 1 to 3pm. The winner of this game will have to play three times in 27 hours to win the tournament.
It was about all they could do considering the decision not to play last night.

For Kentucky, this is all pretty straightforward. It will focus on Georgia and play the game as if its the last one of the weekend. A win would ensure an NCAA bid. I doubt a loss in the second game of the day will hurt UK at all in the selection committee's eyes. If UK wins, I look for Gillispie to shut it down against Mississippi State. The small chance of winning the tourney under these circumstances isn't worth potential injuries or wear and tear and the impact on the big tournament. I'd look for Bradley and Crawford to get rest in the second game, and Billy letting the chips fall where they may.
Word is Gillespie is not happy about the schedule. Ironically, it is BG who has caused controversy all over the Bluegrass this year by having his team practice hard in the mornings of night games. You could say he has been angling for this moment all year. No doubt Billy has the Cats in good shape. If the team were 8-10 guys deep, this would have played right into our hands. That, however, isn't the case.

More interesting still is the plight of Dennis Felton and his Bulldogs. They must win the three games to get into the tournament. Winning at noon alone will be of little benefit. But like the Cats, the Dogs have a very short bench, and will not have the luxury of resting guys and playing to win three games instead of one.
Just a wild situation all around.