Cousins says, "CALL ME!"

All week long, DeMarcus Cousins received thousands of racist text messages and phone calls from Mississippi State students and fans. Cousins, who had a reputation as a player that could easily lose his temper, stayed cool and composed throughout the heat of a battle in a rowdy crowd in the deep south. Once again, the trend continues of every team's fans absolutely bringing their loudest and largest crowds for when the Cats come to town but unfortunately this time, it got out of hand.

Cousins stayed composed, while MSU fans threw bottles on the court and an MSU player even refused to shake his hand. Cousins just kept walking and showed a lot of class and maturity tonight. I'm not wanting to teach a history lesson here, but I've got to throw this out there- you witnessed tonight why Adolph Rupp was not able to bring African American players to Kentucky for so many years. If it's like this in Starkville in 2010, imagine what it would have been like in the 1950's and 60's.

Moving on- THREE players scored in double figures tonight for the Cats (Wall, Cousins, and Patterson).

Wall, our point guard, out-rebounded Jarvis Vernardo AND was only two assists away from a triple double. Wall's line tonight was 18 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks and was perhaps his best all-around game as a Wildcat. Patterson also stepped up and had the huge game that we had been waiting for and had been accustomed to seeing in his first two seasons in Lexington. Patrick had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks; however, tonight- the center of attention was DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins. Everyone wanted to see how "Big Cuz" would respond to the fans. Boogie was calm, cool, and collective tonight with 19 points and 14 rebounds. The only response, besides his play, that Cousins showed was a simple gesture with two words to the fans: "CALL ME!". A simple hand motion known as "the John Wall dance" has become a sensation in the Commonwealth, and Cousins' small gesture to the record setting crowd at MSU will also make its own mark on what has become a DREAM SEASON in Lexington thus far.

Other Notes and Observations:

• DeAndre Liggins continues to earn the trust of John Calipari. He played 25 minutes tonight and was on the floor at the end of regulation and throughout the entire overtime period. His three point shot with 2:44 left in the game with the Cats down 7 points was EPIC! DeAndre now has a major role on this team as not only one of the best hustlers, but one of the best shooters.
• Cousins continues to lead the nation in points and rebounds per minute, and it's not even close. The Cats got some calls down the stretch, but it went both ways the entire game. Cousins continues NOT to get the fouls called against him, but found himself in foul trouble most of the game. He scored his 19 points and 14 rebounds in 30 minutes of play and only 25 minutes in regulation.
• Patterson was able to step up in Cousins' absence. Unfortunately during that same stretch, Daniel Orton was offensively ineffective tonight as he went 1-4 from the field and 0-1 from the free throw line.
• Darius Miller's 9 points off the bench deserves mention and cannot be forgot in a close battle like tonight.

But without a doubt, this night belonged to DeMarcus Cousins, who purposely did not change his phone number this week because he wanted to hear what MSU fans had to say to him AFTER the game. Cousins is starting to be a fan favorite in the Commonwealth in what truly has become a dream season in Lexington!

Adolph Rupp is looking down and loving what he sees!

John Calipari became the first UK coach since Adolph Rupp in 1931 to start out 10-0 in his first season in what is possibly the most coveted job in all of college sports. He's doing it with speed, talent, hard work, focus, and discipline....just how Coach Rupp used to. Also like Coach Rupp, Calipari has a lot of controversey and false accusations surrounding him and his wins. Nobody likes a winner, and when other teams' fans are taking shots at Kentucky, it usually means one thing: all is well in Big Blue Nation.

In this case, it means "weee're baaack"- and win number 2,000 is just two games away!

In the last few years, Rupp probably wanted to roll out of his grave and have a word or two with Billy Gillispie, but now the legendary coach can rest in peace along with his friends, Caywood, and the one we affectionately knew as Mr. Wildcat. The Cats have beaten three schools who have won a combined 12 National Championships in an 8 day stretch, and all is well once again in Big Blue Heaven.

Not only did the Cats beat one of their biggest rivals on the road today in their first true road game to stay unbeaten, but they did it in convincing fashion. Indiana played their hearts out and punched the Cats right in the mouth early with a 9 point lead and Assembly Hall was rockin. They shot over 60% from the field and behind the arc as well in the first half, but UK kept knocking down shots as well, almost like a never-ending game of HORSE, and went into halftime with a one point lead. Indiana had tried to slow the game down and force the Cats to get into their halfcourt offense as opposed to running and pushing the ball up the floor, but the Cats slowed it down just a little bit and their halfcourt offense looked as efficient and well-run as it has all year.

It was probably their best overall performance of the season as a balanced scoring attack defeated Indiana 90-73. Five Wildcats scored in double figures and Darius Miller added a solid 7 points. Eric Bledsoe led the way with 23 points and Patrick Patterson had yet another double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. It was the first great game Bledsoe has had since the very beginning of the season when he was the team's starting point guard while John Wall was sitting out. When both Bledsoe and Wall are playing at their full potential together, on the court at the same time, this team is unstoppable. There simply isn't an effective way to defend these two guys when they are both playing under control and making shots while Patterson and Demarcus Cousins combine for their typical 20 rebounds in the post.

Demarcus Cousins grew up a little bit today too as he was in a situation that could have potentially started a fight. He simply put his hands up and walked away after tangling up with a Hoosier while battling for a loose ball. Even the turnovers were limited to only 13, which is pretty good considering the fast paced offense that we run. Wall had eight assists and only one turnover. There was hardly anything to get upset with today about the Cats' performance. Even Coach Cal was pleased!

"He actually said we were 10-0 today," freshman forward DeMarcus Cousins said. "I guess he was worried about that three game streak. We knew we were a good team but we're trying to prove it to everyone else." Coach Calipari said we would find out where we are as a team after this 3 game stretch. We did, indeed, learn how good this team is and it's probably better than most thought, even with the sky high expectations. It's been a while since we've heard much from Pat Forde. Interesting, huh? Now, the Cats must continue to bring it each night against lesser competition until that January 2nd matchup with "you know who".