So you say you enjoy more Phoenix Suns than New York Knicks?  You prefer skywalking to hardwood burns?  And you really love to see the scoreboard light up triple-digits?  Well son, you don't need to become a Kentucky basketball fan anytime soon.

The 'Cats big 79-73 2OT victory over previously undefeated Vanderbilt on Saturday ushered in a new era in Kentucky basketball.  As a proud alumnus of the University of Texas, I can honestly say that I was having flashbacks watching the UK/Vandy game on Saturday.  Flashbacks to Billy G's Texas A&M Aggies team playing the same style helter-skelter defense, while putting up enough bricks on offfense to build a house. 

The 'Cats hit only 5 three-pointers all game.  Even with 10 extra minutes, they couldn't break 80. 

But that is not the emphasis for Billy Gillispie coached teams.  It was what I saw on the defensive side of the ball that gave me shivers.  They outhustled Vandy for every loose ball.  They held one of Vanderbilt's two studs--Ogilvy-to only 16 pts. in 34 minutes.  They won the free throw numbers game--allowing the Commodores to the line only 25 times, compared to the 'Cats 36.  But most importantly, they dominated on the glass.  Kentucky doubled up Vandy on the boards, 42-21. 

You could also tell by the intensity the players played with that Billy G. had emphasized conference play.  These are all hallmarks of Billy G. coached squads where the players have bought the Kool-Aid.  Taking a quick look back at last year's Aggies team, the most successful under Gillispie, they scored 100 once, cracked 90 four times, and 80 five times in 16 conference games--and one of those was a double OT game against the Longhorns.

The talent that Billy G. will be able to recruit in the coming seasons will be far better than any he was able to recruit at A&M.  One of the perks of having the Kentucky basketball legacy on his side.  So the scoring will get better.  But if you are a 'Cats fan that is eventually looking to see scores in the 90's and 100's, like in the days of Mashburn, et. al., you will be sadly disappointed.  If you are a 'Cats fan that is looking to see UK back on the winning side of the board, well there's good news.

Those scrappy wrestling matches against my Longhorns I had flashbacks to?  The Aggies almost always won those.