The Leach Report: Michigan State/Vandy

From Tom Leach...   I think UK basketball fans look at the season like the top golfers on the PGA Tour look at their seasons--it's all about the majors.  For the Wildcats, the "majors" on this schedule are Michigan State, North Carolina, Louisville and tournament time.  And we'll tend to measure this team's championship-level credentials by the improvement they make from each of those markers to the next. The Harrison brothers caught most of the bad press from UK's loss to Michigan State.  On one hand, that comes with the territory at Kentucky, in this accelerated-learning environment of trying to win a title with freshman-dominated teams.  But it's also important to remember that they were going up against a senior point guard in Appling and arguably the best 2-guard in the nation in Harris--and Andrew and Aaron Harrison had to do this in their third college game.  CBS college basketball writer Gary Parrish did a good job of putting their play in Chicago into a big-picture perspective when he  appeared on "The Leach Report" Friday, noting that he saw firsthand how Derrick Rose did not blossom until late in his only season at Memphis. Most of you are probably expect a revenge-game beat down tonight against Robert Morris.  Whatever unfolds at Rupp, I think my broadcast partner has the right take on these next few games:   Mike Pratt @MikePratt22   Tonight first pop quiz for this Cat team since Calipari Prep School began after MSU loss. Lets all sit back and see what develops!!   = = = For the long-suffering Kentucky football fans, this game at Vandy may have been the most frustrating of the season.  So many chances to seize control of a winnable game and the Cats were never able to find anyone to step forward with that big play that WR Jordan Matthews so often made for the 'Dores. GAME-CHANGING PLAY(S) If you have to pick one, go with the blocked PAT following Kentucky's first series--and only touchdown.  All the momentum the Cats had generated with that first drive just evaporated and by halftime, in a game it felt like UK had controlled, Vandy led 9-6 because of the PAT block and a turnover that led to a short Vandy TD drive.   In reality, it wasn't a game-changing play that anybody made but the numerous opportunities for game-changing plays that UK did not make.  After Vandy went ahead 9-6 late in the first quarter, the Wildcats moved to the VU 45-yard line or closer on five of their next six drives but failed to come away with any points. The difference in this game was not a game-changing play but a game-changing player in Matthews.  He made all the big plays for the Commodores and he's the type UK just does not have right now. "WILDCAT PAW" HELMET STICKERS Donte Rumph.  The senior DT had his best game, with a career-best 10 tackles.  Rumph stuffed the run in the middle and also moved side to side to make tackles. Avery Williamson (2 sacks) and Bud Dupree (1.5 sacks) also merit praise for their play in what was the defense's best overall game of the season.  But that defense will be tested on a much-higher level next week by Aaron Murray and the Georgia offense. --listen to Tom each weekday morning at 9:06am eastern on "The Leach Report" radio network;  and follow him on twitter @tomleachky and via "The Leach Report" page on Facebook --check out tomleachky.com for more of Tom's coverage of the Cats