Before you continue reading the following, we wanted to say a few things.

Attending all four of the games, we are simply disappointed for a majority of the players on the team this year. We aren’t scared to say Indiana All-Star coach Baumgardner was, basically, a complete idiot. He failed to look past his “core” five players (which he never changed from the first day of practice, all north minus Zeller I must add), failed to realize his best players (over a weeks time), and we’re unsure if we’ve ever seen a worse choice of substitution timing.

Not once did we see all three Butler recruits on the floor at once, nor anyone switch between his “thought” numbered (1,2,3,4,5) positions for each kid. Baumgardner seemed, on the court, an arrogant fool who thought as if he was Phil Jackson or someone. As the players would say, after this experience… “Uhhhnt HUH, NOOO, NOPPEEEE, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING (head turn 180 degrees)!!”

Its sad, when we talk to numerous players about their experiences and they say the worst part was putting up with him. Not to mention, if this happened to be a two week long ordeal, they would have left. Credits to Pete Smith (even though Walter caught your game, right Walt? hahaha!!) for laying down the law with him after the Conseco game, or this could have been a complete disaster, even more. Congrats to all the players on the team, we wish you the best! Stay up, guys!

Indiana Stars swept aside
Kentucky routs Indiana, 95-78, to earn split of annual series

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Although Indiana had taken eight straight games in its series against the Kentucky All-Stars, last Friday’s 83-82 escape at Indianapolis served notice that this Kentucky team was stronger than recent vintages.

In Sunday’s rematch at home, Kentucky went wire to wire with the lead to end that losing streak in convincing fashion, 95-78.

It was Kentucky’s biggest margin of victory since a 33-point blowout of Indiana in 1997. You could almost see this one coming.

“I know everybody thinks Indiana is supposed to go in there and dominate every single time, but not this year,” said Indiana coach Rick Baumgartner of Muncie South. “I’ve been around, seen a lot of these Indiana All-Star games. That is one of the most talented Kentucky teams in a long, long time. I know they counted on sweeping us, and they were very demoralized after that first game. Today they came out and answered.”

Kentucky’s boys led for most of Friday night’s game before letting it get away from them in the second half. They didn’t take any chances this time, taking it to Indiana from the start.

Kentucky guard Tyler Brown, who didn’t score a point Friday night, threw in five 3-pointers the first half to stake his team to a 51-38 lead.

Indiana got the deficit down to single figures a couple of times the second half but couldn’t match Kentucky’s quickness and athleticism. Kentucky exploited that advantage to get to the free throw line 35 times to Indiana’s 13.

“There was a huge disparity at the free throw line,” Baumgarnter said. “It’s frustrating when you are trying to be aggressive defensively and you keep putting them at the free throw line. But you have to give credit where credit is due. Plain and simple, we got beat.

“Kentucky has a lot of weapons, a lot of players who can get their shot. You are going to hear from them in the future.”

Brown, headed to Morehead State, led five Kentucky players in double figures with 19 points. Shelvin Mack, a Butler recruit, and Victor Moses each scored 16.

Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball, Darius Miller, had 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. He is headed to Kentucky.

Scott Hopson, a Tennessee recruit, also reached double figures with 10 points.

Indiana was led by the smallest player on the floor, Larry Stone of Indianapolis Howe. The 5-9 guard had 24 points. Tyler Zeller, Indiana’s Mr. Basketball out of Washington, had 16 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Gordon Hayward, another Butler recruit, had 12 rebounds.

Edewood’s Garrett Butcher, also a Butler recruit, did not score in 16 minutes of playing time. He was 0-for-4 from the field with one rebound.

“Give credit to Kentucky because they came out and wanted it,” Butcher said. “They are all-around players. They are quick.

via HeraldTimesOnlin

3-point goals: 10-26 (Stone 3-5, Stigall 2-2, Novak 2-7, Hayward 1-1, Moore 1-1, Mays 1-3, Butcher 0-1, Hobbs 0-1, Young 0-2, Davis 0-3). Steals: 11 (Hobbs 3, Stone 3, Zeller 3, Butcher, Hayward). Blocked shots: 1 (Zeller).

3-point goals: 7-22 (Brown 5-6, Mack 2-5, Miller 0-1, Stewart 0-1, Hopson 0-3, Slone 0-3, Sorrell 0-3). Steals: 13 (Mack 4, Brown 3, Miller 3, Hopson, Johnson, Slone). Blocked shots: 3 (Henderson, Hopson, Sorrell).

Halftime: Kentucky 51-38. Attendance: 2,200.

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