The Kentucky Wildcats open SEC play tonight, as they head down to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores.Vanderbilt beat Kentucky for the Southeastern Conference tournament title the last time the teams met before the Wildcats went on to win the program’s eighth national title. Seven players — four from Kentucky and three from Vanderbilt were selected in the first 31 picks of last June’s NBA draft.
The Commodores (6-6) are off to their worst start in five years, while the Cats (9-4) are looking to get their sixth win in their past seven games after starting the year 4-3.
Thank you for joining us for another edition of the WBN Live Blog.
Projected Starting Lineups
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Second-half meltdown doesn’t cost Cats tonight, but it will Saturday against a much better Texas A&M team. Have to play a full 40-minutes.
FINAL: Kentucky 60, Vanderbilt 58. Dores miss 3 at buzzer after wild scramble.
Noel layup with 15 seconds left puts Cats up 60-58 lead after Vandy drills a 3 with 7.6 seconds left.
Vandy hits 1 FT. 58-55 lead with under minute left
Lob dunk to Noel 4 point lead with 1 minute left
Wiltjer does his best Brandon Knight impression, hits first shot of the night to give UK 56-54 lead with 1:31 remaining.
Harrow down on the floor in pain. Looks like he got hit in the gut on rebound.
UK missed 14/15 shots and game is tied at 54
Nothing from Poythress tonight to this point.
3:54 left
Vandy hits 3 to tie it at 52-all. Poythress is fouled and will now be shooting the biggest FTs of his young college career thus far.
Noel then gets a steal. Goodwin drives to the hole and is fouled. FTs coming.
And Harrow drills a 3
49048 Vandy. Cats have to regain their composure, or they’ll be in the NIT. Simple as that.
Kentucky wants no part of this zone. Given how poorly they shoot & how well they drive I don’t know why anyone would ever play man vs UK
Lead gone. 18-0 Vandy run gives the ‘Dores a 49-47 lead with 5:54 left.
Vandy ties it at 47. Can take the lead on free throw
Now 47-45
Kentucky continues to watch its lead shrink as Vanderbilt has cut the lead to four points. UK holding on, 47-43, with 8:03 left.
UK’s lead had been double digits for 17:41 of game time before that last Vandy 3. UK only leads 47-39
Commodores started 0 for 10 from 3-point range. Have hit 5 of 9 since then.
Vandy drills a 3. UK lead just 47-36.
Vandy with 2 FTs attempted
Cats now up 47-33
UK leading 43-29 at 15:35. Noel on bench 3 fouls. Vandy not going away.
Harrow now 13 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover in 21 minutes
Cats are 9-0 when leading at halftime this season.
Vanderbilt finally hits 2 threes after starting the game 0-of-10; UK leads 35-24 going into halftime
Noel with 8 points, 2 blocks, 2 rebounds, but 3 turnovers. Vandy cuts lead to 29-18, but Harrow drills a smooth jumper. UK 31-18
Bobby Knight said John Calipari was a good coach. WCS proceeded to get a steal and throws lob-dunk to Noel. 26-12 Cats.
Vandy now 5 of 19 from the field, 0 for 6 from deep. Cats lead 21-10
Harrow hits another long 2-pointer to extend UK’s lead to 17-10
UK 7 of 11, every starter has scored
15-6 now after WCS dunk. Cats are locked-in on blowing Vandy away if they keep this focus all night.
Cauley-Stein only player who has not scored and he has two assists.
Archie jumper has score at 9-4 for first TV timeout.
Poythress goes hard into the lane for a layup. 7-4 now
Then get’s a steal and lob dunk to Noel. UK leads 5-2
His stroke is as smooth as any UK point guard I’ve seen since Knight.
Harrow drills a three for the games’ first FG.
Not a good way to start. Turnover and give up an offensive rebound.
God is above all. I am a Military Police Officer in the National Guard. Love Big Blue. Love writing about all sports. Currently majoring in Broadcast Media at Eastern Kentucky University. I am happy to be working with everyone on Wildcat Blue Nation to bring all the latest and greatest UK news to the fans.
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