by Paul Jordan
As long as UK remains undefeated, I won’t nitpick a win.
Too much.
Kentucky had yet another game where they stormed out to a big lead, then got sloppy and played down to the level of the competition and when pressed late, pulled out a win over the scrappy Auburn Tigers 72-67. In the end, it all counts as a win, so the only numbers that really matter right now are 18-0 and 3-0 in the SEC.
Kentucky used their size inside to jump out to an early lead over the Tigers and it appeared a rout was in process. Despite playing a very patient offense and trying to limit the touches UK had, Auburn could not get any shots to fall early in the game. Auburn’s leading scorer DeWayne Reed missed his first nine shots of the game and the Tigers were not much better, shooting just 29% from the floor in the first half. UK built their lead to 39-20 with 2:00 left and you figured the game was in control. In a sign of things to come, Reed got hot and drained two treys and UK went in at the half up 39-26.
For the half, Patrick Patterson led the way with 12 points and 5 rebounds and DeMarcus Cousins had 7 points and 9 rebounds so the big guys were getting it done. UK had a 27-14 rebounding edge but the telling stat was UK’s sudden struggles from the FT line as UK was just shooting 59.3% (16-27).
The second half was more of the last two minutes of the first as the smaller Tigers out hustled and out played the Wildcats. Auburn found their shooting range and shot 55.2% from the field and at one point were hitting 62% of their shots. The Tigers also out rebounded the bigger Cats 16-7 and had 7 offensive rebounds. Put all this together and it spells second half comeback.
And of course that happened. Despite two Bledsoe three-pointers in the opening minutes of the second half, the Cats could get no one else to score and Auburn rallied to cut the lead to 45-37. At this point, the Auburn crowd, woke up and the Auburn arena was as loud as it has been in the last couple of seasons. Lucas Hargrove brought the Tigers within 5 at 46-41 with 15:00 left and you knew it was going to be “one of those type of games”. The Auburn comeback was complete when Frankie Sullivan made a three pointer at the 8:26 mark and Auburn tied UK at 60 and the place was in a frenzy.
I know that Kentucky is going to lose a game this season, and a loss will probably do some good to the team, but you knew it would not happen today. DeAndre Liggins scored on a layup. Perry Stevenson scored on a dunk. I started to relax a bit but Lucas Hargrove scored and that was answered by Cousins. And then Cousins sank two free throws. 68-62 UK. Frankie Sullivan scored, but then a quiet John Wall split four Auburn defenders and ran through them like he was Moses parting the orange sea for a layup and a 70-64 UK lead. The Tigers got 3 FT’s on the next couple of possessions but Wall calmly sank two more FT’s for the final margin.
And in the end, you can’t nitpick perfection. In the course of a season, there are going to be ugly games, and guess what? UK is winning those games. If anyone really wants to nitpick, I will put them in the “wayback machine” and they can relive the Billy G era again. DeMarcus Cousins led the way with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. Bledsoe and Wall both scored 13, and Patterson finished with 12. DeAndre Liggins had a very solid 14 minutes today with 5 points and 3 rebounds. It’s going to be a long week of rest and reflection for Calipari and his Cats as they try to go 19-0 next Saturday back at Rupp against Arkansas.
For complete game stats, go here.
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