Some UK fans worried that the LSU Tigers game would be the “ultimate trap game” as UK could overlook the 9-13 Tigers. That could have been a valid concern until LSU gave the #14 Tennessee Vols all they wanted Thursday night. That kind of sealed the Tigers fate as UK came out with their game face on and jumped out to a lead and kept their foot squarely on the throats of the Bayou Tigers for an 81-55 win.
Of course, the game had some early drama. Kentucky came out ice cold and missed their first shots of the game over the first 4:33 of the game. LSU was not a lot better but they did take a quick 6-1 lead and visions of an upset was going through the Tiger fan;s head. Not so fast. John Wall broke the dry streak and LSU enjoyed their last lead of the game at 8-5. The Tigers hung around for a few more minutes as Bo Spencer hit a jumper to cut the UK lead to 12-10.
Then UK did what the #4 team in the country is supposed to do when they face a 9-13 team. Patterson with a jumper. Orton with a layup. Patterson with a layup. Bledsoe with a layup. DeMarcus hit a jumper. DeMarcus tipped a shot in. Ramon hit a FT. Bledsoe with a dunk. Wall with a layup. DeMarcus with a FT. Patterson with a layup. Cousins with a layup.
Yes, the big streak is back in Kentucky’s game as it was missing for a few games. UK had a double digit streak against Ole Miss, but this was a 22-0 run that put UK up 34-10. If you want to be picky, this first half consisted of two streaks. LSU had a 6-1 streak to open the half, and Kentucky finished the half with a 41-8 run. First half numbers were atrocious for LSU. Kentucky outshot the Tigers 53.3% to 18.8% and outrebounded them 29-12. Yes, LSU was that bad and UK went in at the half up 42-14.
Somehow, you have to think that LSU football coach Les Miles, who was in attendance at the game had to appreciate the complete domination by the Cats. And the football like score. I think Dale Brown had severe flashbacks of the “Mardi Gras Miracle” but he had to be happy that he was not the only LSU coach to suffer such a beatdown by UK in a half. Our very own Corey Price noted that this was just the 4th time in the shotclock era that UK has held a opponent to 14 points or less in the first half.
As much as it should have been ended, the Tigers returned for the second half and they redeemed themselves partially outscoring the Cats 41-39 in the second half for a final score of 81-55. UK, obviously relaxed, played well the second half. The lead never got below 20 and UK stretched the lead to 63-30 for the biggest spread. I know that some UK fans are disappointed that UK did not win by 30, 40, or even 50 but I would give this game about a “9 out of 10” in the way UK played. The Tigers made a few runs at UK, but UK always responded.
I would have to say that the loss to South Carolina was a wake up call for these Wildcats. In the last three games, UK has led or been tied for 112 out of 120 minutes. In other words, they have brought it. And once again DeMarcus Cousins “brought it” as well. Despite playing just 20 minutes, Boogie had 19 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists. For the season, DeMarcus is now averaging a double double, and as our own Corey Price reports (yet another assist to him), Cousins is the first UK player to average a double double since Kenny Walker in 1984-85. Patrick Patterson had another solid game with 16 points, 5 boards, and 2 blocks. Eric Bledsoe had 10 points with 4 boards and 4 steals. DeAndre Liggins is showing why people were excited about him in the preseason as he had 7 points on 2-2 shooting (both treys) and had 8 rebounds. How many other teams have a DeAndre Liggins coming off the bench?
All in all, I am happy. UK has tied last season’s win total and will move to #2 and #3 in the polls with the Villanova loss, making a top seed seem a extremel
y real possibility at this point. And we won easily on a night that John Wall went 2-9 with 6 points and 4 assists. And on a night when we hit just 5-17 three pointers. I am at the point that I don’t even worry about Wall’s numbers however. This team is so much better with him on the court and he does so many things that do not show up in the scorecard, that we win easily when is is not scoring a ton of points or dishing double digit assists. That’s because this is a team that is progressing beyond and one individual and is getting better every day. Is there any way Calipari does not get coach of the year?
For complete game stats, go here.
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