In the end, the talent of Kentucky was more than the heart and circus shots of Devan Downey could overcome, and the Wildcats led buzzer to buzzer en route to a 82-61 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks. The win lifted Kentucky to a 27-1 record on the season, and puts Kentucky on the verge of their 44th regular season SEC crown. And just one other small thing, this win avenges the Cats only loss of the season and gives UK the impressive statistic of defeating every team they played during the course of the season.
With the game at Rupp Arena, South Carolina was expected to be no match for the Wildcats … and they really weren’t. Kentucky stormed out to 7-0 lead just two minutes into the game, and the tone was set for the game. There were some interesting moments early, however. After being down 11-2 early, the Gamecocks stormed back to cut the score to 16-15. UK pushed the lead back to 23-15, but USC rallied back and cut the lead back to 23-21. Undaunted, Kentucky goes on a streak of their own and the lead back to 33-21. The first half had the feel of a cat playing with it’s prey as South Carolina provided some excitement, but was never any threat to Kentucky in this game. John Wall gave UK a 37-23 lead late in the first half, but Devan Downey’s circus three connected right before the half and UK was seemingly in control up 11.
If their is one thing the Gamecocks seem to hate, it’s Kentucky getting big doses of that national love. After Kentucky received a phone call from President Obama, the ‘cocks dumped UK from the top spot. And despite being down 42-26 in the second half, the Gamecocks made another run shortly after Magic Johnson was trotted out to form the “Y” in Kentucky. South Carolina cut the score to 48-42 and seemed to be on the verge of creating a deja vu feeling, but Patrick Patterson led a Wildcat rally and UK went back up by double digits 57-46, and the Gamecocks could get no closer the rest of the way.
Tonight was arguably Patrick Patterson’s best night of the season as you knew he was in for a big night when he nailed the open three-pointer of the game. Patterson went 10-12 from the field, had 8 rebounds and swatted 4 shots. DeMarcus Cousins added 19 points and 11 rebounds … yet another double double for the freshman. Even on a night that John Wall had an off night, (4-15 shooting, 6 TO’s), Kentucky had the pure talent to win by 21. Wall did finish with 12 points for his evening.
I have to say that one of the most rewarding parts of this season is seeing the development of Daniel Orton and DeAndre Liggins. Orton had a very solid night with 9 points (including a 3-pointer, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and no fouls. Liggins is a sparkplug when he is on the court and added 4 points, 2 steals, and 2 boards. You have to look really hard to find another team with a first eight (including Dodson) that is this solid. The other way that UK has progressed is that this team has become a defensive juggernaut and tonight they harassed the Gamecocks into 38.8 shooting and 4-20 from beyond the arc.
Tonight’s game and Tennesse’s game is also a good test for Kentucky as the schedule closely mimics the arrangement for the NCAA tournament games with it’s Thursday/Saturday timeframe. It will be interesting to see how UK can bounce back and be ready for another game in just 36 hours. Even 28 games in, Kentucky keeps find ways to learn about themselves.
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