Kentucky Wildcats deal Alabama Crimson Tide a CAT-a strophic loss in SEC Tournament 72-58

Sometime during the off season, John Calipari needs to sit down and write John Pelphery a “Thank You” letter.  For whatever reason, Kentucky’s 77-76 loss to Arkansas on February 23 unleashed a new breed of Wildcats, one that has now won five straight games and one that steamrolled a very good Alabama squad 72-58 in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.  This has been Kentucky’s longest winning streak since Georgia snapped a seven game winning streak on January 8.  And the Wildcats have used this streak as their own redemption road, posting wins over four previous teams that had beaten them.

Today’s game was a mismatch from the start.  Kentucky looked to make a statement going right at Alabama in the paint on the first three possessions of the game. Then, with the score tied at 4-4, Doron Lamb scored seven straight points for UK and then a DeAndre Liggins trey set the tone for the rest of the day as Kentucky went up 17-8 and never looked back.  For their part, these Wildcats came out inspired and out hustled Anthony Grant’s Crimson Tide.  And harassed the shooter every time the ball went inside and sent the message that if Alabama was going to score inside, they would have to earn it.  In other words, they out-Alabama-ed Alabama.

DeAndre Liggins had a three pointer of the “and one” variety to give UK their first double digit lead at 26-15 and Kentucky refused to let Alabama get back into the game and went in up at halftime 37-21.  What made the halftime score even more impressive is that Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight were a combined 0-9 from the field, but Kentucky had sank four three pointers to Alabama’s none.  Doron Lamb had 10 points at the half and Josh Harrellson had 8 points and 6 boards to lead the Cats.

the second half was more of the same.  Alabama would put together a couple of baskets in a row, but Kentucky would respond.  A Brandon Knight jumper put Kentucky up 51-30 with 15:32 remaining in the game.  For a team like Alabama that does not shoot the three well, this was pretty much a death sentence.  DeAndre Liggins hit a three pointer and Terrence Jones hit one of two free throws to put Kentucky up 64-38 at the 6:28 mark for the Cats biggest lead.  Alabama cut into the lead a bit the rest of the way but the closest they got was the final 14 point margin.

There were a couple of scary moments as DeAndre Liggins and Doron Lamb rolled their ankles with about a minute left.  Liggins bounced up immediately and he has been listed as probable for tomorrows game.  Doron Lamb is listed as doubtful, but both players have said that they will play tomorrow.  Normally, I would take a minute to question the logic of having the players in, but you know what?  Kentucky is on a roll right now and the way they played today, they will be ready for tomorrow, regardless of five or six players.

Kentucky got extremely balanced scoring with Lamb leading the way with 15 points, Liggins and Harrellson with 14, Knight with 12 and Miller with 10.  Kentucky also had 9 three pointers, compared to five for Alabama.  Kentucky will face the winner of the Florida/Vanderbilt tomorrow and go for their 27th SEC Tournament title.

For complete game stats, go here. 

Keep following www.http://wildcatbluenation.com for the best in Kentucky basketball and football news, rumors, and opinions. By Kentucky fans for Kentucky fans