Kentucky Basketball: Top 30 Wildcats games in John Calipari Era
Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns players (from left) Archie Goodwin , Brandon Knight , Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. All four players previous played basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
#7. Princeton Tigers vs Kentucky Wildcats
2011 NCAA Tournament
Who knew one basket can change a whole season? Brandon Knight now does.
"Brandon Knight missed his first seven shots and even found himself on the bench in the final minute against Princeton. His confidence could have been shaken. His ego could have been bruised. After all, he was a freshman playing in his first NCAA tournament game. Then again, Knight’s no ordinary newcomer. Held scoreless for more than 39 minutes, Knight made a driving layup with 2 seconds remaining to lift No. 4 seed Kentucky to a 59-57 win over 13th-seeded Princeton on Thursday. “I have all the faith and confidence in the world in him,” coach John Calipari said. “He’s not afraid to make a play. Guys like him aren’t afraid to miss.” The Tigers (25-7) shut Knight down much of the game, doubling him on drives, putting a hand in his face on the perimeter and contesting every shot. A day earlier, Calipari proclaimed, “You can’t count on freshmen.” He pulled Knight down the stretch in favor of a taller defender. But with the game on the line, Calipari put the ball in Knight’s hands. The kid delivered, and Big Blue advanced to face West Virginia in the East regional Saturday. “If we lose that game, the season’s over,” said Knight, who grew up about four hours south in Fort Lauderdale. “I would have been happy as long as we won, no matter who hit the shot. I was just fortunate enough to be in that situation to help my team get that win. “Not making shots — it happens sometimes. I’m not going to sit here and focus on it. You know, move on. I’m just happy we won as a team.” Knight’s winner was the biggest contribution Kentucky (26-8) got from its trio of talented freshmen. Terrence Jones finished with 10 points, Doron Lamb added seven and Knight failed to reach double figures for the first time in 29 games. “I think they had the jitters at their first NCAA tournament game ever that they’ve been watching since they’re 12 and all of a sudden starting in the NCAA tournament that’s on national television,” Calipari said. “How we escaped — I will have to go watch the tape and figure it out.”"
Next: Knight Does it Again