Dominique Hawkins Spurs Kentucky Basketball to Their 30th SEC Tournament Championship

The Wildcats pounded the Arkansas Razorbacks in Nashville to win Their 30th SEC Tournament title

Before breaking down today’s action, we’ll take a look back to just a few weeks ago when Kentucky Basketball was struggling and the turnaround since.

Do You Remember February 4th in Gainesville?

The Cats suffered their worst loss of the season that night to Florida by a score of 88-66. They were thoroughly whipped by the Gators. Most glaring was a 54-29 thrashing in  rebounds. That was Kentucky Basketball’s third loss in four games. And it took a fairly astonishing comeback to tie Georgia in regulation at home and win in overtime to avoid four straight defeats. They were playing lazy defense and their high-scoring offense of the early season had seemingly grounded to a halt. Wildcat fans had reason to wonder if this team had what it took to be successful.

What a difference 36 days makes. Kentucky Basketball has won 11 straight games since that dark night in the Sunshine State. The latest victory was a solid thumping of an Arkansas team that was on a pretty good roll themselves, having won eight of their last nine. Many of the keys to today’s win are the same elements that have been major factors in the Wildcats’ resurgence.

Home State Hero

Dominique Hawkins has given the Cats a huge lift in the last few weeks. He’s come off the bench to provide hustle, play tenacious defense, score timely points and show the heart that Wildcat fans love (crave?) to see from native sons. The 2013 Kentucky Mr. Basketball from Sweet 16 Champion Madison Central had a career high 14 points in the title game. His efforts over the weekend earned the senior a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Hawkins was on the floor during the key stretch of the game late in the first half. Kentucky led most of the half, but Arkansas cut the lead to 33-30 with 3:34 left. The Cats Big Three of De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk and Bam Adebayo had picked up two fouls each. Coach John Calipari was probably just trying to buy time until the break and had what you would call a makeshift lineup on the floor. Hawkins and fellow seniors Derek Willis and Mychal Mulder were joined by Isaish Briscoe and Isaac Humphries.

Instead of just hanging on, that unit ended half on a 9-0 run. Those nine points came on three-pointers, one by each of seniors. Mulder’s basket at the buzzer gave the Cats a 42-30 lead at the break.

MVP

De’Aaron Fox led the Cats in scoring in all three tournament games and was justly named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Today he had 18 points on 6-10 from the field and 5-7 from the free throw line. The freshman from Houston continues to give opposing defenders fits as they attempt (mostly in vain) to keep him from getting to his basket. His jump shot is getting better and he’s hitting his foul shots. The Wildcats are a tough out when Fox plays like he did the last few days in Bridgestone Arena.

More High Points

Bam Adebayo just missed a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Bam’s increased effectiveness and productivity have been a theme during the winning streak. So has better rebounding. Derek Willis continued his strong work on the glass, matching Adebayo with nine boards. Those two are doing a good job controlling the boards. Briscoe has always rebounded well for a player his size. This positive tr

end needs to continue.

The Isaac Humphries Index proved correct yet again! The backup big man hit a jumper in the lane with 3:49 left in the first half. That makes Kentucky 24-0 this season when the Man from Down Under dents the scoring column. Cal, keep ge

tting that man some shots!

Related Story: Can Kentucky Basketball Claim a 1 Seed?

Kentucky Basketball Heads to The Big Dance

The Wildcats now awaits their seeding and placement the NCAA Selection Committee.

Keep up with the Cats on their march to Number Nine here at Wildcat Blue Nation.