The Good, the Bad and the Sad: Social Media Reacts to Kentucky Basketball vs. North Carolina

Kentucky Basketball ends its season to North Carolina. Rebounding could have been the straw that broke the Cats’ back.

It’s never enjoyable when an ex rebounds better than you, even if you broke up with them.

When freshman guard Malik Monk launched that go-ahead three-pointer against the Tarheels in December, that was Kentucky Basketball sending them the break-up text. We needed it to be over, said, “Seeya,” and moved on.

But when we met again, UNC forward Kennedy Meeks ripped down 17 boards, helping his team to a healthy 44 (10 more than Kentucky).

Free throws were an issue

Know what’s cool? Free stuff, including throws of various kinds. What’s more, “free” often implies “easy,” and in basketball, an uncontested shot from 15 feet is easy. In theory.

First, UNC’s Justin Jackson took the game’s opening free throws, and he made two of three. Then, sophomore guard Isaiah Briscoe took Kentucky’s first two attempts of the game, but he missed both. It was a sign of things to come, as the Wildcats finished the contest 12-19, and the Tarheels 18-26.

While that’s not a monstrous difference as far as percentages go, the biggest takeaway is that all three of Kentucky’s starting guards (you know, the fast guys who are supposed to drive the lane and get to the free throw line) shot 50 percent or worse. At the end of the game, Monk was 1-2, Briscoe 1-4 and De’Aaron Fox 1-2.

Humphries’ Midrange Game Kept The Cats in Reach

The instant Isaac Humphries had his first bucket, all of Big Blue Nation collectively thought the same thing: Kentucky hasn’t lost a game when Isaac Humphries scores. Maybe we jinxed ourselves.

But the big man from Down Under had himself a great game. He was seemingly automatic from the midrange, and this neat little play shows that Humphries can step even further from the basket:

Did you see that grin at the end? Humphries was cheesin’, and hopefully he’ll be out there hitting threes next year.

He capped off the evening with 12 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal.

https://twitter.com/gabbienotguilty/status/846139527475482625

Big Shot Dom

What a player, what a guy. Senior guard Dominique Hawkins has been such a model teammate over the past four years, and he and fellow senior Derrick Willis deserve our thanks.

He filled in admirably for Fox during the first half, nailing shots and inspiring the crowd. Despite this Elite 8 loss, Hawkins elevated his game all March long, and he proved crucial to the success of Kentucky Basketball.

Hawkins finished with 10 points on 2-3 from downtown and three rebounds. Thank you, Dom. We mean it.

John Calipari and his team did Kentucky Basketball proud

Where success goes, the hate is sure to follow. It’s what we’ve come to expect as Kentucky Basketball fans. 

We’ve accomplished a lot during Calipari’s eight years: six Elite 8’s, four Final 4’s, two national title games and one NCAA championship. If you ask me, that’s pretty damn good.

Also, who says our freshman don’t care?

Next: Is Kentucky's Next Recruiting Class Missing Some Pieces?

All of Kentucky’s players–freshman included–fought hard as a team because they wanted to win as a team.

Even though it’s sad to see this group of young men each go their separate ways, BBN will always look back fondly at this tournament run. It was a hell of a ride.