Kentucky basketball: Despite loss Cats go from panic to fight behind Sarr

With five games to look at and the Notre Dame rally its clear the offense must go through Clarke and Sarr

It is apparent and Calipari acknowledged after the game that the offense now and going forward will have to run through Clarke and Sarr.

Sarr finally has come to play and that was evident and showed he has learned what it means to play with a couple of fouls. Several times he was on the floor pounding his chest and stoked after knocking down momentum-changing shots and drawing charges.

The fuse has been lit and now his game must explode.

Where he could most benefit would have been the tutoring of former coach Kenny Payne who left this season for the New York Knicks. Payne knew how to get his players to play tough down low in the post – something this team lacks.

Sarr was 11 of 16 shooting for the night including one missed trey but nailed six of his final seven shots in the closing 10 minutes of the game.

He led the Cats with 7 rebounds and had just 2 turnovers.

Clarke finished with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 foul despite 4 turnovers. Turnovers are just a part of his game we will have to live with.

Calipari noted in his post-game comments on the radio show.

"I like Terrence at the point and we will play through Olivier and nothing else. Terrence had some bad turnovers and a terrible one at the end. Still, we had a chance to win at the end which was most important."

Probably what will resonate with fans will be but shouldn’t is the missed basket.  More importantly, was with Sarr hanging his head and hands on his knees  Clarke came over to comfort him. He lifted his head high and the other players joined and they walked off arms all around each other’s shoulders.

That should be positive to build upon in practice this week. Maybe they are embracing the comrades in arms mentality instead of the “me and I” attitude.