Kentucky Basketball: Wheeler led Wildcats crush Tar Heels from tip to horn

Kentucky makes statement win they are back after demolishing Tar Heels

Kentucky basketball needed to make a statement with a big-time win on a big-time stage and they did so in beating North Carolina and regaining their swagger.  Their NCAA Tournament resume didn’t feature a marquee win till now.

The Wildcats were on the cusp of beating UNC by the worst margin they have been defeated by. The lead had reached 35 points with 1:30 to play with the biggest win coming back in 1950 by a score of 83-44. In the end, though it will be the second-largest margin in a series UNC still leads 25-17.

Kentucky kept the pedal to the floor most of the game and listened to everything that Calipari was preaching on the sideline. Big Blue won’t have a ton of games that can vault their pedigree as the season goes along in the rugged Southeastern Conference.

Tshiebwe was asked if we will continue to see this kind of effort game after game.

"“We need days like today every single time we step in and play basketball. If we came out like this every single night, every single day, it’s going to be so tough for the people we’re going to go against. They’re going to have nightmares playing against us. It’s going to be good. We’re going to go talk. We’re not going to back down. We’re going to keep getting better and bring the same energy we had today every single night, every single day.”"

Next up is rival Louisville on Wednesday night. The Cardinals looked woeful in an 82-72 loss to Western Kentucky in the game prior to the UK tipoff. They most likely will be without big man Malik Williams who was ruled out just prior to tipoff against the Hilltoppers due to Covid.

Tipoff is set for 6 pm EST in Rupp Arena on Wednesday.