Kentucky ran out of point guards and yet still beat Gonzaga

The Kentucky Wildcats beat the Gonzaga Bulldogs 90-89 in a stunning overtime win. This game was amazing in so many ways. It was a wild rollercoaster ride. It will truly go down as one of the all-time games in Kentucky history. It was full of all the things you need in an amazing game; it's like a 30-30 Kentucky edition.

Introduction to the Lore

It started with Kentucky not being able to play their starting point guard, Lamont Butler, due to an ankle injury. They tried to get him going before the game, but he wouldn't have been able to be explosive or attack the hoop. They couldn't risk it, as they would need him more down the road. This was deflating for the fanbase and even the players. It appeared to suck the life out of them. To win, many were saying, they had to have Butler.

Chapter 1: Uninspiring Basketball

Kentucky looked off, deflated, and uninspired throughout the first half. It was lackluster at best. They were out of position, simply allowing Gonzaga to take the ball to the hoop. They literally couldn't stop the Bulldogs from scoring, and they were cold on offense. It was a recipe for disaster. Gonzaga kept building a lead and went into half-time with 16 points in their pocket. This felt like the end; it felt over for many.

Chapter 2: The Run

Then Kentucky came out of the half and made a nice little run. Scoring baskets and limiting Gonzaga to score their own baskets. They began to climb back in it. They used zone concepts to throw the Bulldogs off and limit Graham Ike in the paint. It was incredible to see that half-time adjustments happened and that they were working. Kentucky fought back, but they still couldn't find the lead. It took all of the second half to dig themselves out of the hole they put themselves in from the first half.

Chapter 3: Kerr Kriisa Goes Down

Kentucky was already without Lamont Butler, their starting point guard. Then Kriisa had a weird thing happen: he passed the ball to a teammate, and when it was being passed back, he grabbed his leg and limped down the floor as the ball was turned over. He then lay there as the trainers worked on him. The TV crew thought it was just cramps, but he never returned.

Chapter 4: Jaxson Robinson Takes Over

Robinson played a little point under Mark Pope, and he's still probably the player who understands Pope's offense the best, having played under him at BYU. He began to run the point with a little help from others, especially Koby Brea. However, it became Robinson's show, and he took over. He began to find his teammates, get to soft spots in the defense, hit floaters, and create for Andrew Carr. It was impressive.

Chapter 5: Over-time

The Kentucky Wildcats climbed all the way back and tied it up. They then had the ball with 24 seconds left to take the lead and had Otega Oweh with the ball with only seconds left. He got to where he thought he could float one in but Ike made an impressive defensive play and blocked the ball. It landed in Brea's hands, who took a flailing shot only to miss. The game was going to overtime.

In overtime, Kentucky took the lead and never looked back. They went 4-0 to start and never let Gonzaga have it back. The Bulldogs made it a game by getting within one point and fouling Andrew Carr with only 4 seconds left.

Chapter 6: Andrew Carr Free-Throws

Andrew Carr missed both of his double bonus free throws. Gonzaga was down one and rebounded the ball, As they headed up court quickly and some defensive swipes at the ball from Kentucky, Gonzaga lost control and the players piled up for the ball and the clock ran out. Kentucky wins.

Chapter 7: Celebrate!

Kentucky did it; they did the impossible. They came back with their backs up against the wall when everyone doubted them, without a point guard. They beat Gonzaga in Seattle in an all-time classic.