Kentucky fell behind at the start, and then absolutely blitzed North Carolina on its way to a 15-point halftime lead and eventual 2-point victory. For a very long stretch, the Cats looked every bit worthy of their top-5 ranking.
John Wall, the usual suspect, put together two MASSIVE fast break plays that turned the momentum early and sbsolutely jacked up the Rupp Arena crowd (a record 24 thousand and whatever.) Question: how does a facility that's over 30 years old continue to set attendance records? Folding chairs? Somebody call the fire marshal.
Anyway, Mr. Wall was perhaps working on one of his better performances of this young season before suffering from cramps that severely curtailed his minutes in the second half. Eric Bledsoe wasn't exactly at his best either, due to an ankle injury he picked up in practice on Friday. The hampered backcourt situation gets most of the blame for Carolina scratching their way back into this one. (I am loathe to give UNC Head Coach Huckleberry Hound credit for anything other than an astounding innate ability to cry --or alternately, cuss-- during his pressers after NCAA tournament losses.)
Wall's speed dunk on a breakaway, and his acrobatic, left-handed "and one" were also matched by a couple of big late free throws by the young man from Raleigh, who undoubtedly wanted to put on a show that the folks would remember back in his home state.
I suspect there will be much fretting from the UK faithful about how the team operates without Wall at full capacity, but to me the Bledsoe injury was just as critical. Neither player looked close to 100% down the stretch. Honestly, that makes their free throw shooting even more impressive, considering the Cats needed every one of them to put the Tar Heels away. (Combined total on the day: 10 of 13). And while UK's offense was held to 25 second-half points, there were still enough buckets to keep the rally at bay. Barely.
What I would hope that Kentucky gets from that second half is, again: stay hungry, guys. And stay humble. We still have 20 shopping days until Christmas. Your defense will create opportunities. Also, don't forget about #54...the man needs some more touches, people. Really. Darius: you can score yourself, buddy. Just get a step on your man, or use a pick to get within 12 feet or so, and I bet you hit about 80%. Heck, take a couple more threes whenever you can get clean looks. You can stroke it.
And a special word to the man they call Big Cuz....
Just. Settle. Down.
You are going to be great. You really are. Work on that basketball IQ, DeMarcus. Figure out when you're better off not forcing that sloppy half-hook shot. Let the offense come to you. Remain a beast on the backboards. Cut down your pouting by 47.5% You can do this. And keep taking all those extra free throws in practice.
*Steps back down off of soapbox*
Great win, though. GREAT win for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. Remember how bad Carolina thumped UK last year? (Actually, no, don't remember that.) Remember what you did in the first half today, Big Blue. Do that again. Do that consistently. This could be quite a season. Yes sir.
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