Can I Exhale Yet?

Holy Smokes, people.

That was a close one.

I give Princeton all the credit in the world for playing a very disciplined, deliberate game. And on just about any other (NCAA opening round) day, that kind of effort and strategy would be good enough for an upset win. It just was not to be for the Ivy Leaguers, despite their tremendous resolve.

Personally, to my chagrin, I was stuck in the office watching this one on the computer monitor, but at least I had "Madness on Demand" allowing me to catch most of it, in video quality that was quite good. We can't all take the day off to celebrate the tournament, right Brother John?

All I can really say and think right now is that Kentucky is VERY fortunate to have pulled this one off. Brandon Knight made a spectacular individual play after having gone 0-fer up 'til the final seconds.

Brass ones right there. Big shot for him, big shot for Kentucky fans all over the globe.

I thought Miller had a fairly solid game, and see where he wound up with 17 to lead UK in scoring this afternoon. So his late-season emergence continues, and honestly, where would the Cats be without him right now? Obviously Harrellson pitched in a little more scoring than usual (15), and I hope it doesn't offend anyone if I suggest that he matched up more equitably as an athlete vs. Princeton than he does against most teams.

Terrence Jones had a big three-pointer late, and a very timely blocked shot as well, but I keep waiting for him to have a HUGE game like we all know he is capable of....one of those, "I'm taking over now, fellas, and watch this left-handed tomahawk BAM!" kind of games. It's been a while for him. Maybe he's saving it for West Virginia.

Truth be told, Kentucky has to be thankful to be playing on Saturday, especially when you consider what happened to in-state rival Louisville today.

On to the next one.

Three more W's 'til Houston.