Going Out In Style

That's how you finish conference play.

Kentucky's 74-59 win over Florida capped off a simply wonderful regular season for the Cats, and a simply perfect conference season. The Gators of Gainesville did offer at least a modicum of resistance today, but the Big Blue juggernaut rolled on nonetheless. 16 swept without a loss. Makes up for football season every time.

Early on, it looked as if Terrence Jones might be able to defeat Florida all by his lonesome. Jones was muscling up shots to open the game with an extra-fierce determination, signifying this UK team's intent to close out SEC play without a blemish.

Steve Kerr (?) was gushing about TJ early on, and with good reason. (Anybody know why we had an NBA announcing crew working this game?) But the fact is, "good" Terrence clearly made the trip down from Lexington, and that was very bad news for Billy Donovan.

Jones is tough to handle for a lot of reasons, but he's such a strong dude going to the basket with a full head of steam, that most defenders are simply S.O.L. when he gets that clear path. He can also take considerable contact and still finish effectively, and his right hand has gotten so much better during his two years on campus.

And speaking of getting better, is it possible that Anthony Davis can show us yet another gear during post-season play? And what gear would that even be? Sixth? Seventh? That little hook shot would be just SO sick if he could break it out successfully and consistently. Unstoppable, even. Has Wiltjer been working with him on that move? (The three-pointers on the other hand: let's keep those in check please.)

But I should really spit out a few words about Darius Miller, who scored only six points today. The thing is, when UK really needed a bucket in the second half, Darius was the man to get it. And with him being the Cats' lone senior contributor (no offense, Eloy) it's got to be especially gratifying for the former Mr. Basketball to run the conference table.

Darius did have himself a great senior night against Georgia, with five three-pointers finding the twine last Thursday-- and all of the plaudits that he's gotten as his UK career winds down have been fairly earned. It's always nice when young men play their best basketball down the stretch, and you can tell that Mr. Miller has had more fun than ever this season, even though he's not playing 40 minutes a game. His contributions have not been at all meager, even amidst this stellar group of future NBA talents. Fact is that Miller has hit several clutch shots coming off the bench, and I expect several more as March plays out.

And quickly back to Eloy Vargas, in closing. Seems like a nice guy. Never really showed a whole lot, but you'd have to say that he does give plenty of effort. Any UK letterman gets my respect. I wish both him and Miller the absolute best of luck in the future. But when it comes down to it, perhaps Lucy Van Pelt would put it best: of all the Eloys in all the world, he's definitely the Eloyest.

GO CATS!