Oscar Tshiebwe thanked fans for supporting the Cats Saturday night. (Vicky Graff Photo)
This was the game Kentucky fans had been waiting for.
Finally a top 10 team was playing Kentucky in Rupp Arena. After a soft non-conference schedule and no real marquee Southeastern Conference games at home yet, hosting Kansas as part of ESPN GameDay had Kentucky fans excited, especially with the Cats on a four-game win streak.
Kentucky lost 77-68 in a game it needed to win to help its NCAA Tournament resume. Losing does not hurt making the tourney like losing at home to lowly South Carolina did, but it was a game that could have unified Big Blue Nation even more if the Cats had won.
Oscar Tshiebwe had 18 points and nine rebounds in the loss but appreciated the Rupp Arena atmosphere.
“I just want to say thank you to all of our fans. Today was a tough one. It was a big boy fight. We just came in and we were fighting,” Tshiebwe said.
“They came out from losing three games in a row, and just came in to win this game. For us too, we were fighting. But it was a tough one for us. So I just want to say thank you to our fans, and we’re going to keep fighting.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari said it was an “unbelievable crowd” after the game.
“Unbelievable students were there and you want to reward them as a coach and as a team,” Calipari said. “You want to do that.
“But we never stopped playing. We fought the whole time, and we got a lot of games left. This is a marathon. We’ve got games and we’ve just got to keep getting better.”
6 Responses
the way Cats started game was super. but then Cal made a change and it began to fall apart
BIG ITEM> Oscar and Ware have to stop leaving their big man. they do it every time every game They switch to the little guy on pick n roll then their big guy goes to the Rim u.nmgaurded buy smaller Cat guy cost Cats 10 points inn this game. and one more thing if Ware wants to play. then work on FT’s can u believe he has only made 1 all season . missed so many at crucial times , How can anyone missed 2 every time.
Sorry Ware I love your competitive spirit but take some pride in making FT’s. FT’s are the difference in winning more times then not
one more thing. WHY THE BIG #2 O . THE 7 FOOTER KNOWN FOR HIS BLOCKING EXPERTISE DOES NOT EVER GET SOME PLAYING TIME. HE EVEN CAN MAKE FT’S.
AND REBOUND.CATS ONLY HAD 2 OFFENSIVE REEBIES. COME ON. NO EXCUSE
BTW WHERE IS COLLINS?
Sorry about upper case . just trying to make a point
Thanks
No big man in the game.
No Thiero in the game.
No Livingston in the game for the entire 2nd half despite first-half contributions
But, Wheeler played 15 minutes. When Calipari put Wheeler in the game after the under-12 media timeout, UK led. During those first two segments, UK averaged 8 possessions per segment, 2 possessions per minute. During Wheeler’s time on the court, the pace SLOWED to 1 1/4 possessions per minute, UK fell behind never to regain a lead, UK had 2 shot clock violations, and the synergy on the floor that we watched during those first two segments disappeared.
I bet Calipari kissed Wheeler yet again in the locker room last night too. After all, Wheeler is the difference maker according to the fraud that some call a coach. Yes, he was the difference-maker last night for sure.
All of these personnel decisions belong to the Fraud.
That may very well be the last full house we see this year at Rupp. If not, a loss to Tennessee in 2 weeks will do the trick. As long as Calipari plays Wheeler, the worse our record will be. Maybe a half empty Rupp Arena will finally get Dr. Calipouto’s attention.
As much I like to see a change I don’t think it’s going to happen unless Cal decides to take the Texas job.. Texas is going have to offer him some oil rigs if they want him
The Cats were one dimensional against Kansas. The SEC has moved past the dribble drive offense and utilizes the three point shot more and more. KY has no consistent three shooter and the offense seems unable to coexist with the three unlike an Alabama or TN. Secondly, The Cats missed enough free throws to win the game. Want to beat KY? Defend the dribble drive. Cats can’t score consistently from outside the paint.