22 was really good on 22’s night

Vicky Graff Photo

ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes had the perfect description for Kentucky’s 72-67 win over Florida Saturday night.

“22 has been good on 22’s night,” Dykes said.

The first 22 was Kentucky freshman guard Cason Wallace. He went 7-for-10 from the field and 5-for-5 at the foul line to score a team-high 20 points for Kentucky — only his second 20-point game this season. He also grabbed three rebounds, blocked three shots, handed out two assists and made one steal in only 27 minutes.

Considering his status was questionable because of a knee contusion that forced him to miss the previous game, Wallace’s play was a huge plus.

Just call it destiny because the second 22 referred to by Dykes was former UK All-American/UK Network color analyst Mike Pratt. The UK icon passed away in the summer and finally had his jersey retired at halftime of Saturday’s win. It was an emotional moment for Pratt’s family, former teammates and UK fans.

However, I know he had to be looking down and smiling with the way Wallace took over the game when it mattered most. I still remember Pratt calling me to ask about Wallace after I wrote an article about him when he first committed to UK. Pratt didn’t follow recruiting until a player was set to become a Wildcat and then he wanted to know plenty about him.

Wallace also played a lot like Pratt. The only two UK players in the top 30 for points, rebounds and assists all-time at UK are Pratt and Jack Givens — the former UK all-American who took Pratt’s job on the UK Radio Network.

Wallace has the same type of overall game.

“Sometimes things are just supposed to happen. For No. 22 to be the leading scorer on the night UK honored Mike Pratt is special,” Dykes, a former UK assistant coach, said.

“Wallace’s rim defense probably saved Kentucky six points. He has speed and is probably faster than he seems on film. He just plays winning basketball.”

That’s exactly what Pratt did. His teams won and whatever it took to make that happen, he did. Wallace is the same way.

After UK had missed six of seven shots to let a 13-point lead dwindle to five points with just over three minutes to play it was Wallace hitting a 3-pointer. With Kentucky leading only 66-61 after Oscar Tshiebwe fouled out, it was Wallace who drove and finished at the basket with his left hand. With the lead at 70-67 with 13 seconds to play, it was Wallace who made two free throws to put the win away.

“How many points did (Florida) have at halftime? 22. Mike’s number. Who made the last points of the game? No. 22. You don’t think Mike was up there tipping balls away?” Calipari said.

Why not because whatever it took to win, Pratt did and on his night, maybe he just passed that power on to the newest No. 22.