No point guard, no problem for resurgent Cats in stunning win at Arkansas

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UK Athletics Photo

Kentucky did not have a healthy point guard with Cason Wallace and Sahvir Wheeler both out with injuries.

Guard CJ Fredrick played with a rib injury but only managed to make it for 15 minutes.

Oscar Tshiebwe was in foul trouble most of the game and fouled out with 4 minutes, 53 seconds to play. He played only 26 minutes — well below his average.

If that wasn’t enough, Arkansas had already defeated Kentucky in Rupp Arena and has an enthusiastic capacity crowd ready to pounce on Kentucky, which was coming off another home loss to Vanderbilt on Wednesday on Senior Night.

So what happened? John Calipari might have done his best coaching job of the season, the energy level was magnificent and Antonio Reeves was unbelievable as UK won 88-79 to secure third place in the Southeastern Conference. That assured the Cats of a double-bye in the SEC Tournament in Nashville where they will play the final game on Friday night.

Think about this. Kentucky got the lead at 8-6 and never gave it up. Didn’t matter how physical Arkansas tried to be or how short-handed the Wildcats were. Kentucky just found a way to win.

“It was just an incredible performance. They had a makeshift approach just to get the ball up the court with (Jacob) Toppin and everybody did their part,” Kentucky Radio Network announcer Tom Leach said when the game ended.

He was right. Anybody who played for Kentucky contributed in some way. Nobody was perfect — well Reeves with 37 points in 40 minutes and just one turnover was closed to perfect — but everyone did something whether it was Daimion Collins and Lance Ware combining for eight points and seven rebounds with Tshiebwe in foul trouble or Adou Thiero getting seven points and five rebounds in 24 needed minutes with UK’s backcourt injury issues.

Even Chris Livingston was important despite going 0-for-5 from the field and scoring just one point. He had nine rebounds, one block and one steal. He never let up and did not let his offensive woes impact his overall play.

Calipari was surprised that Reeves had 37 points on 12-for-17 shooting from the field and 11-for-11 at the four line. He was happy the senior guard had a “big-time” game but he said Reeves was not UK’s most “impactful” player.

“It was CJ for playing hurt. I asked him for five minutes each half. The minute you can’t go you tell me. He said I am done (in the second half). Without him, we don’t win the game,” Calipari said.

It’s just been that kind of season. Lose to South Carolina at home, then win at Tennessee. Lose to Vanderbilt on Senior Night, then win at Arkansas.

That’s why you can be optimistic or pessimistic about UK’s postseason chances. On certain nights, Kentucky can play with any team. On other nights, Kentucky can lose to any team.

Calipari took a “looser” approach to the game with no healthy point guard — he even prepared a zone defense that UK actually used late  in the game — but said the way UK played was even more important than the win.

“I said to the guys at this time of year you are trying to make sure you are establishing how you are going to play in the NCAA Tournament. You want to win but these are not season-ending losses,” Calipari said.

“Do you execute, right, go get rebounds? If you lose playing that way, you move on. We are using the game to maybe improve our seed (in postseason play) but more to prepare us to play in that tournament.”

14 Responses

  1. This team confirms that I’d never be a good gambler. Wins games like today that I really thought they’d lose and lose senior night that I’d bet the house on.

  2. This was probably the grittiest game I have watched a UK team play in a long while.

    Great win today, and this team has earned its double bye against all odds.

    Congratulations to all including Calipari.

  3. This was a GREAT win! But now is not the time to revel in a single win. Either Vandy or Auburn is up next and both want to play us more than we want to play them. Most likely, A&M would be the next foe, and call me silly, but I have a feeling that Missouri will be in the Championship game. The SEC tourney will call for 3 such wins as we had yesterday. If we show the mental fortitude and confidence to win the SEC tourney, then playing in April is not out of the question. I hope this team gets it together, but I am not betting the house on any of the upcoming games, lol.

  4. Betting the house should not be an option Barry, least we forget St. Mary’s ! However Sister Agness picks us to win it all .

  5. Phenomenal game and a truly gritty effort. I don’t want to minimize the effort of CJ giving us important minutes when hurt, however, Reeves was magnificent. Without his effort, we lose. Amazing that he did this after an abysmal effort against Vandy at home. Congratulations CATS!

  6. Hence the old phrase "That’s why they play the game!".

    I didn’t see it coming either Larry. Best comment I’ve read about the game was "Arkansas lost their composure. Let their emotions get the best of them. UK, on the other hand, despite the obvious factors making things difficult, fought just as hard and other than Oscar losing his head briefly early kept their minds right and looked like a mature team winning a must game."

    To that I say BINGO

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