These Cats Show They Are Fighters

UK Athletics Photo

I will honestly admit I came close to not making the trip to Chicago. The thought of driving six hours to see the depleted Cats get beat up on by a bunch of Jayhawks did not appeal to me in the least. However, I suffer from FOMO —  fear of missing out — and I knew if I didn’t go I would sit on my couch and sulk. So I went.

The atmosphere was electric. United Center was divided between the BBN and the Rock Chalks. The Spartans and Dukies even hung around to see what might lie ahead for them.

These Cats did not back down. They are fighters. They are scrappy and they are so much fun to watch. Kansas started the game on fire and it looked as if it was going to be a long night for the Cats when the ball started bouncing the other way thanks to the insertion of Rob Dillingham. Dillingham connected on four straight 3-pointers in less than two minutes, igniting the Cats. The Cats headed to halftime with a 36-30 lead.

Kentucky would pull ahead and then the Jayhawks would close the gap and make a run of their own. The Cats were down by three with 18 seconds and Reed Sheppard threw up an air ball leading to Kansas holding on for the lead.

This team gave Kansas everything it wanted and had a chance to pull the upset until the final few seconds. They did this with 21 feet of athletes on the end of the bench. They did this with D.J. Wagner and Justin Edwards (top projected draft picks) having the worst nights since donning the Kentucky uniform.

Number one rated Kansas is a veteran team without a ceiling. They are what they will be.

Kentucky’s ceiling is through the roof. The freshman will only improve as they settle in, the chemistry will continue to develop and add in a big or two and they should be a contender in March.

Antonio Reeves led the Cats in scoring with 24 followed by Dillingham with 18 and Adou Theiro contributed 16. The Cats turned the ball over just eight times compared to 14 turnovers for Kansas.

So as fans wait for injuries and an approval from the NCAA, can fans chip in and buy Theiro a helmet to make sure he can stay healthy?