Vicky Graff Photo
Florida coach Todd Golden said if you told him Kentucky would need a 3-pointer from a freshman who had attempted only three (3-pointers) all year for Kentucky to beat his Gators, he would have taken that.
“Again a top 10 team you have got to pick the poison you want to live with,” the Florida coach said. “Bradshaw hit a big-time shot. It was a dagger shot for them. He beat us with that shot. I don’t think we beat ourselves. He beat us.”
What Bradshaw did win 1 minute, 27 seconds to play Saturday at Florida was bury a 3-pointer to give UK a 79-76 lead and the No. 6 Cats went on to win 87-85 in both teams’ SEC opener.
“Man it felt real good,” Bradshaw said after the win. “I just got low and held the follow-through and made the shot.”
Kentucky teammate D.J. Wagner, who also played with Bradshaw in high school, was not surprised he made the shot.
“That’s the great player in him. He’s been putting in a lot of work and it showed,” Wagner said. “Once he let the ball go, we all had confidence because we know how hard he works.
“He didn’t even think about it. As soon as he saw he was open, he let it go. We all wanted him to shoot it. That’s how confident we are in him.”
Kentucky fans were not that confident with Bradshaw for most of the game. He had one rebound and nothing else in 10 minutes of first-half play.
“Aaron was awful in the first half,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said.
In the second half he played 15 minutes and got six rebounds, two steals, and one block. He also scored 10 points in the final 9:05 of play. He blocked a shot creating a Florida shot clock violation the possession before his 3-pointer.
“This could be a breakthrough game for him. He did not just score but his block late was huge and so was his steal to give Kentucky another shot,” Givens said. “He made plays you need him to make. This should help his confidence immensely.”
16 Responses
Not bad for a guy that some said would never play a game for the Cats.
Jimmy! Jimmy! It’s all good. I’m glad that Bradshaw is playing for us and hope he continues to grow as a Wildcat. I was wrong about you Jimmy. You aren’t a Calipari lover, you are a Calipari hater HATER, lol! I am happy I give you something to squeal about!
No squealing here Barry. I try to clear up the whiners tears. I think it’s hilarious that Cal lives rent free in so many people’s head. Go Cal’s Cats!!!
The sad part is probably won’t see big Z play, don’t get it the way the NCAA has not rule anything yet. Just say yay or no so the kid can move on regardless.
,Have to agree with you Cats79. Don’t think Big Z will ever play for the Cats.
If the NCAA was going to declare him eligible it would happened before now.
They are dragging their feet hoping everyone will forget how totally inept they
are. I hope those people aren’t getting paid. Waste of money.
I think like it or not, payment he took does not meet bylaws they have and those are set by the schools … and obviously need changing
With NIL being what it is and also the proposal to actually make athletes paid employees of the university, why should it matter if they have been paid to play elsewhere?
Should have spent money on a lawyer rather than a billboard. Talk about stoking the fire. I read that UCLA had to use a lawyer to free Mora the big from Spain.
What payment did he receive? I know he played for a professional team, but I haven’t read anything about payments.
He got paid by the pro team
You or anybody can join the combine for a mere $700. He should bulk up and learn what he can inside the Craft. He’s gotta be great for Bradshaw & Onyenso to battle against. Maybe hang around for another year maybe he gets cleared.
Unlikely things need to occur from players to overcome Cal’s coaching.
I don’t know why you Cal haters get on here and repeat yourselves. Just put some positive stuff about the team that we’ve got.
There is little to NO chance of Bradshaw coming back for a year two, but he really needs to bulk up to let his potential become realized. He is a reed in the wind under the basket the way he gets pushed around. He will likely show just enough potential to get drafted, but regardless of whether that happens, he could use a year two at Kentucky.
Bradshaw & Edwards have run that play many many times & or Wagner, in high school. Nice looking play. Coach sure was Happy. Did anyone see his expression? He definitely wants to win badly with the last 3 seasons we’ve all had to endure. I don’t see any let down against Mizzou. Get your front row tickets from Ticketmaster or StubHub for probably $1500.
No doubt John M. and the G League is always available. Average salary 42k. Probably better off staying for year two, but to early to tell. Hopefully he stays healthy.
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