South Carolina Has More Energy, Effort, Toughness and Routs Kentucky

Vicky Graff Photo

Some losses are worse than others and the beatdown Kentucky took at South Carolina Tuesday night was one of those bad defeats.

It’s not just that South Carolina won 79-62 but it is the way the Gamecocks won. They were physically tougher than Kentucky. They were better from 3-point range than Kentucky. They were much better defensively than Kentucky. They were much  more energetic than Kentucky.

SEC Network analyst proclaimed early in the game that “South Carolina was not as talented at any position or on the bench” as Kentucky but was compensating with effort.

“They are just guarding them hard and seeing what will happen,” Bradshaw said.

What happened was that Kentucky wilted. The Cats scored two points in the last 6 1/2 minutes of the first half as a five-point lead turned into an eight-point halftime deficit.  Kentucky finished the game 25-for-62 from the field — 40.3 percent — but what had been a brilliant passing team all season had just seven assists on the 25 field goals.

Kentucky’s balanced offense imploded. Freshman Rob Dillingham was 7-for-14 from the field and his nine early points kept UK in the game. He finished with 16 points. Antonio Reeves had 15 points but had to take 18 shots and made just six. He only got off three 3-point shots. Tre Mitchell had 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting along with five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

But Reed Sheppard had just 3 points on a late 3-pointer. Justin Edwards managed just two points on late free throws. D.J. Wagner, who had been on a tear, had four points on 2-for-10 shooting and could not finish through contact.

What about Zvonimir Ivisic? After playing brilliantly against Georgia in his debut, Big Z was a non-factor. He was 1-for-3 from the field, had two rebounds and blocked two shots in 10 minutes — but UK was outscored by 13 points in his time on the court.

“I think they have a national championship offense and a round of 32 defense. I can’t buy in until they get better defensively,” Bradshaw said.

Several times Bradshaw could not believe how easily the Gamecocks scored.

“I don’t know how that happens if you are Kentucky. They (South Carolina) never had to pass the ball. They just dribbled through the teeth of the defense for an easy two,” the SEC Network analyst said. “You have got to be able to guard the ball and not give up penetration that easily.”

This observation by Bradshaw is one South Carolina coach Lamont Paris believed and other SEC coaches are going to reach the same conclusion.

“If you don’t turn the ball over against this Kentucky defense you will get the shot you want and South Carolina has solved that riddle,” Bradshaw said.

On the other end, the Gamecocks used a similar defensive plan against a team averaging 91 points per game that Texas A&M tried when it beat the Wildcats. The Aggies were physical but not like South Carolina and not as sound in their focus as the Gamecocks were.

“Kentucky is seeing bodies in the lane every time. It has typically been a tough, contested 2 every shot,” Bradshaw said. “I thought South Carolina could win this game but I did not envision them holding Kentucky to 57 points with two minutes to play.”

No one did but the Gamecocks made it look easy. SEC Network play-by-play announcer Tom Hart, who is beloved by most UK fans, said it was “shocking” to see South Carolina with such a huge lead over No. 6 Kentucky.

“This is a South Carolina team that is not explosive but in the second half they got whatever they wanted,” Bradshaw said. “This is why I have been hesitant to say Final Four for Kentucky if they can’t right the ship defensively.”

Valid concern on the defense but if the Cats cannot handle physical play and find a way to either make open shots or finish through contact, then the chances for a Final Four season are slim and none.