Ugonna Onyenso blocked two shots and pulled off 11 rebounds. (Vicky Graff Photo)
I am still not sure if John Calipari is right about Kentucky being built for March but the Wildcats certainly were built for Feb. 17 to pull off a huge 70-59 upset at No. 13 Auburn.
By UK standards this year, it was an average offensive game at best with the Cats shooting 44 percent overall from the field and only 4-for-13 from 3. However, by UK standards this year, it was a magnificent defensive game holding Auburn to 31 percent overall shooting and just 4-for-22 from 3.
Remember this is the Auburn offense that put up 101 points on South Carolina earlier in the week to win by 40 — and South Carolina is supposed to be the SEC’s best defensive team.
“We said they had to come ready for a fight and Kentucky came ready for a fistfight and won the game that way,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said. “They won with mental and physical toughness at a level we have not seen this year. Very encouraging for Kentucky.”
Very encouraging? It was more than that. Maybe it wasn’t a season-saving win but it certainly was a confidence-building win not only for the team but for the UK fan base.
“It’s impressive and encouraging that John Calipari and his staff can emphasize to this team this is what you can do without (injured) Tre (Mitchell),” Bilas said. “Leaving as the only team to beat Auburn at home has got to be uplifting for Kentucky and make believers (out of them) that they can be a good defensive team.
“This is a message John Calipari can use with his team. That type of physicality is difficult to beat. That was really impressive.”
Yes, it was and was totally unexpected as bad as UK has been defensively this season but Saturday night the Cats forced Auburn to miss 38 of 55 shots.
“They were clamping down on people, they were getting good help and recovering to their man so they could execute the game plan and that was not to let the (Auburn) bigs shoot 3’s. Give Kentucky credit. They executed the game plan perfectly,” former UK All-American Jack Givens said on the UK Radio Network.
This team’s lack of defense has been perplexing considering the size, athleticism, and talent UK has. However, time after time the players admitted the focus had not been there, and like it or not, UK has played soft far too often this season … but not Saturday.
I think Givens gave the perfect explanation of why the defense was so good against a team that had been unbeatable at home this season.
“They played harder on defense. I don’t want to say they didn’t understand the importance of it but all of a sudden they figured out if we want to win these kinds of games we have to defend better,” Givens said. “It makes it sound simple but it seems like the focus and energy was there from the beginning.
“They have had good flashes of defensive basketball but they were good the entire game tonight. It is going to get harder and harder to score big numbers the rest of the year, so Kentucky is going to have to win some games in the 70s to make that extra step they want to make.”
Reed Sheppard had five steals. Adou Thiero had eight defensive rebounds and Ugonna Onyenso had seven. Onyenso also had two blocks but probably altered five or more shots and kept Auburn from even trying a few more shots with his presence.
“John Calipari knows their offense is national championship good. With this type of defensive effort, they have an upward trajectory they can reach,” Bilas said. “Kentucky was not a good defensive team but this is a different team we have seen the last two games.”
15 Responses
Awesome win at Auburn, but I fear that it is fools gold. If this is the "real" Kentucky, we should get a double bye in the SEC tourney and at least be in the final game. We should be no less than a 4 seed in the Big Dance and make it to a regional final, if not more.
If this indeed was more of a bad game from Auburn than a good game from Kentucky, we will have double digit losses before the SEC tourney, not make the SEC final, and not make it past the first weekend of the NCAA tourney. Time will tell…unfortunately.
Calipari was crowing loudly in his post game show, but he was crowing more about how many players HE had put in the NBA all star game than about this win. Come on Jimmy, you can come out of hiding now and crow for a few days. Come on David, tell everyone how I am the worst fan ever and I will wear it, but know this…any team can get lucky in one game. This team and Calipari will be judged by their final product as I and most of BBN have judged them by the results, or lack of it, for the last 8 years. I really wish this was the "real" Kentucky, but anyone who knows this game knows how the season will end. Squeal Calipari lovers, SQUEAL!
TROLL ON !!!!!!!!!
Hey Barry, I’m not hiding. I’ve been hanging out with True Blue fans. Not Fair Weather Crybaby Fake Sissies like you and your buddies. I would tell you what you really are, but LV would probably ban me.
Jimmy….why so bitter? How can you continue to drink the Califraudi kool aid and kiss his feet?
He is a cancer on the team and lies more than Biden. I will look forward to your comments when we have early exit from SEC and National tourneys.
Jimmy! Jimmy!! Don’t get so riled up. You might trip and tear your dress. Oh, you were hiding like the scared school girl sissy that you are.
A great win in a very hostile environment, but I do feel it was more a combo of us playing at much higher, consistent level and also Auburn maybe feeling too much "unbeatable" at home. Isn’t it nice to finally have a "good feel" post game? We really didn’t need to suffer thru Cal’s talking down to us to begin his post game show. He loves to say he never sees or listens to all the negative chatter out there yet continues to confirm the contrary when a mike is placed in front of him. Hard to find much fault with our play, but it continues to amaze how many in close shots we miss and our inefficient offensive play close to the basket. Guess my other concern is lack of offensive production from the 5. Bradshaw continues to show an over rated game on both ends and Z for all of his offensive skills is totally inept when faced with D. Very happy for the win!!
I said it in yesterday and this morning on this site comment section that the cats would win. Go Big Blue!!
great call 79. I didn’t think it would happen. What a Big win. The Chicken Littles will say we won BUT! Easy to predict failure. Glad u stayed the course .
Congrats Cats79. I like to watch the game with the sound off. 3 things I noticed.
1. Bruce Pearl was more interested in putting on a show than getting his team ready before the game and actually coaching during the game. He was busy donating blood in front of the cameras. Crying on cue during the National Anthem. Throwing a tantrum during the game.
2.Our team defense is better because our players are guarding before the other players reach the mid court line. Per report from the aseaofblue.com this was the players idea. Not our $9 million Hall of Fame coach.
3. All our assistant coaches were much more involved and active on the sidelines. I believe this helps the players as well as Calipari.
It was a great win and maybe we can keep the momentum going. Go Cats!
$9 million @year
Barry & Prof – sure you will be happy to know I’m taking my bride from Orlando to Miami on the new high speed Briteline train – going to Joe’s Stone Crab in south beach – ordering the first basement mit size stone crabs, couple martinis and a nice sharp chard – then washing it all down with key lime pie and black coffee – and back in my own bed !
ALL ON LAST NIGHTS WINNINGS 🎉🎉.
Didn’t need a coach for that win.
Paul, you will be broke and homeless before the end of the year. Gambling is a SUCKER’S bet and it will devour you! What a loser!
Congrats on your winnings.
Even a blind hog finds an acorn every now and then.
Didn’t need a coach for that win? The players earned this win with their own fortitude.
I agree, and it is a good thing because UK does not have a real coach, UK has an NBA/G League Agent.
Jimmy! Jimmy!! Don’t get so riled up. You might trip and tear your dress. Oh, you were hiding like the scared school girl sissy that you are.
Good to see these players focused on both ends of the floor. They were pretty good last night and I hope they continue to put in this type of effort. If they do, they can play with anyone in the country as most people have expected from this team. I came on here and said I didn’t expect UK to even be in the game, but it was good to see UK turn the tables and do to Auburn, what I expected them to do to UK.
This team has enough talent to become exceptional on both offense and defense, but it will take the entire team and dedicated desire for everyone.
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