Vicky Graff Photo
Antonio Reeves has had huge games against Arkansas and had 22 points with eight minutes left in Saturday’s game when he went out for what figured to be a short rest.
Arkansas had an 86-80 lead in Rupp Arena in a game Kentucky had to win to maintain a chance to get a double-bye in the SEC Tournament — and a high NCAA Tournament seed.
Freshman guard Rob Dillingham came in for Reeves and never gave coach John Calipari any reason to take him out. He had 11 points and four assists in less than six minutes to spark UK to a 111-102 victory.
“It kind of blows my mind that Kentucky did what it did offensively without him (Reeves),” UK Radio Network analyst Jack Givens said.
“I just subbed him to give him a blow and then we started playing great,” Caliipari said. “I believe he is a first-team All-American.”
Calipari also put freshman Justin Edwards in at small forward about the same time and he had three steals and seven points to spark UK’s late surge.
“Then I am not subbing (with UK playing so well). That is the only reason I didn’t put him (Reeves) back but I told him to be ready. Right now let’s ride it out. This team celebrates each other.”
Dillingham finished the game with 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting along with five assists, three rebounds and one steal.
“Robert Dillingham just played okay in the first half. I went back to him and he was ridiculous,” Calipari said.
How ridiculous? Check out this timeline when UK went from being down to putting the game away:
6:33 — Dillingham made a steal, finished the play at the basket, got fouled and made the free throw.
5:42 — Dillingham drives inside and scores.
5:23 — Dillingham goes inside again and scores.
4:45 — Justin Edwards scores off a lob assist from Dillingham.
4:20 — Dillingham is fouled and hits two free throws.
3:41 — Zvonimir Ivisic gets a dunk off a lob from Dillingham.
2:49 — Dillingham goes inside again and scores on a layup.
2:17 — Another Ivisic dunk off a Dillingham lob.
“They can’t stop him,” CBS-TV analyst Jay Wright, who won national titles when he was coaching Villanova, said. “He is so fast and so creative. They don’t know which way he is going to go and then he is throwing up to a 7-2 guy (Ivisic) and the ball is his. He has just taken over since coming back off the bench.”
The good thing for Kentucky is that he had so much help. Not only did Reeves get what has become a routine 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting but freshman guard D.J. Wagner hit a career high four 3-pointers and had 19 points while also leading the late defensive play. Aaron Bradshaw came back to life with 15 points (4-for-4 from the field, 6-for-8 at the foul line) and five rebounds. Ivisic had 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Reed Sheppard had 10 points and five assists and Edwards got 10 points thanks to his late flurry.
“I like my team. Would you trade this group for anybody”? They are fun to watch,” Calipari said.
16 Responses
We will be fun to watch on Wednesday against Vanderbilt too. How much fun do you think we are going to have next Saturday?
You guys will never wake up, always criticize the team they will make you eat your words and have so often. Mark my word we will beat Tenn at there place.
Typical rah rah talk. Most good teams aren’t going to choke like Auburn did. If this weren’t a basketball game next Saturday, Tennessee would get arrested for murder.
Cats79, I don’t believe Barry and Mike are Ky fans. They sound more like Puke fans to me. No Kentucky Fan I have ever known talks down the Cats like they do. I agree with you 79. The Cats are going on a run that will make the whiners cry even louder. Can’t celebrate if you’ve been dogg’in a team all year. Go Cal’s Cats!!!
Come on Jimmy…Why would you continue to want to drink Cal’s kool aid after all these underachievement years. Again, no one does less with more talent than Cal. I am a UK alum..can you say the same? We have had talent for years but just haven’t had the coaching.
Mike, It’s all a personal vendetta with you guys. I know you and Barry are hoping the Cats flame out in the tournament. You can’t celebrate a Ky win because you’re in too deep hating Cal. I heard Sheppard talk about how he was leaning toward going to Virginia. It wasn’t because of Cal.
Cowardly traitor? You better look in the mirror Punk. Cal will be here this April, the next April, and the next April. Cats79 and I know you are going to thump your chest after a loss. That’s how pathetic you are. Whining after a win shows how big a Crybaby Whiney Sissy you really are. The funny thing about it is Cal could care less about you and your irrelevant life.
We will probably be at least 5 pt dogs on Saturday, and there is no way we have anyone to stop Knecht. If our D doesn’t improve over last few game we will lose by double digits. It could get very ugly.
Just remember what you said when we end up beating Auburn. You said there no way we would be Auburn.
We didn’t beat Auburn, Auburn self destructed. You will see that if we play them in the tourney. RAH RAH RAH!!!
You can’t give credit were it’s due. Not an average can fan to me
I think UK caused them to self destruct Barry
I would like to believe that Larry, but it’s hard for a team to change it’s true identity. Look at what our defense has done, or hasn’t done these last two games. There are not many instances of any college team giving up 100 points and winning. Defense wins championships. We are currently ranked 98th.
just keep the faith Barry
The game in Knoxville will be a tough uphill battle. I believe it will be closer to a double digit line than a 5 point line.
Problem: Tennessee has one of the best defenses (3rd) in the nation and UK one of the weakest defenses (#98) among the power 5 conferences.
UK will have about a 1 in 5 chance to pull out the win in Knoxville.
Could be game Vols need to clinch SEC title