UK Athletics Photo
Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats woke up Sunday morning in search of something that Big Blue Nation had not been a part of since 2019.
No. 3 seed Kentucky took on No. 6 seed Illinois in the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the right to advance to the Sweet Sixteen and came out victorious, winning 84-75.
The Wildcats had a firm grip on things early but Otega Oweh’s two fouls and a surge by Illinois late in the first half led to Pope’s team’s lead being cut to single digits.
Kentucky responded, though, with a 12-0 run in the first three minutes of the second half.
Illinois returned a few punches of their own, but Kentucky’s trio of Koby Brea (23 points), Otega Oweh (15 points) and Lamont Butler (14 points) did enough to put the game away down the stretch.
In addition to their guard play and well-balanced effort from everyone in the rotation, Kentucky really leaned on their defense in the win.
The Wildcats recorded 14 steals and 4 blocked shots while scoring 26 of their points off turnovers. They also had 18 assists on 32 made baskets and committed just five turnovers for the entire game.
Beating Illinois secures Kentucky’s spot in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2019.
The Wildcats will face No. 2 seed Tennessee – who they’ve already beaten twice in Southeastern Conference play this season – in Indianapolis on Friday with the winner moving on to the Elite Eight.
Tip-off for Friday’s game has yet to be announced.
10 Responses
So Proud and happy for the Cats and all us BBN fans! Our Guys Played Awesome! One question was why Noah didn’t get any minutes the second half when I thought he was good the minutes he got in the first half? And Perry didn’t play at all? The best thing is I are so Glad we didn’t get that Jerk coach from UConn! At the end when he was crying on TV was as Pathetic as the press reported that he then telling the Baylor team as he pasted them in the tunnel
“As Baylor was preparing to take the court, Hurley passed them by in the tunnel, where he was seen giving some interesting words of wisdom to the Bears..
"I hope they don’t f*ck you like they f*cked us," Hurley said. "I hope they don’t do that to you, Baylor."
I hope we don’t have to hear his inspirational inspiring words the rest of the tournament.Thank God we got us the coach we needed!
Congratulations Kentucky Wildcats and Coach Mark Pope! I hope this will put an end to all of the Calipari lovers saying Pope can’t coach! That he can’t win in the Dance. Now we face Tennessee. This will be a must win game for Barnes. A third consecutive loss to Kentucky will bring calls for his retirement. I can’t think of a better way to send him to the golf course! As for the FRAUD, he finally decided to start coaching again instead of pushing his pet to the NBA. I guess that kinda got decided for him when Fland got hurt, but he is FINALLY showing some of the old Calipari that won a title here…I’m just glad he is doing it somewhere else. Texas Tech may be too much for them though. Who would have ever thought that we would be playing Tennessee for a spot in the Elite 8? So many SEC teams have been sent home. They only get up for playing Kentucky and now Auburn. There is still a chance for there to be an all SEC Final 4. That would be a perfect ending to this season regardless of the eventual winner. Go CATS!!!
I didn’t here anyone say Pope couldn’t coach. Pope and the Cats have had a great season no matter how it ends. Congrats to BYU for also making the Sweet 16. Calipari showed the Pitino Worshipers who the real FRAUD is. Cal Owns Slick Rick! Cal is 9-2 against the fake Goat in their last 11 match-ups. Go Cats!
I thought this was one of the best games cats play this season. The whole team contribute and that what it takes to go far in March madness Go cats!!.
Hard to beat a good team 3 times in one year. Years ago we had that situation and LSU beat us and went to the final four. Cats will need to play a near perfect game. Certainly possible but not probable. Always get a little misty when I have to take the UK flag down from my house.
That LSU win in 1986 (I believe) was actually in the 4th meeting of the year. Cats had won the previous 3, but by smaller and smaller margins. Eddie Sutton’s best UK team.
Kentucky held their own on the boards and really valued the ball. Only turning the ball over 5 times was a big key considering how many close shots Williams missed. If he could have just hit half those shots, UK would have won by 20. This team is coming together at a very good time and overcoming all those missed shots by Williams is proof they are learning to lock down on defense. Butler was fantastic on the Illinois point guard and that was a huge factor in this game. I would hate to be the team playing UK when Williams is hitting inside and they are playing defense like they did against Illinois.
They are coming together without having Jackson on the floor and Chandler and Noah are finding their footing on defense. Chandler may be the X factor.
We need more missionary magic from #5.
With both Calipari (prior coach) and BYU (prior team) both making it into the next round, can you imagine the pressure Coach P must have felt? I am so thrilled the Cats came through!!
BYU made the sweet 16 with Popes recruits.