Collin Chandler (Vicky Graff Photo)
Compared to the last three wins for Kentucky, this one was easy.
It didn’t require a huge double-digit comeback because the Cats were tied with Texas 40-40 at halftime in Rupp Arena and that almost felt like a 10-point lead considering the first-half deficits UK faced in its three-game win streak. Kentucky opened a 10-point lead in the second half and won 85-80 thanks in large part to making 30 of 35 free throws.
Obviously, the start of the game for Kentucky was sophomore guard Collin Chandler who had a career-high 18 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field and 6-for-6 at the foul line. He scored nine straight points at one stretch in the second half that included an incredible steal and dunk.
“The biggest thing with sickness is energy levels and trying to get sleep and so I’ve just been working on that and trying to get as much rest as possible, and today, my trainers and everybody were great and helped me get ready,” Chandler said. “I got an IV before the game, which helped a lot with my energy and hydration.”
Chandler also had seven rebounds, one assist and no turnovers. Not bad considering he had been sick this week and was not even allowed by coach Mark Pope to attend Wednesday’s shoot around. Yet he scored 14 points in just under four minutes during a second-half offensive explosion.
“They kept him under doctor’s care all day and he was able to play,” UK Radio Network analyst Jack Givens said. “I had some of my best games on days I felt the worst. He came out and just played. He didn’t have time to think about anything other than just playing ball.”
Kentucky got impressive performances from Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen again. Oweh didn’t quite reach 20 points but he had 18 on 8-for-20 shooting and played 36 minutes without committing a turnover. Aberdeen continues to get better and better at point guard and had 19 points on 4-for-10 shooting from the field and 9-for-12 at the foul line.
Aberdeen only had one assist in 32 minutes and Oweh did not have any. However, center Malachi Moreno offset that with six assists in his 26 minutes. He also blocked five shots and pulled off four rebounds.
“Malachi is growing leaps and bounds just about every game. I think the scouting report is just to go out and be physical with him. A lot of coaches saw him in high school so the scouting reports just say hit him and you can do what you want. Malachi stepped up and did not let them kick him around,” Givens said.
Moreno suffered a black eye during the first half but it didn’t slow him down.
“Malachi is so much farther along than I ever thought. They leave him out there and he shows any time during the game he can make plays,” Givens said. “He played a tremendous game on both ends of the court. His offensive numbers might now show it but if he got assists for the screens he set his numbers would be incredible on offense.”
Kentucky’s four-game conference win streak has lifted its conference mark to 4-2 — good enough for a third-place tie only one game behind Florida and Texas A&M. Georgia and Arkansas are also 4-2 while Alabama is 3-2, Vanderbilt 3-3, Missouri 3-3, Auburn 3-3 and Ole Miss 3-3.
Kentucky has gone from looking like a team that might not make the NCAA Tournament to 13-6 overall and back in the SEC race. The Cats will host Ole Miss Saturday and then play at Vanderbilt and Arkansas next week in games that could determine if UK is a contender or pretender.
2 Responses
This was a gutty win, no slow start, no huge comeback. Aberdeen and Johnson got a little sloppy in the second half with Aberdeen missing those 3 to 5 foot shots that he usually makes. Williams is gone, but Jelavic, Dioubate, and Chandler are playing better. Noah will step up to fill the void left by Williams and Aberdeen and Johnson will be better too. We need to get more from Moreno and Garrison, but the offense is not designed to go inside for them. Ole Miss will be a similar style of game with better shooting from the arc. It is a must win as will be the Vandy game in Nashville. Arkansas is playing well and a win in Fayetteville does not seem likely and neither does the game in Gainesville. The rest, we have a shot if we come ready to play. Noah may very well be the guy who saves this season…if he ever gets out of Pope's doghouse.
Chandler Aberdeen and Oweh need to take over the team. Moreno is playing outstanding. Jelly is looking much better in the second half of the season. When he got that rebound and took it coast to coast for a layup he can do that almost every time. He's out best offensive weapon down low. I would try to get him a couple of more shot opportunities each game. With Jelly and Moreno being freshman. Pope needs to play them the most in the post so next year they are ready to dominate down low. We will be a hard to team to beat if we can keep hitting our 3s. We are shooting much better now but also aren't relying just on 3s. With Williams out Noah should get at least 5-10 mins a game. He needs to play good defense and hit his 3s when he gets his opportunity. That's how you get more playing time by being affective when your in the game. He came and got 2 stupid fouls in 30 seconds. I think it was nerves but that's what he can't do. He should know that by now. If your not helping the team you are hurting the team. He can shoot the ball he needs to hit at least 2-3 3s every game that he plays and he will play a little more. With Kam out Johnson also needs to keep playing hard and minutes will come his way as well. You can't play guys if they dont do anything but hurt the team when they are in. Aberdeen has been brilliant in SEC play. If he can build off the last two games he can finish the season very strong. We need him and Chandler to pick it up a little and help Oweh more.
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