Kentucky Throws A Block Party In Georgia
Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari reacts at a no-call during the first half against Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Wednesday, March 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Tricia Spaulding)
ATHENS–The Kentucky Wildcats clinched at least a share of the SEC title with an 80-68 win over Georgia Wednesday night. The Bulldogs gave the Wildcats a run for their money in the first half and even led 23-17 at one point in the first half. But the ‘Cats finished the half strong to go into the locker room with a 40-36 lead.
Kentucky turned up the heat in the second half going on a 12-0 run to start the half and threatened to blow the Bulldogs out of the gym. Georgia to their credit battled to the end but could get no closer than 9 points.
Kentucky was led by John Wall with 24 points. Wall played perhaps his best game of the year, dishing out 6 assists and only committing 3 turnovers. He shot 8 of 10 from the field and 3 of 5 from behind the arc. He had a game high 3 steals and was a perfect 5 of 5 from the free throw line. He wowed the Georgia crowd as he scored one basket on his full-speed spin move (I like to refer to as the Tasmanian Devil) and another with a thunderous left-handed dunk. He appeared to get fouled on the dunk and landed face down under the basket and Kentucky fans held their breath in unison as he slowly got to his feet. Fortunately he escaped serious injury and logged 37 minutes in the Wildcats’ win.
Patrick Patterson continued his improved play scoring his ninth double-double of the year with 17 points and 10 rebounds. His 30th career double-double put him 6th on Kentucky’s all-time list. He also moved to 17th on Kentucky’s all-time scoring list with 1469 points. Patrick also added 4 blocked shots and had 2 steals.
Kentucky’s double-double machine, DeMarcus Cousins came up short tonight but still played a good game. He only scored 6 points and grabbed 4 rebounds but hit every shot he attempted (3). He set his career mark with 6 blocked shots.
Speaking of blocked shots, Georgia’s shots were rejected more than a nerdy high school boy looking for a prom date. Kentucky returned 14 shots where they came from. That in itself could have been the difference in the game.
Darius Miller, starting his fourth consecutive game, played solid defense and scored 4 points and joined the block party with 2 of his own. Eric Bledsoe continued to struggle adding only 5 points on 1 of 7 shooting and several out of control drives to the basket.
Darnell Dodson came to life off the bench for Kentucky scoring 11 points and hitting on 3 of 6 from behind the arc. DeAndre Liggins and Daniel Orton provided their usual solid bench play with 5 and 4 points respectively.
Perry Stevenson and Ramon Harris eached added 2 off the bench. After asking for more playing time, Jon Hood was rewarded with his 15 seconds of fame at the end of the game. I know a lof of Kentucky fans would like to see him get more of a chance to play, me included, but it is hard to find fault with a team that is ranked 3rd in the nation with a 28-2, 13-2 SEC record. I just think a true outside threat is something this team is lacking.
The overmatched Georgia Bulldogs were led by Jeremy Price with 19 followed by Trey Thompkins and Ricky McPhee with 12.
Kentucky shot a sizzling 54% from the field and a much improved 33% from the three point line.
The Wildcats return home to Rupp Arena to face the Florida Gator in their final regular season game. The tipoff is schedule for 12 pm ET, Sunday.
