Kentucky head coach John Calipari directs a player during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in Lexington, Ky.
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Three days after knocking off a talented LSU team to forge a three-way 8-3 tie at the top of the Southeastern Conference, USC gets a chance to dislodge the third piece of that puzzle when Kentucky visits sold-out Colonial Life Arena for a noon Saturday showdown. They proved again who’s tops in the SEC, sending SC to its worst home loss since Anthony Davis led Kentucky to a 34-point win here in 2012.
“We don’t need a superhuman effort, we don’t need to play above our capabilities, we have to stay interconnected with who we are”, Martin said. Marcus Lee had 11 points to go along with 13 rebounds while Briscoe 10.
Derek Willis’ hope of getting into the rotation at Kentucky required a lot of patience during a two-year wait for minutes behind a glut of NBA-caliber talent. He followed with a three-point basket a few possessions later to give the Gamecocks their first lead of the game.
This isn’t the first time Calipari has been ejected at SC. The resume for both schools this season is strong, but gaining a win for either squad in the final handful of conference games would be huge.
When referees whistled Gamecocks forward Mindaugas Kacinas for an over-the-back foul as he fought for an offensive rebound, Calipari was subsequently hit with a technical foul.
As for the most reject ejection, Martin said, “Cal is as competitive a coach as I’ve been around”.
“I thought it set a fire within our guys, ” said Kenny Payne, Kentucky’s associate head coach.
SC had one-point leads at 8-7 and 10-9. He certainly flew his own flag in Columbia, leading the Wildcats into first place with the drubbing of the Gamecocks. Ulis and Murray each had four of Kentucky’s 11 3-pointers.
ESPN reports that Clipari received two technical fouls before being ejected with nearly 18 minutes left in the first half.
Laimonas Chatkevicius drew SC within two point, 16-14, with two free throws when the Wildcats took off on a 16-6 run.
Payne said UK’s victory despite Calipari’s absence reflected Calipari’s coaching to action.
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Michael Carrera led SC with 25 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Chris Silva ended with 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the defeat. That didn’t stop the Wildcats from sending SC along to spring football with a humbling 89-62 demolition.
