Kansas’ ability to remain calm was ultimately the biggest difference in a game that United Kingdom had the opportunity to grab hold of, but a little crack in the door was all the veteran-led Jayhawks needed Saturday. Calipari said after the loss, just four days after coming up short against Tennessee. “We didn’t shoot it at all, we played tight and they had all the momentum”.
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That Kentucky team, the one that loses leads and can’t adapt when their opponent does, might not get out of the first round.
All 10 games in the annual SEC/Big 12 Challenge series are set to tip off on Saturday – the Big 12 continues to own bragging rights over the SEC with wins in each of the event’s first three seasons – but the “Best Game” of the challenge is undoubtedly the top 5 matchup between Kansas and Kentucky. They can cause turnovers, force bad shots, and get easy ones in return. But, I liked the fact that we fought and we got it there and it came down to on a rebound or two, a turnover here, and we got to learn. “They took advantage of that”.
“They’re a middle of the road team for [the SEC] and they beat us”, Calipari said.
Landen Lucas was HUGE for Kansas in this game, going a ideal 6-6 from the field, finishing with 13 points and 5 rebounds.
2012 NCAA tournament – Later on in the 2011-12 season, Kansas got a shot at redemption when they met Kentucky in the national title game. Kentucky quickly reclaimed the lead, going up 45-40 with 15:33 to go, but KU closed back in, tying the game at 47-all. That is the Kentucky team that can win it all. “You can’t score enough”.
Expect some points to be scored. At one point, the Wildcats’ defense held the Jayhawks without a field goal for over four minutes. Josh Jackson nosed KU back in front 61-59 with 6 minutes left, he finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. It was a corner 3 that shrank the Jayhawks’ hard-won lead to just five points, and forced Bill Self to call timeout. “Then Josh’s two 3s to start the second half took the lid off and we were pretty good after that”.
Kentucky was led in scoring by Malik Monk and Derek Willis, who had 18 points apiece.
Frank Mason III piled up a game-high 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting, while Devonte Graham and Landen Lucas dropped 12 and 13 points, respectively. Their offense was simply too stale with the game on the line against Kansas, and an inability to keep the ball moving from side to side hindered their efficiency in a big way.
“I think it’s important that we do well. but I’m not sure it means as much to the coaches as what it may mean to the people that are watching”, Self said. And UK refused to let up on the gas, as an old fashioned three point play by Dominique Hawkins gave Kentucky a 23-11 lead just ten minutes into the game.
The Wildcats have now lost two straight games.
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“Everybody says that our league is a one-team league, Kentucky, because they’re so dominant, and no one ever poses a threat to them, and who is the next team in our conference”, Martin said.
