Number 11 Kentucky (19-6)welcomed number 3 and SEC opponent Florida (23-2)to Rupp Saturday night. A must win for the Cats to get a viable seed in the NCAA tourney and to protect home court.
Kentucky jumped out with an early bucket and a deep 3 by Young with put the home crowd in a fever pitch. The Cats played with heart and intensity and went into the half leading the Gators 31-28.
Donovan made some adjustments and pounded Patrick Young the ball down low and he either scored or got fouled. On the other end the Cats seemed to be incoherent at the line shooting a daunting 60% from the stripe while Florida shot 78%.
Kentucky had many unforced turnovers with 13 total compared to Florida’s 5. The Cats shot 47% from the field and 41% from 3 point land compared to Florida’s 44% from the field and 23% from deep.
Florida’s offense is not much to see and the you cats bailed them out with just a few ticks left on the shot clock sending them to the line instead of having a good defensive stand.
the Wildcats out rebounded the Gators 29-27 but at the wrong times. When Kentucky needed a rebound it seemed Florida wanted it more.
With another game where WCS didn’t show and a freak technical foul on coach Calipari didn’t help UK upset Florida. Kentucky was lead by Andrew Harrison with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists followed by James Young’s 19 and Randle’s 13 and 5.
Florida was lead by Prather’s 24 points followed by Wilbekin’s 23. Most of them during crunch time and at the line.
It’s mid February and these young Cats have not gelled and there’s not much time left for them to get it together. You can hear it in Cal’s voice. He’s lost and can’t figure out how to get them to play 40 minutes. That being said UK is talented and could surprise teams come tourney time or lets hope so.
Th