[SIZE=1]Photo by Kevin C. Cox[/SIZE]
Kentucky defeated Alabama 72-58, and it wasn’t even really close. This is what happens when the Cats are firing on all cylinders. Kentucky had five players in double-digits: Doron Lamb (15), Josh Harrellson (14), DeAndre Liggins (14), Brandon Knight (12) and Darius Miller (10). Liggins played out of his mind as he not only got 14 points, but he nabbed 8 rebounds and went 3 of 3 from long-range.
Alabama is the #1 defensive team in the SEC, but their offense is pretty much limited to 2 main players: JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell. In the first half, Mitchell was injured when one of his own players stepped on his ankle and Green had to leave early with two fouls. Bama struggled with both of their top scorers out much of the first half.
For Kentucky in the first half, it was all Doron Lamb. Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones were both held to 2 points (each) in the first half, but Lamb went on his own 10-0 run. In the second half, Brandon Knight went on his own 10-0 run.
There are a couple of observations worth noting. Harrellson is starting to drive to the basket (good thing because it adds another facet to his and Kentucky’s game). Liggins was HOT from 3-point land (good thing because now pretty much everybody in the top 6 can drain threes). Jones had a steal / fast break / layup finish (good thing, because he had been tentative playing in the tournament thus far and had tweaked his ankle yesterday).
In the final two minutes of play, both DeAndre Liggins and Doron Lamb fell with ankle injuries. Liggins limped off the court without help, but Lamb had to be assisted. I’m hoping they are both alright, but Calipari may sit Lamb out for the Championship game tomorrow to get him healed up for the NCAA tournament.
