The game is over and I’m officially worn out! A game that started much like the main event on Monday Night Raw, finally settled into one of the sloppiest games I’ve seen in a while. As the clock ran down, it was a gritty performance by the Cats to take the win 71-62.
Before the game started both teams were jawing (talking smack) and bumping each other as they walked to the locker room. This spilled onto the floor and was at it’s peak immediately after the starting tip. Bledsoe received a quick technical and was benched for excessive running of the mouth and a couple of minutes later Cousins was shoving his fore-arm into the side of Swopshire’s head. Here’s the video…….
From here, it just got sloppy. One of the biggest stories (in my opinion), was the inability for Kentucky to hit a three point shot. Coming into this game Kentucky was shooting over 40% from three point land. Against Louisville, they barely shot over 14%. This allowed Louisville to pack it in tight and make things difficult for Cousins and Patterson. Cousins was a MONSTER going for 18 points and pulling in 18 rebound. Patterson was classic Patterson and made a clutch play late in the game to help seal the win. He did stick a dunk on the side of the rim for a miss, but we’ll over look that one for now 😉
Dodson Vs. Liggins-Dodson played five more minutes than Liggins (13min – 8min), but they seem to have the same box score at the end of the game. Dodson must have wasted all his shooting on Hartford as he was frigid behind the arch (0-4).
Calipari loved the intensity of the game. He didn’t approve, but understands the play at the beginning of the game. He said he was searching for the players that was going to be able to play tough and deliver the goods. He found that in Cousins, Wall, Bledsoe, Patterson and Harris.
Yes, Harris….I’ve always been a Ramon Harris fan, but this year, he may have become my favorite player on the team. The intensity, effort and work ethic he brings to the game is something you just cant find. With a team who’s short on experience, maturity and leadership, Ramon Harris IS the missing ingredient. He also mentioned that everyone els is going to have to prove themselves again.
Here’s the post game press conference from Calipari and Pitino….
