The Kentucky Wildcats used a big no call on a shot clock violation to pull off an ugly 60-58 win over Vanderbilt in Memorial Gym.
Kentucky had a 3 point lead with 18 seconds left when Nerlens Noel lofted a left handed shot to the basket and if fell through the net just as the shot clock expired. Replays showed the clock hit zero before the ball left his hand and should not have counted. Commodore head coach Kevin Stallings called timeout to try and get the officials to take a look at it, but the play was not reviewable. The officials huddled, but did not change the call. Vandy’s Kedran Johnson then hit a 3 with 8 seconds left. Kentucky then tried to inbound the ball and Julius Mays couldn’t handle the pass, which turned the ball back over to Vandy. Johnson missed a 3 to win the game as time expired.
The game was really a tale of two halves, as the Wildcats shot a blistering 57.7% in the 1st half, led by Ryan Harrow’s 11 points. The Commodores couldn’t throw one in the ocean, shooting 27.8% from the field and 2 for 13 from behind the arc.
The second half was a trip to bizarro land, as Kentucky shot 9-27 for 33.3%. Vanderbilt didn’t break any records from the field, making 13 of 34, but 6 of those made baskets were for three.
This game displayed the Wildcats youth, jumping out to a big lead and then getting too complacent to finish what they started.
Alex Poythress is going to need a lot more individual sessions, or maybe he should decide to just play basketball. Poythress acts like he is trying to figure out what to do half the time instead of playing the game.
Archie Goodwin is still playing out of control and is selfish.
Kyle Wiltjer can’t win for losing on defense. Kentucky needs his scoring, especially when they are going to be zoned for the rest of the season.
The only 2 players that are playing anywhere near the way they should be are Ryan Harrow and Nerlens Noel.
The Wildcats are an enigma of youth and you better buckle up for every game because they are going to be roller coasters.
Kentucky Basketball Postgame Notes
Kentucky 60 def. Vanderbilt 58
January 10, 2013
Memorial Gymnasium – Nashville, Tenn.
–With the win, Kentucky improves to 10-4 on the season and 1-0 in Southeastern Conference action. Vanderbilt falls to 6-6 and 0-1 in league play.
–UK now leads the all-time series with Vanderbilt 137-45.
–Kentucky is the all-time NCAA leader in wins and pushes its all-time win total to 2,100 with tonight’s win.
–The Wildcats’ record in Southeastern Conference lid lifters 62-18 and 3-1under John Calipari.
–Kentucky’s record in the Volunteer State is 137-45 including a 54-27 mark against the Commodores in Nashville.
–Kentucky returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 12 when UK will open its home conference slate at Rupp Arena vs. Texas A&M. The game is slated for a 4 p.m. ET tip. The game will mark the just fourth in the series history between the Aggies, and the first since Texas A&M joined the SEC.
Team Game Notes
–UK used the starting combination of Willie Cauley-Stein, Archie Goodwin, Ryan Harrow, Nerlens Noel and Alex Poythress for the third-straight game. UK is 2-1 when using this starting combination.
–Ryan Harrow connected on Kentucky’s first 3-point attempt of the game in the opening minutes of the first half to extend UK’s 3-point streak to 841 consecutive games which is a mark that ranks as the third longest such streak in the nation. Vanderbilt holds the second-longest streak and increased that mark to 845 games.
–UK started the game with a 3-pointer for the third time this season. Harrow’s opening 3-point connection was the first of the season, however it marked the third time this season he’s scored first for UK.
–Willie Cauley-Stein’s dunk gave UK a 15-6 lead with 11:56 remaining in the second half to mark all five starters having tallied at least two points for the evening.
–The Blue and White took a 35-24 lead into the half marking the the second-straight season UK held an edge at the break while at Vanderbilt. Kentucky is 10-0 when leading at the half this season.
–Kentucky withstood an 18-0 second-half run by the Commodores for the victor, and Vanderbilt outrebounded the Cats by a 42-37 margin. The Wildcats are now 2-2 when being outrebounded by the opponent.
–The two-point margin of victory is the smallest since winning by three over Maryland in the opening game of the season.
Individual Player Notes
#3 Nerlens Noel
–Pulled down at least six rebounds in all 14 games this season.
–Reached double-figure scoring for the seventh time this season with 13 points.
–Has multiple steals and blocks in nine games this season including five-straight.
#10 Archie Goodwin
–Has scored in double-figures in 12 of 14 games this season.
–Pulled down five or more rebounds in nine games this season.
#12 Ryan Harrow
–Scored 16 points to mark the fifth-consecutive double-figure scoring game of the season for the sophomore.
–He has reached double-figure scoring in the first half in back-to-back games.
–Hit multiple 3-pointers in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
–Dished out multiple assists in eight-straight games.
#15 Willie Cauley-Stein
–Matched a career-high with four assists.
–Led the team in rebounds for the third time this season.
–Tied a career-high with four swats.
#22 Alex Poythress
–Has snatched six or more rebounds in seven of his last eight games.
