Kentucky 74/Louisville 69 (And it was closer than that)

I would say that excitement over UK's win over Uof L last night knows no bounds but any observer of Big Blue Nation knows that is not so.  It was positively Hellenistic to wallow in the good vibrations last night when the Kiddie Kats (I'm not sure we can call them that any longer) showed further evidence of developing the toughness that Coach Cal has been harping on all year.  When the Wildcats were 7 down with 4 minutes to go I was very doubtful that they could claw their way back without Cauley-Stein and Young.  UK proved it has enough weapons by getting an "in your face" performance from Alex Poythress and quality minutes from Dominique Hawkins who got the most playing time he has garnered all season.  Of course, having Montrezl Harrell out of the game opened up the inside for Kentucky's power game with Julius Randle.  I was impressed on several fronts as I have been for the past few games but no more so than the refusal to give up.  The guys showed more grit than sandpaper by hanging close and making the clutch plays.  What was their weakest point (free throws) early in the season has become money in the bank for this team.  The Harrisons and Randle are almost sure things at the line.  Their form has changed and with it their confidence.

Ball handling has become more crisp and movement without the ball is worlds apart from earlier.  I'm not really sure what Coach Cal tweaked but it appears to have opened up the floor for a little more play creation.  Make no mistake, dribble-drive is still the name of the game and it produced radical results Friday night by drawing fouls and making the pace of the game more to the Blue's liking.  Over the past three games watching John Calipari coach has been a thing of beauty.  His use of time outs early to settle his team down was crucial.  This should put to rest any criticism of his ability to game coach.

UL did not play a bad game.  Luke Hancock, as usual, came through big with a couple of baseline drives that left his defender standing flatfooted.  His ability to drain the outside shot was key when Russ Smith was being mobbed when he had the ball.  The Cards just ran out of people and time.  Pitino was right when he said that not making free throws killed them.  It always does.

But, at I said at the beginning, the excitement over beating Louisville does know bounds for Big Blue Nation.  Our thoughts eternally turn to thoughts of hanging another banner in Rupp.  Each year for BBN is an exercise in striving for a national championship.  It is unrealistic and pressure packed but that is the state of UK Basketball's rabid fan base.  I can assure you that the base is already looking forward to Michigan which is standing in the way of our reaching another final four.  If my memory serves me correctly the last time the two teams met was when the Wolverines consisted of the Fab Five.  It was a final four game and the Wolverines bested the Cats by 3 in overtime.

UK fans have long memories.