A lot of beer was bought and people rested up their typing fingers all day. All  just to prepare for several hours of bashing Cal and this team tonight after their expected drubbing at the hands of Auburn and the mighty Bruce Pearl.

Well at least they can still get drunk...sorry UK won and ruined your night. ? 

46 minutes ago, Randy Parker said:

When Z came in I yelled out loud.  Haven't done that in a long time.

Would still rather see Z in than Burks, play zone for 3-4 minutes (Cal even played zone 1 trip, baby steps, I think it shocked Auburn for a while, LOL) and get him some time!!  If Z doesn’t get some time Cal may never get another foreign player.  Loved the way KY fought back tonight instead of getting bullied, good prep by Cal, lost our poise early in 2nd half but otherwise I think this team grew up a LOT tonight, clean up the possessions where we just go completely to sleep and we’ve got a shot I believe!!

1 hour ago, DragonFire said:

Agreed on the best win. The UNC game might be best team they've beaten, but winning AT Auburn is so huge. Never trailed, led for almost the final 38 minutes.

Definitely. I was nervous the entire time but in hindsight it was really never in doubt. Every time Auburn cut it to 5-6, Kentucky immediately answered.

Who on their bingo cards had Onyenso leading UK in minutes at 36?

4 minutes ago, bugatti said:

Who on their bingo cards had Onyenso leading UK in minutes at 36?

As you posted earlier, Cal had no choice with the way Z and Bradshaw played in their very limited seconds on the court. Z especially. He looked completely confused and outmatched.

So what happened? 

1. Ugo has turned into the shot blocking presence and rebounding force UK needs in the middle of their defense, and he did a great job defending the pick and roll plays.

2. Theiro is healthy. He is a difference maker physically, defensively and on the boards.

3. Justin Edwards has started figuring things out. He is a playmaker offensively and defensively.

4. Guards have figured out how to pressure the ball, work through picks and stop the straight line drives to the basket. 

5. Much improvement on help, recover and rotate on defense.

6. Intensity - I think this is the #1 factor. The Cats were intense on every possession in this game.

Posted the following in the pregame thread. I'd say he pulled some for us fellas...

---------------------------------

It feels kinds like the game at Tennessee last year, which everyone chalked up as an L before the Cats won.

Watched that one with my dad on his last day with me. Maybe he can pull some strings for our Cats.

That was a Final Four type performance. So happy.

2 hours ago, tcjkbt said:

Sheppard did so much for UK in the second half---- breaking the press, running the point and controlling the game.   Hats off to him.  His best game, I think.

Had a great all around game.

Love love love what we got from Adou Theiro tonight.

2 hours ago, bugatti said:

I get Auburn missed some open looks so it could have been a different game, but this game was actually frustrating on some level because UK showed they can be a competent defensive and rebounding team. Hopefully that continues because that is how you win when it matters.

Almost like they are getting coached to play tougher and better defense. They were great on the boards.

2 hours ago, Randy Parker said:

Having him at the point while running Reeves through a thousand screens was very effective. 

Loved the pass to Theiro late. Such a good wrinkle to that type of offense.

2 hours ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

I think this game may move them up from their 317th ranking defensively.lol

I said the same thing the first half they missed some wide open looks, but I thought we played with more effort and fight on the defensive end. Also, Cal figured out quickly tonight that this was not a game that Bradshaw and Ivisic could play in.

Kyle Tucker said they've jumped 45 spots in defensive efficiency since the Gonzaga game, up to 81st.

When they put in Ivsivic, I didn't think he was gonna last long at all and he sure didn't. And he didn't look happy on the bench. Bradshaw was sure into the game cheering on his teammates.

1 hour ago, Voice of Reason said:

So what happened? 

1. Ugo has turned into the shot blocking presence and rebounding force UK needs in the middle of their defense, and he did a great job defending the pick and roll plays.

2. Theiro is healthy. He is a difference maker physically, defensively and on the boards.

3. Justin Edwards has started figuring things out. He is a playmaker offensively and defensively.

4. Guards have figured out how to pressure the ball, work through picks and stop the straight line drives to the basket. 

5. Much improvement on help, recover and rotate on defense.

6. Intensity - I think this is the #1 factor. The Cats were intense on every possession in this game.

Great post.

I'm happy we have Dilly but he sure does drive me nuts, as I figured he would. Usually it's cause he's such a loose cannon and make a really bad turnover or two, or gets completely lost on D. Tonight its multiple just dumb fouls haha

18 minutes ago, MJAlltheWay24 said:

I'm happy we have Dilly but he sure does drive me nuts, as I figured he would. Usually it's cause he's such a loose cannon and make a really bad turnover or two, or gets completely lost on D. Tonight its multiple just dumb fouls haha

What is up with his free throw shooting? You almost can't put him on the floor in a tight game.