Kentucky 21 - 16 Oklahoma (11:12 left in 1st half)
Kentucky jumped out to a 21-8 lead, and looked completely dominant, until Oklahoma made an 8-0 run. The key moment in that run was an absolutely ludicrous technical foul that was called on Miller because he was hanging onto the rim in an effort to avoid falling on an Oklahoma player. That turned into a four-point play that put the Sooners back into the game. OU also switched to a zone that has given the Cats some trouble.
UK gets a two-pointer from Liggins and then five points (a three and a two) from Lamb, who has been an excellent shooter so far. UK is 4-8 from three-point range, while OU is 0-4 -- and that has been the difference so far.
Well, UK's offense has just about stopped -- they only scored five points in four minutes -- while OU is doing a much better job of working the ball inside. The Sooners are now shooting 50 percent for the game, and they will be going to the line to complete a three-point play when we come back.
For reasons that I don't understand, Oklahoma went away from its zone and back to a man-to-man defense. Terence Jones got two baskets, Vargas got a put-back, and Knight hit a three as UK ended the half with a 9-2 run.
By the way, I should point out that the gym in Maui appears to be filled almost entirely with UK fans. But you probably expected that.
UK's defense holds, and Darius Miller drills a three-point shot from the top of the key. Liggins then gets a steal, falls to the ground, and calls time-out to avoid getting whistled for traveling. Another good hustle play.
This has become a very sloppy game, in part because the floor and the ball are too wet. There must be some sort of issue with humidity. There's a lot of slipping, and the referees have to keep stopping play to wipe the ball, or put in a new ball. It's a shame no one told the people in Maui that they were supposed to host a basketball tournament, or they might have tried to make sure the playing conditions were acceptable.
Well, UK kept wasting possession after possession -- they've only scored 4 points in the last 5 minutes -- and Oklahoma finally hit some shots. So the Cats have called timeout, presumably so that Cal can remind them that Terrence Jones is on the team.
OU cut the lead to 59-50 before Liggins finally scored on a layup. Harrellson was then quickly whistled for his fourth foul. I would be remiss if I didn't point out that ever since UK jumped out to an early lead, the officials have acted as though the Sooners were some sort of Church-league team that deserves special treatment so it can be more competitive with the mean old Wildcats.
This was a frenetic sequence, with both sides playing really hard, and the key to it was Terrence Jones, who made three key free throws, got a huge steal, and set up Harrellson -- Harrellson! -- with a beautiful pass that became a fast break layup.
Oklahoma came out of the timeout with a basket, and then both teams batted the ball around with no effect for another minute until Lamb was finally called for walking.
The story of this game is that Jones (26 pts, 12 rebounds) has been tremendous, while Knight (4-14 shooting, 11 points, 3 assists) has been pretty mediocre. If Knight had played up to par, this would have been a blowout. If Jones hadn't been incredible, UK would have been lucky to win.
I agree with Eric about Liggins. When he was a freshman, I seriously believed that he should just be cut from the team. I had never seen any player make so many bad decisions. Now he is a smart, hustling player.
So OU scores to make it 68-59. Knight misses a 30-foot three-pointer. OU hits a 3 to make it 68-62. Knight misses the front end of a 1 and 1. OU tries another 3-pointer -- but IT'S BLOCKED BY JONES! Liggins picks the ball out of the air and throws it TO JONES, who has beaten everyone down the floor for a huge basket.
Kentucky 70 - 62 Oklahoma (43.7 seconds left in 2d half)
A wild sequence. OU misses a free throw. Then Knight misses a free throw. Then OU's shot results in a desperate battle for the rebound -- which is won by Miller -- but Liggins, who falls to the ground, gets stepped on and is apparently hurt. I think he'll be OK. He's been great in this game, by the way.
Kentucky 73 - 64 Oklahoma (27.9 seconds left in 2d half)
Knight got fouled at the end of that last sequence, and he finally makes two free throws. Jones then blocks another 3-point shot, gets fouled and makes one of two. OU then makes a layup and calls time.
Lamb hits two free throws, and Jon Hood gets a rebound and makes one of two free throws to end the scoring.
On the whole, a wonderful first five minutes followed by sloppy play thereafter -- except for Jones, who was magnificent throughout. Kentucky did out-rebound the Sooners, 36 to 25. But Coach Cal will not like UK's relatively soft defense in the second half, as OU kept getting to the basket over and over.
Kentucky 21 - 16 Oklahoma (11:12 left in 1st half)
ReplyDeleteKentucky jumped out to a 21-8 lead, and looked completely dominant, until Oklahoma made an 8-0 run. The key moment in that run was an absolutely ludicrous technical foul that was called on Miller because he was hanging onto the rim in an effort to avoid falling on an Oklahoma player. That turned into a four-point play that put the Sooners back into the game. OU also switched to a zone that has given the Cats some trouble.
Kentucky 28 - 18 Oklahoma (7:58 left in 1st half)
ReplyDeleteUK gets a two-pointer from Liggins and then five points (a three and a two) from Lamb, who has been an excellent shooter so far. UK is 4-8 from three-point range, while OU is 0-4 -- and that has been the difference so far.
Kentucky 33 - 26 Oklahoma (3:48 left in 1st half)
ReplyDeleteWell, UK's offense has just about stopped -- they only scored five points in four minutes -- while OU is doing a much better job of working the ball inside. The Sooners are now shooting 50 percent for the game, and they will be going to the line to complete a three-point play when we come back.
I really am starting to love this UK team.
ReplyDeleteKentucky 42 - 28 Oklahoma (Halftime)
ReplyDeleteFor reasons that I don't understand, Oklahoma went away from its zone and back to a man-to-man defense. Terence Jones got two baskets, Vargas got a put-back, and Knight hit a three as UK ended the half with a 9-2 run.
By the way, I should point out that the gym in Maui appears to be filled almost entirely with UK fans. But you probably expected that.
I think that preseason trip to Canada is looking smarter and smarter.
ReplyDeleteKentucky 52 - 39 Oklahoma (15:54 left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteTerrence Jones now has 17 points and 8 rebounds.
I agree with Eric about the Canada trip.
ReplyDeleteKentucky 55 - 39 Oklahoma (14:45 left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteUK's defense holds, and Darius Miller drills a three-point shot from the top of the key. Liggins then gets a steal, falls to the ground, and calls time-out to avoid getting whistled for traveling. Another good hustle play.
Kentucky 59 - 41 Oklahoma (11:53 left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteThis has become a very sloppy game, in part because the floor and the ball are too wet. There must be some sort of issue with humidity. There's a lot of slipping, and the referees have to keep stopping play to wipe the ball, or put in a new ball. It's a shame no one told the people in Maui that they were supposed to host a basketball tournament, or they might have tried to make sure the playing conditions were acceptable.
Kentucky 59 - 48 Oklahoma (9:49 left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteWell, UK kept wasting possession after possession -- they've only scored 4 points in the last 5 minutes -- and Oklahoma finally hit some shots. So the Cats have called timeout, presumably so that Cal can remind them that Terrence Jones is on the team.
I don't know that I've ever seen a UK player improve as much from freshman to junior year as has DeAndre Liggins.
ReplyDeleteKentucky 61 - 50 Oklahoma (7:30 left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteOU cut the lead to 59-50 before Liggins finally scored on a layup. Harrellson was then quickly whistled for his fourth foul. I would be remiss if I didn't point out that ever since UK jumped out to an early lead, the officials have acted as though the Sooners were some sort of Church-league team that deserves special treatment so it can be more competitive with the mean old Wildcats.
Kentucky 68 - 55 Oklahoma (4:32 left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteThis was a frenetic sequence, with both sides playing really hard, and the key to it was Terrence Jones, who made three key free throws, got a huge steal, and set up Harrellson -- Harrellson! -- with a beautiful pass that became a fast break layup.
Kentucky 68 - 57 Oklahoma (3:36 left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteOklahoma came out of the timeout with a basket, and then both teams batted the ball around with no effect for another minute until Lamb was finally called for walking.
The story of this game is that Jones (26 pts, 12 rebounds) has been tremendous, while Knight (4-14 shooting, 11 points, 3 assists) has been pretty mediocre. If Knight had played up to par, this would have been a blowout. If Jones hadn't been incredible, UK would have been lucky to win.
I agree with Eric about Liggins. When he was a freshman, I seriously believed that he should just be cut from the team. I had never seen any player make so many bad decisions. Now he is a smart, hustling player.
ReplyDeleteKentucky 70 - 62 Oklahoma (1:16 left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteSo OU scores to make it 68-59. Knight misses a 30-foot three-pointer. OU hits a 3 to make it 68-62. Knight misses the front end of a 1 and 1. OU tries another 3-pointer -- but IT'S BLOCKED BY JONES! Liggins picks the ball out of the air and throws it TO JONES, who has beaten everyone down the floor for a huge basket.
Kentucky 70 - 62 Oklahoma (43.7 seconds left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteA wild sequence. OU misses a free throw. Then Knight misses a free throw. Then OU's shot results in a desperate battle for the rebound -- which is won by Miller -- but Liggins, who falls to the ground, gets stepped on and is apparently hurt. I think he'll be OK. He's been great in this game, by the way.
Terrific sequence ... Jones is terrific in a whole new way than how Cousins and Patterson were terrific.
ReplyDeleteKentucky 73 - 64 Oklahoma (27.9 seconds left in 2d half)
ReplyDeleteKnight got fouled at the end of that last sequence, and he finally makes two free throws. Jones then blocks another 3-point shot, gets fouled and makes one of two. OU then makes a layup and calls time.
Kentucky 76 - 64 Oklahoma (Final)
ReplyDeleteLamb hits two free throws, and Jon Hood gets a rebound and makes one of two free throws to end the scoring.
On the whole, a wonderful first five minutes followed by sloppy play thereafter -- except for Jones, who was magnificent throughout. Kentucky did out-rebound the Sooners, 36 to 25. But Coach Cal will not like UK's relatively soft defense in the second half, as OU kept getting to the basket over and over.
Good win.
ReplyDelete