Kentucky wins in a rare blowout 72-58, but the story of the game took place in the last 1:30 of the game. As Kentucky was putting the finishing touches on it's most complete game of the year, a possible disaster stuck. With about 1:30 left in the game, Liggins goes up for a rebound off an Alabama miss when he came down on another players foot twisting his ankle. After rolling on the floor in pain for what seemed like an eternity to Kentucky fans, Liggins got up and tried to jog it off before being subbed out of the game. On the very next inbounds play, Kentucky's leading scorer for the game Doron Lamb (15pts) went down with a NASTY twisted ankle of his own. The bad part for Lamb was the fact he had to be helped off the floor, and didn't appear to be able to put any weight what so ever on his left foot. That's three of our six man rotation with twisted ankles in two days.
Kentucky fans let it be known they were upset that the starters were still in the game, yelling at Calipari to "take out the starters!". You could make the argument that they shouldn't have been in the game with that big of a lead (26), but Alabama had just buried 3 straight 3's and had cut into the lead. We all know what was going through Cal's mind as Kentucky has been masterful this season at blowing leads late, so I don't blame him for having the starters in that late in the game. But that's a risk you take when you keep the starters in the game with a big lead at the end, and the result of the lack of a bench to sub with. But Kentucky has some of the best trainers in the Biz and I'm sure they will be up all night working on the three injured players to have them ready. But don't be surprised to see Cal hold Lamb out to make sure he is healthy for the NCAA tournament.
This was by far the best game Kentucky has played in the conference, and got some revenge on Alabama for loss the Cats suffered in Tuscaloosa.
Kentucky will know their opponent later today as Florida and Vanderbilt are getting set to tip. One thing is for sure, Kentucky will need to be at full strength to have a chance to beat either of these teams.
*****UPDATE******
Word from Kentucky is that Doron Lamb is doubtful for tomorrow, all though Lamb says " I'm playing tomorrow, my team needs me so I'm playing". Even though Lamb admits he has never had an injury like the one he suffered today. Liggins had the same feeling as Lamb saying "I'm playing tomorrow, it's just a little tweak to my ankle, I'll be fine for tomorrow"
Cal on why he didn't sub sooner " Alabama was still pressing us. One of my assistants asked if we should get players out and I said they are still pressing. Had they stopped pressing I would have subbed sooner".
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