I had to miss what is sure to be the best regular season game of the year thanks to having a job. But, thanks to an invention called DVR, and a loving wife who understands my obsession with Kentucky basketball, I got to watch it later. I gotta say, the game certainly didn't disappoint.
It had the feeling of a regional final, or a Final Four game, or to quote coach Cal an "end all to end all" type of atmosphere. Both teams played with passion and aggression you normally don't see until late March or early April. It was just fitting that it would end in a one point victory.
But, to get that one point victory it took an impressive play by Anthony Davis. Who knew he could fly? That's exactly what it looked like he did when he jumped from one side of the lane to the other, to block John Hensons' potential game winning shot attempt. When Davis stretched out, and raised his arm, he looked like he was 14 feet long, and it took every inch of him to save the day.
When John Henson was asked about the block,he sounded impressed:
"I thought I was open. It was a little taste of my own medicine, which is kind of funny. I've done that before, and he did it to me this game. Credit to him. It was a great play by a great player."
Darius Miller on Davis' block:
"Where did he even come from? I thought Henson had a clean look at it. That was a crazy blocked shot."
Anthony Davis on his block:
"I just sprinted as fast as I could and jumped with my hand as high as I could get it. I thought I could get to it."
Tyler Zeller didn't have quite the enthusiasm as John Henson had when he was asked about Anthony Davis:
Zeller: "I'm not going to comment on that"
This response would leave one to believe that Zeller had a hard time dealing with Davis in the low post. But later, he mustered up some what of a comment.
Zeller: "He's young. I think he has great potential."
This was an excellent game for ANY college basketball fan, and was what most called, a preview of things to come in April. Now, I don't believe that you can pencil in UK and UNC for the National Championship game for certain as OSU and Syracuse would have something to say about that. But, it's not a far stretch because as of right now these are clearly the two best teams at this time in the country.
There was some odd happenings the last few seconds of the game as UNC players stood around in shock after Davis' block, not fouling and letting the final 5 seconds tick away. Then, with 2 or 3 seconds left, some say Marquis Teague appeared to travel with no whistle. I watched the game, did he travel? Possibly. But, it's hard to tell as it looked to me the ball was knocked out of his hand by a UNC player.
One sports writer, took to twitter claiming that Kentucky got a favorable no call, and that UNC should have had one more shot. Who was the sports writer you ask. One of Kentucky fans favorites, Dan Wolken.
@DanWolken: "I'll tell you what, Marquis Teague might have Wesley Withersoon'd that ending.
@DanWolken: "Teague walked with one second left. Absolutely, he walked.
@DanWolken: "Ran it back three times. Teague traveled. UNC should've had one mo shot
Now, someone needs to tell Ole' Dan, that UNC has no one to blame but themselves for the ending to that game. Had they fouled after the block like Roy Williams was trying to get them to do by jumping and screaming and waving his arms like a mad man on the sideline, while his guys just stood in awe at what just happened, they would have had their the last shot Dan Wolken so badly wanted for them. That is, if Kentucky didn't drain the two freethrows that they would have been awarded on the foul to take a three point lead.
Or, ask Dan about the out of bounds call late in the second half, when one ref ruled Kentucky ball, then got his call reversed to give the ball back to Carolina, when it was clearly off the neck, head, shoulders, face and arms of the Carolina player as he tried to gain control of the ball. When, the call was reversed and the ball given back to Carolina, it led to a Harrison Barnes three cutting Kentucky's lead to 2, and taking away any momentum Kentucky had gained. No, you won't hear someone like Dan Wolken getting upset over a bad call against Kentucky.
But, with the absurdities of the likes of Dan Wolken aside, this was a great game, played between two great teams, loaded with great players. And that, is what college basketball fans love to see.
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