Kentucky/Auburn review

Last nights game was a tale of two halves. The first half was more of the same disappointment and aggravation  that we have dealt with most of the season. The second half however was something new, something different, something we have been waiting to see from this group since the season started. 

We seen players smiling, chest bumping and showing energy that has been missing from every game.  I'm not sure what was said at halftime, whatever it was worked. 

After the break, Kentucky came out ready to play and took the fight right to Auburn. They played some of the best defense they have played all year holding the Tigers 0-15 from three point range. Sure some of that had to do with the poor shooting of Auburn, but it was also because of the defense Kentucky played. Holding an opponent scoreless from long range is no easy task considering the last time the Cats managed this accomplishment was in 2001 when they held Mississippi State 0-19. Even Kyle Wiltjer played solid defense, something that has been lacking all season and had become a liability for this team. 

  Speaking of Kyle Wiltjer, I said in my pre-game post, for Kentucky to be successful Wiltjer had to knock down his shots. For the second game in a row that's exactly what he did finishing the game as the leading scorer (17pts, 3-6 from three) for the second outing in a row. If Wilt can sustain this type of shooting and passing (5 assits) he showed in this game going forward, things tend to look a little brighter for the Cats. 

   Nerlens Noel started the game with foul trouble, something this team hasn't had to deal with in some time. But that didn't stop him from putting his stamp on the game ending the night with 10pts, 9rbs and a career high tying 7blks,  and he done all this in just 25 minutes of action. Nerlens is the leader of this team whether he knows it or not, the team goes as he goes. He leads this team with the amount of energy he plays with every game. He's not Anthony Davis (who could be), but he's the next best thing when it comes to a defensive presence in the post. 

Ryan Harrow didn't have his best game (5 turnovers), but he did finish with 12pts, 5rebs and 8asts while playing some decent defense. The other two guys who reached double digits scoring was Poythress and Archie Goodwin. Goodwin finally figured out how to drive the lane without getting called for a charge every time down the lane. He beat his defender off the dribble time and time again, resulting in easy layups and trips to the charity stripe. Archie finished the game with 12pts, 7rebs and 1ast  

Poythress' stat line was one of his best as of late finishing the game with 12pts, 7rebs (3 offensively) and 1stl. Most of Alex's points was the direct result of the beautiful interior passing of Kyle Wiltjer, something I have rarely seen from Wilt. All night, Alex and Kyle picked the post defense of Auburn apart with excellent passing and knocking down mid-range jumpers.


If this game was a sign of things to come, it could be a fun next couple of months. Things doesn't get any easier as the Cats head to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide Tuesday night, a road game that is never an easy task.  So, we will see if they can pick up where they left off at Auburn.

Until then, it was great to see these guys finally play as a team and generally have fun doing it. Now keep it up....