Kentucky Hands Wichita State It's First Loss 78-76; Heads to Sweet Sixteen

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Kentucky advances to the round of 16 after defeating undefeated #1 seed Wichita State 78-76 in what is at least in my mind one of the best games in the last 10 years in the NCAA Tournament. WSU proved they were legit and the Cats proved they were vastly underseeded. This game had everything you could've asked for as a college basketball fan. It had runs from both sides, great defense and both teams played with more heart than any others in the recent memory.

One cannot say enough about the play of the Harrison twins. Sure, they had some turnovers, but collectively they scored 39 points and led this team better than they have all season long. Early in the year, everyone said the Harrison's were a major liability, now, they are the KEY to this post season run. I REALLY hope these two come back for another season, but if they keep playing at this level and the deeper they go in the tournament the less likely that will happen.

As good as the Cats played, WSU played just as good, but I have to give credit where credit is due. C Anthony of WSU was the best player on the floor tonight and wasn't even close. This kid hit everything from everywhere on the floor and was the only thing that kept Kentucky from blowing it open in the second half. Without him, it's safe to say that Kentucky could've won this by double digits had it not been for the 31 points from Early.

Hats off to Wichita State as they played one helluva game. When the brackets were announced, there was only one team that really had a gripe about their draw and that was WSU. Going undefeated in the regular season only to be rewarded with the toughest region  in recent years is beyond absurd. Instead of going out in the second round to an underseeded Kentucky team, they should be going to the sweet sixteen and possibly a Final Four thereafter.

Next up for the Cats is a rematch of Kentucky vs. Louisville in the Sweet Sixteen in Indianapolis. But, for now just enjoy this win because earlier in the season, this certainly did not seem like a possible scenario for this Kentucky team.

Here's how Twitter reacted during the game...

@KySportsRadio:  Wichita State fans probably 65-70 percent of crowd

@alcourington:  Win or lose, proud of this uk team. Nervous.

@KyleTucker_CJ:  Aaron Harrison playing with so much confidence lately. Driving bucket for the UK lead. Shockers answer. It's 7-6 WSU, 15:34.

@PSteveKHB:  We HAVE to be the first to the floor!! 50/50 balls belong to us!

DarrellBird:  What a drive by Andrew. Dang, wish my arm hurt like that :-)

@KYHoopsBuzz:  Cats going to need a lot of Willie Cauley-Stein today. Dakari Johnson not keeping up defensively.

@AaronsUKBBBlog:  Cauley-Stein needs to get into the game ASAP- Dakari is too slow for this matchup

@BDawsonRivals:  Aaron Harrison pretty dialed in early. That three he just missed was right on line.

@ravimoss:  These boys are playing today!!! #BBN

@vaughtsviews: Calipari rotating players a lot. Cats up 14-13 in a really entertaining game so far

@rechapman:  Young's gonna have to get more physical in this game. He's not getting open and Cotton is making him catch 10-feet past the 3pt-line.

@KY_Heartbeat:  I am loving the energy that they're playing with right now

@MrsTylerKSR:  So far, so good. When the Cats are hitting it from the outside, they're a totally different team.

@DarrellBird:  This game is going to be all mental toughness. Who blinks first?

@KySportsRadio:  Heck of a game to start. Both teams have come to play early

@DanWolken:  Glass half-full: Kentucky is making shots. Bad news: They're behind.

@johnclayiv:  Bad news for UK, Cats making 3s but couldn't get big lead. Now Wichita on 7-0 run for 22-19 lead at 9:34 1H

@JDrumUK:  This has the feel of one of those 5-min scoring droughts coming on... #danger

@KyleTucker_CJ:  Cats trail despite a 10-4 lead on the boards and shooting 8 of 15 (3 of 7 from three).

@DarrellBird:  Mr. Randle needs to take over the paint on both ends.

@DanWolken:  The number of easy buckets Wichita is getting against a really good defense...just wow. They're for friggin real.

@GoodmanESPN:  This Wichita State is NOT intimidated one bit.

@DarrellBird:  "Fun" Cal know where to be found. Railing on everybody

@vaughtsviews:  Now Calipari screaming at Andrew for offensive block. Not a happy team right now

@KyleTucker_CJ:  And Randle for a charge. Wheels wobbling for the Cats.

@vaughtsviews:  Cal yells at Randle after offensive foul. Randle throws hands up in the air at coach. Not good

@KyleTucker_CJ:  UK has one really clear edge in this game and has so far not gone to it at all. Zero inside game.

@BDawsonRivals:  The twins are not interchangeable at point guard.

@KySportsRadio:  That late three by Young was huge. UK outplayed in the first half but only down 6. Will have to play their best half of the season to win




                                                           SECOND HALF:


@UKcoachbrooks:  They got the quick start and now need the strong finish.

@BDawsonRivals:  Brief lead for Kentucky on a Poythress layup. Baker answers and-one. March Madness is fun.

@AshleyJudd:  Too crazy and loud here to tweet let's just saw GREAT game so far and GO WILDCATS!!! #bnn @marchmadness

@YahooForde: If you had tickets for today in St. Louis, congrats. First game dramatic and exciting, this one the same and played at higher level.

@vaughtsviews:  Wow. Where has that Randle spin and finish with right hand been? Cats 52-49 at 11:38 and Randle going to line

@KY_Heartbeat:  Oh. My. Goodness. Julius.

@EVargas30:  Let's Go Big Blue!!

@dreamsmooth:  Yeah just call a foul every play! Smh

@KyleTucker_CJ:  Now 14 free throws (10 makes) for Wichita State, just four attempts for Kentucky. Calipari wanted one there.

@KySportsRadio:  More of this Julius Randle please

@ravimoss:  This is an elite type of game!! Crazy!!

@DarrellBird:  Dang, this is NCAA title game fun. INTENSE. Nobody backing down an inch.

@GreggDoyelCBS:  I'm tired from watching this game. Maybe because i'm forgetting to breathe.

@GoodmanESPN:  What a HIGH-LEVEL game. Both teams came to play.

@JDrumUK:  Think Cal has to bite the bullet and get WCS back in. Wichita 10-5 spurt since he went out.

@rfulford:  Can we get a best of 7 series between UK/Wichita St. Both teams playing at HIGH level.

@KySportsRadio:  This is a heck of a game

@BDawsonRivals:  What Andrew Harrison just did there reminds me of Deron Williams at Illinois. You foul him, but you're the one who feels the impact.

@pdpatt:  Show respect where it's due... C Early  a baaaaaaad man. #MarchMadness

@MrsTylerKSR:  I can't handle this.

@EVargas30:  Hey Mr. Young!! #BBN

@JDrumUK:  James Young with 2 huge rebounds, 3-pointer... Kentucky leads 73-71 with :45 to play.

@DShulman_ESPN:  So impressed by the poise of the young #wildcats down the stretch.

@DarrellBird:  Rest of the NCAA tourney going to be a letdown after this game. Wow

@MrsTylerKSR:  I am so nervous my computer just shut itself down.

@NazrMohammed:  ....Defense!!!!!!

@stephenasmith:  This is the best college game I've seen all year. My man Greg Anthony is doing an outstanding job calling this game. A heavyweight for sure

@YahooForde:  Good glory. How good is this game?
Man
@jerymeyer247:  One of the best college games ive seen. Can we get wichita st n sec?

@DanWolken:  Well, here it is.

@MrsTylerKSR:  Oh dear lord.

@johnclayiv:  Andrew with 7.2 left misses 2nd

@YahooForde:  Elbow review quick and correct. Now way.

@JDrumUK:  No matter what happens next 3 seconds, helluva effort by Cats today.

@UKcoachbrooks:  This is wild. Cats need to be smart in the last 3 sec. Great game. Cats deserve the win. Cross your fingers.

@BigJorts55:  Man this is making me nervous!!! No 3s!!!!!!!!!!!!

@DevinBook:  Put willie on the ball and make them throw it to the backcourt!

@KUTheShiver:  WSU couldn't handle UK attacking the rim. Hell of a season though

@rechapman:  #CATSCARDS !!!!!!!

@KySportsRadio:  YESSSSS!!!!!!!

@Drerid:  Hell Yeah!!!

@timcouchtv:  CATS!!! Great game. Proud of this young team! #bbn

@GoodmanESPN:  That was one of the best NCAA tourney games I have ever seen. High-level. Both teams were tremendous.

@JacobTamme:  C-A-T-S

@TreyMambaLyles:  Let's go #BBN

@DanWolken:  Kentucky stepped up, big time. Hit shots, executed, deserved to win. Methinks Louisville is not happy about this result.

@JP_Blevins:  BAM!!!!

@JoeCrawford5:  What y'all got to say about them twins now

@BigJorts55:  Cats win!!! Good game!!!

And the best Tweet of the afternoon goes to Mr. Jay Bilas, who by the way said Kentucky wasn't strong enough to defeat Wichita State had this to say after the game...


@JayBilas:  Now, can everyone stop with the nonsensical "one and done" bashing? Those "kids" can play, Calipari can teach and coach. Amazing.