Thoughts On Kentucky's Tournament

One year ago Kentucky faced West Virginia as a 1 seed with Heralded Freshmen John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, and an experienced veteran in Patrick Patterson. Kentucky starts the game 0 for 20 against WVU's 1-3-1 zone and loses a heartbreaker as West Virginia advances to the final four to play Duke. Kentucky fans; heads sunk and hearts broken, amongst broken remotes and empty beer cans thought to themselves " That should be us".

Fast forward to the NBA draft. Kentucky loses basically their entire starting lineup as well as our 4 best players. Fans look to the future, but realize that Kentucky had missed a golden opportunity and would have to rebuild to reach that level of excellency again.Then Darnell Dodson leaves and Kentucky fans shake their heads at the thought of losing another three point shooter and wonder if our cupboard is bare.

Fast forward to the beginning of the season and expectations are tempered for our 3 young heralded recruits Doron Lamb, Brandon Knight, and Terrence Jones who had recently switched his commitment from Washington. Enes Kanter is ruled ineligible (there's still time to fix your mistake Mr. Emmert) and we realize that Josh Harrellson who had played less than 100 minutes all of last year, would be our starting big man, and only banger down low. Optimistically, Kentucky fans thought we could reach 23-24 wins, but it would sure be an uphill battle. Fast forward through a season of up and downs (as well as some of the worst reffed games in history) and Kentucky although winning the tournament and finishing 25-8 receive a 4 seed.

48 hours ago, Kentucky fans watched, nails thoroughly bitten, as Kentucky took a timeout tied with Princeton 57-57. Visions of Morehead defeating Louisville seconds before, churning in our heads. After a long season losing close games on the road, Kentucky's luck finally seemed to change against Tennessee, and Ole Miss. But how could these freshman overcome adversity in the NCAA tournament to defeat a scrappy and heady Princeton team. Then in the blink of an eye, Brandon Knight ( Who had been scoreless for 39 minutes) sprinted to the basket and unfazed, made an extremely tough layup to win the game for the young Cats.

That brings us to today. With Charles Barkley of all people ( You're in my top 5 Chuck) being the only analyst to pick a Kentucky victory, we looked to face a West Virginia team coached by Bob Huggins (8-1 against Cal) and led by the Kentucky killer Joe Mazulla. After an awful stretch of calls in the last minute of the first half, West Virginia went into the locker room up 41-33. But its always darkest before the dawn ( Unless your Bruce Weber or Rick Pitino) and Kentucky came out with a fire under them.

Brandon Knight exploded with a 30 point career high performance in what I think was the best individual performance by a freshman in UK history, as Kentucky charged forward and captured a lead that they would never give up. It was an extremely physical game, and it came down to hitting free throws and playing defense ( which no one gives Cal enough credit for) that we have become accustomed to the last 3 weeks. Joe Mazulla was impressive once again, but was locked down by Deandre Liggins in the last 6 minutes of the game, which may go unnoticed, but can not be overlooked.

Its amazing how much can happen in 1 year. Now bring on Ohio State baby ( or George Mason Fingers Crossed) and keep enjoying this crazy ride that this young team has took the Commonwealth on.