Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Quade Green, Hamidou Diallo, and Kevin Knox huddle together late in Saturday’s 83-76 win at No. 7 West Virginia. Photo by Keyli Chisesi, Go Big Blue Country.
Saturday nights 83-76 win at No. 7 West Virginia was a much-needed breath of fresh air for the entire Big Blue Nation. Majority of the fanbase has been in a tailspin since a heartbreaking football loss to Florida last September but on Saturday night, even this team’s biggest critics had to smile and what made it even more special is it wasn’t expected.
The Wildcats opened as ten point underdogs for the trip to Morgantown and for 25 minutes, it seemed that margin was too low. However, John Calipari’s team took on an identity usually associated with Bob Huggins coached teams and they played like the tougher team over the final fifteen minutes of action to walk away with one of the best non-conference wins in college basketball this season.
The main topic for fans is that it has been hard to connect with this team, mostly because the entire roster, other than Wenyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones, is made up of newcomers. Not only that but this team has struggled to find an identity, which has led to fans not knowing what to expect when the Wildcats take the floor. That all changed on Saturday night, as fans have no reason not to fall in love with this team.
If someone watched that game Saturday night and didn’t feel much better about the potential of this team, then they need to check for a pulse. In the most improbable spot, the youngest team in college basketball began to grow up in front of a national audience.
After falling behind by 17 points early in the second half, most assumed Kentucky would fold up the tent and take one on the chin. However, the Wildcats had other plans and what you saw during the second half was one of the most impressive stretches of basketball in the Calipari era.
The most beautiful thing about the comeback is it was a total team effort in all phases. Kevin Knox became “that guy” that Calipari has been begging for him to be. Hamidou Diallo played for the team and as a result, the game was much easier for him. Wenyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones played with energy and was that veteran presence this team so desperately needs. Yet, the most impressive thing about the second half was the way the Wildcats completely bullied a team that is used to being the bully.
During the second half, fans caught a glimpse of how good this team can be on the defensive end when all five guys are locked in. The Mountaineers struggled to find a rhythm in the half court and it wasn’t for lack of trying. Kentucky’s defensive effort was the key to a 50-28 advantage in the second half. With each defensive stop, the Wildcats kept West Virginia from setting up their full-court pressure, resulting in only five turnovers in the second half.
I assumed the trip to Morgantown would be the turning point of the season but I didn’t see that coming. I thought it was more likely that it would be a bloodbath, similar to last season’s away game at Florida where fans questioned whether or not the team cared. After that game, Kentucky ran off 14 consecutive wins and fell one shot short of another Final Four appearance. My predictions were off for West Virginia but I still think it’s a turning point but instead of learning from a tough loss, we saw the Wildcats take ownership of their play.
It’s fun to watch when the light bulb comes on for Calipari’s teams but the UK coach warns that it’s not the same with every team. Saturday was a huge step for this team but there will still be growing pains at times over the next month but when those occur, just remember Saturday’s performance at West Virginia. Calipari now has an example to show this team how good they can be when they are locked in
Enjoy the next two months, as we watch this group continue to grow and hopefully develop into a Final Four contender by March. I understand it hasn’t been pretty at times but after Saturday, there is no reason to not fall in love with this team.
