Closing out the game on a 17-5 run that included clutch threes by Darnell Dodson and Eric Bledsoe, Kentucky once again showed the ability to perform under pressure and demonstrate poise well beyond its youth in an 89-77 victory at Florida.
But despite dominating the stat lines, the Cats failed once again to put an opponent away when the opportunity presented itself. Here’s what you need to know about the game:
Wall and Bledsoe are virtually impossible to guard at the college level. Their ability to push the ball past and through fullcourt pressure is uncanny. When one of these two is getting past the defense and into the lane, Kentucky’s offense is lethal.
Bledsoe is almost certainly an NBA lottery pick when he decides to leave. It is positively scary to think that his long term pro stock might be every bit as high as John Wall’s. As we have mentioned on here before, agreeing to be the secondary ballhandler on this team must have been a difficult choice for EB and both he and Wall have handled it with grace and maturity. But make no mistake. If Wall was not around, Bledsoe would be hitting the highlight reels as often as his backcourt mate. We dearly hope he sticks around for next year, but with every passing minute, it seems less and less likely.
Even on an off-night Patterson, Cousins and Orton are a formidable inside presence. Orton is like a human fly swatter, batting balls into the stands with regularity. Watching Florida’s post players try to get shots off around the glass with him lurking was amusing. If and when he develops an offensive game, he could be an All-American. He will have to work on his touch, which is abysmal right now.
Miller showed more aggressiveness tonight and stepped up to take some pretty big shots. In particular, his jumper to put UK up 3 with about 6:00 minutes to play was a shot we didn’t expect him to think about. He also held his own inside and pulled in a few tough boards. Meanwhile, Liggins took a bit of a step back in limited minutes, turning it over twice and looking sheepish.
When the game was tied at 72-72 inside of 5:00 to play, we were pleased to see Kentucky go to the elder statesman, Patrick Patterson, who promptly hit a turn around hook, got fouled and silenced the crowd. The Cats never looked back after that.
BBL Take: Kentucky was the superior team in almost every facet of the game, but still let Florida get back into it, mostly due to hot three-point shooting by Erving Walker and a rowdy home crowd. The Cats’ inability to put teams away is mildly concerning, but going on the road and beating a conference foe as solid as UF by double digits is yet another statement for this team in its possible quest to make history.
People are taking notice of this 17-0 squad, even some who should have known by now. For instance, we caught this Tweet by ESPN hoops analyst Andy Katz during tonight’s game:
“Kentucky can reach Final Four and compete for title. I see it more than ever with speed, size, rebounding, shooting.”
Uh, ya think Andy?
