5 Thoughts as Cats Move to 25-1

Kentucky went into a hostile road environment Tuesday night and took the best shot from a talented Mississippi State team in desperate need of a win. Here are a five big post-game thoughts:

1. Patrick Patterson was clutch Tuesday. He rebounded better than he has in weeks. He also made his free throws and hit the huge jumper to tie the game in regulation. That is the Patterson Kentucky needs to see in the tournament.

2. The Kentucky big men just absolutely erase you inside. When they block shots and rebound like they did tonight, it’s gonna be tough for anyone to beat them. In particular, DeMarcus Cousins has become a total beast on the interior, and his rebounding and scoring dominance reduced opposing center Jarvis Varnado (statistically one of the best bigs in the nation) to an afterthought.

3. The Cats’ youth showed in Starkville. Late in regulation, they had a series of three straight possessions where UK guards jacked up shots without taking more than five seconds off the shot clock. They have to show more patience than that.

4. DeAndre Liggins seems to be gradually making his way up to the point where he is a top three option offensively for Kentucky. Coach Cal showed a lot of confidence in him by leaving him on the floor for the entirety of overtime. He is now the defensive stopper who Kentucky will task with guarding opposing teams’ leading scorers.

5. If Mississippi State can finish the SEC season strong, they will likely get into the tourney. They dont have a great resume but playing that game Tuesday night on ESPN really helped their profile. That is a sign that Kentucky is back on the map—when an opposing team can lose to the Cats and it actually helps them.