Kentucky/UConn In-Game Blog

Prediction: Kentucky 68-64. I think the way Kentucky is playing right now, with the defense complementing their skill, they are going to be tough to beat. UConn is playing well, but has been squeaking by with the superb play of their role players. I think the role players for UConn have an off game tonight and Kentucky takes advantage and wins in the last minute. UConn is probably the better team, but Kentucky has more talent and it will show. I also like Calipari over Calhoun right now. It seems like Calhoun is letting his players control the game, while Calipari is more in control of his team, which will play a big part in a Final Four game like this. But that's just my opinion, let's see how it plays out...

FIRST HALF

20:00-15:03
Time: Kentucky 10-8
Game: Kentucky 10-8

Kentucky seems to be settling for jumpers, when they get in the lane they are making plays. On the other end, Kentucky seems to be content with UConn settling for mid-rang jumpers. Lamb made a wide open shot, but then Oriakhi missed one; that is what the Wildcats want. Walker has been awfully quiet so far, he hasn't even taken a shot. He is probably letting the game go by a little and seeing the tempo before he wants to start making moves. Just now Walker takes advantage of a long rebound and defensive mistake by Knight for a breakaway layup. Jones is locked in... Uh oh.

TPTs: Harrellson and Jones.  Harrellson has had some strong rebounds and is a strong interior presence on defense. Jones just took over, seven points already. Oh man if he can have a strong game, he is going to get 25. UConn doesn't have a matchup on defense for him.

15:03-10:47
Time: UConn 3-2
Game: Kentucky 12-11

Bunch of turnovers by both teams, a combination of sloppy play and good defense. UConn really wants to get out and run and Kentucky seems like they want to slow down the tempo. They must realize they don't match up well with the Wildcats in terms of talent, and even athleticism. Then again, if Kentucky gets an opening, they're running past everyone. Kentucky is getting three-happy, could be a problem if they continue to settle for jumpers. Walker is starting to take over, but is playing very selfish so far. He needs a good balance of driving ability and creation for UConn to play their best.

TPT: Walker. He had to wake up and start to lead the team. He is very noticeable on defense so far with some good pressure and some rebounds, but he will need to start leading a more efficient offense for UConn to get out to a lead.

10:47-6:39
Time: UConn 12-7
Game: UConn 23-19

Walker knocks down a three from a Lamb pass right out of the timeout, he is so good when he lets the shots come to him. Kentucky is making a lot of extra passes, not a bad thing, but it seems like no one is willing to take over this game. They have all missed some jump shots early and seems reluctant to jack up any more. Kentucky is slashing to the hoop a lot more, but they are out of control. They have missed a few short shots in the lane trying to draw fouls and flail around to get an open look. They need some sets for Harrellson and see if UConn can guard them. Walker is really in the zone, he has a few baskets since the last timeout and just made a nice dish for a layup. Knight finally takes a controlled mid range jumper and sinks it, that will be the key.

TPT: Walker. He is showing why he is the best player on the court. Creating plays for his teammates, working hard on offense and defense. UConn is on quite a run here, but Knight has a few baskets that is keeping Kentucky in the game.

6:39-3:33
Time: UConn 4-0
Game: UConn 27-19

Okwandu has good offensive instincts for a big guy, he knows where to be in order to get good passes from the guards. Walker with an unreal strip from Knight on the drive and then an outlet pass for a dunk, absolutely incredible. Kentucky seems to be losing their composure at a rapid pace right now, if they can keep it within five at half it will be good for them. Kentucky going to a 2-3 zone now, but they are having a lot of trouble getting rebounds with Harrellson off the court.

TPT: Lamb. Doing a great job of keeping UConn calm. Walker wants to push, push, push, which is good, but sometimes they just need to chill out. Lamb has great instincts for this, possibly better than Walker. Lamb is really the glue to this team, you can see it already.

3:33-0:00
Time: UConn 4-2
Game: UConn 31-21

Lamb comes right out of the timeout with a set-up backdoor play; with the feed from Walker he gets a nice reverse layup. Kentucky goes back to the zone, but Lamb finds an open area and hits a jumper. Kentucky is just surviving at this point. Jones needs to take more control over the Kentucky offense, Knight is playing with confidence, but he is missing a lot of bunnies.

TPT: Lamb. Made some shots and playing suffocating defense. Took a pretty bad jumper on the last possession, but it didn't hurt UConn as Kentucky came down and missed a three at the buzzer.

HALFTIME


Player of the first half: Walker. He is leading this team to the finals with his composure and explosiveness. At this point he has a very good mix of the two, and it helps when Lamb and the rest of the team is playing so well in the supporting role.

First half key: UConn's defense. Kentucky is settling for jump shots, but UConn is doing well at contesting them. They are also not allowing the Wildcats to get open layups, so when they do drive, they are still not efficient.

Second half key: Kentucky's jump shooting. In order for Kentucky to get back in the game, they really need to start hitting shots. They are driving enough now to have good balance with their offense, but they need some shots to drop to help with their confidence and on the scoreboard. Harrellson missed the last few minutes of the half with two fouls, but the Wildcats were still rebounding well without him.

SECOND HALF


20:00-15:53
Time: Kentucky 8-2
Game: UConn 33-29

Napier really needs to stop shooting, he is a very poor shooter. He is so quick and he is great at creating for others. Kentucky comes out with two quick threes and they are right back in the game. Calhoun calls a good timeout to try and settle things down. Kentucky comes out with a zone, a pretty good move with the energy they are showing right now; could couse some havoc for UConn. Harrellson is a beast, even though he screams like a woman giving birth. Kentucky is screwing themselves with all of their missed foul shots, but they do have a ton of offensive rebounds. Kentucky is very content with anybody other than Walker trying to beat them; Napier has had some open shots and they are playing one-on-one when UConn goes to the post.

TPT: Harrellson. Him being in there has opened up some space for the others to take shots, and his rebounding skills are great. He doesn't get up very high at all, but he is always in the right spots, especially on offense, to get the board.

15:53-11:56
Time: Kentucky 10-7
Game: UConn 40-39

The UConn bigs have not been very involved in this game and it shows; Oriakhi looks sloppy and not confident at all. Kentucky keeps hitting threes! Lamb comes in and knocks down two with no rim involved. Walker silences the crowd with a long jumper and Harrellson gets a great feed and finishes with a flush. A little too aggressive by the Kentucky defense and they foul Walker shooting a three; mistakes that can't be made in this type of a game. Game is slowing down a little now and teams are trying to feel their way around. Walker comes up with a twisted ankle but then hustles back on defense and stops a breakaway layup. What a player. Harrellson picks up his third foul with 12:09 remaining; not a bad situation, but obviously not the position Kentucky where wants to be.

TPT: Lamb. He comes in off the bench and ignites the team with two huge threes. He was in position to get a layup to put Kentucky ahead, but Walker absolutely made a great play to deny him at the rim. We have ourselves a game here. Players are getting a little rest now, the next few minutes will be huge for Kentucky without Harrellson.

11:56-2:09
Time: UConn 14-9
Game: UConn 54-48

Every time UConn comes out of a timeout, they execute on offense. Walker with a great bounce pass to Smith for a layup. Lamb hits another three, the kid is coming up huge for the Wildcats. UConn is at their best when they run, Walker missed a three but then Oriakhi had a huge put back slam on a failed box out in transition. UConn guards beginning to flop and the refs are giving in to the acts. This is the time of game when the refs try to make foul calls so they won't have to at the end of the game. Good timeout by Calipari with his team down four and looking shaky on defense.

Out of the timeout, Jones takes it one-on-three, gets a chance at an and-one, misses the foul shot, steals the ball and then Kentucky gets another layup from Knight; a solid four-point-play. Very good back and forth action now, the players are sensing  that it's crunch time. Some stupid shots from Napier and Knight break the flow, but then back to back turnovers and a transition layup by Walker forces Calipari to call a timeout at 4:07.

The announcers say Kentucky is tired, and that might be the case, considering they don't play very many players. It has been a while since a TV timeout and the last few minutes will be very long with a lot of stoppages. Kentucky seems to be short on most of their jump shots, could be getting jelly legs. Still no under-8:00 TV timeout and Calhoun calls his own with 2:49 remaining. UConn give Napier an isolation and he drives to the hoop for a layup, that's what he needed to do from the start.

TPT: Walker and Jones. Both of these players are leading their teams at this point. This is one of the best games I have seen Walker play in terms of being in control. Jones is being very aggressive but is now 0-6 from the foul line. Absolutely horrible at this stage.

2:09-0:56.5
Time: Kentucky 3-0
Game: UConn 54-51

Jones is an absolute beast other than his foul shots. He is all over the defensive glass and he has at least three steals in the last five minutes that are directly attributable to his instincts. Liggins hits a three off a Jones rebound and the last TV timeout of the game is called with under a minute to go. Kentucky gets the ball after the break.

TPT: Jones. The best player in the game tonight, looks dominate on the defensive end and when he wants to be on offense. Going to be a crazy finish here.

0:56.5-0:00
Time: Kentucky 4-2
Game: UConn 56-55

Liggins is fouled shooting a long jumper and his toe was just on the line; makes one of two foul shots. Napier tries to split a screen and dribbles the ball off of a Kentucky foot, Knight jumps on it and calls a timeout. Kentucky ball, down two, with 16 seconds left. This has to be a play for Jones, who seems to be the only one in this game with any offensive rhythm. The only bad idea about that is that Jones doesn't seem to be too keen on passing the ball if there is nothing available. Knight will probably get the ball here because of his clutch moments in the early games. Knight gave the ball up while Jones was just standing around, Liggins takes a deep three and misses! Napier gets the rebound and is fouled with 2 seconds left; two foul shots and it's over. He makes both and UConn is up four! Calipari calls a timeout but there is no point. Knight makes a three at the buzzer! Oh wait... UConn wins 56-55!

POST GAME


Player of the second half: Jones. He was the best player on the court, but was not very assertive in getting the ball on the offensive end. His defense really brought Kentucky back in the second half, but it was not quite enough to overcome Knight's 6-23 sucktitude.

Player of the game: Walker. Could have easily been Jones, but Walker's team won and he was very effective in all aspects of the game. Assists, steals, rebounds, points, foul shots, he did it all.

Second half key: Kentucky's defense. Really kept them in the game, they were very aggressive and efficient on the glass and made UConn look very bad on offense in the second half.

Game key: Foul shots. Kentucky went 4-13 for the game. Yes, 4-13. Meanwhile, UConn went 9-11. That was the difference. UConn won the first half and Kentucky won the second half, but in a close, evenly matched game like this, the freebies make all the difference. And guess what? UConn squeaked by with the superb play of their role players.

Some thoughts moving forward:
1. UConn/Butler is going to be a hard ass game.
2. Calhoun is a pig.
3. Walker is a winner.
4. Go Butler!