The Kentucky Wildcats have been operating out of a platoon mentality and a very deep bench when not playing the full platoon system. Their depth enables them to have their opponent unable to focus on one player. on Saturday afternoon, the depth showed this to perfection.
Tyler Ulis was the player to lead the Wildcats against the Louisville Cardinals. Tyler who is a 5’9″ freshman guard was brought into handle the basketball. The Cardinals high pressure defense was rattling the ‘Cats and Andrew Harrison. Ulis presence was just what the ‘Cats needed. He not only ceased the turnovers but he scored 14 points and provided them with 2 assists. However, the most important component was the 0 turnovers.
The 14 point performance was a career eye for Ulis. Ulis was able to have a great night despite the game being player away in a hostile environment (22,812 fans) and having to leave the game because of a cut that he sustained. He had to depart the game and receive three stitches. The cut, the stitches and the bandages did not stop the freshman. The cut came from an elbow from Cardinals player Chris Jones. The Wildcats scored 39 of their 58 points with Ulis in the game (playing 26 minutes).
Along with Ulis, the Wildcats defense contributed to the victory. The Wildcats held the Cardinals to 26% shooting (15-58). The woes were from both inside and outside the arch. The Cardinals were 3 of 14 from the arch. No Cardinal shot 50%. The best shooter for the Cardinals was Montrell Harrell who was 4 of 9 from the floor. The Wildcats also stifled the Cardinals offense and the ‘Cards only had one assist the whole game. Another top player for the Wildcats was Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns scored 10 points and helped immensely cleaning up the boards with 9 rebounds. The ‘Cats dominated the boards with Towns help and they out rebounded the Cards 45-31.
With Ulis and towns leading the way, the Wildcats were able to escape with a win and cover the spread if that is important to you with three of their top players having off games. Willie Cauley-Stein had 5 points on 2 of 5 shooting. The Harrison brothers struggled all game. Aaron only had 7 points on 2 of 10 shooting and his brother Andrew only had 3 points on 1 of 6 shooting. Andrew only played 20 minutes and had 6 turnovers.
The one bright spot for the ‘Cards was the play of Terry Rozier. He scored 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Rozier did contribute to the terrible FG% by shooting 5-18 from the field and 1-5 of the 3-point arch but his play kept the ‘Cards in the game.
The annual meeting featured more hype than usual because both entered ranked in the top five and this was the first time that both were unbeaten when they met. ESPN definitely hyped the game and played up the rivalry. However, recently, there has not been much competition. Kentucky handed the Cardinals their third straight loss in the series and the ‘Cats have won seven out of eight games under coach John Calipari,
The Wildcats did move away from the platoon format in this game. Calipari substituted one-for-one at times instead of using full platoons because Willie Cauley-Stein foul trouble who is the 7-foot ‘Cat that causes many opponents trouble.
This game may have been the Wildcats biggest challenge for the perfect season with the SEC competition looking weak this year. The big take-a-way from the game was not only the Wildcats winning in a hostile win but winning when they did not really play a great game.
One of the difference makers for the Cardinals is Montrezl Harrell and he was a “no show”. Coming off of a one game suspension and the Wildcats defense, he only scored 9 points and 8 rebounds. His effect in the paint was diminished as the ‘Cats outscored the ‘Cards 24-16 there.
Kentucky can now sit back and rest till they open up conference play again Mississippi on January 6th. Louisville needs to regroup and they play on Tuesday against Long Beach State. They are hoping to use that game to help them tune-up for conference play which kicks off on Sunday the 4th against Wake Forest.
The#4 Cardinals could not take the #1 Wildcats down in their own house; is there any chance that a team will beat the ‘Cats? The chances are very unlikely.
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