Kentucky Basketball stuns Gonzaga Bulldogs: Final rating, 4 takeaways, and postgame cheers

The Kentucky Wildcats the Gonzaga Bulldogs within the Battle in Seattle on Saturday night time by a rating of 90-89.

Kentucky performed horribly from the beginning. There was no offense. There was no protection. The Cats had been sloppy and appeared like a crew utterly outmatched. The Zags took a 50-34 lead into the half.

After the break, the Battle in Seattle really ensued. The Zags prolonged their result in 17 within the second half, however the Cats didn’t blink. A 16-2 run introduced Kentucky inside hanging distance because the lead slowly shrunk down to 2. It actually appeared like 4 completely different groups between the primary and second half. Andrew Carr, particularly, was excellent.

And on the finish of the second half, we ended up tied and headed to additional time! Kentucky took a commanding 86-79 lead, however within the snap of a finger, it was a one-point sport. And the Cats pulled out an enormous victory!

Next up, the Cats will tackle the Colgate Raiders on Wednesday night time in Lexington.

Butler didn’t play

It’s wonderful the distinction one participant could make. Of course, Butler’s absence wasn’t the only cause for the end result of this sport, however he was undoubtedly missed.

Kerr Kriisa began, however he shared lead guard duties, and the rotation expanded. Jaxson Robinson performed somebody, and Collin Chandler and Travis Perry each obtained minutes. Robinson was the distinction maker.

The lack of Butler’s protection, means to provoke the offense, and downhill driving was sorely missed. Kriisa wasn’t horrible offensively, however he was defensively. Kentucky merely didn’t have a solution for Butler’s absence, till Robison got here to life.

Thankfully, it didn’t matter. If something, Kentucky deserves further credit score for this win within the Selection Committee’s eyes come March Madness.

A story of two halves

In the primary half, I actually wasn’t positive what was worse between the offense and protection of this crew.

The pick-and-roll protection had grow to be a nightmare paying homage to “he who shall not be named.” No changes had been made to strive zone, or a lot of the rest. Kerr, Amari Williams, and Koby Brea had been abused. The rebounding and toughness of this crew was basically nonexistent.

On the offensive facet, the center-initiated stuff was brutal to observe. Williams and Brandon Garrison turned the ball over at an alarming charge, and handing the ball to Andrew Carr on the three-point line was like watching a child deer attempt to stand.

The three-point taking pictures was abysmal. It felt like they might hardly get simple buckets and after they had been extensive open, it was brick after brick.

In the second half, this crew appeared utterly completely different. They fought each possession, They defended and rebounded. They truly ran an offense, primarily via Carr, and the whole sport flipped. What appeared like a blowout and misplaced trigger abruptly changed into the actual Battle in Seattle.

Pope must be given credit score for his means to regulate and alter the entire sport on a dime. The outcome wasn’t in Kentucky’s favor and it’d be good to see some higher begins, however you may’t ever depend this crew out.

Garrison is a monster

Brandon Garrison hasn’t been excellent this yr, however he was a McDonald’s All American that put up respectable numbers in his freshman season at Oklahoma State. The greatest factor is his motor that by no means stops.

He’s obtained a good exterior shot and he’s lengthy as may be. He alters pictures, rebounds, and scores at opportune occasions. He has a protracted option to go, however his ceiling is thru the roof.

Jaxson Robinson saves the day

After a disastrous first half, Jaxson Robinson got here alive for the Cats within the second half and OT, ending with 18 factors on 7/15 taking pictures after beginning 1/8. He additionally chipped in 5 assists whereas getting prolonged minutes on the level guard.

It took some time, however we lastly obtained the total Jaxson Robinson expertise in what’s arguably Kentucky’s greatest win of the season by way of analytics (Gonzaga is No. 2 in NET, and Duke is No. 4.

Now, let’s have a good time!

CATS!!