Once we got the lead back, we never lost it despite a few short runs. We took some shots and still pulled out the win, thanks to an overall nice defensive outing.
This game concerned me because of Notre Dame’s height. We were set up to possibly be outrebounded by a team who came in as the 12th best rebounding team in the country and we would need to find a way to win despite this.
This is actually the biggest stat, that stood out to me…we actually outrebounded them 40-33. The first time Notre Dame has been out rebounded this year. Not bad when there were plays that the Irish had offensive rebound after offensive rebound…
Glad to see the UK crowd show up. A big portion of the fans were fans who do not have season tickets at Rupp and they stayed into the crowd. Making the most bias “neutral” court I have ever seen.
North Carolina got Harrelson and Vargas in foul trouble early.
The Irish despite being ranked and North Carolina wasn’t, did not have the athletic ability to take it to us and get Harrelson and Vargas in foul trouble. The Heels are clearly the more talented team.
Jones was given the defensive player of the game with 17 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal. Jones led all scorers with 27 points. Knight with 20, Miller-7, Liggins-6,Lamb-6, Hood and Poole both with three points after going 1-1 from behind the arc.
Hansbrough led the Irish with 21, Scott with 10 was the only other Irish to score in double digits.
UK shot well from the line 17-22 (77.3%). Notre Dame shot 12-20 (60%).
The Cats shot 9-24 (37.5%) from three. Notre Dame shot 6-23 (26.1%).
UK fouled 16 times vs. Notre Dames 19 fouls. No players for either team fouled out. Only two players with 4 fouls: Hansbrough and Martin for the Irish.
Brandon Knight after the game: When asked what was the turning point in the game: Defensively, starting off we gave a lot of open threes. We cut down on that and we started to execute our offense and things started to work out for us.
The gameplan on Hansbrough: we knew he could shoot but we thought if we were up on him, it would stop this. We went to pretty much a box and 1 and this helped get the ball out of his hand. We denied it and he had to run around to get a shot and this tired him out.
When asked about what is going through his mind out there: As a point guard, I’m trying to make the best play and do what is best for the team. At the end, we try to get it to Jones and he will score or get fouled and I can shoot it as well if he gets doubled up down low.
When asked about how he reacts when seeing a guy like Hansbrough going off he mentioned it gave him motivation to play harder and put it to a stop.
Knight discussed that one of his knees has been hurting him for the last three games and then coming up at the end the other leg started to cramp up.
Cal’s thoughts: On what he liked about tonight’s performance: Knight rebounding the ball, I like how we finished the game off.
What he didn’t like” Jones doesn’t know better to not take the three at the end, he’s learning. He had to take Lamb out at the end because he wouldn’t rebound.
Tonight Jones was the guy. Knight ran the club, he had a few break downs in the second half but overall he controlled the game. Jones was a beast. We had a little inside presence, shot the three well and we aren’t bad.
On our future: More than anything it is chemistry, figuring each other out. We got to go bang bang pass and shot. Some of the guys were faking a pass, why fake it? Pass the ball.
On having Hood and Poole out there: Hood had three rebounds that he couldn’t grab and this hurt us. Then Poole got his opportunity to play and we are hoping we can give him the chance to play.
The Irish is the last current ranked team (via ESPN/Today) UK will face until Feb 5th when we play at Florida (who is currently ranked #24).
Cats do have two big rivalries prior to conference play. Indiana is up next on Saturday night in Rupp Arena. Then we play Miss. Valley State, Winthrop, Coppin State.
Then we play at Louisville on New Years Eve on Friday Dec. 31st. Louisville made it into the AP poll this week at #24. They are currently 7-0 with six home cupcake games. They had one impressive win at home over at the time #18 Butler. Butler has since shown that Jordan Haywood is gone and they are not who they once were. They sit at 4-3 who loss to Evansville…enough said…
Louisville has a true test Saturday as they play 9-0 #19 UNLV of course another game in the Yum Center. UNLV has had the Cards number the last few years.
Speaking of future games, what about the future matchups in the next three years with Mich. St, Duke, and Kansas. Wow, not sure one building can hold all that prestige…should be some fun games.
Go Cats! Beat Hoosiers!
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