Cats back to the Final Four!

Cats headed to the Final Four for the 2^nd straight season after taking down the Baylor Bears 82-70. UK led by 20 at the half after a 25-5 run and played around the rest of the game to cruise to a 12 point victory. 

This is Kentucky’s 109^th NCAA tournament win, currently with one more win than North Carolina.  Kansas of course will play North Carolina later on.

This is the third time in UK history to go to the final four back to back years.  15^th final four appearance.  UK improves to 36-2 to tie the UK record for most wins in one season.  Not a bad way to break that record against Louisville next weekend. 

All regional team announced: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Quincy Acy (Baylor), Anthony Davis, Doron Lamb, and Christian Watford (Indiana).  

The most outstanding player: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Balanced scoring throughout in this one:  Kidd-Gilchrist-19, Davis-18 (another double double with 11 rebounds, his 19^th career double double), Lamb-14, Jones-12, Teague-8, Miller-8, Wiltjer again with staple 3 points.  

Baylor had three guys doing all their scoring: Acy-22, Jackson-21, Jones III-17.

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Kidd-Gilchrist after the game:

Just having fun on the basketball court.  Thank my teammates again.  I thank them so much.  I just had it going.  I don’t want to go home.  

I was just being aggressive and finding my teammates.  I love the Big blue nation with all my heart and there is more to come Big Blue Nation.

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UK once again shot over 50%, 24-45 (53.3%),  Baylor went 25-64 (39.1%).  

Both Baylor and UK hit the same amount of threes but Baylor took more.  Same was said about the UK and IU game.  UK-4-9 (44.4%), Baylor-4-14 (28.6%).  

Kentucky’s free throw shooting was not on par today, 30-44 (68.2%).  Baylor shot well from the line 16-19 (84.2%).  Of course getting to the line 25 less times didn’t help their cause.

No one won the rebound battle as both teams ended with 29.

UK had 9 blocks (6 by Davis), Baylor with 5. 

 

UK with 9 steals (not 6 by Davis), Baylor with 5.

UK doubled their turnovers with 12 compared to only 6 against Indiana.  Baylor had 14. 

Tons of fouls both ways, UK with 19.  Baylor with 32.  I don’t usually report personal fouls but 32 is higher than I can ever remember seeing.

Calipari after the game:

They deserve this because they sacrifice and play together.  

When were down 10-5 we had to call timeout and turned it on.  In the 2nd half, we shortened the game and just trying to get out of the gym.

Davis is fine, he just knocked knees but he is fine. 

MKG did great, he scored the ball, defended, he did really good. 

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Assistant coach Robic after the game:
Ever since the SEC tournament we regrouped.  We tweeked some things a little bit but if our guys with our size, if they can get by their guy they can open up our guys from the perimeter a little more.

Why this team is so good is they know if the team wins, they win.  They don't always have to be doing everything offensively. 

At the end I don't think they played tentative it is just hard to play with a lead like that.  They didn't hit their free thows like they did Friday. 

Their focus is good right now.  Film session was good, walk through was good.  For these kids being so young they are focused. 

Kentucky now to take on rival Louisville Cardinals to move onto the title game next Saturday evening.  The set time hasn’t been announced yet.

They are going to have a good weeks of preparation and we want them to enjoy this win.