Opinion: If you tuned in to watch the Kentucky Wildcats host the Auburn Tigers you likely witnessed some of the best basketball that Big Blue Nation has seen in years. Kentucky simply scorched the Tigers and, at one point, it almost seemed like Coach Cal was sending a message to all the doubters in Big Blue Nation and the national press. It was simply the best they have played all year. Well done Cats!
Coach Cal kept the hammer down the entire game and didn’t even clear the bench until just a couple minutes left in the game. I was almost wondering if Coach Cal had a bone to pick with Bruce Pearl and was trying to tell him something. Me and a friend watching the game even wondered if Pearl was pissed that Cal kept stacking the points on. But, as the clock expired they headed to shake hands in front of the scorers table and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But wow! That was a spanking the Cats just handed out. If the Cats run into the Tigers in the SEC tourney or the NCAA tourney they are going to be out for revenge after this game.
Just a few weeks ago everyone was calling for Coach Cal to step down but with this impressive win today he may have just turned the haters into lovers. Yes, BBN can be fickle and they have a love/hate relationship with every coach that has paced the sidelines during any season.
With a shortened rotation the Cats are playing some of the best basketball that I’ve seen in years. The Wildcats had four players scoring in double figures, marking their fourth consecutive victory and pushing their season record to 20-9, with an 11-5 SEC record and just two regular season games left. Are they about to make a run? (Joe Lunardi has hinted at it and you can read that here.) But, this is just one game so let’s not get too far ahead. But it sure was nice to see this team come together and put the hammer down on Auburn.
Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, a talented rebounder and scorer, led the team with 22 points and 17 rebounds, securing his 44th career double-double. Antonio Reeves made four out of seven from behind the arc, tallying 21 points, while Cason Wallace notched 19 points and nine assists. Jacob Toppin also contributed with 13 points and a career-high of 12 rebounds.
At the beginning of the game, Auburn was out-hustling Kentucky on the offensive boards, but that momentum would eventually shift in the Wildcats’ favor. Kentucky ended up with 12 offensive rebounds compared to Auburn’s 10, converting them into 14 second-chance points. They were really on the boards at this point.
While Auburn is typically known for their lights out shooting and 3-pointers, Kentucky was able to hold their own in this game. Reeves and the Wildcats made eight 3-pointers to Auburn’s seven.
Kentucky shot an scorching 56.1 percent from the floor and a flame-throwing 61.5 percent from behind the arc, while Auburn struggled with only 33.9 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from behind the arc. The Wildcats also forced 13 turnovers and turned those TO’s into 23 points.
Auburn received 13 points from Jaylin Williams and 12 points from transfer Johni Broome, formerly of Morehead State, who transferred to Auburn last year.
Have the Cats hit their stride? Have they got on a winning streak? Can they make a strong push in the SEC tournament and the NCAA tournament? Only time will tell and with history and tradition on their side this could be a special run. Kentucky has a storied history in college basketball, having won eight national championships and reaching the Final Four 17 times. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on the Wildcats in the coming weeks to see how far they can go.
One thing is for certain. Whichever team draws UK in any of the tourneys is going to have a battle on their hands. Everyone is out to get the Cats at this point. And, honestly, these Cats have a chip on their shoulder and are looking for blood.
Kentucky will play their final home game of the season against Vanderbilt on Wednesday, which can be watched on the SEC Network.
Read: 6 Things Slowly Killing College Basketball
Read: Tyler Ulis Making An Impression At Kentucky
Read: Joe Lunardi hints UK could go on a run into the tourney
