Kentucky Fends Off Alabama to Reach SEC Semi-Finals

Dave Martin - AP

Well, I’m in Nashville at a buddy’s house taking a break from basking in the infestation of the city. I’m sure that you get a flavor of the dominance of ‘Cats fans over any other fan base from watching on TV, but it’s difficult to communicate what it’s like walking around the streets.

If I had to guess, I’d say less that 20% of the ‘Cats fans in Nashville were actually able to snag tickets for the game. Lord knows a bunch were trying, but the majority were stuck meandering through the streets of downtown, biding time before entering a blue-clad bar of their choice. Everywhere you look, you see Wildcat blue, and it’s pretty cool.

During the first half of UK’s SEC Tournament opener in the quarterfinals against Alabama, it was looking like there was a pretty good chance that the Big Blue Mist was going to have to migrate north a day or two early. UK got down as many as 11 points in the first half, eventually trimming the lead to 35-30 at halftime in one of the uglier halves of the season for the ‘Cats.

Shots were not falling, particularly from the outside. UK lost DeMarcus Cousins for the half, causing the ‘Cats to get knocked around on the interior and on the offensive boards. Also, there was a giant vacuum at the three position. Darius Miller reverted to Bad Darius; DeAndre Liggins brought some intensity, but just didn’t have it; Ramon Harris tried, but didn’t do much; and Darnell Dodson threw the ball to anybody but his teammates.

In other words, it was ugly.

In the second half, the Crimson Tide valiantly battled for the first ten minutes plus, but eventually, John Wall’s and Eric Bledsoe’s tireless penetration proved to be too much. As much play as Evan Turner’s game winner will get this weekend, John Wall’s takeover of the middle of second half was every bit as impressive. There have been a handful of times this season when John Wall decided he didn’t want to lose, but this is one of the first ones I would point to. If this is any indication of what John Wall’s “Tournament mode” is going to look like, we’re in for a fun ride. UK’s 73-67 victory was mostly due to Wall’s handiwork.

In spite of Wall’s heroics all season, some still argued for DeMarcus Cousins as SEC Player of the Year. Based on Cousins’ troubles the past three games and Wall’s play, I’m not sure that there’s much of an argument. Cousins had his third consecutive disappointing outing, thanks to foul trouble, frustration, and physical defense by the Tide. He managed just 7 points and 8 rebounds.

I guess the way in which Cousins’ struggles have coincided with the ‘Cats recent rebounding struggles is proof of how important Cousins has come to UK’s rebounding attack. I believe that Cousins’ season long prowess on the boards has turned some of his teammates into sometime ball watchers, particularly on defense. As good as Patrick Patterson was on offense today (20 points), he was a bit of a no-show on the boards. Playing 36 minutes, Patterson managed only 4 rebounds with Cousins off the floor much of the time. I have no doubt this will be addressed, or has been already, this evening.

Alabama did a better job on the boards that any opponent all season has done against the ‘Cats. Three Tide players (JaMychal Green, Tony Mitchell, Justin Knox) grabbed double digit rebounds, leading their team to a 45-33 edge in rebounding.

Patterson’s 36 minutes were not an anomaly tonight. Fellow starters Wall and Bledsoe were also both on the floor almost every minute today, playing 38 and 36 minutes respectively. UK’s bench was shallower than it has been all season, playing just 48 of a potential 200 minutes. I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t worried slightly by the prospect of Wall, Bledsoe, and Patterson playing this many minutes in a potential back-to-back-to-back scenario. Calipari was left with no option today, as he had limited reliable contributors on this afternoon.

The ‘Cats slim victory sets up a dream semi-final matchup for the Southeastern Conference. Tickets were tough to come by today. They figure to be near impossible for tomorrow’s game between Tennessee and Kentucky. Tennessee likely has the second most fans in attendance….but they still were probably outnumbered three fold by ‘Cats fans sticking around to watch the Vols win over Ole Miss.

The crowd for that game was significantly less interested than for UK’s game. In fact, there were a few Tennesee fans sitting in my vicinity who cheered more loudly for Alabama against UK than their own team against the Rebels. They weren’t shy about toting “Roll Tide” signs during the action, a shocking sight in light of the fact that UT and Alabama are notorious for their mutual hatred.

Anyway, I’m off to enjoy the second set of games this evening as Florida takes on Mississippi State in a matchup of two teams desperate for a victory and Vanderbilt faces Georgia, a team responsible for one of the ‘Dores four SEC losses.