UK Rides Late Run to 89-77 Win over Florida in the O-Dome

I’m sure a lot of people around the country tuned into to Super Tuesday to watch the John Wall show (and maybe to get some news about Lane Kiffin hilariously bolting from Tennessee). While Wall was statistically solid as ever, putting up an unofficial line of 19 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, and just 2 turnovers, it was the other freshman guard who looked like the superstar.

Eric Bledsoe, playing against the school that he spurned for UK, had a flat out massive game. 25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Oh yeah, he also shot 10-13 from the field. He dominated the first half, slowed down for a while, then stepped up at the end with a long trey and a layup. I will never cease to be amazed that John Calipari managed to land Wall and Bledsoe.

It wasn’t just Bledsoe that came up big in the clutch. With five minutes left, Florida ralled to tie the game at 72-72 behind Erving Walker, who was unconscious from the outside. Normally, you expect John Wall to be Mr. Everything in that situation. While he made plays, he wasn’t the center of everything like normal.

Patrick Patterson had an and one to start with, but missed the free throw. DeMarcus Cousins got to the rebound, which led to a big, big three by Darnell Dodson, who really hadn’t played much to that point. Bledsoe then scored five straight and put the ‘Cats up nine before Wall sealed it with a pin it on the backboard block on Erving Walker.

The win is a big one for UK because it’s been a while since the ‘Cats have picked up a win in Gainesville (2004). Guys like Wall and Bledsoe aren’t overly concerned with that, but you could see by their reactions as the clock ran out that this was an important one for them. Florida’s team and crowd threw a big effort at the ‘Cats, culminating in the late game tie score. However, UK absorbed another big punch and escaped with another win. Plus, Wall and Bledsoe were both recruited by Billy Donovan, adding a measure of motivation.

Even more impressive about the win is that UK really seemed out of sync for most of the game. Florida’s zone succeeded in interrupting the normal flow of the UK offense and Florida’s token press also succeeded in making UK play halfcourt. Also helping the Gators was the fact that DeMarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton missed chippy after chippy on the inside. Cousins made his share of big plays, but foul trouble kept UK from being able to run the offense through him as they had in the past couple games. Orton played some great defense in his stead (4 blocks), but he lacks confidence on offense and, in turn, his teammates lack confidence in getting him the ball.

The ‘Cats were able to stake themselves to a seven point halftime lead, partially on the strength of a more intense full court press that Cal has implemented. In that press, UK is not looking to take the opponent out of their offensive flow, rather to force turnovers. They were able to force a couple of them, but they couldn’t keep up the pressure because of the restricted rotation that UK played in probably the toughest environment of the season.

Bledsoe, Patterson, and Wall were on the floor for 37, 37, and 35 minutes respectively. Cousins played 23 minutes and Orton played 17 in the post. On the wing, Darius Miller played 26 minutes and no other ‘Cat played more than 10 (Dodson).

The distribution of wing minutes continues to be fascinating to me because things change so much each game. Miller was the odd man out in the previous two close games, while Ramon Harris, then DeAndre Liggins were the featured guys in the clutch. Today, sensing I think that more offense was needed from the three position, Miller and Dodson played down the stretch. Darius wasn’t perfect, but he showed more willingness to assert himself, putting up 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. After a great game against Georgia, DeAndre Liggins had to play cheerleader, as he played only 6 minutes after committing his first two turnovers of the season.

I’m not sure if we’ll ever know what to expect for sure at the three from game to game, but long term, a confident Darius Miller is UK’s best option.

Looking at the box score, it’s kind of a wonder that Florida stayed as close as they did. UK shot 51.4% to UF’s 38.2%, and attempted two more shots. UK won the rebounding battle 38-32. Turnovers were a wash at 10-10. It was the free throw line that kept Florida in it most of the way, as the Gators had attempted over twice as many foul shots as UK until late.

All in all, it was another good night for UK. It was a less than stellar performance agaisnt a team that was ready to play. UK made Florida take tough shots, and when they hit them they made runs. However, in the end, UK made plays when they needed to be made, which is why the ‘Cats are 17-0 and number two in the nation.