Texas A&M guard Elston Turner (31) shoots over Kentucky forward Nerlens Noel during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at Reed Arena on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
By LARRY VAUGHT
For this Kentucky team, there are no bad wins — especially on the road.
So while there was plenty not to like, or at least worry about, from Saturday’s 72-68 overtime win over Texas A&M the bottom line is that UK won to go to 6-2 in Southeastern Conference play and did not let Tuesday’s gutty win at Mississippi go to waste.
This Kentucky team still has little margin for error when it comes to building its NCAA Tournament resume and this was a must win over a team that came into Rupp Arena and beat the Cats — and has won just one game since then. Now UK gets to come back home for two games and has a chance to get to 8-2 in league play and maybe almost inch its way back into the national rankings.
Kentucky seemed to have the game put away with an 8-point lead with only about four minutes to play only to have Texas A&M close with a 10-2 run to force overtime. But just as the Cats did at Ole Miss when the Rebels threw a haymaker, UK staggered, fought back and won.
Again, Nerlens Noel was amazing. He’s got to be the nation’s best defender, and just might develop into the nation’s best overall player. He had two points and 12 blocks at Mississippi to alter the game. This time he had 19 points and 14 rebounds to more than make up for just having two blocks. He also had three steals and two blocks in 41 splendid minutes of play.
But if I was giving MVP honors to any player in this win, it would be Julius Mays. The senior’s experience may well have got UK this road win. Every time UK seemed ready to fade, he made some kind of play. He had a season-high 19 points and was 4-for-6 from 3-point range and 5-for-6 at the foul line. He got two rebounds, two assists and one steal. But his best contribution in his 41 minutes was his defense on A&M star Elston Turner. Mays is not known for his defense, but he got the assignment on Turner the second half and made him work for shots and scores. Turner had 21 points, but he missed 16 of 23 shots.
“Late in game we just made four or five plays that almost let them beat us,” UK coach John Calipari said. “In overtime, we gutted it out. Alex was a beast and we don’t win the game without Julius’s defense. Archie just can’t defend that kid (Elston Turner).”
Calipari also correctly noted that this was his team’s fourth SEC road win in five tries. Two years ago UK went to the Final Four with a team that was 2-6 in SEC road games.
Kentucky had breakdowns — four straight turnovers in the final minutes of regulation. It had defensive lapses. But it did show a will to win or fight or something that has developed in recent weeks.
“We are still not there. Nerlens has a will to win and lot of others guys not there yet,” Calipari said. “We did a pretty good job getting to the foul line and making free throws. Nerlens was great. We needed to give him the ball more. There were more opportunities for him to get the ball and we didn’t throw it to him.”
True, but just think about this. UK overcame six turnovers by Kyle Wiltjer, gave Texas A&M 17 more shots thanks in part to 19 turnovers, and had point guard Ryan Harrow make five turnovers and miss six of nine shots … and still won.
24 Responses to For this Kentucky team there are no bad wins
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Thank you. So good to read an article that is neither alarmist, nor panic-stricken with the nostalgia of last year’s team used as a comparison. Big fan of this approach.
Welcome To ” Larry’s World “…
I think I am going to end up in a mental hospital, have a stroke or heart attack by the time this season is over. I’m afraid to look in the mirror to see if there is any more platinum in my hair or wrinkles on my face. Whew, glad that game is over.
Please remember Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in your prayers tonight, he was taken from the game with it seems like serious injuries.
I have worried about MKG all night. It was diagnosed as a concussion, with no other injuries. In years past, we would have said “Great. It’s only a concussion. No biggy.” But, in this day and age, we have seen the true horror of what concussions can do to a person, both mentally and physically. In the long run, getting a concussion is every bit as bad as getting a knee injury is to a player’s immediate future. Hopefully, it will be the only one he ever gets.
I’m with you, Linda! They put me on the edge of my seat all too often. Thankful for the win and for the amazing play of Noel who is working his way to the top of the draft. It’s good to know that we have different players who can get score and get us the win.
One word – Whew!!!!
I’m glad I don’t bite my nails, I would not have any after the past few games.
Any road game win is great, however watching this game was painful…keep growing guys~go cats!
I agree 1,000% !!!!
After sitting through the A&M crapfest at Rupp, I didn’t think it could possibly be anywhere near as bad the second time. It wasn’t as bad, but only because they won. Other than the result, I felt just as mentally and physically abused as I did the first time. This A&M team is like UK Kryptonite.
revenge is sweet i canot wait til we take our place int he top 25 once again but also this team can be a dangerous one this kentucky team that has came on late i would not count them out and i hope NOW they have found their fight and at the right time too if so.
Unless we beat Florida, I don’t think we will make it to the top 25!! Our only quality win is against Ole Miss.
Larry, I think the whole “inch its’ way back into the national rankings” thing is a pipe dream. The teams they will have beaten don’t warrant a return to the spotlight. Only a win streak that includes the Flori-duh game will do that. If they could pull off a six game streak that ends with THAT little gem, it would be a “no-brainer”, but nothing short of that will cut it.
I love them, but this team doesn’t deserve a spot in the Top 25, due to its’ inconsistency and outright horrendous stretches of (for lack of a better word) play. Just when you think they have figured it out, they drop a 9 or 10 minute stretch on you that makes you feel like sticking forks in your eyes and knives in your ears to stop the pain of seeing and hearing it.
But, as stated previously, any win is a good win and I am looking forward to Tuesday in Rupp.
Oh, and I forgot to praise their newfound “will to win”. They do seem to have a lot of fight in the final minutes now, that didn’t exist a few weeks ago. It does bode well for the future, if they hold on to it.
What a 15 round bout…we have a lot of work to do….Florida, beat T A&M by 21 pts.
Is it me or are these games becoming more physical? It looks like a rugby match under the basket and Harrow is getting mugged several times a game.
WOW is all I can say! GO CATS!
Last night Cal said this team had no swagger. There is a lot more missing then that. I don’t think they are ‘brothers’ like Cal’s other teams. I heard there are girlfriends taking up what little spare time they have. We don’t see reports of them going out as a group to a movie, we don’t see them going to dinner with Cal, which they probably do. I still say they think they have an automatic ticket to the NBA because they are at KY. I do think Nerlens is playing very hard as well as Kyle. Goodwin looked good last night and others are trying but not 100%. I know in the past teams have had counselors talk to players on a regular basis, not sure if that is happening this year. They are used as motivators and mentors.
Does Cal’s attitude about this team what he says publicly, although honestly have anything to do with they way they are playing? He has said some things that might be taken as too much criticism by the boys. He said he does not watch game tapes with them anymore. Is he given up?
A win is a win, but I sure wish it wasn’t so much trouble. I use to get bored with the blowouts and wish for tight games, now I’m not so sure. Give me a tight game, but not as tight as these have been when they blow big leads.
I don’t mind blowing a big lead, if the other Team, really makes it happen…but when you blow a lead because of bad defense and terrible passes…then I’m disappointed…I’m enjoying this Team, but as Linda said, ” when they are hanging out and spend time together, it does help The Chemistry, on and off the Court. Not to look ahead, but Florida, in the Swamp, will these Kitty Cats, ” Become True Blue WILDCATS “….they better, The Gators beat Texas A&M, by 21 ! I’ll be there…LV, will you be at The Gators Game, 2/12 ?
Harrow cannot afford lazy passes that were picked off more than twice. Wiltjer had 6 turnovers. Cmon guys, if we play at this rate, imagine what Indiana and FL would do to us. This team is not deserving to be in the top 25 unless they start playing like it. ON 4 straight possessions we handed them 4 turnovers. Once they get a lead, they start playing not to lose instead of crushing their opponent further.
I think one thing we overlooked in our comments is Julius Mays, I think he came into his own with this game and I hope he continues. He had a stupendous night.
First Blog on this game…I stated, ” Game Ball To Mays “….
I don’t remember seeing that Larry T, mea culpa!
CATS HOLD OFF TEXAS A&M IN OVERTIME 72-68…..” I almost double posted, but May’s deserves accolades from All Of Us, for that performance ” ! Peace to you.
I had a blonde moment!