The Kentucky Wildcats have been upset by the Oakland Golden Grizzlies on Thursday night time within the first spherical of the NCAA Match by a rating of 80-76.
That first half was one thing. Each groups acquired off to gradual begins, however it didn’t final lengthy. We’ll delve into it additional beneath, however Oakland’s Jack Gohlke hit seven 3-pointers…within the first half! Kentucky performed principally nicely defensively outdoors of that, however the Golden Grizzlies led 38-35 on the break.
Within the second half, it didn’t get significantly better. Kentucky couldn’t cease Oakland, and so they couldn’t rating the best way they’ve all 12 months. As soon as once more, it was an terrible efficiency and disappointment throughout the Bluegrass flows.
Right here’s what to know from this one.
Tre Mitchell shines
Properly, that was surprising. Tre Mitchell has given Kentucky subsequent to nothing since coping with accidents during the last six weeks or so. He’s proven no signal of optimistic enchancment since his return, however he began the sport at the moment with 14 factors and 13 rebounds.
To be truthful, Mitchell saved Kentucky above water earlier this season, however it virtually felt just like the younger Cats outgrew the veteran. Accidents clearly play a giant issue, however Kentucky discovered a approach to win with out him.
He began for one easy purpose: Oakland performs a zone, and the midrange is open typically. Adou Thiero is Kentucky’s most suitable choice on the 4, however I do perceive the choice right here. Thiero is finest at attacking the rim, whereas Mitchell is finest at using his shot-making capacity. The one situation is that Mitchell hasn’t carried out something persistently since his return.
Two and a half months in the past, this determination isn’t second-guessed, however it’s questionable below the circumstances. Fortunately, Mitchell performed nicely and proved the doubters incorrect, together with myself.
Reeves redeems
Antonio Reeves might have ended his Kentucky profession with a 1/15 efficiency in a loss to the Kansas State Wildcats final season within the NCAA Match. He’s been constant all season lengthy, and that didn’t change on this recreation, as he scored 27 factors on 11/18 capturing.
Reeves saved the Cats within the recreation once they had no enterprise retaining it shut. The veteran guard did completely every part he might to maintain Kentucky’s March Insanity goals alive.
He was the one purpose Kentucky even had an opportunity, which is unhappy. The most effective scorer of the Calipari period redeemed himself, however it was all for naught.
Sheppard disappears
As unimaginable as Reed Sheppard has been this season, he no-showed when it mattered most.
Sheppard performed passive and let Oakland utterly take him out of the sport. He handed up open photographs, jumped at ball fakes, and simply didn’t seem like himself.
Let’s hope Sheppard takes the identical route as Reeves and offers himself a chance to redeem himself for the March disappointment. His common season was particular, however this was a brutal method for his Kentucky profession to seemingly finish.
Jack Gohlke goes NUCLEAR
Want I say something extra? I’m undecided I’ve ever seen one thing like what this child did on this recreation. Gohlke talked loads earlier than the sport, and he backed it up with 10/20 capturing from the sphere, all 3s, and scored a game-high 32 factors…off the bench.
This child is notorious for the best way he performs. Coming into this recreation, he had over 300 3-point makes an attempt in comparison with simply seven 2-point makes an attempt. Sure, you learn that proper.
Properly, he lived as much as the infamy. Gohlke solely shot 3s, and he simply couldn’t miss, it doesn’t matter what Kentucky tried to do to cease him. He broke the NCAA Match document for many deep balls in opposition to the Cats in a match recreation, and he did that within the first half alone with seven!
John Calipari had completely no reply. I’m undecided if anybody might have had a solution. The efficiency was legendary, on the Cats’ expense.
What a tragic day for BBN. This needs to be John Calipari’s final recreation as the pinnacle coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, however it most likely received’t be.
Now, let’s vent.