Experience won this Game

[IL Wildcat]

UK's experience and Duke's inexperience. Down the stretch, the Cats made every play while Duke fumbled multiple times. I love having so much experience.

When you consider that this was just their 3rd game playing together, it's really amazing how good they looked together, especially at the end of that 2nd half.

Duke is very talented, maybe as talented as they've been in a long time. Great win! 😀

 

[LmdCat]

GREAT COACHING AND HEART WON THIS GAME!!

 

[Bluegrass79]

It'll help us with seeding when the tournament comes around..
We just need to you know go about 23 - 6 with this win and we're number one seed

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Experience beats talented freshman. Nobody knows that hard truth more than UK fans

 

[IL Wildcat]

GREAT COACHING AND HEART WON THIS GAME!!

Yeah, I won't argue that. There is no question that is also true.

 

[UKBrassowTipIN]

Duke was uk of past years...let's see how much they improve by year end.

The question is how much better will the cats get

 

[RunninRichie]

You know. I think conditioning also played a part.

 

[bnewt]

Loved how uk wasn't pushed around physically

 

[shaudyshaud]

Duke was uk of past years...let's see how much they improve by year end.

The question is how much better will the cats get

Honestly that Duke team was better than what we have had out there the last two years .

Hell of a win for the guys

 

[LmdCat]

Yeah, I won't argue that. There is no question that is also true.

Can you believe that Kentucky's defense held Duke under 30% shooting for almost the entire second half?

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Yes, experience and coaching.
This team has it all.

 

[bnewt]

You know. I think conditioning also played a part.

Agree, maybe uk finally have a strength coach too

 

[jeffky]

This and physicality man did we get physical the 2nd half

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Flagg took 6 shuffle steps on his late and one.

 

[IL Wildcat]

Experience beats talented freshman. Nobody knows that hard truth more than UK fans

Yep, I was thinking while watching this game. We are usually the team with the talented guys who can take guys off the dribble and make great athletic plays. But we've also often been susceptible to losses because our talent is so young. How many times have we had more talent but lost games because of youth? I'm glad to be on the other end of that equation this time.

 

[ORCAT]

Duke was uk of past years...let's see how much they improve by year end.

The question is how much better will the cats get

I think the Cats can get much better yet. Only 3 games for total strangers playing together. Robinson not hitting a shot tonight (that won't happen again). Offense has much to improve on to get where Pope wants it. All that for starters. We can get much better yet, we've only just begun.

 

[AJG-15]

Yes for sure. It looks we have a great in game coach,

 

[FFWhite]

First half Duke pushed UK around. Second half UK said hell no. Physicality the second half was the difference. Duke looked shocked UK was pushing back.

 

[megablue]

Experience beats talented freshman. Nobody knows that hard truth more than UK fans

100000% this ^^^^^

 

[LmdCat]

Flagg took 6 shuffle steps on his late and one.

We are not supposed to mention the favorable officiating Duke got especially in the first half. However, the officiating did get better for us in the second half.

 

[Lazlo7]

Flagg took 6 shuffle steps on his late and one.

The Guy screams Duke. attitude facial expressions he will be tripping people in no time

 

[jeffky]

I can't remember the last time we got this physical In a game Duke players were hurt and crying on the sidelinesvand we wore Duke out man what a game

 

[IL Wildcat]

Flagg took 6 shuffle steps on his late and one.

Yeah, he traveled big time. There were several calls missed in this game, but you almost have to expect it against Duke.

 

[Bluesnky]

You know. I think conditioning also played a part.

Totally agree. From about the 12 minute mark Duke was gassed, if not earlier. Duke pampers their one and dones.

Did Knoeppel hit any shots in the second half?

 

[RunninRichie]

Totally agree. From about the 12 minute mark Duke was gassed, if not earlier. Duke pampers their one and dones.

Did Knoeppel hit any shots in the second half?

Oweh locked him up.

 

[runt#69]

Agree with everything above!

dUKe was gassed, I agree, but that is a hell of a talented team. Not taking anything away from them. They're legit this year.

College basketball is stacked this year. No doubt.

But they won't sleep on us now. Nor are we "under the radar" anymore. As if.

Just gotta play to want to win the game MORE than the other team. This team will, and now has already done so, proven it can win at the highest level.

How high can UK go?

Apparently, a lot higher than just about even the most optimistic Kentucky basketball fan could ask for ....

That is saying something, folks.

Kentucky never went anywhere. We've always been here and always will be. This is college basketball. We go into every single game thinking we are going to win. And try to play our hardest and best to win that game, every game.

For : Kentucky

The name on the FRONT of the jersey.

Teamwins#2,401 and counting !

Go Big Blue !

 

[Bluesnky]

Good night. Flagg basically gave up three possessions in the last 15 seconds. On the end line turnover with 5.5 left, the difference between him moving his feet vs Williams was unreal. Williams looked as fresh as can be. Flagg had nothing left. Man.

 

[IL Wildcat]

We should also say this, while we're acknowledging Duke's obvious talent. This was only our 3rd game playing together and we had several guys who didn't play close to their ability. The ceiling of this UK team is very high. 👍

 

[MegaBlue05]

It was nice to be on the winning side of this for once.

Our grown men made plays while their lottery pick boys made mistakes.

I am very pleased tonight!

 

[LmdCat]

Yeah, he traveled big time. There were several calls missed in this game, but you almost have to expect it against Duke.

Pope kept his cool and didn't give the refs an additional reason to make bad calls.

 

[IL Wildcat]

Pope kept his cool and didn't give the refs an additional reason to make bad calls.

Yep, and that is a blessing to me, without a doubt. UK needs to give officials no additional motivation to make bad calls. But Cal usually seemed to bring out the worst in officials. Pope keeping his head in situations like that is something we haven't seen much in the last 15 years. Pope's reputation precedes him also, just in a positive way, which is excellent.

 

[Skyguyb27]

It was nice to be on the winning side of this for once.

Our grown men made plays while their lottery pick boys made mistakes.

I am very pleased tonight!

Athleticism is important but I’ll take experience and skill all day everyday over just athletic guys.

 

[catben]

This team showed a TON of GRIT tonight!!! Something that has been missing here for a while. So happy to see a group of MEN finish a big time game for a change!!!

I LOVE COACH POPE AND OUR TEAM!!!!!

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Oweh’s offensive rebound over Flagg during the missed FT sealed the game.
Flagg was gassed and Oweh was just warming up!

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

We are not supposed to mention the favorable officiating Duke got especially in the first half. However, the officiating did get better for us in the second half.

It got better because we attacked the basket in second half. This crew definitely rewarded the team doing thst