I think that was one of the most impressive displays of toughness in a win that we've seen from Kentucky in a long time. It's not like it was a street fight, but tough mentally in the sense that it really didn't look like they were going to win that game. Florida had a bunch of answers for a long time. They played probably their best game on their home court and UK was without Thiero.
This was a tough game for Kentucky to be without Thiero. Given how deep and physical Florida is, having a guy like him to battle in the paint and just as an all around player who mixes it up would have been really helpful. In his absence they didn't get a lot from the big guys other than Mitchell. Onyenso had a couple of moments but the overall impact was limited and Bradshaw did not have a particularly good game.
Florida hit eight 3-pointers in the first half. That's not something you expect. But you do have to expect that sometimes, when you go on the road in a hostile CBB environment, games are going to play out very differently than you expected. Coupled with that was the fact that UK was -18 in Dillingham's seven first half minutes, UK didn't shoot many threes and turned it over more than usual ... it was the perfect storm for Florida. Not a level they will be able to sustain for long periods of the season.
Still, Kentucky found a way to win. This team's really good. One of the top handful that have a chance this year, clearly, to be able to overcome all those things in a tough road environment.
Lot of things to like. Sheppard wanting those FTs at the end of the game. Bradshaw nailing that huge three-pointer late after he hadn't played well for most of the game. Wagner playing assertive and confident in the second half. Lot of things they overcome today.
This was a tough game for Kentucky to be without Thiero. Given how deep and physical Florida is, having a guy like him to battle in the paint and just as an all around player who mixes it up would have been really helpful. In his absence they didn't get a lot from the big guys other than Mitchell. Onyenso had a couple of moments but the overall impact was limited and Bradshaw did not have a particularly good game.
Florida hit eight 3-pointers in the first half. That's not something you expect. But you do have to expect that sometimes, when you go on the road in a hostile CBB environment, games are going to play out very differently than you expected. Coupled with that was the fact that UK was -18 in Dillingham's seven first half minutes, UK didn't shoot many threes and turned it over more than usual ... it was the perfect storm for Florida. Not a level they will be able to sustain for long periods of the season.
Still, Kentucky found a way to win. This team's really good. One of the top handful that have a chance this year, clearly, to be able to overcome all those things in a tough road environment.
Lot of things to like. Sheppard wanting those FTs at the end of the game. Bradshaw nailing that huge three-pointer late after he hadn't played well for most of the game. Wagner playing assertive and confident in the second half. Lot of things they overcome today.
