That first half is the best we've played

[IL Wildcat]

That's the best basketball we've played this season, in my opinion. The defense was phenomenal! We were pressuring every pass and blanketing Moody. He took 4 shots in the first half! That's ridiculously good. They scored 22 points, and that's a team that came in averaging 78 points a game.

Now, this has become our identity now. If this team wants to be a legit contender for another Final Four, that kind of defense, intensity, and effort is what they need to bring every time out. Now, we know they can do it. So, now it's a just a matter of focus and determination.

I was very encouraged by what I saw from Skal tonight, also. No, he wasn't dominant, but he made some shots and scrapped for some rebounds. He's still foul prone and he's still got to carry that over to the second half, but Skal wasn't the only one whose intensity dropped in the second. The best thing, from a mental pov is seeing some shots fall and hearing that crowd roar. That was big for him, I could tell. He still has a ways to go, but it was a step in the right direction.

I never expected this game to be over at the half, no way. Ole Miss is no pushover my friends. Some (only a few) expected a big margin, but few expected what we saw. Way to go Cats!

 

[BigKari]

2nd half against Duke is still the best we have played. Loved the team effort tonight though, they played very very well.

 

[Big Cat fan]

It's that drive they have to bring in every game. Not just the home ones. They looked very good tonight, but they must play hard on every play on the road and that is where I'm not sure of yet.