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Pope and his new Wildcats use experience and fight to upend #6 Duke 77-72
Atlanta Georgia – Ron Hamblin
It wasn’t long ago that fans were begging for Coach Cal to be fired after multiple seasons in a row of non Wildcat like finishes. It looked like Cal had lost interest in UK and the goal the fans expected at Kentucky. That was to win Championships and hang banners. Coach Cal’s interest, or at least it appeared whenever he talked about his teams, was to see how many players he could put in the NBA and how much money they are making.
Last season after yet another disappointing loss to end the season, Cal had his yearly season ending meeting with AD Mitch Barnhardt. It was decided Coach Cal would stay. Not long after that meeting, Coach Cal made the announcement that he was resigning and would end up taking the job in Arkansas. Like a thief in the night he was gone taking most of the players still on the roster with him. Those that didn’t go either transferred, went pro or moved on.
This brought on the hiring of former player Mark Pope. Pope would have to build a team from scratch and what a team he assembled. Fast forward to November 12th, Tuesday night, Champions Classic against another Blue Blood absolutely loaded with talent, to include 17 year old phenom Cooper Flagg, number 6 ranked Duke Blue Devils. Most pundits had Duke picked to beat up the experienced but new Kentucky Wildcats. They were 6.5 point favorites. Kentucky and Duke were both 2-0 following easy wins by both teams.
Excitement filled State Farm Arena in Atlanta Georgia, or better know as “CATLANTA” as most of the arena appeared to be UK Wildcat fans. Duke would jump out to a quick 6-3 lead but UK would tie it at 6 on a Carr 3 pointer. Both teams would trade the lead until the 9:55 mark when UK led 24-21. It was then the Blue Devils would go on a 9-0 run taking a 30-24 lead at the 7:08 mark in the first half.
Duke would push the lead to 10 at 42-32 at the 2:40 mark in the first half before ending the half with a 9 point advantage, 37-46. Duke’s standout 17 year old freshman, Cooper Flagg was everything he was advertised to be and then some in the first half. Flagg had 12 points and 4 rebounds in the first 20 minutes before having to sit with 2 fouls midway through the first half.
FIRST HALF STATS
The second half showed why fans may forget about Coach Cal’s antics sooner than later. The Cats clamped their defensive muscles and fought all the way back to tie the game at 67 at the 3:57 mark and then taking the lead for a brief moment at 69-67 at the 2:40 mark. Duke would tie the game at 72-72 at the 1:14 mark. From there it was all Wildcats. something fans would tell you they haven’t seen in recent years. Actual coaching, right player decisions and true Big Blue passion. Either way, UK and their experienced “new guys” showed poise, determination and grit. They held on for what fans hope will be one of many memorable games.
Yes it is only game three, but Kentucky played the ways fans have been clambering their teams to play. Will Coach Pope make mistakes during the season, of course, will the players make mistake, no doubt, but with the experience, balanced shooting and lock down defense, the future looks bright for BIG BLUE NATION!!!
FINAL STATS
UK SEASON STATS
