Kentucky Wilcats 90, Indiana Hoosiers 73: UK dominates after a competitive first half.

by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Dec 12, 2009 3:31 PM EST Comment 8 comments

More photos » Darron Cummings - AP

The Hoosiers allowed their fans to dream for a while on Saturday, but after IU pulled ahead 48-47 early in the second half, Kentucky went on an 18-0 run and never looked back. While John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, and Patrick Patterson were as good as advertised, Eric Bledsoe shot 4-5 from three and led Kentucky with 23 points. On the IU side, freshman Maurice Creek scored a career-high 31 points but was the only Hoosier to score in double figures.

I'll be back later with a more detailed look. The good news is that for over 20 minutes of basketball, IU (thanks to some great shooting) hung with one of the most talented teams in the country. On the other hand, most of the second half illustrated how far IU has to go in talent and experience. Now, the Hoosiers enter the easiest stretch of their schedule, facing North Carolina Central, Loyola of Maryland, and Bryant to finish the non-conference schedule. After that, IU opens the Big Ten on New Year's Eve, at home, against a struggling Michigan team. Given the depth of the Big Ten, even an NIT bid will be a tall order, but it all starts with the next three games.

P.S. Did John Calipari really call this game "Indiana's Super Bowl"? GFY, you crooked greaseball. We've got 22 games left. [EDIT: Welcome, Wildcat Nation readers. The difference between what I do here and what writers in more formal settings such as newspapers do is that this is a fan-driven site. I try to add plenty of substance, and try to look at my team and others in an objective way, but I also don't feel the need to hold back when I have an opinion. I don't like Calipari, I think he's a crook and a jerk, and I think he'll have you guys on probation within five years. I know what it's like to rationalize the hiring of a crooked coach, so I don't expect you to agree with me...yet. But congrats on a nice win by an excellent team.]

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I'd expect nothing less from Calipari.

If there’s a God in Heaven, he’ll win the NCAA tournament but be forced to forfeit the title after being busted for recruiting violations.

by acelion on Dec 12, 2009 5:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Did John Calipari really call this game “Indiana’s Super Bowl”?

He said it and the CBS talking heads kept jabbering about it on and on. Oh and the love for Wall was terrible, Creek outshined him IMO. Wall is a great player no doubt but can we turn off the lovefest for awhile, thought I was watching a Dick Vitale called Duke or UNC game.

Price Check on Isle BOOM.

by Ditkavsworld on Dec 12, 2009 6:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wall

He wasn’t even that impressive this game. He tried to put up some awful shots. Creek was much better, but they hardly mentioned him. This game made me realize just how much I really hated Kentucky and Calipari.

by FreeneyWillEatYourBaby on Dec 12, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

GFY, you crooked greaseball

Well said, John. I second that. We have 22+ games left, so they can get over themselves. My bet is they won’t, and that’ll be why they don’t win the championship.

I was encouraged by the way these Hoosiers never gave up, but man- they are getting killed on the glass. Was Kyle Taber that integral to our defense?

by Devin of CBC on Dec 12, 2009 7:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

GFY?

Umm, guys I think you know what he meant by that comment. It was our true first road game, it was on your floor, and a lot was at stake because you could have made a statement to the nation by beating the Cats this early in the season. So, NO it wasn’t the Super Bowl in the sense it was the LAST game of the season, but the Super Bowl because too much was on the line. Of course, I’d probably be pissed off if Crean said that about the Cats. Hey let’s face it: WE, Hoosier fans AND Cat fans knew what he meant by that comment.

BUT I expect to get lots of nasty comments anyway, because it’s been a while since IU has been decent and beat the Cats. And trust me I feel your pain. It’s always painful when Louisville’s great at we suck.

by Catsalltheway on Dec 12, 2009 8:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We won pretty comfortably two years ago, so it hasn’t been that long. We’ve certainly had longer droughts against you guys over the last 15 years. I realize that he wasn’t literally comparing the game to the Super Bowl, but I found it a bit condescending, a suggestion that this game was all we have to play for. I think an NIT bid remains a tall order for this team, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility. We also have two rivalry games against Purdue, etc.

The bottom line is that if it had been Smith or Gillispie or even Pitino, I might have shrugged it off, but Cal is a special case.

The Crimson Quarry, SB Nation's Indiana Hoosiers blog

by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Dec 12, 2009 9:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

because it’s been a while since IU has been decent and beat the Cats

Like John said you’ve won the last two, and don’t forget we have to rebuild because of that D-bag Kelvin. But I wouldn’t bet on beating us every year like it’s automatic. This team has progressed by leaps in bounds in just the first few games of the season. They will only improve with another season under their belt and the infusion of more talent with next years recruits.

Price Check on aisle BOOM.

by Ditkavsworld on Dec 13, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

SuperBowl

Hi guys! Good recap. John, I wanted to say that yall as a fan base shouldn’t take that “SuperBowl” comment personally. He says it about every team in trying to show how teams “get up” to play Kentucky because of the hype we have going on right now.

I have learned since he was hired as UK coach to take everything he says as “dramatic”, because the guy is a salesman. In this instance he was selling it as a big game, and what bigger game is there than the Superbowl.

I was really impressed by your IU players and team hustle. Congrats on the win over Pitt. I have no doubt that yall are going to shock some teams in the Big Ten this year.

by Hayesfan on Dec 13, 2009 7:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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