That’s what it’s supposed to look like for Kentucky basketball.
Clearly, Mark Pope is pushing the right buttons to get more out of this team after consistently questioning his players’ effort throughout
the early part of the season. Saturday night, the Wildcats showed a style of play that, for this team, in particular, is going to win them a lot of games this season.
Trailing 45-37 early in the second half, Mouhamed Dioubate, Brandon Garrison— yes, Brandon Garrison— and Jaland Lowe collectively displayed that enough was enough and got the Wildcats off the mat. Kentucky outscored Indiana 35-13 from that point on for a 72-60 win that was as much-needed as any in recent UK Basketball history.
Was it a great shooting night? No, considering the Wildcats shot 3-of-15 from 3-point range and 37.9 percent from the floor overall. But the effort was there in spades. The Wildcats had 14 offensive rebounds, they dove on the floor for loose balls, and they held Indiana to 34.1 percent shooting overall and 4-of-24 from 3-point range.
This Wildcats team may not become a great shooting team. But if they give this kind of effort every game, they’ll be in position to play in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
MVP: Mouhamed Dioubate
How can it not be him? He has seven of Kentucky’s 14 offensive rebounds. Dioubate’s return was clearly a spark in on-court play and fiery demeanor. He finished the night with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and five steals.
That’s an insanely good night, and one that provides hope for what this Kentucky team can be for the rest of the season.
Highlights
Box Score
Kentucky vs. Indiana Twitter Reactions
Big Blue Nation needed this win. Here are the best reactions from Kentucky fans tonight on Twitter.
