What a night at Rupp Arena. Seriously, what a night. That’s a night and game Big Blue Nation is going to remember for a long time.
For the second time this season, Kentucky Basketball roared back from a deep double-digit deficit in the second half to stun Tennessee. This time, the Wildcats roared back from down 14 at halftime, trailing 47-33, to win 74-71. Kentucky outscored Tennessee 41-24 in the second half, and they were outstanding defensively.
After the Volunteers shot 53.1 percent in the first
half and 8-15 from 3-point range, Kentucky held them to 6-30 shooting in the second half. That’s 20 percent. That includes 0-6 from 3-point range. That’s an incredible turnaround.
Let’s highlight the stars of the game.
Stars of the Game
1. Big Blue Nation
All 20,123 fans that were in attendance Saturday night are stars of the game. Fifteen minutes before tipoff, Rupp Arena was packed to the rafters. Not only that, but they were so into the game, so into the celebration of the 1996 National Championship Team, “The Untouchables.”
Even when Kentucky was down 14 at halftime, they were into the game. I didn’t even notice any anger at halftime among fans in the concourse.
When Chandler hit the game-winning 3-pointer, it was ear-shattering. That’s a moment that’s going to live in Kentucky lore.
Big Blue Nation showed up and showed out Saturday night. They deserve credit.
2. Otega Oweh: 21 pts (10-17 FG), 1-4 FT, 4 rebs., 2 ast., 36 mins
Oweh just kept coming. He kept shooting, and he fought through struggles at the free-throw line to will his way to 21 points, his fifth straight game with 20+ points and ninth in SEC play.
This is beyond more than what you want out of your leader. Kentucky goes as he goes, and that ceiling continues to get higher and higher.
3. Denzel Aberdeen: 16 pts (5-11 FG, 2-7 3-PT FG), 4-4 FT, 2 rebs, 3 ast., 30 mins
With Kentucky reeling in the first half, Aberdeen made some shots to keep them afloat. In the second half, he had nine points to tie Oweh for the team lead in the second 20 minutes, and he went 4-4 from the free-throw line.
Aberdeen has become a go-to scorer and facilitator on the floor, and he has stepped up big time. His four free throws all came in the final 1:27 of the game.
4. Collin Chandler: 9 pts (3-8 FG, 3-6 3-PT FG), 2 rebs, 3 ast., 2 stl, 28 mins
Captain Clutch. That’s Collin Chandler. Cold-blooded on that 3-pointer with 33 seconds remaining.
Don’t overlook the other parts of the game Chandler excelled in Saturday night. He’s come so far, and his ceiling is incredibly high.
Unsung Heroes
1. Mouhamed Dioubate: 4 pts (2-3 FG), 2 rebs. (1 off.), 1 ast., 1 blk, 1 stl, 15 mins
Just as he did against Tennessee the first time this season, Dioubate got a crucial offensive rebound, Saturday night, off a missed free throw to keep possession with the Wildcats. This time, it came with just five seconds remaining and Kentucky leading 72-71. Collin Chandler, of all people, missed a free throw. Dioubate grabbed the rebound and got the ball to Denzel Aberdeen, who made two free throws to give the Wildcats a 3-point lead they would preserve.
2. Malachi Moreno: 10 pts (3-4 FG), 4-6 FT, 5 rebs, 3 ast., 2 blk, 27 mins
Moreno held his own, again, against a big Tennessee team. He was aggressive, assertive, and did not back down.
3. Brandon Garrison: 4 pts (2-5 FG), 7 rebs, 1 ast., 2 stl, 17 mins
Garrison may not have scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds like he did Wednesday night, but he was still terrific Saturday night in doing enough to help the Wildcats. He had seven rebounds, three offensive and four defensive. He had two steals, an assist, and he only had two fouls. In 17 minutes, Garrison had four points and was +2 from the floor. That is the definition of an unsung hero.
