Photo by Mark Cornelison.
News and notes after Kentucky’s 74-71 loss to Louisville:
- Kentucky turned it over 21 times, including 14 in the first half. That’s the sixth time this year UK has turned it over at least 20 times in a game. Last year’s Cats did it only five times all season.
- Kentucky averaged 1.07 points per possession. Louisville averaged 1.12 points per possession.
- The 1.12 is the highest against UK since VMI averaged 1.21 in UK’s season-opening loss.
- U of L made 11 of 20 three-pointers for 55 percent. That’s the best three-point shooting against the Cats since San Diego made nine of 16 for 56.3 percent in its win over the Cats on Dec. 29 last season.
- The 11 threes are not the most UK has allowed in a game this year. VMI made 14 of 31.
- Jodie Meeks scored 28 points, but he did have six turnovers and no assists. It is his most turnovers since he committed nine against Kansas State in Las Vegas.
- Kevin Galloway started at point guard, but played just four minutes.
- Josh Harrellson played just five minutes and turned it over three times.
- DeAndre Liggins played eight minutes, his fewest since refusing to go in the second half against Kansas State back in November. He played just two minutes that game.
- Patrick Patterson recorded his ninth double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. That’s his most rebounds since 16 against Miami.
- After playing 49 minutes the last two games, walk-on Landon Slone did not see the floor against Louisville.
- The crowd of 20,078 is the sixth largest in Freedom Hall.
- UK averaged a turnover every 3.16 possessions.
- Kentucky shot 46.9 percent for the game. The Cats had won nine straight games shooting that possession or higher. The last loss was to VMI when UK shot 54.2 percent.
- Edgar Sosa was 8-of-38 on threes for the year before hitting the game-winner.
- Kyle Kuric, who hit a three for Louisville, had not made a three since the Indiana State on Dec. 6.
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. Born in Paris, he graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester in 1977. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
Tubby Smith Gophers (21) beat Louisville.
Rick Pitino Cards (18) beat Kentucky.
Draw Your Picture here, remember if A then B.
Gillispie should be proud of his team as they played their hearts out against Louisville and showed they can play against a top 25 rated team in the country. They lost in the last 3 seconds by a shot that we would let them take in almost every situation.
Still question Coach’s rotation pattern, he did not let Landon Slone play ofter letting him play almost 30 minutes in his previous two games after admitting Slone gives the team needed energy. In my opinion he needs to get a set starting rotation soon, very soon.
All in all a good showing for UK basketball, Louisville will be playing in the NCAA tournament, looks as if UK may be there also. The possibility of meeting again is there and I would not think there would be the same winner.