UCLA upsets top-ranked Kentucky

UCLA scored more points on the Wildcats than any other team in Kentucky head coach John Calipari’s coaching tenure. He might not want another one for a while.

The No. 11 Bruins (8-0) travel to No. 1 Kentucky (8-0) for their first trip to Rupp Arena looking for their second upset over the top-ranked Wildcats in as many years. The big man has improved each game, growing more into Coach Calipari’s system as he plays. That sent fans in Rupp Arena to loudly suggest he shoot more.

How did other top prospects perform during one of the biggest games of the non-conference season? Kentucky should tumble a few spots, though not many. His high level passing was to be expected, but his proficiency from the three-point line has been a more than pleasant surprise. 9 Minutes left, it got no better, Leaf went one-on-one for an impressive dunk and a 76-62 UCLA lead.

“It’s going to pretty much show us where we’re at”, said UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball. And if they get the best version of Ball, the show could roll all the way into April. But he was going to it too often against United Kingdom and at unnecessary times.

“If anyone was watching that, then I’m sure they feel (this UK) team has a chance to go the distance”.

Kentucky (7-1) saw the wound as, at least partially, self-inflicted.

But for all the mind-boggling offensive statistics, this game could be determined by the defenses, and that is where Kentucky holds an advantage. We walked into this game thinking, ‘We’re just going to try to score.’ I had a bunch of guys play that way. The Bruins shot better than 55 percent on the season, and shot 53 percent in Rupp Arena.

Five of UCLA’s first six baskets in the second half were 3-pointers and Hamilton hit four of them, extending the Bruins’ lead to 59-35. “Can’t have plays like that because when it comes time for March Madness or even the SEC tourney, those plays will cost you a game”. It took 80 shots, but made just 33.

Darius Thompson scored 14 points to lead Virginia (7-1), but the Cavaliers never got into any kind of rhythm offensively. “All we talked about for two days”, Calipari said. “They could bash us”.

Calipari was particularly disappointed in the defensive discipline. Malik Monk goes flying in for a reverse layup. “And we were doing that”.

A couple of players cited another reason. “We gave up 10 threes and I’m guessing (on) six of them, we left a shooter (open)”.

“I wouldn’t say full of ourselves”, he said. “If not, we’ll get beat just like this”. “I think we all knew it in our locker room”.

In a game where the usually fast-breaking Wildcats only scored 10 points in transition, yet still managed to score 42 points in the paint, get 20 points off 18 forced turnovers, winning the turnover margin by nine, the defense was ultimately still the problem.

Their closest game so far has been a 21-point drilling of Michigan State, after which Spartans coach Tom Izzo described himself as being “embarrassed”. Plus, this was their first true road game, at a place which might as well have a sign at the door reading, “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here”. With plaintive urgings from the crowd, United Kingdom kept reducing the deficit.

With 8.3 seconds left Derek Willis hits a 3 to make it 95-92 UCLA. UCLA shocked the Wildcats in Pauley Pavilion last year after Kentucky trounced the Bruins in Chicago 83-44 the prior year. Hamilton finished 7 for 12 from three-point country.

It was apparent long before halftime that this game would be unlike what United Kingdom fans had seen previously this season. The one defensive key for his team going into the game was to stay out on three-point shooters, to not allow UCLA to catch and shoot.

UCLA extends their lead early in the second half. United Kingdom tried to play through Bam Adebayo during their comeback effort but he had trouble finishing inside going 4-for-12 for 18 points and 13 rebounds. The Bruins did not trail again.