“Cure For Kentucky Ills Not Found,
LSU Medicine Treats Symptoms”
Lexington, KY-With the cure still not found for the Wildcat’s Basketball illness, what Kentucky fans can only define as February Offensive blahs, LSU provided just the pill to treat the immediate symptoms of what appears to be a much larger problem. The Wildcats for the fourth straight game spotted its opponent a large first half lead. At home against Florida, the Wildcats trailed 16. Then UK trailed in Knoxville 16. At Alabama UK got behind 14. After trailing 16 to LSU in the first half, Kentucky rallied again for the fourth straight game. Instead of losing a close one the Wildcats won the game 70-63.
Similar to three consecutive recent loses to the Gators, Volunteers, and Crimson Tide, Kentucky came out of the gates as cold as February wind chill factors. UK made one of its first 12 shots covering the first 8 minutes of the game. With 6:48 left in the first half, the Tigers lead over Kentucky grew to 28-12.
Having the score doubled twice on Kentucky during its last two home games in February, Florida and LSU, has got the Blue Big Faithful headed for their own medicine cabinet. UK Coach Tubby Smith has been trying different concoctions in the form of mixing lineups over the past four games to no avail. Some sicknesses you just have to ride out. Fitting was last night’s game that ESPN called “Judgement Week”.
Kentucky is certainly facing judgement time.
At a crucial time, Kentucky got its direct line intravenous in the form of, among other things, a bench technical. Tiger Coach Brady got T’ed up while sitting in his seat complaining about a call. During the final stretch of 6:38 in the first half Kentucky went on a traditional Wildcat run outscoring LSU 18-3 to pull within 31-30 at halftime.
\n\nDuring the second half traditionally Kentucky would KO and opponent. But with the recent offensive illness the Wildcats have been unable to put away opponents. With the score tied at 58-58 at the 4:58 mark, Kentucky closed out the game on a 12-5 run to win 70-63.\n\nThe win can be attributed to the play of Randolph Morris and Criss Cross’ “Pick to click” Freshman Jodie Meeks. Morris finished with 20 points. Meeks played 27 minutes shot 60% from the floor, 3 of 3 from the free throw line and 3 of 5 from three-point land. Meeks also had one assist, one rebound, one steal, 0 turnovers, and 18 points.\n\nMeeks’ play has to be encouraging, but Kentucky has to be concerned about slow starts at the beginning of each half’s over the past four games. Concerning also is the fact that of Kentucky’s eight SEC wins, three came against teams without their stars. Those games included wins over Tennessee without Chris Lofton, Arkansas, and LSU without Glen Davis. Kentucky needs more than a temporary pill to treat symptoms. It needs a deep healing within. Come March when the SEC and NCAA Tournaments begin, Kentucky will not be able to spot any opponent double digit leads while suffering a February blah.

Signing off from Richmond,
Glen