Wichita State-Kentucky: And we have a new best game of the tournament! This one was, no other way to put it, a hell of a game. The narrative was huge: the preseason #1, now-8-seed Kentucky Wildcats, with the most acclaimed incoming freshman class of all time, had been uneven throughout the season, and hadnt lived up to their billing as a top team. The Wichita State Shockers came into the year expected to be very good but not elite; all they did was run the table, coming into this game 35-0 despite a lack of elite blue-chippers on their roster. It was a tale of big players having big games. Cleanthony Early finished the game with 31 points and Ron Baker had 20 for Wichita State. Kentucky had good balance from their freshman stars: Andrew Harrison had 20, Aaron Harrison had 19, and Julius Randle and James Young both had 13. This was a back-and-forth, up-and-down game for all 40 minutes. Both teams pushed the ball in transition and took advantage of the opportunities that were available. Kentucky had the advantage inside, winning the rebounding battle and bullying the Shockers into foul trouble. But Wichita was hot from three down the stretch, with Ron Baker and Cleanthony Early each hitting ridiculous step-backs in the final minutes. Kentucky knocked down free throws to keep the lead theyd edged out to, but the Shockers had a chance, down 2 with the ball and 3.2 seconds to play, but Fred Van Vleets fadeaway three was wide right at the buzzer. There was no decisive statistical advantage in any category for any team: it was just a fantastic game between two great teams playing great basketball. One of the best basketball games Ive ever had the privilege to see. Wildcats win an all-time classic, 78-76!
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 21:54:17 +0000
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