Good NITe to NCAA Dreams: Georgia 90 Kentucky 85

Georgia 90

Kentucky 85

In what can only be described as one of the most disappointing games in recent Kentucky basketball history, the Georgia Bulldogs (12-18, 3-12 SEC) came into Rupp Arena and ruined Senior Night. The loss likely ends any hope of Kentucky getting an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and caps off a bizarre stretch of games that has watched the Cats lose seven of their last ten. The Bulldogs were a scorching 11-16 (68.8%) from the three-point line and 27-54 (50.0%) overall. Terrance Woodbury led all scorers with 30 points, including 12-12 from the free throw line. Corey Butler chipped in 13 points for the Bulldogs.

Kentucky (19-11, 8-7 SEC) was led by Jodie Meeks with 23 points. Michael Porter had one of his best shooting nights as a Cat, nailing five shots from behind the arc for 15 points. Patrick Patterson had 14 points, 9 rebounds and 8 blocks for the Cats.

This game most likely eliminates Kentucky from the NCAA bubble. Unless they win the SEC Tournament, the Cats will probably miss the tournament for the first time since 1991.

My Thoughts: As a lifelong UK fan, I should probably sleep it off and post my thoughts tomorrow, but that wouldn't be nearly as fun. I have been watching the Cats as long as I can remember and this is probably the most pathetic, disappointing display of basketball that I have ever witnessed. As a kid, I laid in the floor beside of a small radio listening to a Kentucky team that was on probation. I listened to Cawood Ledford describe every minute of every game. I even tuned into the call-in shows and listened to every caller. Back then, it was "Kentucky" basketball and I loved it. Watching tonight's game leaves me wondering exactly what has happened to Kentucky basketball. I am disappointed and I have no answers.

The entire season was riding on tonight's game and we welcomed in arguably the worst team in the conference to our house on senior night. There is no excuse to lose this game and as a matter of fact, I don't particularly want to hear any excuses. Fair or not, I am placing the blame squarely on the shoulders of the coach. I will be cheering for the team until the very end, but this season has really headed south in a hurry. I have to ask myself what Tubby Smith is thinking tonight? Mitch Barnhart? Mike Casey?

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