NASHVILLE — John Calipari brought Kentucky to town focused most on the NCAA tournament.
An arena dripping Kentucky blue with Wildcats faithful filling the streets outside has changed his intentions, and now Calipari wants to reward their loyalty by winning the SEC tournament title those fans see as their birthright.
Oh, he still wants a No. 1 seed.
The No. 2 Wildcats made a strong argument for the top overall spot by handing 15th-ranked Tennessee a 74-45 loss Saturday in the tournament semifinals — the Volunteers’ most lopsided under coach Bruce Pearl. But Calipari said he understands the importance after seeing fans spending up to $1,000 per ticket and vacationing in Nashville to support the Cats.
“As a coach you owe it to them to give them your best,” Calipari said. “They tell me 180,000 fans came to Nashville. Is that true? Kentucky fans. And only 17,000 could get in the building. ... It’s unbelievable. The blue dust is everywhere. It’s incredible.”
Kentucky (31-2) will play defending champ Mississippi State, a 62-52 winner over No. 20 Vanderbilt, on Sunday, looking to add a 26th tournament title to the 44th regular season championship the Wildcats already won in Calipari’s first season.
DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and 15 rebounds as Kentucky advanced to the final for the first time since 2004. Eric Bledsoe had 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range, and John Wall added 14. The Wildcats improved to a league-best 113-22 in this tournament and 35-2 in the semifinals.
Bledsoe said winning the tournament title would mean a lot to a team featuring five freshmen.
“We’re trying to do something special. So far we’re doing it, so we’re going to keep on playing,” Bledsoe said.
Scotty Hopson had 11 points for Tennessee (25-8), which snapped a five-game winning streak with its worst scoring performance this season.
“We got outplayed at every position, and Kentucky’s the No. 2 team in the country for a reason. They’re a really, really good team,” Pearl said. “We just did not have the energy after playing two games and coming back and playing this third game. We just didn’t have it.”
The well-rested Wildcats never trailed and scored 14 straight points to push the lead to 29 late. That was even though Cousins missed a layup off the opening tip. He came back and dunked to put Kentucky ahead, and the best Tennessee could do was tie the Wildcats three times — the last at 10.
These programs don’t like each other anyway in the SEC’s second-longest series. The addition of Calipari, who brought his personal rivalry with Pearl from Memphis, and the high expectations from both teams created an electric atmosphere not seen at this tournament in many years.
Kentucky came in trying to cement a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, while Tennessee hoped a win would help earn a No. 3 seed.
It was billed as a neutral court game, but the transformation of Bridgestone Arena into Rupp South couldn’t have been clearer than a text poll in the first half posted on the video board about which team fans expected to win. Kentucky drew 77 percent in the early results.
Every time Tennessee’s pep band cranked up “Rocky Top,” the Wildcats’ fans did their best to drown it out, chanting, “Go Big Blue.”
Tennessee point guard Bobby Maze noticed the blue crowd in the quarterfinals and said Kentucky fans travel like the “Million Man March.” So the Vols knew exactly what they’d be walking into on a court technically in their home state but about three hours away from campus — just as it is for the Wildcats.
And Pearl had his orange blazer packed and ready for this game against the opponent Tennessee wants to measure its basketball program against. The Vols were the last team to beat Kentucky — 74-65 in Knoxville on Feb. 27 — as they split the regular season series.
“We had enough fans in there that when we made our runs, we could hear our people in the building,” Pearl said. “Certainly, Kentucky enjoys a great home-court advantage, and I think it elevated their play.”
Yes, it did.
Kentucky wound up winning its fourth straight by holding Tennessee to a season-low 19 points in the first half. The Wildcats improved to 5-1 in SEC semifinals and 144-66 all-time against the Vols.
“I feel like we were playing at our arena to see our fans there,” Wall said. “We just feel like everywhere we go our fans support us the most. ... You can see how loud they are in the background.”
The Volunteers, playing their third game in as many days, got into early foul trouble, and they spent more time pleading with officials than hitting shots. Kentucky did hit more free throws (16-of-30) than Tennessee attempted (9-of-15).
Officials were busy, handing out double technicals twice in the second half with Tennessee guard Melvin Goins ejected after both a technical and a flagrant foul with 3:33 left.
“They obviously had us frustrated,” senior guard J.P. Prince said. “We didn’t make shots. We just got in a hurry. We kind of lost our composure at the end and didn’t execute, listen to the coaches and overall just kind of let it go at the end.”
Tennessee pulled within 45-39 on a bucket by Brian Williams with 9:27 left. That was as close as the Vols would get.
Patrick Patterson dunked for only his second field goal, Bledsoe hit a 3, then Darnell Dodson made consecutive 3s before dunking on an alley-oop pass from Darius Miller to put Kentucky up 58-41 with 6:02 remaining. The Cats just kept adding to it from there.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
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Comments » 362
volatil writes:
SEC officials will make certain "Blue Misters" are around on Sunday. What a freaking joke.
lbrjohn3 writes:
i say the team should run sprints for the whole next 3 practices after that performance
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
"first" idiot of this thread u are--we lose by 29 and you gonna cry about refs----you are a sorry one and all the others that follow and sing that same tune---we got beat by a much better team, deal with it, nothing to be ashamed about
virginiavolfan writes:
I'm sure that people are going to have all kinds of ideas on why we got beat so bad. The fact is we play Steven Pearl and they played Cousins. I get so much satisfactions when Pearl plays and we get bet like a drum.
mcdevitt#229126 writes:
absolutely pitiful. you would think Bruce could put the five guys on the floor at the time that have the best ability to score. I love my Vols dearly but I am baffled to no end way why Bruce's plays the five guys on the floor that he does. this is a tournament game and we should have the guys who are willing to give it all. I am tired of hearing about no energy, saving them for late in the game, etc. etc. etc. I surely hope we take a better substitution program in the NCAA's. I truly hope we get a #6 seed and gets us off the #1 side of the bracket. Maybe the best thing that happened today was the Vols get knocked two or three spots in the bracket and get on the #2 side of the bracket and not on the #1 side.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Disappointed in the outcome but the effort was good. If the basket had not had a lid on it, it could have been a closer outcome. Oh well, maybe we get'em again in the tourney. Go Vols!
evilcarl writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TommyJack writes:
KY won't get the home cookin officiating at the big dance.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
I hope our guys brush this off fast. We get a fresh start next week! GBO!!
volatil writes:
There's no doubt Ky. is a better team, but they get calls no other team in the league get.
evilcarl writes:
I guess all 600 of your fans are going to cry about the refs. You don't lose by 29, talk phooey, and hit the other team in the privates and blame that on the refs. Plus, little Pearl shoved Cousins at the half. Stay classy UT.
GoVols77 writes:
Refs won it for KY. Cousins and Wall get to play by NBA rules. We wouldn't want to spoil their NBA Coming Out party next year. Player of the GAME for TN: Goins!
TommyJack writes:
Already 4-5 asinine posts in this thread. You too, Carl. HayZoos!
bigorange61 writes:
Melvin Goins got in the best shot of the game. Being ejected means he can't play in the next game. Is that correct?
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
anyone objective would agree they too got hammered several times underneath and got no call--------it evens out---------mentioning ref in a 29 pts loss is the definition of no class in defeat
evilcarl writes:
You can't dispute they run only two plays, and they really aren't that good. Christ, people can win, doesn't mean he made an adjustment. Maybe he should yell at his son some more and let the gang bangers run wild on the court. That is coaching.
bigorange61 writes:
Third game in three days. First two games were tougher than expected. Starters having to play more minutes than expected.
Then the third game is against one of the best teams in the country. I can see why intensity would be down a little don't you?
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
can't believe some of you guys are complaining about the refs. We got it handed to us and got our azz stomped. It would have been tough to cover 30 point loss even with Lebron with us.
I agree with the poster who talked about our substitution pattern. At one stretch, we had absolutely NO scorer on the floor. Goins, Pearl, Hall, Tatum. I don't think Bruce is calling the substitution pattern. I think it might be Jones. Ky. just wanted it worse than we did.
UkJarhead writes:
It's been and still will be a great season for the Vols. You played a team that got hot shooting the ball the last 10 minutes that just so happens to be one of the best teams in the country. I'll be pulling for UT along with Vandy and whoever else makes it. But those of you bringing up officiating are showing your ignorance of the game. Please.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
If UK can hit 3's like they did today, they're gonna win the NCAAT. Plus, our guys were gassed midway through the second half. Hopefully Slime will change the tournament format next year to reward the top 4 teams. Let's face it, UT and Florida got SCREWED!!!
The Vol fans' showing today was pathetic. We like to jump on the players when they don't perform well. How about we take a look in the mirror. Our guys were playing a road game on a neutral floor in our own state.
bigorange61 writes:
Bledsoe hurt us more than Wall or Cousins.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
In basketball EVERY loss is on the refs, regardless who losses. U.T fans are no worse than any others about that.
eduardo writes:
I'll say it again anyone who doesnt think that the officiating influenced that game for Kenlucky doesnt know bball!!
OrangePride writes:
This is one game that had nothing to do with the refs. KY made a BUNCH of 3's, dominated the boards on both ends, and was clearly the bigger, more physical team. If ALL the "questionable" calls had gone our way, the score would have been closer and the results would have been the same. This was just one of those games where the VOLS just did not have answers. So we will put it behind us and go to the NCAA.
nepperso#220348 writes:
Bruce played his scrubs against the #2 Team in the nation in a game that means nothing. HE'S BUILDING DEPTH AND EXPERIENCE FOR THE NCAA'S!!! He knows we can beat UK.. no need to prove it right now.
eduardo writes:
Kenlucky will win their championship tommorrow...but it will be vacated in a couple of years with calapari's record of behind the scenes misfortunes...just ask tiger high and umass!!!
osbymartin#581730 writes:
yep cause everyone loves getting BET like a drum! Glad you get multiple satisfactions...If you are going to insult atleast don't be stupid and spell it right! Horribly spelled "zingers" just lose their humor
DRAGtheWATERS writes:
UT's third game in three days Kenlucky's second and it showed. Kensucky will be the first one seed to lose in the tourney and even you know that.
wayoutwill writes:
Let's see!Kiitty-cats make more free throws than we get attempts!Chism gets a T-foul when he should not have-which gave him his 4th foul at a point in the game where we were closing the gap--It had been six points shortly before that T-foul that should have went against the kitty-cats only,not to mention that...ah heck with it;you too and big blue...wait 'til next year!
evilcarl writes:
Yeah, I did. And unlike the whole four year history of the UT basketball fanbase, as a Kentucky fan I know a little something about basketball. Watch the tape. More UK players got knocked to the floor than UT. Period. If I hear Bruce Pearl talk of the "great UT basketball fanbase" one more time when he knows it's a lie bc all 600 of you showed up, I'll throw up. Maybe Pearl can use his extra time this week to take pose for pictures going shirtless and put his hands in inappropriate places on twenty year olds.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
you're influenced by drugs-----Ok we lose by 20 instead of 29, you happy now ?----------if our idiots wouldnt cry that whine after every loss then maybe it might sometimes have some credibility but its the standard excuse after every loss so some of us just laugh at the koolaiders who only have that to hang losses on
82cat writes:
Kentucky is clearly the most talented team---- but lets face it the word for officials is out ------
you dont touch wall.
Cousins is the only player that gets every flop called his way and then that same player that is knocked down by a feather mugs everyone for offensive rebounds and no calls are made.
is kentucky good - obviously but come on refs every time wall drives the lane and misses he is not fouled.
The game I would love to see called is Duke vs Kentucky the officials would have a stroke deciding who to favor.
Tennessee is good enough for sweet 16 if they get the right seed and draw
osbymartin#581730 writes:
Tennessee got beat..plain and simple! I hate losing (especially to UK or VU) but the SFs against #2 in the nation is alot better than one and done or QFs lose to a mediocre team. Oddly enough, this game will help our RPI and SOS just as the game against LSU hurt it.
nepperso#220348 writes:
Pearl is smart. We got a lot of lesser players a lot of minutes today. Gonna PAY OFF BIG in the NCAA's.
osbymartin#581730 writes:
A coward WOULDN'T be afraid of Cousins??? That makes NO SENSE!
SeanJean writes:
People complaining about the refs, you're embarrassing yourselves. We got obliterated by a much, much more prepared team. We couldn't do a single thing right in this game. Not one thing. We couldn't dribble, pass, hit layups, score in transition, knock down jump shots, free throws, nothing. Not one thing. The end result= You lose by 30. This team can't play consistently which is why it never will go anywhere in a tournament. I wish it wasn't true, but it is. Fundamentals win championships, and we don't have them.
DarthWilson writes:
First off The refs did not give it to KY. Second I saw A TN team loose its cool several times and play way out of control. If we could have hit all the layups and shots close to the basket we missed, Maybe we would be alot happier right now. Are we good enough for a 2 or 3 seed? I think not. Especially if we play like we did today. I would like to see a 4 seed but if not, Then give me a 6. I hate the 5-12 match-up. Well a disappointing day to say the least. Chin up, let's go to the dance and try to make some noise. VFF (Vol fan Forever)! Go Big Orange.
volatil writes:
Good post Cat. This was what I was trying to say but failed. Ky. is better and had the calls gone UT's way I still think they loose.
BigOrangeBill writes:
Anybody who says that cheap shot by Goins is something to be proud of is NOT a Tennessee Volunteer. The refs didn't lose it. GET REAL. Those four threes in 2-4 minutes lost it for us, plus our legs were gone. Oh yes. Kentucky is the better team. We and the entire world know that... Our team this year played head and shoulders above their talent and ability and I give their heart plus our great coach the credit. I hate to lose to Kentucky more than anybody alive. I've been watching UT sports for over fifty years now. But I respect a team that is obviously better than us both physically and with quickness. My only suggestion to Coach Pearl is to go get that kid from Fulton who is a pure shooter now that Auburn's coach is gone. Also, maybe not use the walk-ons quite so much. But he's the coach and I truly respect the man!
Come on guys, let's try to stay positive!
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Plasticman, I'm a broke college student. If I had the cash, I would have tried to get a ticket. I've heard the tickets are selling for a sack of gold over there and I knew UK fans would outnumber UT fans. I didn't think it would be by 15,000 though.
tnaseevol writes:
You know as well as the rest of us that the refs cannot give KY 29 points! We got whupped! Now they just need to rest up, get well-especially Chism- and be ready to do somelay in the NCAA
osbymartin#581730 writes:
That is what we need a pure knock down shooter. We had one and now we need another guy that can flat out shoot!
SeanJean writes:
Yes and yes. I've played my whole life. And I don't disagree with the tired argument either. That surely had something to do with it. Whatever the reasons though, it was still a very embarrassing loss. Not much we can hang out hat on in that game.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
I quit watching after the Technical foul cr@p..UT hung in there for a while, but good gosh, how can someone like Cousins go in rip the ball out of someones hands knock them on the floor and it's a clean steal???? What a load of horseshirt!!!!
wildcatbasketball writes:
Show some class!! are you talking about the cheap shot he took on Cousins???
If Cousins makes that same play, we never hear the end of it!! Total classless play by Goins.
By the way...When you win by 29 I don't think the refs decided the game...
WOW
CatScratchFever64 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
TNPilgrim writes:
We're playing short-handed with mediocre talent and they're playing at full strength with great talent. KY is the better team, but their inexperience will catch up with them during the NCAA tournament. I predict they won't make the Elite 8. However with a little luck maybe we can make the Sweet 16, look respectable doing it and bring in a couple more top recruits. Under adverse circumstances this season turned out a lot better than anyone might have expected on Jan 2d. We can build on this season and look to a brighter future; on the other hand, Calipari will probably have KY on NCAA probation before Scotty Hopson reaches his senior year.
BeRealistic writes:
I wish I could get ahold of you, I would choke SP out of your system. Fatigue was one of VOLS biggest problems today, along with other things. Get ready for NCAA. GBO
SeanJean writes:
And by the way, if I was the coach Goins wouldn't be playing the first game of the tourney. He doesn't have the wiggle room to be making plays like that after the trouble he got in.
wildcatbasketball writes:
I don't think you do!!! a 29 point win is not decided by the refs!!! ANYONE knows that!
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