The Big Blue Knight



Brandon Knight's play could be the difference
in a deep run for the Cats.

 I worried about putting John Calipari's teams very far in the NCAA Tournament. They always seem to have all the talent but never come through in March. This year, I liked the way the Kentucky Wildcats finished the season and I took them to the Final Four.  The last two games though, I have been biting a towel like Jerry Tarkanian once did, but the Wildcats found a way to get it done.

I will admit I have not watched that much of Kentucky this season so it really surprised how good Brandon Knight played on Saturday. The times I have watched him this season, he didn't impressed as a scorer. Especially after having one basket (the game-winner) on Thursday.  Today, he dropped 30 on West Virginia to advance them to the Sweet 16 awaiting the winner of Ohio State/George Mason.  Knight slashed into the lane and hit big threes all game long. Not always is a point guard a problem in all parts of the game. Also Knight was easily the fastest player on the court allowing him to push the tempo of the game.

Something that cannot be forgotten is how good the Wildcats played on defense in the second half.  The Mountaineers had 41 in the first half, and only 22 in the second. I thought they used the same sort of techniques Marquette did against the Mountaineers in the Big East quarterfinal. The Wildcats sunk into the lane letting them shoot ill-advised shots all game long. Additionally, I could not understand why Bob Huggins felt the need to bring Johnnie West into a late-game situation when he had not played all game long. It was very Mike Dunleavly-esqe.  I also did not like keeping Casey Mitchell out there who I think would have shot from Orlando if they allowed him too.  Huggins lost the Mountaineers the game down the stretch. 

I am not convinced my Final Four pick will live up to my aspirations, but if Terrence Jones can figure out how to get going in this tournament... look out. Knight and Jones will be a great combination that most teams will not have an answer for in the coming weeks.

-Charlie.