Tougher competition lies ahead and Kentucky’s ‘up for the challenge’
Stats savant Ken Pomeroy set the chances of Kentucky defeating Georgia Tech at 90 percent. With UK leading by four points midway through the second half, the long-shot possibility of a Georgia Tech victory loomed over Rupp Arena on Saturday.
A 67-53 victory came with a sobering reality: Kentucky will face stiffer competition in the immediate future.
After Utah (87 percent) in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Pomeroy gives Kentucky only a 34-percent chance of defeating No. 3 Ohio State in Las Vegas next Saturday and a 53-percent chance of beating (soon to be deposed) No. 1 Louisville on Dec. 28.
Pomeroy has UK favored to win all but three games the rest of the season. Besides Ohio State, his numbers say UK has a 43-percent chance of winning at Auburn on Feb. 1 and a 45-percent chance at Tennessee on Feb. 8.
Bring ‘em on, UK players said of Ohio State and Louisville, teams Pomeroy ranks Nos. 1 and 3 in the country, respectively.
“I’m up for the challenge to see how good we are,” freshman Keion Brooks said. “Georgia Tech was another good game to truly test us and see how far we’ve come.”
A week earlier, Brooks said he had watched Ohio State and Louisville play. The defenses made an impression.
“They try to take away your best option and your best player,” he said.
After UK defeated Fairleigh Dickinson, Ashton Hagans said he watched Ohio State win at North Carolina and “a little of” Louisville beating Michigan.
“They’re real good teams,” Hagans said. “But, you know, we’re a real good team. And we’re going to go out there and compete.”
After the Georgia Tech game, Hagans voiced confidence.
“I know we’re going to come out ready,” he said. “Ain’t got too much to worry about.”
UK Coach John Calipari has suggested the importance of guarding against nonchalance against Ohio State or Louisville.
“If you walk in that game with any coolness, you’ll get beat by 30,” he said.
Pomeroy’s ratings as of Saturday gave perspective to stark difference in UK’s past and immediate future schedule. Since the opener against Michigan State, the eight teams UK played had an average rating of No. 215.5.
Rematch
Kentucky will play Georgia Tech in Atlanta next year. The game will be played in State Farm Arena, which his home to the Atlanta Hawks.
The rematch will be part of Georgia Tech’s season-ticket package.
The games with UK are intended to bolster Tech’s NCAA Tournament profile, Coach Josh Pastner said.
2,301 and counting
By beating Fairleigh Dickinson last weekend, Kentucky reached 2,300 victories in program history. The victory over Georgia Tech made it 2,301, which are the most victories for any Division I program.
Kansas and North Carolina had the second- and third-most victories going into this weekend. Kansas had won 2,282 games going into Saturday’s home game against Kansas City. North Carolina will look to add to its 2,267 victories against Wofford on Sunday.
‘Really embedded’
Not for the first time, Calipari mentioned the importance of competitive fight and applying a purposeful finish to games.
Brooks smiled when asked if the words “fight” and “finish” were in his dreams.
“I know he’s going to say that at least 20 times in practice,” Brooks said. “On game day, he might even say it 50 times.
“It’s really embedded in my mind that we have to fight and finish games.”
Allen in waiting
Freshman Dontaie Allen received a ring commemorating being named 2019 Kentucky Mr. Basketball in a pregame ceremony. Still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, he acknowledged the frustration with being sidelined the last half of his high school senior season.
“I wish I could have had more games to showcase my talent and get my team to Rupp at the end of the season,” he said Friday. “But I’m looking forward to the next chapter.”
Nick Richards advised patience as Allen continues his rehabilitation.
“A really good shooter. …,” he said of Allen’s tentative return to practicing. “Trying to get into the rhythm of basketball. We have to be patient. When he’s fully healthy, that’s another shooter for us.”
Las Vegas alert
The Las Vegas chapter of the UK Alumni Association plans get-togethers for fans this coming week. On Wednesday and Saturday, there will be pregame gatherings at The Beerhaus, which is near T-Mobile Arena.
On Thursday, there will be a Big Blue Happy Hour at Miller’s Ale House at Town Square (6683 Las Vegas Blvd South) from 6 to 9 p.m. PST.
This story was originally published December 14, 2019 at 9:40 PM.
