March without Madness a fitting end to drama-filled Kentucky season
The cancellation of the NCAA Tournament served as fitting punctuation on a Kentucky season that conditioned fans to expect the unexpected.
For example:
▪ No. 1 UK’s November loss to Evansville, which subsequently ended its season with a 19-game losing streak. By then, its coach, former UK player Walter McCarty, had long since been fired.
▪ The abrupt departure of freshman Kahlil Whitney for parts unknown.
▪ Georgia Tech Coach Josh Pastner saying he could see John Calipari someday running for president of the United States.
▪ Ashton Hagans, who had been described as “the heartbeat” of the UK team, not making the trip to Florida for what was called “personal reasons.”
▪ After December, UK shooting three-pointers about twice as well in road games (68 of 134 for 50.8 percent) than in Rupp Arena (33 of 123 for 26.8 percent).
▪ Vanderbilt coming to Lexington on the brink of setting a record for consecutive Southeastern Conference regular-season losses and leading Kentucky 35-28 at halftime.
Mighty Kentucky’s inability to demonstrate clear superiority extended far beyond both come-from-behind victories over Vandy. Of UK’s 31 games, 25 had margins of seven points or less inside the final seven minutes. That was true for every game after Jan. 4.
Only one possession separated Kentucky from the competition inside the final six minutes of 17 games.
Late in the season, Calipari spoke of his team “dodging bullets.” As a 25-6 overall record and SEC regular-season championship at 15-3 suggest, Kentucky eluded the metaphorical bullet most of the time. The miss at the buzzer by Florida guard Andrew Nembhard last weekend immediately comes to mind.
The bullet also found its mark when Utah and Ohio State hit clutch threes as Kentucky rolled snake eyes in two games in Las Vegas.
South Carolina won 81-78 on Jan. 15 when Jermaine Couisnard banked in a three at the buzzer.
Couisnard, who said his winning shot sparked a reaction “all over my social media,” added that Nembhard’s miss “was almost the same shot.”
The perils of Pauline act encored in the final week of the regular season when UK lost to Tennessee after leading by 17 in the second half and then winning at Florida after trailing by 18 in the second half.
Calipari spoke of Kentucky as a “game-by-game team,” meaning the inconsistencies collectively and individually made the season a series of unpredictable adventures.
One constant was superior free-throw shooting. Kentucky made a program-record 79.7 percent of its free throws. Among Division I teams, only North Dakota State shot free throws more accurately this season (79.8 percent).
One reason for so many victories in close games: Kentucky shot free throws even more accurately in the clutch. Inside the last four minutes of regulation and overtime, UK made 82.2 percent of its free throws (125 of 152). Opponents made 84 of 118 free throws (71.2 percent) in those times.
Even Immanuel Quickley, who ranked third nationally in free-throw accuracy (92.3 percent, which was the second-best mark in program history), shot better in the clutch. He made 97.4 percent of his free throws (38 of 39) inside the final four minutes and overtime.
Nick Richards also shot better in the clutch (77.8 percent) than overall (75.2 percent). So did Hagans: 84.8 percent in the clutch, 81 percent overall. Tyrese Maxey had only a slight dip: 80.9 percent in the clutch, 83.3 percent overall.
Whether by making free throws or getting defensive stops or mere happenstance, Kentucky’s ability to persevere impressed Florida Coach Mike White.
“Whether you call it mental toughness or swagger or winning mentality,” he said, “they’ve just found ways.”
‘Real life’
En route to the SEC Tournament on Tuesday, Tennessee Coach Rick Barnes took his team to nearby Cookeville, Tenn., to see the damage done by a recent tornado.
“In my lifetime, I’ve seen pictures, but I’ve never seen up close and personal what we witnessed,” Barnes said after UT’s practice Wednesday in Bridgestone Arena. “And when you get a chance to get off the bus and meet people who lost a lot (it makes a lasting impression).
“I like to think our guys understand perspective in terms of what we do. We’re blessed to have a chance to play and coach a game we love. But this is real life.”
Barnes has been friends with referee Gary Maxwell dating back to their days in the Big 12 together. Maxwell, who is from Cookeville, helped arrange a tour for the Tennessee team. The tour included a visit to Double Springs Church of Christ, which was serving as a relief staging area.
“If we could bring a little hope and put a smile on somebody’s face yesterday, it was well worth it,” Barnes said. “And I hope it’s something (the Tennessee players) will never forget.”
NABC supports
The Board of Directors of the National Association of Basketball Coaches issued a statement in support of the decision to cancel the NCAA Tournament.
“This necessary step is consistent with coaches’ broad support of the actions already being taken by many of our institutions and conferences,” the statement read. “While the disappointment experienced by student-athletes, coaches and fans will be substantial, the health and well-being of our communities is of ultimate important amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”
‘EDDIE’
The cancellation of the NCAA Tournament removed basketball from the calendar. There was another less-prominent consequence.
Those who’ve worked on a documentary film about Eddie Sutton had planned a preview for selected media members at the Final Four. That was canceled.
The film — titled “EDDIE” — is a moving review of the life of Sutton, whose coaching career included four turbulent seasons at Kentucky. There were great highs (Final Four appearances for Arkansas and Oklahoma State) and great lows (NCAA rule-breaking that led to UK being put on probation and a plane crash that killed members of Oklahoma State’s traveling party).
And Sutton’s struggle with alcohol is examined.
All are covered in a childhood-to-old age treatment that humanizes Sutton the son, the husband, the father, the coach. Full disclosure: A sneak preview made me misty-eyed more than once.
“Disney stories end with the ball going through the net,” said Doug Gottlieb, who played for Sutton at Oklahoma State. “And this is real life.”
Among those who appear in the film are former President Bill Clinton, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, UK Coach John Calipari, former UK players Kenny Walker, Roger Harden and Rex Chapman, plus Sutton’s oldest son, Sean Sutton.
“Sean Sutton and Rex Chapman take the film to another level with their painful yet beautiful honesty,” Fox Sports personality Skip Bayless has said.
How and when the film will be available for the public has not yet been determined.
SEC standings
For those scoring at home, Kentucky improved its all-time SEC record to 1,012-284.
Alabama has the second-most all-time victories with 799. So, if UK did not win another SEC game, Alabama would need to go undefeated in almost 12 full seasons to have the most victories.
UK’s all-time winning percentage is 78.1. The second-best all-time winning percentage belongs to Tennessee at 56.4 (753-581).
Attendance
Since size matters to the Big Blue Nation when it comes to crowds, UK announced an average home attendance of 20,160 this season. Syracuse announced an average home attendance of 21,704.
North Carolina announced an average home attendance of 20,103.
Looking ahead
The gambling site SportsBetting.ag made Gonzaga and Virginia co-favorites to win the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Kansas was the third choice.
Kentucky and Baylor were fourth choices. Louisville and Florida were among the 10th choices.
Happy birthday
To Rashaad Carruth. He turned 38 on Thursday. … To former Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy. He turned 52 on Friday. … To Patrick Patterson. He turned 31 on Saturday. … To Jock Sutherland. He turned 92 on Saturday. … To Jim Master. He turns 58 on Monday. … To Johnny Juzang. He turns 19 on Tuesday. … To Sam Bowie. He turns 59 on Tuesday. … To Patrick Sparks. He turns 37 on Tuesday. … To Skal Labissiere. He turns 24 on Wednesday. … To Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl. He turns 60 on Wednesday.
