NCAA Tournament: Kentucky basketball dominates Mountaineers

While basketball was played tonight, I’m not too sure if you would truly consider tonight’s play a game. The Wildcats dominated on every front of the game, and to put it simply, West Virginia didn’t know what hit them.

The Mountaineers only had one double figure scorer on the evening, that being senior Juwan Staten, with the guard totaling 14 points. The other impact player for WVU would have to be Jonathan Holton, with the junior forward finding 11 rebounds.

The Wildcats limited West Virginia to a mere 18 points in the first half, while scoring 44 of their own. The Mountaineers finished out the game with 39 points, scoring only 21 in the second half. WVU also only shot 24 percent from the field, 13 percent from the arc, and 58 percent from the FT line.

Kentucky on the other hand had five players in double scoring figures, with Trey Lyles leading the way yet again with 14 points. Lyles also tacked on seven rebounds for the Cats. Willie Cauley-Stein also had quite the outing, securing 10 rebounds, eight points, three blocks, two assists, and a steal.

Coming into tonight’s game the Wildcats had some extra motivation, from comments made by WVU freshman guard Daxter Miles.

"I give them their props…Salute them to getting to 36-0. But tomorrow they’re gonna be 36-1."

After the game tonight, a few of the UK players had some quotes of their own regarding the freshman after the 39 point win.

"“36 and won.” -Devin Booker via @DevinBook“Our whole plan was to crush their spirit. Beat em by 50 for disrespecting us.” -Tyler Ulis“I think we were just focused on the game, We knew they were going to press us and come after us.”- Andrew Harrison"

So many coaches have had to face the podium after a loss to UK this season, each with their own description for how they felt about the Wildcats. Bob Huggins, who prior to this evening was 8-2 against Coach Cal, had this to say.

"They are terrific defensively. That’s the best defensive team I have ever coached against."

Coach Cal had some of his own thoughts on the victory.

"We have had a lot of teams talk, but at some point we say you gotta come in the ring.They won because they were focused on how they had to do it."

And focused they were. If the Wildcats are able to make their shots, and continue to play impenetrable defense, then I just don’t see the boys in blue losing. Despite that fact, they will have a tough ACC challenge on Saturday in Notre Dame, which should provide an entertaining evening.