KSR Today: Waking up to positive Kentucky basketball thoughts

ZGeogheganKSR

ksr-today-waking-up-positive-kentucky-basketball-thoughts — LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 18: Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) celebrates after the CBS Sports Classic between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Kentucky Wildcats on December 18, 2021, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It’s amazing how one game can change your perspective on a team, isn’t it? Seven days ago, we were all ready to charge the golden gates of the Joe Craft Center angry mob-style. But today, Kentucky fans are waking up with Grinch-like grins after a 29-point drumming of fellow Blue Blood program North Carolina on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

Let’s talk about it.

Kentucky MBB cruises in (much-needed) feel-good win

While Kentucky fans have been trained lately to never take a lead for granted, every single one of them could have against North Carolina. The Tarheels led for just 14 seconds throughout the entire game, going down by 11 at the half before watching UK explode to a 98-69 victory.

It was a much-needed win for the ‘Cats and its first this season over an opponent ranked among the KenPom top 100. But it was the way that Kentucky came out on top that had the BBN jazzed up.

Sahvir Wheeler responded from one of his worst career performances against Notre Dame to arguably one of his best just a week later. Oscar Tshiebwe was a man amongst boys once again, but even Lance Ware was able to play big minutes when Tshiebwe dealt with early foul trouble. The team’s three-point shooting finally made an appearance to the tune of an 8-15 clip. Kellan Grady took the open shots we’ve all been begging for and Kentucky put its foot on the gas all game long against a good Tarheel squad.

It truly couldn’t have gone any better for Kentucky (unless you’re a Dontaie Allen supporter). With a showdown against in-state rival Louisville scheduled for the middle of this week, a momentum-swinging win was necessary. Now it’s time to practice our “Ls down”.

Postgame links

Kentucky WBB set to host SC-Upstate

After losing two straight games, Kentucky Women’s Basketball is in desperate need of a win. Sunday’s contest will provide the No. 19 Wildcats with an excellent opportunity to quench their thirst for victory.

Later today, Kentucky Women’s Basketball (6-3) will take on the USC Upstate Spartans (7-2) in Memorial Coliseum at 2 p.m. on the SEC Network+. This contest will be UK’s first outing since their road loss to Louisville on Dec. 12. The Wildcats were supposed to face Morgan State on Friday, but the game was canceled due to COVID issues with the Morgan State program.

To get yourself ready for today’s mid-day matchup, check out Grant Grubbs’ full preview right here.

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SGA’s game-winner redemption

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was recently robbed of one of the more impressive last-second shots we’ve seen in years. His side-step triple from 30-feet tied his Oklahoma City Thunder squad with the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, Pelicans guard Devonte’ Graham immediately received the inbounds pass and drilled a 60-foot buzzer-beater to down OKC in wildly dramatic fashion.

So on Saturday night, when placed right back in a similar situation, SGA made sure he got the last laugh. With the Thunder trailing the Los Angeles Clippers by two points and only a few seconds left to play, SGA shook Nicolas Batum for a wide-open stepback three that dropped in right as the buzzer sounded.

That Saturday Feeling.@shaiglalex | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/PYpXXMQs5g
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 19, 2021

Redemption has been served.

‘Cats in the NFL: Week 15

1:00 (FOX): Panthers (P. Hoskins) @ Bills
1:00 (FOX): Cardinals (C. Peters) @ Lions
1:00 (CBS): Jets (B. Echols) @ Dolphins
1:00 (FOX): Cowboys (Q. Bohanna, K. Joseph) @ Giants
1:00 (CBS): Titans (B. Dupree) @ Steelers (B. Snell Jr.)
1:00 (CBS): Texans (L. Johnson Jr.) @ Jaguars (J. Allen)
4:05 (CBS): Bengals @ Broncos
4:05 (CBS): Falcons @ 49ers
4:25 (FOX): Packers @ Ravens
8:20 (NBC): Saints @ Buccaneers