Why Kentucky Did Not Foul Up 3 Points vs UNC in the Final Seconds

The Big Blue Nation has scar tissue over the last few years from poor execution in end of game situations. For moment, it felt like deja vu all over again for the Kentucky Wildcats.

The Cats remained in control for most of the contest against North Carolina, leading by as much as 10 points with 11 minutes remaining. That was erased when a pair of Armando Bacot free throws gave the Tar Heels their first lead of the game at the 5:15 mark.

We saw this same story already once this season. Kentucky was at a neutral site showcase, up five points in the final minutes against Kansas but did not deliver during closing time. That experience paid dividends as Kentucky delivered in Catlanta.

Rob Dillingham had three impressive finishes at the rim, including one hesitation move that my brain is still struggling to comprehend. Antonio Reeves and DJ Wagner each nailed contested jumpers and Aaron Bradshaw provided the exclamation point with one final free throw.

“I just go to my happy place, and that’s really in my room in Rahway,” Bradshaw said Saturday night. “And I just thought about my mom, my dad, my sister and I was just thinking about seeing their faces and that’s what made me really just lock in and make that shot.”

One Final Kentucky Defensive Possession

Before Bradshaw put the Kentucky win on ice, the Wildcats needed one final stop. Up three with 11 seconds left, Kentucky could have sent North Carolina to the free throw line instead of giving the Tar Heels a chance to hit a game-tying three. John Calipari actually instructed his team to foul in the final seconds.

“I got in the huddle and I just said, ‘There’s 11 seconds to go. Do you want to foul when they get to half court?’ Naturally they said, no, that we’re going to switch. Then I saw (Elliot) Cadeau in the game, and I told Reed (Sheppard), ‘When he crosses half court, foul him, so that it doesn’t even go to RJ Davis,” said Calipari.

So why wasn’t there’s a foul?

“He just said, ‘I decided not to.’ Okay.”

Kentucky did not need to foul. Cadeau threw it right off of Cormac Ryan‘s shoulder. The teammates were clearly not on the same page, creating a hilarious end of game situation.

https://t.co/HQaJya4WgU pic.twitter.com/DWkdc7jqRl

— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) December 17, 2023

If a similar situation arises in the future, you can expect Coach Cal to instruct his team to foul. Just because it’s said in the huddle, doesn’t mean that it’s actually going to happen.