By: Peggy Gilligan
It was a cold day in Chicago but not windy. As usual arrived early for the games so was excited when the action began. To my surprise the first game between Ohio State and UCLA was quite a lack luster game. The fans present were not excited and very quiet with very little cheering on either side. The final score of the game was Ohio State 80 and UCLA 66. A good win for Ohio State to go 11-2 overall, but it seems like it could be a long season for UCLA ending 7-5 with hopes of ending a three game losing streak on Saturday December 29th against Liberty.
The second game was much more exciting the crowd erupted throughout the entire game. The game started with John Calipari appearing in a tie for the first time this season. North Carolina won the tip-off but just as quickly Ashton Hagans stole the ball from Garrison Brooks to get a 2 point fast break basket. The scoring was back and forth with at the first media timeout the score tied at 13 and UK in a scoring drought that lasted 3:13. With 6:50 left in the first half Ashton Hagans left for the locker room to get his ankle taped after an awkward fall to the floor. All the UK fans were happy to see Hagans return to the bench with 5:43 left in the first half. He showed no ill effects for the rest of the game. Kentucky was 4 of 15 from the 3 point line for 26.7% in the first half. All that said the Cats did go to the locker room with a 40-31 lead over the TarHeels.
The second half began on the rough side with several fouls on both sides. At the first media timeout the score was Kentucky 47 North Carolina 41. Calipari received a technical foul at 11:53 left in the second half with Coby White making only one of two shots. At that point Kentucky had been called for seven fouls meaning the TarHeels were in the bonus for the rest of the game.
Kentucky never trailed in the second half of the game. Keldon Johnson played much better in the second half scoring 16 of his 23 points. Reid Travis was the lead scorer in the first 20 minutes with 16 points. The overall outstanding player for Kentucky was the defensive play of Ashton Hagans. All of the starters contributed in their own way.
In the end Kentucky succeeded in giving all of Big Blue Nation a great early Christmas present with the 80-72 win to go to 9-2 overall and sending the TarHeels back to North Carolina with a 8-3 record. Next up for Kentucky will be Louisville at the Yum Center on Saturday December 29th at 2:00.