IU Who? Kentucky Crushes Hoosiers

12/12/09

In what started with a Hoosier flurry, Kentucky looked like they could be in for their first loss of the season. Not so quick. The first half ended with the 4th ranked Wildcats leading Indiana 42-41. In the second half IU was unable to match the huge difference in size and talent as the Wildcats hit the Hoosiers with a barrage of offensive spurts. What was a 48-47 Indiana lead suddenly turned into a seventeen point Wildcat advantage.

The most impressive statistic for the game was the Cats scoring balance. Kentucky placed five players in double-figures, including four starters. Eric Bledsoe shot the lights out for the game hitting four three-point baskets and finishing the game with 23 points. Patrick Patterson again finished with a double-double, dropping in 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. DeMarcus Cousins (14 points) and Darnell Dodson (10 points) also reached double-figures.

The story of the game from tip to the final horn was John Wall. LeBron James has recently noted his admiration of Wall, and his expectations that he will be selected as the number one pick in the NBA draft. Wall showed why he is deserving of so much praise, as he scored 11 points, dished out 8 assists, and grabbed 6 rebounds. One of the more exciting moments of the game was a Wall fast break in which he hammered a left-handed dunk over an IU player that would have made the ideal poster. Sports Illustrated's Seth Davis and both CBS announcers couldn't express enough love for Wall. Davis even stated that "John Wall will be National Player of the Year." If so, let's hope that UK hangs banner #8 to coincide with Wall's honor.

For Indiana, Maurice Creek's 31 points proved game-high. No other Hoosier scored in double figures. Kentucky out-rebounded IU 44-22. The Cats shot 52.2% from the field, 50.0% from the three-point arc, and 61.9% from the free-throw line. UK held IU to 46.7% shooting from the field, 47.4% from behind the three-point arc, and 57.1% from the foul-line. With the victory Kentucky improves to 10-0. The Cats will be back in action next Saturday as they return home to Rupp Arena to take on Austin Peay at 4:00 p.m. Check back later for more! Go Cats!