|
12 January 2010
It's halftime of the Kentucky - Florida game and it's been a good one. Kentucky weathered an opening run against Florida and took a 38-31 lead into halftime.
The first half began with Florida jumping out to a 7-0 lead as UK missed several bunnies in close and Florida took their opportunities in the open court. Kentucky's missed shots inside were so bad that Coach John Calipari said in the half time interview "we missed 10 one footers." When asked what he told the team, Cal replied with his usual witticism, "I told them please make it or dunk it! That's some good coaching huh?" Well done coach.
Florida was lead in the first half by Alex Tyus with 9 points. Tyus made the first two threes of his career in the first half. Combine that with the banked three pointer in the final minute and Florida has to feel good about being within single digits at the half.
For Kentucky, John Wall made a couple of impressive pull up 17-footers and Eric Bledsoe had a monster first half. Bledsoe scored 15 points on 6-7 shooting and knocked down two foul shots. Wall had 8 in the first half and Patrick Patterson added 7 points.
One of the biggest influences in the first half was the inside play of Daniel Orton. DeMarcus Cousins missed several inside shots (1-6 shooting at the half) and Orton came in to snag 7 rebounds and block three shots (all in the same sequence) in the first half, helping Kentucky to dominate the paint on the defensive end.
The second half is coming up. We'll see if Kentucky continues to press and try to wear down Florida. Florida will need to improve their shot selection and improve on their first half 3-13 performance from the three point line if they are going to knock off the #2 team in the nation at home. We'll be back with postgame coverage after the second half.
Also of note tonight, Purdue falls at home by the score of 70-66 to Ohio State despite Robbie Hummel's big 35 point night. Kid was on fire in the first half.
