2017-2018 Kentucky @ West Virginia (SEC/Big 12 Challenge - Game 21)

hey everybody let's play a game if you rather listen to this guy on a 16-hour flight to Lithuania you know what L example right the bark awesome or bass the West Virginia press would you rather try to stop armies triple-option your five sets of grunts or face the West Virginia press would you rather own ground season tickets you have to do that stupid kiss cam thing get humiliated by the knuckle ball or face the West Virginia press bans on cell phones soccer plus instant replay that is an instant bad but nothing is more soul-crushing or terrifying or annoying than when huggie bear at the beaches sounds of classic West Virginia trash closing guards beat mountain mama meet human velcro go ahead try to break that crust try to break it before it breaks you [Applause] they call the West Virginia friends annoying how it says animal like these full of pirates or something it'll it will destroy you if you let it and you get into this type of a hostile environment here with a crowd right on top of you young Kentucky team West Virginia presence 36% of the time the Wildcats have seen a mere 37 possession of press all season long seen one quite like this starting backcourt experience you know Kentucky's got nothing but junk player goin Carter and miles for West Virginia they got veteran guard here I agree question fingers guards a little bit smaller though and Shabazz waters so good at getting up underneath it defensively he can apply pressure for sake goodness Alexander make a pass over the top be strong as a bull flashing the weak side Kentucky can take care of the ball get the ball to a rim I think have a major advantage on the offensive glass for the starkest a good was out there to be the whole key is rejected to their pressure and it's not just to mean it's pressure Virginia coast with West Virginia besides they give it to the press master dictating the forward the gate good you anticipated see Devon Carter coming out how good you anticipate Kentucky be not being satisfied just to get the ball into the front for the scoring for to me to keep on Kentucky both bring two guys together in the bank and also they get the ball on the remark that could be a new state form because they're so good with their average length in 7b offensive rebounds Kentucky's got a rebound on the defensive end though I granted a welcome the best outfits content we give the most is the missed shot I think it's too laughing [Applause] besides of all water can create shots for West Virginia when you're going in the way and he has that big fella cannot say Kentucky they better come in there like they mean it so you're gonna ask you guys again one more shot here J well this morning on game day you pick Kentucky been in this atmosphere you stick with it to the cats win tonight or is it West Virginia how I got a stick with it but you know what sturdiness atmosphere is intimidating but they can take care of the ball I still see Kentucky getting out here with the victory press is different here could question even to make shots they get into the pressure they create enough turnovers tonight to get out in transition Bob Huggins typically as always in his zip up a typical is that Calipari perhaps in tribute to huggy is also wearing the 3/4 if a station Teleservices improper his mouth Dan Schulman grace guys thank you very much and welcome to Saturday primetime presented by a TMT it is one of the best atmospheres in all of college basketball the West Virginia Coliseum here in Morgantown West Virginia and this has been a tough ticket to say the least Kentucky in town here tonight welcome to the big 12 SEC challenge and it's a stalemate right now for for the big 12 for to the SEC Oklahoma State playing Arkansas right now and then this game tonight to wrap it up [Applause] sounds something's here in this state it's West Virginian Kentucky did shoulder to Jamila's the young Wildcats dealing with this atmosphere and pressed Virginia what are the keys to the game well the keys are really extra possessions can you get extra possessions against this young Kentucky team and how does West Virginia do that by forcing turnovers West Virginia forces over 19 turnovers per game they scored 23 points per game off those turnovers on on the season and offensive rebounds West Virginia gets 14 offensive rebounds a game if Kentucky can limit the second shots West Virginia gets and if they are strong with the ball and take care of the ball and catch face and attack that Kentucky's got a chance on the road he was born here he played here he's coaching here Bob Huggins who's with faria Taylor all right coach a little unusual you are at a fish fry yesterday with coach wearing a half set to honor you what's it like looking down the sideline going against them for the twelfth time in your career Cal's always wanted to be like me that'd be honest truth what do you have to do on offense to start back well we gotta make some shots we've struggle to make shots we're gonna make some shots all right thank you it has been a problem for them recently for Kentucky 15 and 5 they're not ranked right now this is the first week since 2014 the Wildcats have not been in the top 25 it is loud and we are underway and Morgantown to the same starting five all freshmen for the Kentucky Wildcats hood a big job for the guys with the ball right now the point guard Shay gilja's Alexander to deal with the pressure get an early turnover that is bad a 22nd start as John Calipari could ever have a division a great trap by West Virginia essentially in the Clough Informer in their half-court and she goes as alexander cocked it up and that's the start West Virginia wanted to get off too and it's going to be 40 minutes of this and again how will these freshmen as talented as they are deal with the pressure here it says just fine thank you well that's how you deal with it you get the ball down the court and then you attack and that was a wide-open three in transition for Kevin Knox the kind of start that the freshman wants to get off the he has to have a good game for Kentucky to win on the road Knox made all four of his threes in a win over Mississippi State on Tuesday now here's the initial trap Jay geils yeah killed his out Zander picks the ball up and that was essentially a quadruple team with the sideline in the half-court line serving as extra defenders you do not want to pick the ball up just a snap work first time that Kentucky has been here since 1970 just the third time they have ever come to Morgan challenge and locals J told us this is the toughest ticket in the 47 year history of this building I won a challenge by sack of ikana Pez he is one of the best shot blockers in the country and an intimidating presence around the basket he blocked shots sometimes with two hands at seven in one game this year six in a pair of others senior backcourt for West Virginia Javon Carter Daxter miles junior sophomores starting up front and cannot a valid lineman Richards often times Kentucky once - excuse me West Virginia wants to get into an inside triangle and West Virginia Kent post-its guards especially Daxter miles they'll scissor guys off the post and then they'll screen for one another little cross screen down screen actions Hall of Famer John Calipari bringing his cats in Bob Huggins by the way nominated for the nation with Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame these two very close friends that happened for many many years the amount of time before Bob Huggins out in the Hall one of the great 800 wins couple of Final Fours in 1992 it's Cincinnati 2010 and in early sub no chuggins unhappy with what he just saw and he's going to bring a chase parlour into the game six three sophomore out of Moundsville West Virginia Daxter miles junior coming out getting an earful on the way to the bench Bob Huggins has never hesitated to use the bench as a motivator let's bill Josh Alexander into the teeth of the pressure off to Richard's and it belongs to the Mountaineers Jevon Carter with a drive doesn't get the role great offensive rebound by conoce and we get a foul going against Kentucky that was a thrown man rebound while being blocked out sag of a cannot a goes after it with both hands to snag it by PJ Washington still got the ball very strong active players Jay mentioned a great shot blocker real force of the defensive end parlour for three [Applause] in West Virginia scores they can get into the press when they are not efficient on the offensive end that takes away some of that pressure they look in the corner for an actual go down on Kentucky they don't get it but it's West Virginia Bowl even if Alisa Falls could you hear it absolutely not this is as loud a building as we have been in this season heiress valetti with a pull-up jumper not there terrible job and that's gonna send him to the bench as soon as that shot hit the rim Bob Huggins was up in a bit and telling isa al-ma the head to the scorer's table [Applause] Washington driving by Harris protective further 4:30 [Applause] Stanley Richards who can't finish this way part of the cake [Applause] back in more to chat with Jay Bilas Maria Taylor I'm Dan Shulman you cannot simulate the kind of defense you will see from West Virginia and Kentucky seeing it right now well the pressure is one thing but it's also the eraser thats a kabocha not a is walking over three shots per game and that has started the West Virginia offense the defense has started the West Virginia offense and when that happened start seeing shots go in now if said the pressure ratchets up when West Virginia's offense is good its defense gets even better that's a scary proposition for John Calipari with this extraordinarily young Kentucky team he just made 3 subs he meant natsu to go chase Alexander but replaced the other three that ball deflected out of bounds so quite a train when Gabriel and jarred Vanderbilt all over the game and now for the Wildcats well Dan there's an excellent excellent view of the back flow of pressure to comes once you beat the pressure it still comes from behind you they can back tip the ball and left it away for a tournament the point was made today that Kentucky playing South Carolina recently although they lost the game saw a similar kind of physical intense defense is South Carolina's defense comparable to Western only in the halfcourt West Virginia brings it full court for 94 feet and after they score they can put somebody on the ball and they bring the heat and what West Virginia does is they make the simple things that you take for granted difficult inbounding the ball is difficult making an entry pass is difficult and that could wear you down physically and mentally so in the second half they can really get into your legs get into sugar flakes and then get into your bench and a fairly deep team see there's another turnover again the point you make about depth really what West Virginia says to its opponent we think our 10 is better than your 10 your five may be better than our first five 10 is better than your 10 and the point you bet it's not just wearing you down physically it's wearing you down mentally as well part of the game plan for the Mountaineers chartered such a tremendous talented defensive player the reigning big 12 Defensive Player of the Year misses the jumper [Applause] and he's got all four Kentucky one of West Virginia's problems on the offensive end is shot selection you take a bad one you cannot defend the run out and that's exactly what West Virginia gave up there by taking a challenge shot if the shot is a hard one it bounces out toward half-court like that that was basically an outlet pass for Kentucky Lamont West Poston can't finish adapted the rebound Gabriel he's been a tremendous source of energy off the bench to the past it starts the break and finishes again really good answer by this young Kentucky team a little bit of Defense and they get to run outs you take a pad or a rough shot it's an outlet pass and Kentucky gets easy baskets as a result you know what dad you got to work pretty hard to get these easy baskets that's the way it works [Music] ESP and exclusive presentation of college basketball is presented by AT&T and in part by TD Ameritrade welcome back to bored in town where the Mountaineers have an early lead on Kentucky a part of the big 12 sec challenge Kentucky and West Virginia have met 20 previous times with a Wildcats winning 15 of the 20 but as we mentioned kentucky sun ranked for the first time since 2014 West Virginia's ranked seventh they were high as number two couple of weeks ago Kentucky can be turnover prone and of course West Virginia turns you over about as much as anybody in the country and it's a very very young Kentucky team hostesses specifically here for the backcourt very experienced backboard for the Mountaineers the top six scores for Kentucky are freshmen and again that backboard of Carter and Myles 247 games to find for the two of them coming into this game tonight little experience difference with the two Peck courts but again over the last four games West Virginia has struggled on the offensive end only averaging about 74 points over that four game stretch shooting under 40% as a team a good number of the Mountaineers that have been having good offensive years have really struggled especially Lamont West is one of them Daxter miles has been struggling over the last four games beetle Bolden will have to pick it up on the offensive end or over their defense to be better through the bowl over the ball right now at the point sophomore out of Covington Kentucky their slice cuts straight for the screener is some odd active position to the post if he tells ball to reverse the ball I can't get open golden says hey maybe I'll just stop the long jump forty-three of his sixty-six shots now on the Caesar 66 field goals I should say are three-point shots you have got to make him get inside that line what a green ought to sacha killeya-jones and he becomes the first wildcat other than Devon Knox to score this game really nice got like bought a green of breaking that pressure in attacking you have to attack pressure at the point that it's applied Abadi missed the first 16 games of the season NCAA eligibility issues now his fifth game since coming back at 18 and 15 in the first two games it has peeled off to the last tree straight drive it'll finish for comedy Diallo West Virginia is giving up layups defense has been thwarted and all of a sudden a great pass ahead by quite a green and green just got back off a backstreet last two games it has been a tough recovery but he has played very well early on off the bench on this one and the Ottawa ties he see a more of a non-conference part of the season was a huge offensive weapon for Kentucky has cooled off a little bit in general in conference play they could really use some double digit scoring from be out on a regular basis this free-throw by Jarrett and adult [Applause] hundred miles back into the backcourt now for the Mountaineers really important for Kentucky to stay in front of the ball this is not a great perimeter shooting team West Virginia harder with the bold and their two best outside shooters knocked away by green and then he is fouled so quite a greens had a real impact on these games suits coming in off the bench and after the turnover not a bad foul there by Javon Parker because that would have been a layup for Kentucky on the pass ahead by quite a green had he not been fouled this loose with the ball here that's knocked away by Green because it was shown to him by Javon Carter Kentucky spent a lot of time it shoot around today just working on how to get over that bounce drive lane keeping the dribble alive and alcohol for a double dribble you'll nothin a Lipari said his young cats is going to go one or two ends they're gonna learn how to get open they're gonna catch the ball strong with two hands so they're going to be strong with the ball once they get it or they're gonna be in real trouble given well you have to catch face the defense not catching dribble catching dribble turns into a turnover but if you catch you're strong you face the defense then you can see what's in front of you and make it play stay vote on a former coach at Wake Forest in South Carolina all the time preach passing and catching how important it was cannot say with a shot Jake got in the air I know what Gabriel would leave his feet better if Saugatuck cannot say decides to take that shot that's a win for you defensible Kentucky doing a better job dealing with the pressure to the back over the last couple of minutes but now Vanderbilt turns it over in a front for Carter asking for a ball screen and I say started up now Carter hands it off to miles then they run a lot through Connaught a at the top of the team misses the long jumper without life knocks rejected by cutouts a nut swatch a goaltending ball but it's a tween blob that is a pretty good eraser to have it into that pencil pendant if looked like got it just before once it hits the backboard you have to leave it alone it was simultaneous that's a big-time big-time shot blocker there and it's not like he's seven feet tall he is just so quick and explosive off the floor and I say 6th in the country and blocks better than three per games you'll just Alexander baseline jumper and it's a one-point game it goes out of the game it means that Kentucky needs to attack the rim Kentucky appears to have weathered a strong early storm here for the Mountaineers Padgett turnovers in threes early for West Virginia but now it's back to a one-point game buddy Allen a good score good post player and the foul called on sacha killeya-jones to take us to the other 12 media timeout when we come back Jay Bilas going 94 feet kinda-sorta with Bob Huggins that's better than the Hall of Fame [Music] Bob Huggins was born right here in Morgantown West Virginia was a terrific player here for the Mountaineers of the mid 70s and then took a job as a grad assistant in 1977-78 coach did Walsh Akron great run at Cincinnati one year at k-state now in his 11th season back there at his alma mater but of Oregon chatter the Final Four appearance for the Mountaineers back in 2010 spent some time with Jay Bilas earlier today 94 feet with West Virginia's Bob Huggins what was your first car a GTO what you pay for not very much what are you driving now Cadillac Escalade who would you say is your best friend in cocaine probably cow how about the biggest influence in your coaching life on my dad if you weren't coaching and had to do something outside of sports what would you do be a lawyer who turn to broadcasting that wouldn't work at all what is this okay we're going we're gonna do that we're gonna do the rest of them here what do you do for phones Bob Huggins do for fun fish what's the biggest fish you've got a really big fish I got a five and a half pound ground top one place you could go on vacation what would it be Florida 70 feet one of the all-time great guys Bob Huggins obviously a great coach he's had a magnificent career I know he likes to come across as gruff at times but you are not going to find a better guy and the people here at West Virginia I know it's his home state went to college here they absolutely love him and he's out on he he goes out of people see him at IHOP and stops he's got time for everybody everybody yep Calipari terrific friends have it for many many years in a coach cow it looks like is as we mentioned a little bit earlier as the guys Maurice or the guys mention her it looks like he was kind of honoring the Bob Huggins with his dress code here tonight Maria's got that loco chuggins was saying in his huddle that the biggest question mark right now is whether or not they actually want to play transition defense he was getting after his team and challenging them to get back and asking whether or not they're too tired to play he'll rotate them out listen if they need to go the bench is there for a reason by the way they changed the Bouldin shot from the cheetah with three now 1613 West Virginia miss pross Porter look Diallo though turns it over and that is the sixth turnover committed by Kentucky so they were to pace return it over almost 30 times you don't win when you turn it over that many times needless to say well in the half court Kentucky has not been able to find much and Maria Taylor is exactly right it's been transitioned where Kentucky has had success by laying it in and playing ahead of the West Virginia defensive it's five on five it's been all West Virginia Bouldin nice entry rejected though by PJ Washington still West Virginia ball that's one with an angle where he so mod has to score get fouled or Bowl he's Ahmad has the biggest hands easily on the floor it's amazing how big his handle long three with a shot clock running down out there for miles offensive rebound Ahmad couldn't put it back in and it's Kentucky ball weight blank opportunity Southwest Virginia milk oh wow Gill juice Alexander called to the offensive huh [Music] [Applause] we talked a little bit about Esau mod and the size of his hands I'm not running for president or anything but I've got some big hands and after we show this charge that we're going to take a look at the size of size of these hands with the games back going again well show it a little bit later very impressive the ball crusher by stringing on Bulldog and West after setting the screen didn't get turned around in time to receive the bats look at the size of those things it's unbelievable Bob Huggins said he can palm a ball on a bounce pass you can just receive a bounce pass with one hand and just palm it right away no he's talking about popping one of those big balls that they use the the big basketball that that you use for shooting drills a lot of guys can palma no palm a ball just off the dribbler off the bounce pass but that the really big basketball he Samad composites how big those mitts arms and another turnover stepson gilja's Alexander big Monday doubleheader here on espn2 features Notre Dame at Cameron Indoor Stadium to take on a Duke Duke beat at home by Virginia earlier today in a two-point game that a big 12 matchup Kansas and Kansas State sunflowers showdown in state quietly having a very good season both games are also available on the ESPN app the big 12 standings Kansas is on top and then for programs Texas Tech West Virginia a state at Oklahoma all juiced the game back with one week from tonight we'll be down at Austin for a big 12 game day game will see Trey young and Oklahoma take it on the Longhorns West Virginia almost gave up another transition basket BJ Washington just overthrowing her would have another layup Allen inside miles off the glass endure we are perplexed have to get into that inside Oh you really have to jump to the ball against West Virginia they will bury you on those cuts miss pross quarter look from green and another or travel for the last 20 turnovers have all been steps guys just early in for the Wildcats take a look at this cut on the baseline when the ball is passed along the baseline cut balls pass to the high post that's called a flex cut not very well defended no communication among the freshman in this difficult environment and they give up a layup to a team that has been struggling shooting with all the turnovers that Kentucky's had in this first half Dan West Virginia should be up even more than they're saluting Kentucky turns it over on the season about 19 20 percent of the time which is high they turned it over ten times in twenty two possessions tonight it's about a 45 percent clip as you mentioned they are very fortunate to be down only five well Bob Huggins is a very smart coach when something works he goes back to it unless you can take it away ran that same baseline flexed up to get a post ISO on the right side and got it again Daxter miles just a six or card but an excellent post players a guard here's the cut near side on the right just going right by and Nick Richards just not alert to that play needs to step in front and communicate so his teammate can catch up or maybe switch through the allergist picked up his second foul for Kentucky so he's gone to the bench and Shea Gill Josh Alexander back in the game anytime that the ball goes through the net whether off of a field goal or a free throw full-court pressure pressure on the ball face guarding and now a trap miss Virginia wants to get you playing at a pace that you don't practice and they have to make individual plays instead of team plays laughs the glass a good tough drive for gilja's in Alexander who seems to find a way we talked about it last week when we saw it Kentucky he's not a burger but he gets where he needs to go he's just a really good player he's been their best player I think over the last month he's one of those dive down talked about it before he didn't break out on the offensive end with an offensive performance he was a breakout player because of his defense knocks wow what a finish man kentucky is totally burning West Virginia transition off of missed shot the outlet is easy and they are getting to the rim in an easy fashion it's remarkable with all these turnovers that Kentucky is within a bucket remarkable right now unofficially faster eight points eight nothing in favor of Kentucky now we got a foul underneath [Applause] penny has got to be tumblr they're hit wide-open shot his game dogs liquor and finish that what a play by Kevin Knox here to get that past Javon Carter and into the bucket of joe is not an easy play second foul on Nick Richards so a pair of Wildcats now with two facets to the bench the line is Teddy Allen the freshman from Mesa Arizona who was puttin up some big numbers for West Virginia at the outset of conference play was their leading scorer in each of their first three conference games and then he kind of got to the wrong side of coach hugginson attitude and as Bob Huggins told us it's hard to listen when you're talking all the time is what Bob Huggins said of Allen and you sat him down for a couple of games didn't play him at all for a couple of games about ten days ago I'm sorry what boy sport Welton well they call him Teddy buckets of the Boys Town High School in the brown they would time you to back in Boystown Washington and should holler that Kentucky started to play with one rhythm and they're not being knocked back by the pressure of West Virginia and a lot of that is because West Virginia's offense has not been efficient kentucky has to feel like they've really weathered the storm and instead of wondering about getting punched now they're looking to punch it out shot clock at seven Carter gets the switch its around Washington too strong but the followers their fourth birthday when sacha killeya-jones came over to block that shot that opened up the offensive class-4 sack of a cannot a timeout on the floor three-point lead West Virginia where do we come back a preview of our Saturday primetime game next week one week from tonight house Saturday primetime matchup features Trey young and Oklahoma and all the Longhorns down in Austin 6:15 eastern time 550 local one week from today Oklahoma was beat today by Alabama 72-63 of the big 12 SUV challenge Texas with a random over Ole Miss how do you feel about the way young you know may have responded to some criticism about a week ago about shooting too often too the way he's played the last couple of games I'm not sure he was too worried about the criticism I think it's more what his coach Lon Kruger wants him to do and he's doing a much better job of picking his spots and as a result I think he's been much more efficient his team certainly was efficient at beating Kansas but this is a great young player and the closest thing we've seen to step in curry since stuff inherent but right now Dan in this game Kentucky is shooting 60% from the field they are 9 of 15 but all of it is come in transition a kentucky really hasn't gotten much at all in the half court they've turned the ball over 10 times and west virginia scored 11 points off those 10 turnovers you have to feel like even though kentucky has been efficient when they've got the ball to the rim west virginia has to feel like they've got to be up a lot more in this game and they haven't taken advantage of opportunities they've had berries blamed Otis Alexander and greens together more than I want both of his primary ball handlers out there because of all this pressure vanderbilt given a bit of a hip check there by Wesley Harris who's called for the foul I think you're battling gives another ball handler passer a guy that can throw a head and at his size he can see over defenders not a great shooter but a very skilled player now back getting healthy second on Harris he goes to the bench [Music] [Applause] nearly turned over we cannot say arguing that that should have been steps on Kalia Jones Vanderbilt the lefty with the floaters short got it back goes up again rejected by cut on a vegetable cannot they can erase an opportunity and start your own he just measured that shot by Vanderbilt and went up and got out of the air I mean harkens back it looks kind of like Sidney wicks blocking shots against artis Gilmore in the final million years ago wide open three for Childress Alexander Vanderbilt is fouled smart play by Jarrett Vanderbilt to use the up fake and get cannot date into the air watch this block he just measured it and took it right out of the air but kept it in play and that started a fast break for West Virginia it's been West Virginia that's been watching Kentucky lay it in in transition but West Virginia getting a little of its own in its own building horth came back for vanderbilt after missing the first half of the season with a leg injury what have you seen from him and what are the cats need from him in the next couple of months well they need him to get into basketball shape and slowly he is could be out that long and not be on the floor it takes you a little while at against South Carolina he had six points five rebounds against Mississippi State at a couple of couple of points but struggled but he's a good player or that's a tough sequence there for Gabriel I think the fouls on him and it is he had the offensive rebound great energy to get the ball and lost it slipped to the floor and then committed a foul in the aftermath knocks it Washington check in for the wild [Applause] why do you not throw it out is what John Calipari saying after you had the ball I don't know that Gabriel really had control of it but the sophomore he's been up as we mentioned earlier a real spark a real positive source of energy for this Kentucky team this year and I'll tell you the answer that Cal questioned lightning and throw it out I'll tell you what I would have said because I grabbed it it's mine but he didn't have it for long and a lot of people who play West Virginia say I had it and then all of a sudden it was gone six point lead now for the Mountaineers his West will head back to the bench [Applause] Lamont West has been struggling with his shot he couldn't miss earlier in the season 8:32 freeze on the year at the last four games seven of 25 in the field that's get it over [Applause] to the feast or famine they're shooting well when they manage to get a shot off but they turned it over so much they find themselves down by six Carter is fouled and more free-throws coming now for the Mountaineers he looked like a running back and then again through a hole in a line there this is one strong thrown man out on the floor J's you know not a big recruit as much of a baseball player in high school as he was a basketball player he's turned into one of the best defensive players in the country and he's part of the 25-man Wooden Award Vince Cecil a show he is he's getting recognition now for the kind of career that he's had with the Mountaineers let's get more from her via Taylor and Dan Javon told me earlier that he didn't even like playing defense necessarily in high school though when he got here Bob Huggins said he had to play defense so that's what he learned have an art to the steel and worked really hard and now he says he tries to push past the point of exhaustion every single day in practice so that they can perform now during games it's amazing to have one guy on the team averaging better than three blocks per game and conoce speak to the devil and another guy on the team averaging better than three steals per game in tonight things like a middle blocker and volleyball watch that with two hands unbelievable Gabriel gets an open look that knock down the three a great walk out by cannot they are Kevin Knox [Applause] murdered nearly turns it over gets you back now launches a three why not [Applause] West Virginia got away with a bad offensive possession that Jevon Carter bail D'Amato nobody was moving at all feels like a dangerous time right now for the cats to lead out to 11 and the pressure continues to take its toll now that a with one with both hands look like a volleyball player going up to block a spike back in the old days I was like Steve Timmons look at you I know my volleyball that's a big-time play just lead to leads to the offense but Carter on the other end after what was not a good offensive possession in the half court the line was bails him out a great shot at the end of a poor possession that's always better than a lousy shot at the end of the great was that's true the notch a extends the lead to a dozen but every team knows when they're getting themselves into when they play West Virginia especially here it's going to be perhaps a little bit intimidating knowing you can't simulate John Calipari said we put on football pads we can put nine guys on the other team on the scout team in the practice but there is absolutely no way for these guys to know what they're getting themselves into until they get themselves into so especially with this crowd I mean the people of West Virginia are wonderful people until the opening tap interface yellow tipped away still Kentucky ball yellow again mana fading away from the budget Vanderbilt with another offensive rebound but tonight a with another block his first of the night already and for good measure gilja's alexander rings one up at the other end boy shot fake and drive shop fake and drive that was absolutely shocked when that shot got blocked on the other hand [Applause] [Music] vandergelder's got some point guard skills who point forward if you will he's getting the chance to handle [Applause] was he called for the fence but even though but even though it was a foul that sends a message if you come in here you are to deal with me and it looked like he went straight out there was body contact but he went well maybe he went into him a little bit but I'm not a big fan of that call because it was clean up [Applause] but even though it was a foul I think that's a great message sending way by sack of a cannot a that I am here they have two players who did alter the course of a game at the defensive end alone then I'd say still shaking that was the second on cannot 86 it was a media timeout coming up and Kentucky needs it but this last four minutes of the first half is a crucial time for Kentucky now back into 2-3 zone the Wildcats they're gonna have to rebound out of this if this could get away from Kentucky that's got to be a good important period [Applause] we're going on to his defense who had a pretty nice job in the offensive and tonight it's gonna make Bob Huggins feel good we see a couple shots go down because Westbrook Union has not been shooting well at all need to get tighter back not short on the three knocks gets it back playing aggressively dadada he draws the foul it's all ears right now seventeen on Kentucky let's go back to the studio get an update the Chowdhury Dan update for you on the PAC 12 matchup Arizona and Utah second half you saw on wrist itch part of a career-high 23 for him that three helping Arizona's cause however Utah in the closing seconds of chance Donny Tillman no Arizona survives will be back to Morgantown after this timeout [Music] now it's great place here Morgantown West Virginia the game-day guys having a fun before the show during the show after the show lots of laughs lots great in full and energy this morning and we'll hear more from Reese J will coach [Applause] Kentucky earlier earlier and I keep seeing coach Cal saying slow it down guys slow it down we'll see what they do here gets about halftime no guys all right Maria bang you got to get Jay will credit he could have taken the easy way out this is a rabid fan base he could he could reveal to West Virginia Jersey just because but he picked Kentucky too with his hand this one knocks at the line he has been the best Wildcat in this game that breaks quite at drought we had talked about Kentucky shooting 60% from the field a little bit earlier that is down now after missing what they're not last nine shots not a 39% at 11 turnovers of the first half for Kentucky [Applause] like West Virginia mango the rest of the half without but not saying he's on the bench with a couple of vowels Kentucky dealing with a little bit of foul trouble as well Carter having a huge first half of the Mountaineers and it's going to get a little bit bigger get into that inside triangle hit the high post martyr couldn't make the shot just turn the corner to get something easy 18 now for Carter [Applause] [Music] about partners have he's on track to be the all-time winningest Mountaineer the day Shawn Butler's year I believe holds the record right now at 107 wins and it's 95 in the county a lot of great players a lot of big-time winners here at West Virginia LaVon Carter the reigning big 12 Defensive Player of the Year three times all defensive team a frequent flyer miles we're going to play West Virginia in a big 12 the road trips that the Mountaineers take are incredibly long it's it's really amazing how many miles this team blocked they're the closest conference opponent is about 860 miles away that's Iowa State 860 miles away plus they went to Ramstein they went to Germany back in November when they lost to Texas A&M there are no yeah I don't think Ramstein is gonna make it into the big 12 although they petition for conference real light us now going against the Mountaineers it's a great great basketball league but it's it's it's a difficult thing from a travel perspective for West Virginia don't find them complaining about it very much like a lot of big time programs they've got a lot of Saturday Monday turnarounds that sort of thing they come into this game haven't lost three of their last four in spite of that you still think this can be one of the very best teams in the country so it is one of the best teams in the country with the way this team guards the only caveat to that is it's prone to some droughts on the offensive end and the last four game stretches proving that with the Mountaineer shooting under 40% that stretch but defense is always going to keep the Mountaineers in it I'll tell you what how impressive was Virginia today and came out of our stadium to come away with a win he scored 65 points and one in camera and the first time since 1973 that both Duke and North Carolina lost at home on the same day until hard-to-staff lost Carolina losing in overtime to NC State how about the Wolfpack with the quality of wins Kevin pizzas team is put together they now beat Arizona Duke in North Carolina this year also consum yeah NC State is making a great case it's Bern NC double-a tournament bid as long as they stay on this track Wolfpack is gonna get in Kevin keeps has done a magnificent job with that team they've got Markel brown back Virginia has proven to be one of the three or four best teams in the country could argue for number one now that Phil booth is injured at Villanova they're tied to Rome hit age the monstrous three near the end of the game great pass fake looked away the defender and then it was pretty close to a dagger when the last minute or so of the game of the camera that Virginia team not not everybody loves to watch their style because it's very methodical and slow pace but if you don't respect the heck out of them for what they're doing really a close end to the floor and what Tony Bennett's program has been in the last few years I mean they're just you're one of the elite programs in the country there's no other way to say bye nice job by quad a green to make himself available after the run and jump and he was aggressive looking for his shot he's had some nice moments of his act [Applause] started being guarded by knocks on his trip but struggling long choose not therefore quarter bender runs it down picks it up they got a fresh 30 that's really deflating when you're on the road you played 25 seconds of really good defense force a tough shot now all the sudden you got to play 25 more seconds of defense hold it with a floater and it goes Peter Bolduc a fallen beetle because you've informed prematurely and was so small he could fit in the palm of your hand it was his grandmother who gave him the nickname says beetles are small and strong and she believed her grandson would be as well and has proven to be every bit of that another agree Kevin Knox he has 15 points in the first half here for the Wildcat Knox and quad a green are keeping Kentucky in it this could have gotten away from the Wildcats in the last four minutes they took some they took some haymakers but still right now within 12 and that hate to say that's a win for Kentucky but right now staying within striking distance Sports Center tonight coming up at 11 o'clock eastern time here on ESPN Johnny and evident Connors they'll have a breakdown of the Celtics warriors game tonight also tiger woods Blaine is first Saturday on tour and about two and a half years of the top moments for the day in college hoops including the big 12 SEC challenge if you're watching SportsCenter later pretty sure you're gonna see some Javon Carter highlights that's been moving day for a Javon Carter the senior he has 18 points in the first half with three assists he's forced a number of turnovers and has made some plays saved this bad offensive possession with a great shot toward the end of a block being the inbound guys stepping in and being ready to shoot Devon Carter has proven to be one of the best winners in the country in of a handful of the nation's best defenders I'll tell you you tell you who I put up with Javon Carter's an on shot blocking defender would be Isaiah Wilkins at Virginia tip like Wilkins is a great defender not just on the ball but what he does as a help side defender always in position he's a great defender good d there by the Wildcats they get a tie-up but the arrow will keep it West Virginia ball [Applause] it'll be Bolden to inbound for the Mountaineers who have led by as many as 17 in this game green deflects it away but it's West Virginia ball 10 on the shot clock Carter splits a couple of defenders [Applause] they made something out of nothing right there didn't they not pretty but it was awfully pretty at the end the possession itself wasn't pretty at all bill juice Alexander no West Virginia pressure getting to Kentucky and the poor signal 11 first half turnovers Mountaineers by 15 Maria Taylor's with Bob Huggins coach of course Kentucky and the largest deficit they face this season what has worked for your team in the first half all right I think we got him sped up a little bit we finally made some shots Devon Carter made a lot of shots we've got 18 in the first how do you keep that rhythm going early we made some finally they made some and they did especially Sivan Carter goes back to the drawing board in half time for the youthful cats West Virginia 48 Kentucky 33 we'll send it to the Alfa Romeo halftime report with Rhys Jay and self after these messages [Music] and you can see the expressionist with pained expression to the face of John Calipari his cancer down by 15 welcome back to the big 12 SEC challenge this is the last game of the 10 game challenge that's been going on all day and into the evening at a big 12 and SEC venues and it's been very competitive it's for poor right now Arkansas leads Oklahoma State late by one at West Virginia up by 15 welcome back to the Coliseum here in Morgantown always a great place to see a basketball game to actual the jegos hope you're enjoying it as well some keys to the first half what was the difference for West Virginia well the difference was West Virginia shot the ball really well they went 7 of 12 from three-point range they knocked down nine of their 12 free throws and they really did a good job most of the half defensively except in transition they allowed Kentucky to get out and get some easy baskets in the full court otherwise it was a it was all West Virginia in that first half you have to give Dan Kentucky some credit because they hung in there the fact that it's just a 12-point game at halftime when this could have gotten away from these young Wildcats especially in this atmosphere now Kentucky is still within striking distance with some thoughts from the Kentucky side here's Maria tale dan those 11 turnovers matches the most turnovers that Kentucky had in the first half all season and John Calipari says he told his team he doesn't mind the forced turnovers he doesn't mind a steal it's the unforced that he's seen from his young freshmen so that's the focus that they have coming into this second to call a turnover right out of the chute to Maria's point here to start the second half and you would call that unforced and again these the simple made difficult oftentimes you are not worried coming out of halftime about inbounding the ball but West Virginia makes the very simple and the things you take for granted really really difficult Jay what is the common thread with these West Virginia players Bob Huggins does not get one and doug's and McDonald all-americans your top 10 recruits what is he looking for when he goes out of the recruiting trail with his style guys that are gonna play hard I mean he's looking for talent like anybody else but he wants guys that are gonna play hard be unselfish and that are gonna buy into playing defense and rebounding and these guys do it and you could argue they do out of fear all that stuff I don't believe that's what it is I think they do it because they're coached to do it there are very together group and they play hard for 40 minutes now offensively has been the only challenge is not a great offensive team but defensively they are a difficult team to play against damn to mark on your calendar three weeks from today West Virginia is Kansas and Kansas right now again the leaders of the big 12 try to make it 14 consecutive conference titles West Virginia may have sucked at the same got the switch up top on the ball screen then the world sangguk can obtain was wide open but instead it goes to Wesley Harris because PJ Washington had to pick up cannot see on the wall not allowed Harris to get the ball inside for the easy bucket apparently they've been lifting here there's the ballade junior college transfer the Jackson of Mississippi and Harris started because of the suspension of the first half of the season to Esau by I do that strongman thing after I make my Starbucks our Jeremiah half-caf latte as soon as I make the order and walking away for as that's what I do we get after somebody makes the Starbucks order right here well that's that too I think you want to show up shot clock at five knocks at a big first half for Kentucky rounded out of the jumper Gabriel runs down the offensive rebound and gets fouled on his way back to the rim that's not a foul because cannot they went straight off did wenyen gabriel credit he went into the body of cannot I think they gave it to Harris did they have no air is from behind there don't say that but still a good job when you gave really get the foul that's actually a point Dan that that when you're playing defenses you've got saga but cannot say behind you give him the chance to block the shot you don't want to foul didn't look like much but but he got the call third on Harris [Applause] Kentucky's we mention off the top of the show on ranked for the first time in four years they've lost three of their last six West Virginia comes in having lost three of their last four yet they are still seventh in the country of the spot for oh yeah that's a senior Daxter miles do about I'm not sure whether the referee told him it was a spot that shouldn't have to tell him falling out of bounds he knows that there's turnover committed to the last 13 minutes by West Virginia the second the number two ranked eejit at the Mountaineers had recently was their highest since the logo played for them since the late fifties when Jerry West was here at Morgantown they were number two and at times number one that season as well and in fact West Virginia was so good they got invited to a very prestigious tournament back in the late fifties called the Kentucky Invitational Tournament where Adolph Rupp would invite three programs in a two semies of the final West Virginia got the button three years ago actually beat the chutneys the first year got invited back and lost to them the next two years he is to hire the officials to that's our hometown call what a player there's both hands to the floor with especially on this end where he can change the tenor of the game with his pressure and it's relentless basically plays 40 minutes Bob Harkins rarely takes him out tipped away by Ahmad recovered by Knox Gabriel quarter three and a terrific rebound by cannot say good luck taking anything away from him that he wants here's the guy that's got to get going for West Virginia's he's alive so not take banks at home get the dirted both heads he is having quite a game and he is a game-changing player with his shot-blocking rebounding and his ability to finish inside just a sophomore 6-8 to 60 Gabriel often docks and a good look at a 3/4 Kevin Knox who now has 18 for the wild pass that's just too long to rotate I don't know why you want to leave the corner shooter to rotate up to the top that's how that's an awfully long trip and then who's going to rotate over like Kevin Knox you didn't get that much time to shoot the horse can all screen of i/os carter's scoops it up no good still loose at a Kentucky Bowl great pass ahead Diallo is fouled by West and it's going to be called a flagrant one which could be excessive contact or defender not making a play on the ball and that means two shots and the ball now for the Wildcats anytime you do this from behind and grab a guy from behind that was not a play on the ball but that was all made by a great pass ahead by quad a green white a green has had some really nice plays in this game coming off the bench this goes back to form after missing three games with a back injury it's an MBA Sunday special for you on ESPN tomorrow at six o'clock eastern sizes Sixers taking on the Thunder also streaming live on the ESPN app well that was a big play in this game Dan because if Kentucky can score here on this possession you've got a chance to get this thing under 10 for a young team to feel better about itself in this atmosphere there's a really big possession but they're gonna give it right back with an offensive foul I'm not sure about that I thought Teddy Allen was holding into stark and what's he gonna do maybe when you get he'll coming off the screen I couldn't see that again but I did not agree with that I don't think the referees are gonna listen though Calipari that bill I'm not gonna listen to you in my experience guess that way too strong off the glass and it's out of bounds to the Wildcats to take us to the other 16 media timeout John Calipari work in the officials West Virginia with a double-digit lead here at Morgantown a more great college hoops action company away money is the big Monday doubleheader firstly an ACC game week Monday through presented by Joseph a bank it'll be Duke and a Notre Dame in the early game and then Kansas and Kansas State always an entertaining matchup here the second game both games also available on the app and what's at stake in the k UK state game well look at the big 12 standings that'll tell you what's at stake it again every year we talk about is this the year that somebody dethrones Kansas nearing the midway point of the conference season there a game up on the crowd here's that last out-of-bounds play where an offensive foul was called on Kevin Knox number 5 now watch he's being grabbed here by Teddy Allen and then the referees called an offensive foul on Kevin Knox which is hard to imagine that you could miss a call that badly there's no way that an offensive player coming off a a double screen on an out-of-bounds play is going to grab his defender every once in a while the referees miss one but they shouldn't miss that one this is one of the things that opposing coaches talk about sometimes with respect to West Virginia is the other great defensively in their physical and intense and so forth but there some people some coaches feel you know they're fouling on almost every possession that there's holding and grabbing and then you've got a choice to make you just try to ignore it or you respond to it and hold the ground as well and then are they gonna call everything from meanwhile we've got an injured about near was come out they even went up trying to block that shot he goes after every block and sometimes there's gonna be a physical confrontation but knives did a great job they're going right into his chest to pick up that foul it's just the best you've seen Doc's play this year he has been really strong in this game he's at some really good game so Kevin Knox has been a really good player but a little bit of a struggle playing around so many freshmen and consistency it has been an issue for this Kentucky team but they are getting better and he certainly has it's especially last several games Yesi i don't know how that was called a foul honestly eight the referees always talk about principle of verticality he went straight up what's he supposed to do that they tell you that you have the space from the floor up to the ceiling as long as you go straight up and clearly that's not third on the Nazi and grimacing a little bit he did walk to the bench out of his own power Kentucky's got it down to ten West Virginia has led by as many as 17 when Kentucky's been hanging in there if this is where the inefficiency on the offensive end for West Virginia can catch up to a whole bit like the ball is sticking right now there's really not movement from side to side very little player movement so the defense isn't moving Ahmad back down to Gabriel but he turns it over it's not very good offensive execution for West Virginia usually a team that they run a lot of different sets they probably got about 60 or 70 sets on their play card including some five out motion that usually gets a lot of movement and makes the defense moving but in the second half the defense has been a little bit stagnant as far as movements concerned with the gilja's Alexander trying to swat away the arm of Carter every time Carter gets close to it now it kind of forces Ahmad into a file swatting man arm away is goodbye gilja's Alexander because it won it points out to the official that you may be at times being held that was really smart to get low and get right into the hip for the hedge defender assume odd to pick up that foul in a quiet night for a mod guys you mentioned they need more from him but back after being suspended the first 16 games of the season he's just been quiet period since he got back such a good player but has not played his best to last four games the knocks down a three terrific dropkick by Gil juice Alexander and it's a seven-point game right now Kentucky's having some fun I used to have a baseball coach so having fun is doing hard things well and right now the Wildcats are doing a really hard thing well they are handling the pressure of West Virginia in West Virginia tea time nears let's get an update again John prickly back in the studio all right Dan big 12 sec challenge Oklahoma State Arkansas going down the wire Arkansas taking the lead on a den of gaffer Tippin meanwhile Oklahoma State had their chances but they struggled mightily down the stretch went without a field goal in their final 732 Arkansas wins it those will be back after this timeout this is the twelfth all-time matchup between Bob Huggins John Calipari the first one came back in 1993 25 years ago against Cincinnati Bearcats defeated John Calipari UMass Minutemen 64 253 in coach Huggins has an 8-3 lead on his good buddy coach calipari they've actually known each other since back in the 70s there was a player by the name of Joe frizz who played with pal in high school then played with Huggins in West Virginia and they've been good friends ever since the guy on the left is in the Hall of Fame the guy the rights nominated this year and whether it's this year or soon thereafter though Chuck it's will be enshrined at the Hall of Fame as well Priya Taylor as well though Bob Huggins was very heated in his last huddle you know yesterday he actually sent his entire team back in the locker room because they weren't executing on offense that's all he was focusing on in the huddle getting after Javon Carter's taking two dribbles and then just throwing it up and it's a bad shot he wants him to run the offense now guys all right Maria thank you it's a tanto run the for Kentucky to make it a seven point game and the shot clock running down again Carter's no partner again looks like he had a pretty good look decided not to take it and now Richards got a piece of it Ahmad can't finish but it's knocked it by bender work and play and West Virginia gets something out of it at the end still wasn't well executed but West Virginia just played so hard throughout the possession 1-3-1 zone now against maybe just dusted this off to remind John Calipari about the 2010 Elite Eight in Syracuse notes again he's got 23 points and his keeping Kentucky in it that's why he didn't see in 2010 in Syracuse versus 3-point shots being made by Kentucky against that 131 the last two games knocks his 42 points at his 8 for 10 for three-point range Gabriel stays down on the shot fake by the 5 and it's Kentucky ball with a chance to get even closer for Wesley Harris as nots with a lean look could knock down this one but he runs down the rebound long rebound West Virginia's transition defense against struggle each minute lacks Richards inside gilja's Alexander with the assist against that 131 it's very small on the back line with parlour and not quite as long and that was a bullet pass to Richard's along the baseline [Applause] parlour for three [Applause] foul ball Don Harris and he's pleading his case with the official comparison saying that max just kind of fell here what a fantastic catch and shoot by Kevin Knox and Gill juice Alexander another one-handed bullet to nick Richards with a nice finish over Harlow fourth on Harris meanwhile Karachi has the turnout for the Mountaineers what a green from the corner by Knox when West Virginia has not rebounded out of this 131 the cars are open because of the distance that parlor has to run great ought to get e grill nuts again for tonight he is handling and it's a two-point game what a comeback by Kentucky just hang in there with so many young players in this environment to get this back to a one-possession game who would have imagined Bob Huggins will use another time up give Kentucky a lot of credit from 17 down to 2 in a hostile environment here in Morgantown with a long way to go in this one [Music] ESPN's exclusive presentation of college basketball is brought to you by Travelocity wander wisely welcome back let's take a look now at on the road presented by Travelocity if you know it's a tough ticket with even the know is looking to get in anyway can fortunately he knows he knows people the Nome has people reefs being one of his people backed on the dome into the Coliseum for this game here tonight is tough a ticket is there has been in many many years to look at on the road presented it by Travelocity it's tough winning in this environment and especially so since the Mountaineers have it coached by Bob Huggins this is uh and I know you're gonna say you don't need to say the word pretty in front of unique but this is a pretty unique environment you know damn if it's unique it's just you and thank you for saving me it's a it's a special place it's a very interesting place they are fiercely proud of their basketball program of the history I mean when you can say yeah whoever you got we got the logo I mean that's a good place to start Jerry west of course one of the game's legendary figures playing here back 1950s but meanwhile back into the present moment how about these young Wildcats getting back into the game tonight now down by only two well Kentucky is starting to fight back but from West Virginia's perspective you have to think the Bob Huggins has really disappointed in the way his team has run offense in the second half half-court offense has been really inefficient not getting the shot that they want more dribbling than passing and not very much movement Carter high arcing floater not there at Vanderbilt down with a rebound [Music] and now West Virginia back to man-to-man high ball screen trying to get some space a chance to tie or take the lead it'll be a tie on the floater by gilja's Alexander is starting everything out higher and bringing that ball screen well above the top of the key is giving Gilda's Alexander some space to attack six points four assists for Shay go chase Alexander this show there by Malia Jones cannot say we'll take the jumper and now Kentucky's got a chance to take the lead as I've also got numbers and they've got Gabriel he's strong on the three part of nice lead look Tobias and got a piece from behind is Gabriel but we got a foul after the play and Lester a nice job of trailing that play and not giving up on the play [Applause] alexander ii on gill juice Alexander one of the issues for West Virginia when the Mountaineers need a bucket to whom do they go you have a Carter right now who else is there what about Benson that's exactly the point so he Samad not playing well Lamont West not shooting well and all of a sudden it has been whitewater for beyond all the knots and the lead for the cats what a turnaround for Kentucky their first lead suits it was three to two miles dumps it off dad let's see they're gonna run velena jones just to get cannot stay away from the buckle wide open foliage o 17-footer kentucky foul underneath it looks like it's going to go against Kentucky but a really fantastic call to screen with polio Jones and by having a Pio and a fantastic finish and Kentucky has been very good in transition of beating the defense down the floor getting the easy bucket season-high 27 for Kevin Knox bull get back into the game for West Virginia launches of three and Vanderbilt with a great rebound in between a couple of West Virginia defenders right now the Kentucky players have a much different look on their faces and they had early on early on and was stunned surprised and shocked and what was coming at them and right now instead of trying to cover up to keep her if this were a fight to keep him getting punched right now Kentucky's looking to throw a haymaker itself dream bounce pass Diallo rejected follow won't stay down the Navi a low getting on the glass he's rewarded with a trip to the free-throw line and the young cats pounding the offensive glass when cannot say goes to block a shot that can open up the offensive glass and has been all blue shirts all over and a significant foul this is number four on SOG Ibaka not a the rim protector for the Mountaineers let's see where the file was either that's the indication we've been given that it's number four on cannot say and he is standing right in front of us right now and he is loud and he is angry this is at least the second foul that he's gotten tonight say that he feels he doesn't deserve I didn't see I didn't see where that foul was that just looked like guys playing basketball it's gonna be a little physical rebounds but he had inside position and got the foul called on that's a little little strain looked like actually like he got collared from behind a little bit but it goes against a man that is a huge loss for West Virginia and the officials limited defense ere this is like referee on a par 5 yeah West Virginia games is challenging probably to officiate as they honor the game plan for for the opposing coach West Virginia has scored only ten points in the second half that is way harder the gameplan for the opposing car referees do not have an opponent there's nobody guarding than the key so for making a call golden with Knox on about to Carter seven to shoot four dribbles between the legs for Carter but he can't shake the alo [Applause] [Music] [Applause] and allows you to set up the press beetle coming up baby Kentucky J turned the ball over ten times in the first 10 minutes of the game only three times since it better the 21 minutes of action this as soon as you say big shot it over trying to do something to quickly Kentucky is moving the ball and West Virginia has not been out in passing lanes they're allowing passes notice Alexander back after drinking you're right if you say it is definitely a different look in the eyes of the Kentucky players where was the first mover to sit again well it's a confident group that's looking to attack now instead of trying to cover up so they wouldn't be attacked bolded again and to whom would they turn you said to Peter Bolduc back-to-back please West Virginia back on top the aloe saves it but it's two miles although [Applause] [Music] - Chucky [Applause] ESP an exclusive presentation of college basketball is presented by AT&T welcome back to our Saturday prot game from Morgantown West Virginia great environment here at the Coliseum and a really fun game tonight between Kentucky and the Mountaineers all going out of bounds an apology Diallo couldn't see anybody in a blue shirt - throw it - just take it out of bounds for you to play five on five that was an outlet pass that was all but an assist for a layup for Daxter miles junior but I'll tell you in the second half Kentucky's 9 of 18 from the field 50% they've gone to the free-throw line eight times they've made all eight while West Virginia 38% in the second half they've only shot one free-throw didn't make it and the fact that West Virginia has only been to the line once in the second half at home shows that the West Virginia has not been as aggressive in attacking the rim and Kentucky doing a very good job of keeping them out of the lane although over the last couple of minutes it has swamped back the other way a NATO run right now for the Mountaineers a couple of threes for beatable that are there that way up for miles so Kentucky which trailed by 17 that led by four now trails by four with 756 to go knocks with 27 the lead Kentucky Carter with 22 lead West Virginia but 18 over the first half I think you want to go to Kevin Knox here being guarded by back two miles away for the ball a push on Logan route 611 sophomore from camp for the West Virginia was a quarterback in high school and a 611 foot of it I can't imagine that because Kentucky used to have a 7-foot wide receivers really cauley-stein yeah if you imagine if those two were a combo back to see you over everybody the wide receiver could jump over everybody it Richards at the line look at the bounce back from an 11-minute 0.1 rebound performance during the week against Mississippi State yeah but it was a nice rebound always the glass [Applause] a glass-half-full was pretty good depending on what's in it well rapper he told me that once to know what surprise John Calipari still do a lot of coaching out to this young team even by his standards this is the youngest group that he's ever had his veterans are sophomores that has not been a point for Kentucky scored by a senior this year an amazing an 86% of their points and 79% of their minutes the long depression five screens respray attended the West Virginia needs more movement fold it again wide right on the rebound down to Richard's see if Kentucky decides to go to Kevin Knox Gabriel gets a look at a three Richards the offensive rebound off balance he puts it up and draws the foul Kentucky has done a much better job in the second half of attacking the offensive glass while it was a goal to keep West Virginia off its offensive board Kentucky's turned the tables and as offensive rebound that against the offensive rebounding team West Virginia maybe there's just something about wearing the Polo bill salt or the pullover in here Kansas came away with a win John Calipari going with a pullover although his his long sleeve apparently he's worried about touching the chill yes we asked why apartments at the end of shoot around how many of those do you have because he there's one to every single game and a typical Wyatt concise Huggins fashion he said I've got enough to last the rest of my life that's all he needed to say it's got him into five different colors remember used to wear that yellow suit back when he's in the Big East and I think he stopped doing it when Bob Knight told him he looked like 300 pounds of butter Richards rattles home the second and let's a caseta Scalia Jones is back into the game the relationship between the two coaches runs so deep that in fact back in 2002 over Bob Huggins was on a recruiting trip in Pittsburgh John Calipari from the Pittsburgh area coach Huggins suffered a heart attack at that time it was a cousin of John Calipari who was the EMS technician as Hawkins was taken to the hospital helped save his life bowled a great shot fake gets hoping for a weak side rebound by route and a foul against the Wildcats a terrific rebound West Virginia is a such a great job of stacking the weak side with two offensive rebounders so the shot comes from beetle Bolden apt with a really good shot fake from the left side the right sides got two offensive rebounders loaded up oftentimes against one opponents just a 15 foul on Kentucky harder off the screen driving left-handed Gabriel got all of that and Gabriel plays so hard all the time his activity level gets out and makes Javon partner put it on the deck and still recovers to block the shot then blocks another pick out to Carter miles for three is the 26 percent shooter from beyond the arc on the season he's not been able to buy one especially of late so West Virginia's struggling to shoot right now and playing extended minutes without cannot say he's been on the bench for a while with four fouls miss Alexander muscles it up Gabriel with the follow big plays at both ends four legged gabriel the ball finds the most active players women Gabriel always seems to be one of the most active players on the floor ball jumping inside their problems why - give it to him elbow jumper or taking attack on second thought the second field goal the second half the decision for Bob Huggins is when does he break that back into the game Tom's driving on Fenton smart move since I had matching bender I knew that he could blow by him and did just that that was a really smart move by seven knots of knowing who was guarding him and taking advantage of it how about ten for sixteen and a season high 29 points for the freshmen okay John Calipari would sign up for that two-point lead Kentucky under five to go [Music] [Applause] the double-team carted out of the court who tried to get it out of his hands Goldin get the shot off and knocks down with a rebound a lot of the rebounds knocks he's gotten a bit out of his area to where the shot selection for West Virginia has been questionable in the second half at best so many challenged in difficult shots no surprise that Kevin Knox is not posting up Daxter miles down the switch Gabriel drive it on miles handoff Diallo long jumper well sure and West Virginia wall as we move into the last four minutes of regulation mother took five shorter-range every time what boys a lot of players getting stucked essentially having to pivot there would have made a bad pass not Javan garden diello strong drop him right into the chest around that loud ottoman pop the ball at the free-throw line his turn a really strong move by this super athletic amadou diallo in exchange is OUTFRONT being switched up until now [Applause] Carter pull up over the aloe very tough shot and it's Kentucky ball an empty possession for the Mountaineers under three minutes to Darrow where they like these match up right now for West Virginia because has been such a long stretch without a whistle Bob Huggins has been unable to make the subsidy wants being some of the starters back to the game date away grade Gabriel we can't finish it foul against Nevada beers as Kentucky getting it done on the offensive glass and trying to get a Morgantown with a win at a very tough environment [Applause] this time of year the only place in West Virginia to be sits on the banks of the Monongahela River one of the historic venues in college basketball the Coliseum [Music] for half a century this is where many great ones perfected their craft it's where legends put it all on the line and where the spirit of 1.8 million west virginians wheels you to victory that's why we never stop grinding never stop fighting and always play with that Mountaineer toughness this is West Virginia [Applause] great tradition and a ton of passion for this West Virginia basketball program they got their hands full tonight right now with Kentucky down by two with to 29th ago big Monday doubleheader here on espn2 features Notre Dame and dude from hammered enjoyed 7 o'clock Eastern Time event a big 12 matchup that's always fun Kansas City Kansas State the sunflower showdown at nine o'clock these two both games also available on the ESPN app both games with caucus implications of course let's check in with perimeter yet Nick Richards come back in for quality he wants to attack look for some more traffic coming out on defense they want to continue attack them and he said don't give up any last the offensive rebound a has been really outstanding for Kentucky 18 offensive boards on the game caravan this game seven of them offensive winning Gabriel nine boards seven nine seven Nick Richard six so the young Kentucky Wildcats have stepped into this environment and have out rebounded West Virginia so far by twelve including twenty second chance points when it looks on a few different occasions in the first half as if the young Wildcats were right on the cusp of maybe getting run out of the gym West Virginia led by 17 on a couple of different occasions to the first half we try to get word or what this with you is on it perhaps it's who the shooter should be off the foul whatever it was they got it sorted out quickly don't steal quick to me they had all the time out to the dice what a night 29 points the most scored by a Kentucky player this season and to make it an even 30 18 offensive rebounds for 20 second chance points with the ton really if it weren't for the turnovers the Kentucky has been so efficient when they haven't cost a ball up and now they're trying to put some pressure on this West Virginia team 16:5 but the turnover story is really a two-part stories were mentioned ten turnovers in the first ten minutes only five turnovers since then Kentucky's done a much better job since the first 10 minutes handling that pressure and part of it you said west when west movie 2 stops me I saw it set up the press and really I think the issue has been in large measure as a West Virginia's offense I mean they went from Oasis to desert in no time and wide Kentucky's a foul two times and put West Virginia team that's really struggled to score in the half court put them at the line now that shows a little bit of youth on the part of the Wildcats 17th I wanted one for bio 71% brief grocery he's really struggled offensively especially over the last four games for of 22 over that four-game stretch from three-point range a really denied offensively for the Mountaineers Carter's been huge especially in the first half Bouldin has 14 hit a couple of big threes earlier this half quítate has done well but other than that the offense has been a little bit sparse for the Mountaineers and huge difference in free throws in the second half Kentucky's been more aggressive than West Virginia and they have dropped a ton more free throws in the second half of the Mountaineers own two minutes to go [Applause] that's four miles still on Kevin Knox love Richards and it's out of bounds Kentucky ball with seven seconds on the shot clock it was a lot of contact as Nick Richards went up for that Wow I'm a little surprised that Kevin Knox is not taking Baxter miles down into the post it's as if West Virginia's saying do we know you like to play on the perimeter more proof prove to us that you'll go down to the block his referees talking about it's likely here they they should just go to lunch did when Richards had his hand on the ball did he perhaps get it up and graze the rim with that him too speculating here would that be a with that necessitate resetting the shock lock we will try to find out what this is about [Music] and we are told that is indeed what this review is about so it's good anion Richards did it hit the rim I get it yes it did I saw the guy grabbing around [Music] [Music] [Music] so I should be a field goal to hit the rim so are they going to put it back to 30 as they will [Music] we are told from the gang of the truck doing some great work that West Virginia Jay was able to set up the press on 21 different possessions in the first half they've only done it on four possessions to the second that's how inefficient the West Virginia offense has been she'll thresh 30 here for the cats there was a high ball screen [Applause] Bob again Richards tough cat stretch brought it down part of the kit hold up the three where to [Applause] nice weather response at the other end [Applause] in this game 53 34 points for Knox final dinner attack the basket if you can kick it out break not along offensively to the Mountaineers and away from the ball we've got a foul going against Richards of Kentucky after the strip of Richards who had the ball right underneath the basket it was taken away from him when he brought it down Javon Carter taken the ball deep and then the play behind action the lefty beetle Bouldin knocking it down off the high ball screen just a terrific pass by Shea Kilgus Alexander to Kevin Knox and John Calipari 1 and 1/4 cannot say the 74% free throw shooter on the season big mess and big rebound by the Richards just foul here do you play it out you can play it out right now and give me a chance to turn it over yo juice Alexander Richards will follow [Applause] what a tremendous followed by Nick Richards this is one of the more improbable turnarounds that I can remember for a team in Kentucky that is so painfully young top six fours all freshmen to come into this environment be down 17 and come back what a great play and nobody's stepping in front and nobody blocking out and if West Virginia goes on to lose this game one of the painful aspects of it for the Mountaineers Jay will be against Texas Tech last week at a double digit lead with 13 minutes to go and lost against Kansas here had a double-digit lead with eight minutes to go and loss to now they had a 17 point lead late in the first half year and are down by five a clock issue that the officials are checking right now the clock should have stopped after the Maine basket this being the last minute of regulation and it ran a little bit so they'll reset it 31 and 31.5 is what they put it to right now but a 20-point swing in the second half in favor of Kentucky right now West Virginia has to get the ball up court quickly I like the idea of attacking the rim and if you get the opportunity to kick it out but really what you have to do here is make sure you are guarding Beatle Bolden and Javon Carter the two most dangerous three-point shooters John Calipari will use a timeout a chance for us to show you the star of the night so far Kevin Knox Kevin Knox the freshman leading scorer for this Kentucky team from the opening tap was attacking and really got going in transition early on and once he saw the ball go through the net it has been all Kevin Knox especially in this second half he's made some really strong plays and some great perimeter shots and scored in 20 different ways he's made five threes has taken age he's taken nine two pointers making six of them and he seven or eight from the free-throw before he's really shown that that ability to score in multiple ways here tonight very assertive all night long and the last one he hit right in front of the Kentucky bench that was the backbreaker off the fabulous skip pass by Shea guilty's Alexander Kentucky wants to make this tough but not foul you don't want to stop this clock Carter the handoff 12 in he's already got five threes tonight not this time balls loose [Applause] get mastered we've got a tie up in the arrow is pointing in Kentucky's direction as the officials get in there cannot say his Steve parlors trying to keep his teammate fun but the Nazis had a frustrating night because of a couple of fouls she feels when warranted needed like something that happened down on the scrub either the bad part about this is this might be more television watching for the officials wonder if it improves ratings when they go to the monitor this much so you got a player right on top have a Judy a lows right on top of cannot day [Applause] you know I don't see how that could be called anything up to the foul on the yellow but looks like they call the tie up at least that was the initial indication right now the officials joined up their Netflix it's shame and it's something that I mean they're just know their job they're just officiated by the rule this is a rules problem officials exactly but to have you know so many reviews and so many delays in the late stages of what's better really terrific game yeah it's a flow killer and look I get it you want to get things right but it just sort of kills the flow of the game now I I don't get this like comedy Diallo is on top of cannot that yeah and nobody has control the ball except cannot say that is a foul but you cannot go to the monitor and then come out and assess a common foul so I don't but it it's and they will have that highest sulit screw-up by the official cannot be missed I understand I'm just explaining why they went to the monitor they were looking to see if there was something flaky affair which is there was they could have called koulikov of the belt is not called initially and now gold in the midst of battle [Applause] and Kentucky is on the verge of a major major road win for this program incredible absolutely incredible and you have to give these young Kentucky Wildcats a ton of credit for hanging in there and continuing to fight and John Calipari talked to his team about toughness and about becoming a closer team and fighting and this was a collective fight in a very difficult environment you just don't come in here and outfight West Virginia that's what Kentucky's done down 17 on a number of occasions including three and a half minutes into the second half that was the latest time and a 24 point turnaround in the last 16 and a half minutes [Applause] Bob Huggins balls his last time out [Applause] now we were getting on J well a little bit remember he took the he took the hard road this morning here at Morgantown who was playing up to the fans he claims to be able to play the guitar though all we know for this video is that he can hold a guitar but then the big reveal at he thinks [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] those glasses on [Applause] if you need a little protection to get out of the building a pretty good call by Jay Williams that's a gutsy gutsy group Anthony with this crowd talk about a tale of two halves a totally different team in the second half free-throw disparity is a huge factor 16 for 16 for Kentucky that turnover only five in the second half at John Calipari told Maria Taylor before the game hey you can turn the ball over you're gonna turn it over more than normal but it can't be 25 just as big a story as not Ford West Virginia's gone 48 points in the first half 26 in the second yeah that's on the half-court offense of the Mountaineers the shot selection of really working to get a good shot this was not not one of the final moments in the second half for Watford in his offense loose ball out of bounds to the Mountaineers with 11.8 to go eatle Bolden by the way has been grimacing and flexing his right hand and wrist he's a lefty but he's something happened just before the last time out that's causing him some discomfort she had a terrific game off event for West Virginia one of the few bright spots harder to the line with 8.4 to go but it it's all academic now with a 7 point lead for the Wildcats we're going to have themselves quite a celebration on the flight back to Lexington you wouldn't imagine the advice trip Hall for Kentucky and I'm not sure how many people expected this young team to come into this environment and win second half by Kentucky I don't know what John Calipari said that the halftime break I'll tell you what I think for every opponent coming into this building the pullover may be the way to go the opposing coach pull over now to and oh here in Morgantown and with a win a night for Kentucky the SEC would win the big 12 SEC challenge 6-4 with Arkansas beating Oklahoma State of the next-to-last bein that handed about an hour ago [Applause] one last foul perhaps with 4.7 ago James phone look at the officials in it now you don't call it [Applause] so for Bob Huggins and company J this will be four losses in their last five games and after a 15 game winning streak on last night at at Bob Huggins fish fry great charity event that he had the John Calipari came and supported his friend when he told the crowd he said we can't make a shot right now and that was borne out in the second half of the first half West Virginia was making shots in the second half couldn't couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat great win for Kentucky woman Bouldin gets it off and Kentucky gets out of Oregon town with an 83 to 76 win their first road win against a top ten opponent since December of 2014 against Louisville and with the win tonight by the Wildcats the SEC takes the big 12 SEC challenge six to four Kevin Knox with a monster game 34 points knocked down five threes the Wildcats and the game on a 92 run and to come back from a 17 point second half deficit to win a big game here in Morgantown but up next its X Games Aspen with Jay Bilas for you Taylor and our outstanding gameday crew I'm Dan Shulman saying thanks for watching you

Channel: O__BALL__O

Views: 21,197

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Id: WLjeB7uXdbk

Length: 110min 41sec (6641 seconds)

Published: Sun Jul 12 2020