Kentucky had one job in Starkville. Who performed nicely and who struggled was irrelevant, as was how fairly or hideous it appeared. No extra excuses or kicking the can down the highway, the Wildcats merely couldn’t board the aircraft with one other loss added to the resume. With simply six video games left within the common season, 4 being Quad 1 alternatives, it was a must-win on the highway at Mississippi State.

And above all else, that’s precisely what Kentucky did, popping out on high by a remaining rating of 71-68 inside Humphrey Coliseum. Because of a second-half surge that put the staff up as many as 13 with 8:33 to go, the Wildcats held on down the stretch to maneuver to 17-9 on the 12 months and 8-5 within the SEC.

The win got here towards a troublesome, bodily group that had simply gained 5 straight video games, three being towards groups ranked inside the highest 50 of the NET (vs. TCU, vs. Missouri, at Arkansas). The Bulldogs weren’t identified for scoring a ton of factors (65.6 PPG, No. 314 total) or capturing the ball nicely (28.5% 3PT, No. 344 total), however they do struggle defensively (58.7 PPG allowed on 38.8% FG, No. 5 total) and battle on the glass (12.76 ORPG, No. 17 total). Contemplating Kentucky’s latest struggles with struggle going into the matchup, considerations have been legitimate.

Backs towards the wall at Georgia on Saturday, the Wildcats took the punches and crumbled. This time round, Kentucky threw the primary punch — up seven halfway by way of the primary half (18-11, 10:06) — and responded with its personal counters when the Bulldogs battled again. UGA cuts it to at least one on the half then goes up three to open the second, UK manages to retake the lead and push it to 13. Bulldogs reply to make it a one-score recreation with 4:10 to go, Wildcats prolong it again to 6 and finally dangle on within the recreation’s remaining seconds.

How did all of it come to fruition? What does it imply for Kentucky transferring ahead? KSR has the takeaways.

One Quad 1 win turned to a few

Let’s keep on with big-picture ideas right here for a second. Making the NCAA Event area is all that issues proper now, and to do this, Quad 1 wins are a should. The Wildcats began the night time with only one (at Tennessee, Jan. 14) and ended it with three.

How? Mississippi State (No. 40 within the NET) was a Quad 1 win to offer you two, clearly. After which Texas A&M jumped again into the highest 30 of the NET with a victory over Arkansas to make that win on Jan. 21 a Quad 1, as nicely. 1-7 to 3-7 in that class over the span of a pair hours.

And that’s not the one vital improvement from the night. Auburn jumped as much as No. 27 within the NET with a win vs. Missouri, whereas vs. Tennessee, at Florida and at Arkansas are all Quad 1 alternatives for Kentucky, as nicely. 4 of the staff’s final 5 video games to shut out the common season.

Win these, and also you in some way end the 12 months .500 in Quad 1 matchups at 7-7, firmly within the area at that time at 22-9 total and 13-5 within the SEC — probably even with a strong seed.

Simply need to preserve profitable, because the Wildcats did tonight. The trail is there, they only need to make the most of it.

Kentucky survives damage setbacks

Sahvir Wheeler (ankle) and CJ Fredrick (rib) have been each declared out previous to tip vs. the Bulldogs in Starkville, the second consecutive recreation the guard duo missed for the Wildcats.

That compelled Cason Wallace to once more take over at level guard, with Antonio Reeves beginning on the two, Chris Livingston on the three, Jacob Toppin on the 4 and Oscar Tshiebwe on the 5. Then off the bench, Adou Thiero was the lone reserve guard, with Daimion Collins, Lance Ware and Ugonna Onyenso rounding out the obtainable items.

“We’re shorthanded, however we’ve received sufficient guys,” John Calipari stated throughout pregame. “Let’s go, subsequent man up.”

All 5 starters performed at the least 32 minutes, 4 ending with at the least 13 factors — 18 for Tshiebwe, 16 for Toppin, 14 for Reeves and 13 for Livingston. The fifth, Wallace, shot poorly (1-13 FG, 0-8 3PT), however got here up big as a playmaker, ending with 11 assists and only one turnover to go along with 4 rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes. He additionally completed with a team-high +8 within the +/-, stressing the worth he dropped at the desk past scoring (4 factors).

After which there’s Thiero, who added 4 factors (1-1 FG, 2-2 FT) whereas additionally knocking down 4 rebounds and blocking one shot with zero turnovers in eight minutes. Ware additionally reeled in three rebounds and picked up an help in eight, adopted by Collins with a troublesome and-one dunk and two boards in six.

If there was ever a do-your-job effort from the Wildcats, this may be the one. Nobody starred for staff, however everybody contributed in their very own methods to assist pull off the victory.

Will Wheeler and Fredrick be again in time for the staff’s matchup vs. Tennessee at residence?

“I hope Saturday,” Calipari stated. “[They] haven’t practiced so and we’re not — we gained’t go along with a stay apply tomorrow. After which Friday, you realize, we’ll need to see.”

Chris Livingston performs his greatest recreation as a Wildcat

Effectively, possibly half. However most likely recreation total, too. The five-star freshman has had an up-and-down rookie marketing campaign in Lexington, one full of position and utilization questions, together with inconsistent taking part in time. He’s performed quarter-hour or fewer 10 instances and 25 minutes or extra eight instances whereas getting at the least six photographs up in a recreation 10 instances.

Tonight, an actual breakthrough for Livingston, with the Akron native ending with a clean 13 factors on 3-6 capturing, 1-3 from three and 6-6 from the road — all within the second half — whereas including 5 rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block and only one turnover in 32 minutes. It was a troublesome begin for the versatile ahead, scoring zero factors on zero makes an attempt whereas struggling defensively in 12 first-half minutes, pulled by Calipari on three separate events.

After which, the explosion following intermission.

“Chris was an all-star immediately,” Calipari stated after the win. “I used to be actually pleased with him.”

It was Livingston’s second double-digit scoring outing in three video games, matching his season complete from Kentucky’s earlier 23 matchups. He’s additionally now hit a 3-pointer for a 3rd consecutive recreation, simply the second time this season he’s been in a position to put collectively that streak. And above all else, he introduced the struggle and did his half to will the Wildcats to victory within the second half. The 6-foot-6 freshman dove for unfastened balls, battled on the glass, made photographs, attacked the basket, drew fouls and transformed on the line.

“It was extra of a mindset. It was a mindset factor,” Livingston stated. “Coach [Calipari] was on me, and I additionally didn’t wish to lose. I used to be taking part in as arduous as I may attempting to make profitable performs, whether or not that’s getting deflections or rebounds. I used to be attempting to win.”

And that’s precisely what he did. With out him, Kentucky has no likelihood to drag off the highway win and preserve postseason goals alive.

Tshiebwe, Toppin and Reeves mix for 38 factors

Livingston was the second-half star, however Toppin and Reeves set the offensive tone early, combining for 22 factors on 9-14 capturing and 4-5 from three within the first 20 minutes. These two knocked down 9 of Kentucky’s first 15 photographs of the sport, with Tshiebwe making up 4 of the opposite 5 (eight factors, 5 rebounds on the break).

Their contributions helped the Wildcats go up seven with 9:24 left within the first and shut out the break up one — a buzzer-beater from MSU stored it from being a two-score recreation. However 30 complete on the half out of 36 factors, doing so towards a staff that allowed simply 58.7 total factors per contest coming into the matchup.

Then after the break, it was the Livingston and Tshiebwe present, with the 2 combining for 23 factors and 9 rebounds within the remaining 20 minutes to assist wrap up the win with a bow.

Once more, possibly not the prettiest of bows, however a bow nonetheless. Particularly towards a defensive-minded group that has held some potent offenses to some mediocre performances over the course of the 12 months. 71 factors on 45.5% from the sphere (25-55) surpassed MSU’s season-long averages in each classes.

“Refuse to Lose”

It was John Calipari’s go-to mantra throughout his time at UMass, a phrase he really trademarked. He’s by no means used it throughout his time in Lexington, however this week, he determined to carry it again. And it’s becoming, contemplating this staff, nicely, couldn’t lose. The Wildcats have been operating out of runway with a catastrophe imminent earlier than the group collectively pulled the aircraft off the asphalt with a win in Starkville.

However that doesn’t imply they’re hovering 10,000 toes within the air, chopping by way of the clouds. They’ve simply gotten their wheels again up and issues may nonetheless stall out in the event that they’re not cautious. And that’s why with 5 common season video games left to go, they’ve received to maintain their foot on the gasoline and navigate this aircraft to postseason play.

“Effectively, the largest factor I’ve been speaking to them about is refuse to lose. Simply refuse to lose. And chances are you’ll run out of time. However refuse to lose. You simply preserve combating,” Calipari stated after the win. “No excuses at the moment. What number of video games we’ve got left? 5 video games. That’s what we received. We received 5 to go. Who’s able to play? Who’s able to struggle? Refuse to lose. Do what you bought to do for the staff.”

Wednesday’s win was a step in the proper route. Now, although, a top-10 Tennessee staff is coming to Lexington with revenge on its thoughts.

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