Down Goes Goliath

The king has been slain. That might be more conducive to last night's game simply because you are never going to put Kentucky into the role of David. The number one team has gone down though, and it was in dramatic, thrilling action, to cap off a close and really great game. Throughout the second half, most of it really, the game was played within five to six points, with a long stretch where the lead was just changing from possession to possession. This was a game that people wanted to see, were waiting to see, and they got what they came for.

With all the talk of the Kentucky freshman, it was the upperclassmen who got them this win. Josh Harrellson came up bigger than many expected, again. DeAndre Liggins was the one to take the ball in much of the late stages and make plays. The freshman made their plays mind you, including a huge three from Doron Lamb in the corner to give them back the lead 44-42, as well as Terrence Jones hitting a big three with about seven minutes left to give the Wildcats a 50-49 lead. Then there was that whole Brandon Knight, with ice water in his veins again, hitting the game winner on the pull up with five seconds left after Ohio State senior Jon Diebler hit a dagger to tie the game at 60. Remember when people were down on him because he was not what John Wall was? Yeah, a little too quick to judge.

This game was about a team effort from the Wildcats, with Harrellson doing a lot of damage in the first half, Liggins in the second half, with freshman contributions sprinkled in between, before Knight does what he has done all tournament, what Kentucky has needed to win.

Ohio St. had some problems as well. William Buford picked a bad time to have his worst game of the season, going just 2-16 and failing to reach double figures. Diebler finished well overall, but was almost nonexistent for much of the first half and early second half. David Lighty had spurts, but missed some shots he usually makes, and Sullinger found himself with more opposition than was expected. Sullinger ended up with a great stat line, and was able to get big put backs and dunks in the second half, but was not able to take over, especially down 58-57 at the end of the game, when they needed him to.

This was a game where Ohio St. did not play particularly well, but a lot of that credit has to go to Kentucky. They played as a team, and had numerous players step up when it was necessary. That team won the game, and that team is now one game away from a trip to the Final Four. Something that those freshman last year were unable to do.