It is the end of December but it felt like March in the KFC Yum Center today as the Cards faced the Cats in the annual Battle of the Bluegrass. The young Wildcats put up a good fight but it was the Cards who claimed bragging rights in the battle this year winning a thriller 80 to 77.

It was a back and forth battle in the first half as both of these teams exchanged blows with six ties and five lead changes. The Cards started 6 of 16 from the field and trailed 18-12, but went on a 13-2 run led by Behanan, who scored six points. He scored 11 points to help give the Cardinals a 36-28 lead at the half. The Cards would come out after the half and establish their defensive dominance early and would pull out to a 17 point lead. Opponents facing this Louisville defense have committed a turnover on 31 percent of their possessions. For the first 8 minutes of the second half it was par for the course, but then after Gorgui and Siva both got their 4th personal foul the team seemed to lose their defensive intensity. Wayne Blackshear and Luke Hancock would make the mistake of going to the wrong side of the zone which allowed some of the UK sharpshooters to find their mark and make some big three’s down the stretch. Once Russ got into foul trouble their guards were getting to the basket with ease. This allowed the Wildcats who trailed 51-34 to outscore the Cardinals 28-14 in a run to get them within 3 points at 65-62. The Cards were able to survive because of UK’s horrible free-throw shooting as they were 11 of 25 and because the defense did force 15 turnovers leading to 19 points. The Cards also shot 48 percent from the field, but made 17 of 25 from the free throw line to win its seventh straight and to get the monkey… err Cat off their back ending a Wildcat 4 game win streak in this series.

The Cards were lead in the game by Siva, Smith and Behanan. Before he got into foul trouble Peyton did an excellent job and was making some big shots. He would finish with 19 points. Russ was once again the spark plug of this Cardinal team as he lead in scoring with 21 points. He would also have 7 rebounds and 3 assist. Chane Behanan was a beast in the lane scoring 20 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. He was also 4-6 from the free-throw line hitting some big ones in the closing minutes. Gorgui would score 6 points and grab 7 rebounds in his triumphant return. I was also very impressed with Montrezl Harrell in his first Battle of the Bluegrass appearance scoring 7 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. Not only were they out of position several times tonight on defense Blackshear and Hancock were pretty much non-factors in this game. Kevin Ware was also a non-factor. The Cards bench tonight was outscored by the Cats bench 21 to 15. Cards also got out-rebounded 39-36.

I’m happy with the win. But I do come away from this one with some concerns going forward. Blackshear, Hancock, and Ware have to become more consistently productive. And Siva, Smith, and Dieng must learn how to be aggressive on defense without getting into foul trouble. Especially Siva. He has to stop committing those silly fouls. As we witnessed tonight this team needs him to be on the floor if they are going to be successful and especially if they are going to make another run for the National Title.