Kentucky 42, LSU 32: Second Half Live Game Thread

Well, I don't know about you, ladies and gentlemen of the Big Blue Nation, but that half was much, much better. In fact, if LSU hadn't been lights-out from three early in the game, the Wildcats would be taking about a 15 or 20 point lead into the locker room instead of 10. That was by far the best half of basketball since Kentucky jumped all over Ole Miss in Oxford.

The tweak, it appears to me, is to pass the ball more on dribble drives rather than trying to draw the foul. That is a pretty big "tweak," but an entirely welcome one that has worked almost perfectly. Kentucky is working to get either a wide-open look, or, late in the clock, trying to force the ball inside more. I like the way it looks, and Kentucky, even when they were down eight, was looking pretty good on offense.

First half stats

Box score from a solid first half for the Cats: pic.twitter.com/GTSUVFzWuc

— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) March 15, 2014

Aaron Smith makes another very cogent observation:

Why assists don't always tell everything: 44% of UK's makes have been assisted tonight. Season average: 45%. Passing been better tonight IMO

— Aaron Smith (@ASmithRivals) March 15, 2014

This is right. Passing is much better tonight whether or not they lead to baskets. Ball movement is much, much better overall.

Another key to this game was turnovers, and at the moment, I think Kentucky only has three turnovers in the entire first half. That might be a season low for the first half, but I'm not sure, I'll have to check. No matter what the case, this was about as good a half as we have any right to expect from this team given their recent woes.

Okay, that's enough. Let's get this done.

Go, 'Cats!