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When the buzzer sounded on Sunday night, the Kentucky Wildcats basketball season was officially over. The Wildcats suffered a thrilling loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels 73-75. Although it was entertaining in the second half, it wasn’t without it’s good, bad, and ugly moments.
The Good: Issac Humphries Career High 12 points
Although it was just shy of leading the Wildcats in scoring during their Elite Eight showing, Issac Humphries was the reason the Wildcats clawed their way back in this game in the second half. He made three crucial shots that eventually put the Wildcats up five, before Roy Williams called a timeout to regroup.
Until this game, Humphries had no impact on the Wildcats offensive scoring, with his last points coming against Arkansas in the SEC final. His impact almost won the Wildcats the game, but the ugly ultimately lost it for them.
The Bad: Playing from Behind Early On
The Wildcats feel behind 0-6 in the first half and only got as close as 5-6 with 17:21 remaining. from then on out, the Tar Heels controlled much of the half.
The Wildcats were down as much as nine in the first before ending the first half down five points, 33-38. The didn’t hold a lead until the second half with 7:27 remaining, thanks to great play by Humphries.
The Ugly: 4 Minutes and 23 Seconds of Terrible Shots
Humphries made his last shot with 5:12 left in the second half. It would be the last shot made outside of one minute remaining by the Wildcats. Ugly shots by Derek Willis, on an unnecessary three point attempt, De’Aaron Fox had questionable jumper shot, and Malik Monk had both a terrible turnover and bad three point attempt.
The Kentucky Wildcats run was both special, in the tournament, and questionable during the regular season with loses to Tennessee and whopping by Florida. In the end, the Elite Eight was the final game for superstars like Malik Monk, who most likely will enter the draft.
Congratulations to the Kentucky Wildcats on another SEC Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championship. Next season won’t get here soon enough for fans.