Sunday Quickies: Breakthrough Win Edition

It’s felt like this Kentucky Basketball team just hasn’t been able to gain any momentum since that opening night loss.

But it feels like that changed after yesterday’s big win over North Carolina.

Kentucky needed a breakthrough win in the worst way, as they’ve beaten lesser talented teams and lost a game they were favored in with Seton Hall. Yesterday represented the first big test since then and Kentucky passed with flying colors to defeat a top 10 Tarheels squad on a neutral court.

We were able to see Reid Travis show his dominance in the paint. We saw PJ Washington look like the sophomore version of PJ we came into the season expecting. We saw Keldon Johnson show the type of player he can be in the second half that has him projected to go in the lottery. We also saw the menace that Ashton Hagans can be on the defensive side of the ball.

Kentucky got their breakthrough win and it feels like this team has some momentum now, with the Louisville game next weekend before SEC play starts. There will certainly be more bumps in the road for a team comprised of mostly freshmen and sophomores, but yesterday’s big time win has the potential to be a point that we look to later in the season as a pivotal moment, and boy, does it feel good to come out on top.

Tweets of the Day

Happy locker room videos are the best.

A good summary by Aaron Torres.

Quickies

Christmas arrives early for Kentucky Basketball - Herald Leader

Kentucky’s victory is a good early Christmas gift for the BBN.

Roy Williams impressed with Ashton Hagans’ defensive dominance - Herald Leader

Hagans defense made a significant difference in the game.

Beating UNC gives Kentucky the boost it needed - Courier Journal

Kentucky needed a shot in the arm to gain some momentum going into Louisville and SEC play.

Cats draw national praise for victory - Cats Pause

Several people took notice of Kentucky’s victory over UNC.

Kentucky hits reset button with win - Kentucky Sports Radio

The beginning of the season cast a dark cloud but beating UNC allows for a reset.

Steve Alford’s seat gets hotter - CBS Sports

The Bruins lost their third game in a row and Alford continues to face mounting pressure

Urban Meyer to move into assistant AD role - ESPN

Well, that’s interesting to say the least.

Wizards-Suns combine for highest point total since 2008 - ESPN

John Wall didn’t play in the game, but the teams put up a ton of points in 3OT.

Which NFL team had the best draft class - Bleacher Report

It’s not often the Browns are the best at something, but here we are.

Adrian Peterson becomes oldest back to reach 1,000 yards since 1984 - Yahoo

Peterson is showing he still has what it takes to be a prominent running back.

LSU athletes reportedly involved in shooting - Yahoo

Two football players were taken into custody but their role remains unclear.

Arizona State topples unbeaten #1 Kansas - CBS Sports

The Jayhawks fall among the ranks of the unbeaten, and a new #1 will take their spot this week.