:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63293623/IMG_2301.0.jpg)
The Big Blue Nation should be rejoicing because Kentucky found a way to win on Saturday while having an off day shooting the ball. Usually, coming out flat in March is a good way to get sent home early, but instead, the Cats found their way to victory by riding Reid Travis’s team high of 14 points.
Kentucky shot just 21-52 from the field against Wofford and made just 3 of their 13 three-point attempts.
The game was won at the free throw line, where Kentucky shot 17-20, which was good for 85%. That bumps the Cats season average up to an impressive 74%.
Obviously, Fletcher Magee shooting 0-12 really helped Kentucky weather their own poor shooting night. But you still have to give Coach Cal and his players credit for finding a way to win an important game while not scoring very many points.
Kentucky’s 62 points actually represented the 16th time since 2010 that UK has failed to reach the 70 point plateau in an NCAA Tournament game.
Calipari’s record at Kentucky when scoring less than 70 points is 10-6.
Here is a look back at all of the games where Kentucky failed to break the 70 point mark in the NCAA tournament under John Calipari:
- 2019 - Win against Wofford 62-56
- 2018 - Loss to Kansas State 61-58
- 2017 - Win over Wichita State 65-62
- 2016 - Loss to Indiana 73-67
- 2015 - Win against Cincinnati 64-51
- 2015 - Win against Notre Dame 68-66
- 2015 - Loss to Wisconsin 71-64
- 2014 - Win against Kansas State 56-49
- 2014 - Loss to UCONN 60-54
- 2012 - Win against Louisville 69-61
- 2012 - Win against Kansas 67-59
- 2011 - Win against Princeton 59-57
- 2011 - Win against Ohio State 62-60
- 2011 - Loss to UCONN 56-55
- 2010 - Win against Cornell 62-45
- 2010 - Loss to West Virginia 73-66
Ideally, Kentucky will get their offense back on track in Kansas city, when they will meet the winner of Houston and Ohio state on Friday. But a win is a win and the Cats are heading to the Sweet 16.