It’s been 102 days since IU and Kentucky last met. However, it feels like just yesterday that I stood there, hands in the air, voiceless, watching IU fans flood the court. To this day, it’s the greatest feeling of my life. We read the stories about how monumental the “Wat Shot” was and has become. It announced to America that Indiana was back.
Since that game, however, I’ve never sat down and watched it all again. Sure, I’ve seen pieces of it and if I see it’s on Big Ten Network as I flip through channels, I’ll stop and watch it. But, with the beauty of the internet, I’ve found the game on YouTube and decided to watch it all, while keeping a running diary throughout the game of moments that stick out.
For those that want to watch along, here’s the link
1st Half
19:40 remaining (UK – 3, IU – 0) - Kentucky gets a rebound and, in their first offensive “possession,” immediately pushes the ball up court and buries a semi-contested three. For anyone that’s watched Kentucky this year, you know that they want to run, run, run. When they do it effectively, they are scary good. A big key for IU will be offensive rebounds and avoiding long rebounds. Slowing down Kentucky is a big stepping stone in IU winning again.
18:42 remaining (UK – 3, IU – 2) - IU’s first three possessions have been – long two-pointer missed by Oladipo, long two-pointer made by Verdell, Oladipo lay-up blocked by Kidd-Gilchrist, Zeller follow blocked by Davis. Absolutely have to have a better start this time around.
18:23 remaining (UK – 3, IU – 2) - Terrence Jones shows his one sign of life this whole game as he gets Christian Watford pinned behind him after Kentucky reverses the ball and eventually gets a foul call. Interestingly, Jones has not played well against IU and Watford. His combined stats for this year and last year’s match ups: 5-14 FG, 0-2 3pt, 4-9 FT, 14 points, 10 rebounds, 9 turnovers. Just as interesting, Watford combined stats: 14-34 FG, 6-11 3pt, 39 points, 14 rebounds, 3 turnovers. This matchup is probably most crucial for both teams. Each might be their respective teams must important part and whoever wins this battle will have a great chance of winning this game.
18:15 remaining (UK – 3, IU – 2) - Jordy pulls up for a three in transition. Although he missed it, I want this Jordy to show up Friday. We need the Jordan Hulls that torched Penn State in the regular season and in the Big Ten tourney and the one who lit up New Mexico State, not the one who struggled against VCU.
17:19 remaining (UK – 6, IU-4) - Following Jordy’s missed three, the next three possessions for IU went as such: Jordy made jumper, Watford turnover, Jordy turnover. So over the first 2:41, IU was 2-6 with three turnovers. Not awful, but certainly not something we can repeat Friday. If Kentucky jumps ahead early, I’m not sure we can catch them. Fortunately in this December game, UK started the game 1-4 from the free throw line to make it close.
16:22 remaining (UK – 8, IU – 4) - Following a block by Anthony Davis on Cody Zeller, IU has started 2-7 from the field with five turnovers. Worst than that, Kentucky gets a fast break and Kidd-Gilchrist finishes with a slam. And Kentucky fans say we played a perfect game.
15:11 remaining (UK – 10, IU – 6) - Right before the TV timeout, IU is bailed out by Zeller’s great hands as an ill-advised, full-court pass by Jordy is snagged by Zeller who finishes with a jam. For those counting, IU’s three made baskets have been semi-contested jumpers by Verdell and Jordy and a flukey fast break lay-up by Zeller, while Kentucky’s points, outside of one three, have all come at the rim.
Coming out of the TV timeout, Dickie V talks about how the UK-IU rivalry is in danger of dying. At that particular time, yes it was. But about an hour and a half later, I think things changed. No one UK and IU should split up anytime soon.
14:35 remaining (UK – 10, IU – 6) - IU’s much-improved defense forces a 35-second violation coming out of the timeout. Big stop for them and a testament to IU this year, whose defense has been the key in many of their wins and the problem in most of their losses.
14:03 remaining (UK – 10, IU – 8 ) - In IU’s ninth offensive possession, they show the pick and roll that Oladipo runs now, only with Verdell. The difference is astounding. Verdell came off the pick, took two dribbles and kicked it out. Oladipo comes off that screen and he’s flying to the basket. Speaking of Vic, he just made a great hustle play and stole the rebound away from Jones to bring IU within two.
13:38 remaining (UK – 10, IU – 8 ) - Good Vic is following immediately by Bad Vic, who is out of control on a fast-break, never gains possession, and turns the ball over.
13:03 remaining (UK – 10, IU – 8 ) - On a 4-on-2 fast break, Watford pulls up from inside the free throw line and clanks it off the rim, putting IU at 4-12 to start the game.
11:35 remaining (UK – 10, IU – 10) - Pritchard blows a WIDE open lay-up, ok maybe not that open, but a makable lay-up. That pushes IU to 4-13 to start this game. Lucky for them, UK was equally inept on offense, and it had more to do with bad offense than IU’s good defense. UK was missing wide open shots.
10:43 remaining (UK- 10, IU – 10) - Will Sheehey goes to the line following a nice play to draw the foul. However, IU has seven turnovers and roughly three near-turnovers to start this game.
10:38 remaining (UK – 12, IU – 12) - Sheehey makes both free throws, but don’t doesn’t pick up Kidd-Gilchrist in transition, who promptly dunks over him and ties the game back up. I can’t emphasize enough how good UK is in transition and how important it is for IU to stop them.
9:22 remaining (UK – 14, IU – 12) - Sheehey clanks a contested, bad jumper and Pritchard turns the ball over, meaning IU is currently 4-14 with eight turnovers.
8:50 remaining (UK – 16, IU – 12) - Zeller draws the first foul on Davis of the night. This is another key to IU. With someone as talented as Zeller, you must force Davis to foul. With him out of the lineup, UK is an ENTIRELY different team. Prior to that play by Zeller, though, Watford had a three blocked, immediately leading to a 2-on-1 fast break that UK finished with ease.
8:35 remaining (UK – 18, IU – 14) - Despite finishing with a dunk following a great pass by Teague, it’s amazing how entirely disinterested Jones looks in this game. He isn’t moving fast or crisp, or at all really.
8:13 remaining (UK – 20, IU – 14) - Sheehey clanks another contested jumper in the lane and Doron Lamb gets away with a travel before knocking down a jumper. This seems like the moment UK might pull away as IU is 4-16 from the field and is only in the game because of their 6-6 performance at the line.
8:03 remaining (UK – 20, IU – 17) - Zeller gets a nice and-1 following Crean’s timeout. I really think Zeller can outplay Davis, who relies a lot on athleticism and just being raw talent. Zeller is smart enough to know how to play him and how to draw fouls.
6:44 remaining (UK 20, IU – 17) - IU is still playing out of control with ten turnovers and shooting 5-18 from the field. However, with Oladipo going to the line, they have a chance to make it a one point game.
5:19 remaining (IU – 21, UK – 20) - IU is shooting nearly 20%, has double digit turnovers, hasn’t made one three, has had Daniel Moore in the game, and leads after a beautiful crossover and jumper by Oladipo. It makes no sense.
4:38 remaining (IU – 24, UK – 22) - It took nearly 16 minutes of game time, but IU knocks down their first three when Watford hits one in the corner. Assembly Hall is rocking
3:41 remaining (IU – 24, UK – 22) - After Jones makes a weak move in the post and loses the ball, IU is bailed out by a foul as their offense is awful with Zeller, Pritchard, Verdell, Jordy, and Oladipo in. And it’s Tentative Jordy, at that.
3:02 remaining (IU – 27, UK – 22) - Zeller makes by far one of the most impressive plays I’ve seen him make where he drives the lane, spins between two plays and finishes on the other side of the rim to give IU it’s biggest lead as they are on a 13-2 run.
2:28 remaining (IU – 30, UK – 22) - Jordy buries a three as UK doesn’t get back in transition and leaves him wide open, capping off a 16-2 run. The run featured both of IU’s threes in the first half. At the time, I remember thinking this is the loudest Assembly Hall has ever been. We would break that barrier many more times this game.
0:48 remaining (IU- 30, UK – 29) - As quickly as IU took the lead, Kentucky came flying back. A 7-0 run in a minute and forty seconds put them right back in this game. So much for blowing them out.
HALFTIME – IU – 30, UK – 29 - As I said, UK’s late run kept this game close. Calipari inserted Doron Lamb late in the half, despite two fouls, and he sparked the run, scoring five of the seven points. In all, IU was very lucky to not only be in this game but have a lead considering how poorly they played in that half. They shot awful, handled the ball awfully, had just two threes, yet led by one over the #1 ranked team in the country.
Second Half
18:26 remaining (IU – 34, UK – 33) - A classic Verdell turnover as he jumps up for a shot, then tries to fire a bullet to Zeller who turned for the rebound. Verdell promptly yells at Zeller. These moments are why we pulled our hair out when Verdell was playing. As far as scoring, IU made a concerted effort to get the ball inside as Verdell made a jumper inside, then Watford had a nice baby hook. Both were answered by UK; Davis with a jumper and Kidd-Gilchrist with a tough lay-up.
18:05 remaining (IU – 34, UK – 33) - A great defensive effort by Oladipo to get a piece of Kidd-Gilchrist’s shot to cause him to miss the dunk is wasted as Verdell stares down Zeller before making a pass, which is easily intercepted. Despite that, Verdell probably could play QB for IU.
18:00 remaining (UK – 35, IU – 34) - TERRENCE JONES SIGHTING!!!!! He takes it coast-to-coast following the VJ3 turnover and finishes. Bye bye, now, Jonesy.
17:35 remaining (UK – 35, IU – 34) - A bit out of control Oladipo gets lucky as block happy Davis jumps into him and gets called for his third foul. I wonder if IU attacks their backup big man…….
17:16 remaining (IU – 38, UK – 35) - I swear I’ve seen this before. Jordy drives down the left side, stops and turns to found a trailing Watford who hits a three as the crowd erupts. Hmmm, where have I seen that. I can’t put my finger on it. Oh well, maybe I’ll remember later.
16:51 remaining (IU – 38, UK – 35) - Kentucky’s offense is downright ugly right now. Davis and Teague are on the bench and Jones should be. I guess this is a perfect mix for an upset.
15:50 remaining (IU – 45, UK – 35) - A Sheehey three caps off a huge run for IU. With the weak lineup in, Sheehey scored on a jumper, Watford drove to the basket without much resistance, then Sheehey buried a three in transition. Kentucky walks back to the huddle and they looked entirely overwhelmed. At this point, I was sure Assembly Hall couldn’t get louder.
14:55 remaining (IU – 45, UK – 38) - Doron Lamb just went one for two from the line. I swear I’ve seen that before, too.
14:35 remaining (IU – 48, UK – 38) - Remember how IU started 4-17 from the field? Well a Jordy three has IU at 7-9 to start the second half. There are some form of basketball Gods, after all.
14:14 remaining (IU – 48, UK – 40) - Teague easily beats his defender and finishes at the basket. This will quickly become a trend.
13:40 remaining (IU – 48 UK – 43) - Teague, again, breaks down his defender and finishes at the rim, this time with an and-one. He’s on a 5-0 run himself.
13:23 remaining (IU – 50, UK – 43) - Oladipo makes a great cut off a screen, then an equally great pass to Zeller who finishes pretty easily on Davis, who has three fouls and won’t contest. Perfect game plan and execution right there.
13:00 remaining (IU – 50, UK – 45) - Lamb joins the party as he blows by Jordy and gets the foul call. He makes both free throws, meaning that’s seven points directly from breaking down Jordy.
12:42 remaining (IU – 53, UK – 45) - Watford starts to heat up as he buries a three. He was easily the best player on the court down the stretch.
12:00 remaining (IU – 53, UK – 47) - After clotheslining, and I literally mean clotheslining, Verdell, Davis is called for his 4th foul. On top of that, it’s on a three pointer against a below average shooter in VJ3. Basically, the worst thing he could have done. This is why I question his basketball IQ.
10:33 remaining (IU – 58, UK – 49) - After yet another impossibly baffling play by VJ3, Oladipo saves him as three Kentucky players go for the block and leave Oladipo open for an easy rebound and lay-in.
9:49 remaining (IU – 60, UK – 51) - After Zeller bails out VJ3 from another turnover, Oladipo throws down the dunk of the year. It’s the pick and roll that’s worked brilliantly for most the season as Oladipo seems to be the only one who can get to the rim. I would say 60 percent of the time he finishes, but the other 40 percent leaves you screaming at the TV. This time, you screamed at the TV in excitement as he put Darius Miller on a poster. Again, this was a new level of loud in Assembly.
9:01 remaining (IU – 63, UK – 53) - Sheehey’s three puts IU’s lead back up to ten and it looks like IU’s in control. They are keeping UK at a distance, have them frustrated offensively, and are scoring at will on their end.
8:13 remaining (IU – 63, UK – 57) - A Sheehey brick is sandwiched between a Miller lay-up and two Lamb free throws. At this point, Lamb and Kidd-Gilchrist have combined for 31 points, all coming at the huge times of the game.
7:52 remaining (IU – 66, UK – 57) - This was the point I thought it was our night. Watford misses a long two, but the rebound bounces perfectly past the UK defenders and into Zeller’s hands, who finds a wide open Jordy. To no one’s surprise, he buries the three and the fans once again go crazy. It was like a “Will Sheehey three” earlier in the game crazy, not a “Oladipo dunk” crazy. This was also our seventh straight three made, dating back to the first half.
7:28 remaining (IU – 66, UK – 59) - Teague is rolling now. He blows by Jordy for what seems like the 80th time and gets another lay-up. I would imagine Oladipo, Watford, and Sheehey will see extended minutes on him.
5:50 remaining (IU – 66, UK – 59) - A beautiful sequence by IU. With Davis back in with four fouls, the sensible thing to do would be to attack him. With Davis sealed behind him and in perfect position, VJ3 looks, dribbles at him, goes behind his back, loses control of the ball before getting a pass to Jordy who forces up a bad three. Zeller still manages to get the rebound and kicks it out to VJ3, who, instead of pulling it out and resetting the offense with just five minutes remaining, goes right back into the lane before pulling up and shooting a fade away shot that barely grazes the rim. Perfect.
5:22 remaining (IU – 66, UK – 61) - I hate to pick on him, but Jordy’s defense this game was unbelievably bad. Off the bad, he gets caught staring at the ball handler and get’s back-doored by Lamb for an easy lay-up.
4:54 remaining (IU – 66, UK – 61) - Another stupefying possession as this time, Jordy, Sheehey, and Watford all stare at Zeller at some point without passing him the ball. IU gets lucky as the ball goes out of bounds of Kentucky, but they follow it up with a quick shot by Verdell. AGAIN, IU gets the rebound and kicks it out to Jordy for three, which bangs off the back iron. Sheehey gets the rebound, but has to launch the ball in bounds where it’s picked off by Davis. That means IU essentially had three possessions and the only time Zeller touched the ball was in the scrum for the loose ball after Sheehey lost it.
4:18 remaining (IU – 66, UK – 63) - Following two free throws by Teague, who is nearing unstoppable mode, Sheehey runs a pick and roll with Zeller. Only, instead of driving into the lane and drawing a possible fifth foul on Davis, he pulls up and badly misses an off-balance jumper. Make that six straight possessions where Davis is guarding Zeller and Zeller didn’t get the ball.
4:04 remaining (IU – 66, UK – 65) - Kidd-Gilchrist was a man possessed this game. His difficult lay-up over the outstretched arms of Watford pull Kentucky within one. This kid will be a force come Friday and is an x-factor for Kentucky.
3:41 remaining (IU – 66, UK – 65) - Another IU possession, another bad shot. Watford drives, spins, and shoots an ugly fadeaway. Zeller has still not touched the ball in the post since Davis returned.
3:05 remaining (IU – 68, UK – 65) - It only took a Crean timeout for Zeller to FINALLY get the ball. He tries to make a move on Davis, gets stopped and kicks out to Watford. Then Watford does the perfect thing and drives to the basket where he gets a relatively easy lay-up considering Davis can’t challenge it.
2:40 remaining (IU – 68, UK – 67) - If I wouldn’t have known the game situation, I’d have thought Jordy was playing with four fouls the entire second half. He lets Teague get around him and gives him another easy lay-up.
2:15 remaining (IU – 68, UK – 67) - At this point, I’d be surprised if Zeller touched the ball. Watford ignored him, drove into the lane and throws up a shot off the top of the backboard that eventually careens out of bounds, leading to the under-4 media timeout.
1:59 remaining (UK – 69, IU – 68) - A close no-call on Darius Miller gives UK a one-point lead. After re-watching it a couple times, I agree with the refs. Miller was under control and didn’t lower his shoulder. Oladipo simply flopped. Good none call.
1:16 remaining (UK – 69, IU – 68) - IU finally gets Zeller the ball with time to work, but he’s forced to kick it out. Oladipo has a nice drive to the basket that is blocked by Davis, but Kidd-Gilchrist falls with the ball and is called for the travel. It’s clear on the final few timeouts, the emphasis by Crean was getting Zeller the ball.
1:02 remaining (IU – 70, UK – 69) - Watford makes a big time move. With the ball at the free throw line, he takes one dribble right, spins back left, and finishes with his left hand. As Dickie V said, that was a pro move.
0:48.8 remaining (UK – 71, IU – 70) - I’ll give you one guess who Kentucky attacked defensively? Yeah, Teague scored easily on another lay-up. I could have defended better.
0:19.4 remaining (UK – 71, IU – 70) - Watford was clearly feeling it, so I’m not against him shooting a jumper from the free throw line. He misses and eventually Anthony Davis is fouled. He does, however, miss the front end of the one-and-one.
0:05.6 remaining (UK – 71, IU – 70) - Crazy Oladipo came out to play at the worst time. Out of control and with no where really to go, he loses the ball trying to spin and Lamb gets it before being fouled.
As Lamb steps to the line, Dickie V’s exact were “It’s a nightmare for Indiana fans to see him at the free throw line.” Lamb promptly bricks the first one. He rattles the last one in and out.
We know the final play, at this point. Verdell drives the length of the floor before finding the trailing Watford, who buries the three and the rest is history. As a side note, if you look, Verdell was quite clearly dribbling to the corner, so I’m not sure what his thought process was. Luckily for him and us, Watford bailed him out.
This did end up being longer than I had planned, but it was eye-opening. IU certainly has a great chance at winning Friday. For example, look at their first half. A putrid offensive performance and yet a lead at halftime. IU has room to improve, but so does UK.
However, regardless of outcome, it’ll certainly be a memorable game.
