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KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, FEB. 1, 2016
Missy Minear/Kansan
played in the team's Junior guard Wayne Selden Jr. dunks the ball over Kentucky freshman Skal Labissiere. last two
"[It was] the loudest atmosphere I've ever been in."
father made the drive over the course of a couple of days, but his trip wasn't complete until he talked to Self pre-game and gave him a message.
Alex Poythress, Kentucky forward
“[Wayne] told me this afternoon, 'He better play good. I came a long way to watch this,'” Self said. “I think grandpa got his money’s worth.”
Certainly, before the
Lucas committed an offensive foul.
Diallo played eight minutes in his first stretch on the court, which was actually double what he had
two games.
However, it was the other freshman that really left his mark on the game.
Freshman forward Carlton Bragg Jr., who accidentally started to say "Kentucky" when announcing his college decision last year, filled right in for senior forward Perry Ellis, who was saddled to the bench with a couple of early fouls. Often one of the most energetic players on the team, Bragg knocked down three shots, two of which rattled all the way around the basket before finally
Sophomore point guard Tyler Ulis and senior forward Alex Poythress were dynamic, answering whenever the Kansas crowd came to life. Poythress even knocked down a corner three, which was significant considering he entered the game making just one of his last 24 from distance.
In the first half, the freshman advantage went to Kansas. But Kentucky was able to swing the tide another way.
jumpers."
In the second half, Kentucky kept the lead at a similar margin, as Kansas reverted to a triangle-and-two defense. However, it wouldn't be the team's defense that would grab the attention of the fans as much as the offense from junior guard Wayne Selden Jr.
Shooting a combined
shooting the second. Ellis received a few words of encouragement from his point guard.
Selden scored 10-straight Kansas points over a three-minute stretch, leaving him two shy of his career-high. With Selden carrying the load on one end, the defense
With less than five seconds to play, the Wildcats turned the ball over on their final regulation possession. Junior guard Frank Mason III had a half-court shot to win at the buzzer, but it wouldn't fall, although it certainly made Kentucky coach John Calipari sweat a little bit.
"It told him to take his, time," Graham said. "We needed one. So he knocked it down."
"I looked [at it, and] I said, 'You've got to be kidding me,'" Calipari said. "That thing almost went in."
In the extra period, Selden continue to provide
It was a different mood from the teams' last meeting, when Self jokingly said he wished the cup on the table was filled with vodka after losing by 32.
while Graham, who was sitting next to Selden, gave Theisen a point and a wink.
Instead, the players were all smiles, although Self was quick to note they couldn't afford to dwell on the win for too long, knowing that the team has to get ready for its next game against Kansas State.
"The reality of it is, this is just a small step to get us positive momentum to go back to what is really important: conference play," Self said. "K-State is a rivalry game, and you can't take games for granted."