Kentucky survives without experience
Kentucky's Stacey Poole Jr. (2) reacts to a three point basket during the second half of an an East regional semifinal game against Ohio State in the NCAA college basketball tournament. (March 25, 2011) Credit: AP
NEWARK -- Experience is not something to be thought of in the past tense. It is something you develop as you go, as Kentucky can tell you. The Wildcats, their roster filled with freshmen and untested older players, created an experience they'll never forget Friday night.
They beat Ohio State, the overall top seed in the NCAA Tournament, 62-60, on a jump shot by freshman Brandon Knight with 5.4 seconds remaining. That sent the Buckeyes home and sent Kentucky to the East Regional final Sunday against North Carolina.
"He wasn't afraid to miss the shot," coach John Calipari said of the player who also made the shot that beat Princeton in Kentucky's first game in this tournament.
Knight, who shot only 3-for-10 from the floor, said, "When it comes to crunch time, with only a few seconds left, I just try to focus on making good decisions.''
He added, "I get a lot of confidence that Coach puts me in positions like that."
Knight's shot Friday capped a furious finish, including DeAndre Liggins' score with 37 seconds left to give Kentucky a 60-57 lead and Ohio State senior Jon Diebler's three-pointer to tie it with 21.2 seconds left.
Experience was not an old story in this game. It was a legitimate topic, what with Kentucky having had to do a complete makeover after last year's five first-round NBA draft picks (four one-and-done freshmen) and Ohio State having four players who already have graduated.
And it was a thrilling game at the Prudential Center that featured a big night from little-seasoned Kentucky big man Josh Harrellson (17 points) and a good performance by Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger (21 points, 19 rebounds), though he was not dominant. His team shot only 19-for-58 from the floor.
In the final minute, with his team trailing by one, Sullinger took a shot that hit the side of the backboard with Harrellson guarding him.
"I've been guarding the best players in the country the last two years [in practice]," Harrellson said. "That definitely gives me an edge."
Ohio State coach Thad Matta said, "I think Harrellson is the most underrated player in college basketball."
Youth was not a factor, Diebler said. "I think, honestly, at this point in the season, [Kentucky players have] a lot of games under their belt. Like we say about our freshmen, they're not freshmen anymore.
"It hurts," Diebler said, "just because we felt we could make a run at the championship."
"That," Matta said, "was the best team we played this year."
