Texas and Kentucky tease the losing scenario, escape late with identical 72-67 victories
It was a wild Saturday, and while you could pick six or seven results as the headliner, I’ll go with the top two, the only undefeated teams left, nearly falling.
First, Texas. The Longhorns are beginning to wobble. They never led until overtime of their 72-67 win over 12-5, underrated Texas A&M.
Damion James, he who had 26 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, including a swat that thwarted A&M’s chance to tie the game in overtime, is starting to rightfully get talk in the Player of the Year race.
I admit to neglecting James at times, but part of that is because of the crew that surrounds him. In fact, I can guarantee James has virtually no shot at winning the award because of all the talent Texas possesses.
Longhorns had their hands full with a team that showed no fear. That’s how opponents are going to have to attack Texas and its used-too-much zone.
If you’re wondering when Texas may fall … could it be in the cold of Connecticut? Longhorns travel to Storrs Saturday to play the Huskies. UConn might be a desperate dog at that point.
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Kentucky? The wild ride of 2010 continued, but only after it blew a 19-point lead and had Wildcats fans briefly panicking that the team’s first loss would come to mediocre Auburn.
Then we realized Kentucky’s Kentucky and Auburn’s Auburn.
Late free throws from the Cats and missed shots by the other Cats led to the other 72-67 win.
DeMarcus Cousins had another double-double, his ninth of the season.
No doubt John Calipari will chalk this one up as a “loss” though, so I think that’ll put his team at, I think, “10-8″ this season.
Then we realized Kentucky’s Kentucky and Auburn’s Auburn.
The ridiculous stat: John Calipari won his 52nd straight regular-season game against a conference opponent of a team he coached. Coincidentally, that breaks Adolph Rupp’s all-time-best record.
Kentucky now gets a full week off before two more also-rans in Arkansas and South Carolina. Then, home to Vanderbilt Jan. 30. Is that when the loss it going to come? If not then, when? Home to Ole Miss? At Mississippi State after Valentine’s Day?
The SEC continues to flounder, and Kentucky will get separation without playing a game. It’s starting to feel like the ’90s again.
