Over the weekend on Friday and Saturday night, the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team finally proved they can win a game when it means something.
Despite committing more turnovers than lever pulls at a Vegas slot machine, the Kentucky Wildcats somehow found a way to win this weekend's Vegas Invitational.
In game one of two, the Kentucky Wildcats were Jekyll and Hyde. While Kentucky looked so fantastic releasing the ball, shooting an astonishing 69 percent from the field, the men in blue were just as bad from a ball handling perspective.
Committing 31 turnovers and giving up a 17-point second half lead could have made any Lexington native's blood pressure sky rocket. However, Kentucky escaped 74-72 and moved on to play the Mountaineers of West Virginia.
Turnover-wise, the 'Cats produced more of the same. Like throwing $500 chips away at a blackjack table, the Wildcats just couldn't hold onto the ball, committing 13 first half turnovers and trailing by 10 at the break. From a shooting perspective, Kentucky wasn't as fortunate in act two of this Las Vegas show.
Kentucky managed to shoot just 38 percent from the field, while going just one for five from the three-point line.
Somehow, some way, however, the Wildcats in blue managed to pull away with another courageous victory.
With 15:02 to go in the game, Kentucky had just fallen behind 32-20. But although Kentucky struggled from the field, the Wildcats' intimidating defense suffocated the Mountaineers offense to just two more field goals the remaining 15 minutes, while scoring just 11 more points.
Not only was Kentucky's defense terrific down the stretch, but every 'Cat on the floor seemed to start to gel well together and limit their mistakes. Not only did the Wildcats handle adversity late, but they also put away West Virginia from the charity stripe.
Like accepting a free buffet at the Bellagio Hotel, Kentucky took every free-throw they received. Devouring 23 of 25 free-throws and 8 of 8 for dessert the final two minutes, the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team finally gave their fans something to cheer for: A 54-43 win in the championship game.
Not only did the Wildcats come out of Nevada unscathed, but they came out with a little spring in their step and a little more confidence moving forward. And a much improved 4-2 record.
The mistakes still may seem to be noticeable and the inexperience large, but Kentucky is finding ways to win.
This Kentucky Wildcats team may not have went all-in over the weekend and hit the jackpot, but they sure did cash in a few of their chips.
Let's just hope they weren't bluffing.
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