@CoachRyanKY
(SEATTLE)- Am I living in a Time Machine? Weren’t the Comeback Cats the name given to the 1998 National Championship Team? Well, the 2024-25 edition of the Kentucky Wildcats might be time-travelers after an amazing comeback 90-89 victory over Gonzaga in the “Battle of Seattle”. This Top-Ten matchup delivered everything — passion, intensity, reslience, and unforgettable (late night) moments.
Photo: Chet White II UK Athletics
The story that will be remembered is Kentucky overcoming an 18 point deficit to knock off Mark Few’s talented Gonzaga squad. The gritty performance from multiple players will be remembered after their UK careers are over. Andrew Carr was a man amongst boys in the Second Half. Jaxson Robinson may have provided a spark at Point Guard in Lamont Butler’s abscense. Mark Pope coached an award-winning masterclass last night. He kept referring to Mark Few after the game as, “the best in the business”, well Mark — I think you may be one of the few better. (Awful, I know.)
Gonzaga stormed to a commanding lead early, setting the tone with a double-digit lead on the shoulders of Graham “The Elbow” Ike and Ryan “Don’t Give Me The Ball Under Pressure” Nembhard. A fluid Mark Few developed offense, and commanding physicality from Ike made it difficult for Kentucky to find their stride early. Missed opportunities, turnovers, and a generous Gonzaga whistle saw Kentucky down 15 at the half.
Photo: Chet White II UK Athletics
Mark Pope’s halftime adjustments are beginning to come stuff of legend in Lexington. Kentucky began to chip away at the Zag’s lead with a newfound energy and physicality. Plus, they adjusted to attack Ike head on — by forcing the ball into the low post to Andrew Carr. Carr, who was instrumental on both ends of the floor, finished with 19 points in the comeback. “If you’re not going out there and playing tough, playing hard — it’s not going to work”, Carr told reporters after the game.
Photo: Chet White // UK Athletics
In Overtime, Kentucky took the early lead via back-to-back dunks that may have given some worry that Mount Saint Helens was set to erupt yet again, no fear — it was just the boisterous voices from those in the Big Blue Nation that found their way to the Pacific Northwest. One time Kentucky commit, Nolan Hickman, hit a clutch shot for Gonzaga in overtime to give Kentucky fans a little to worry about. However, Andrew Carr showed up once again and turned Gonzaga over on the last play of the game to seal Gonzaga’s first loss in 175 games after leading by double-digits at Halftime — stamping the W in Kentucky victory column and putting smiles on each fans face who realize that Kentucky — is in fact, back.
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