Pablo Picasso’s works will be on display until April 5, 2020 at the KMAC Museum in Louisville, KY.
Kentucky
UK defeats U of L 78-70 in OT: Their 2019-20 Regular Season Game is in the Books
The Pressure was on Kentucky Entering this Game
The #3 University of Louisville Cardinals traveled 70 miles east to play the #19 University of Kentucky in their annual rivalry game. Both teams have spent time ranked #1 during this season. Kentucky entered the game with most of the pressure. UK lost two straight games prior to today’s clash. Three-game losing streaks are not common at Kentucky, and losing to an in-state rival to cap a three-game skid was a bad but realistic prospect.
Kentucky has also dominated their rivalry with U of L since John Calipari became head coach. Calipari was 10-2 versus Louisville as UK’s head coach prior to today having won all 5 previous games in Lexington. Calipari also has wins over U of L in an NCAA Final Four game in New Orleans in 2012, an NCAA Sweet 16 game in Indianapolis in 2014, and 3 of 5 games at Louisville’s YUM! Center. One would think that UK being 10-2 over 10-years versus a rival would keep pressure off of John Calipari and his players, but U of L’s Chris Mack is only in his second season at U of L.
Chris Mack winning in Lexington would level his series with UK at 1-1 and send a message that U of L had changed the course of the rivalry. Chris Mack inherited a depleted roster last season. Jordan Nwora and Steven Enoch removing their names from the NBA draft spearhead a roster full of players with a full season of Chris Mack’s coaching under their belts. U of L also signed six freshmen. Physically, this Louisville team matched up much better with Kentucky than last season’s U of L squad. Of course, UK lost P. J. Washington and Tyler Herro to the NBA from their 2018-19 roster as well. In 2019-20, Kentucky lacked some of Louisville’s bulk in the paint, but UK’s long arms and quick guards were likely to bother Louisville’s perimeter players.
How 40 Minutes Played Out
The game was fairly even until late in the first half when Kentucky pushed their lead to 8. In the second half, Kentucky expanded its lead to 12 until Nick Richards received his 3rd foul. Without Richards, who is listed at 6’11” 247 lbs., Louisville’s frontcourt turned the game in U of L’s favor. Richards returned and nearly immediately picked up his 4th foul. Louisville was able to tie and take several small leads during the remainder of regulation. With the game tied late, Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey missed a shot and Keion Brooks’ had a tip-in rim out at the buzzer. Kentucky and Louisville were headed toward their first overtime game since their 1983 Elite 8 clash.
Overtime for the First Time Since 1983
Overtime saw many momentum swings. Kentucky missed a three-pointer but seemingly had an offensive rebound that it lost. Louisville took full advantage and hit a 3 to break a tie at 2:22 remaining. U of L led 68-65. Nick Richards scored and hit a free-throw to level the game. Kentucky and Louisville traded baskets from their centers as Richards put UK ahead 70-68 while Enoch answered to level the game at 70 with 47 seconds remaining. Nick Richards drew a foul and hit two free throws to put UK ahead 72-70 with 28 seconds remaining. Immanuel Quickley got a defensive rebound and was fouled. Quickley hit two free throws to put UK up 4 with 17 seconds remaining. UK forced two turnovers in the final seconds resulting in two free throws from Tyrese Maxey and a dunk from Ashton Hagans leading to an 8-point margin for victory.
The Historical Status of the Rivalry
- UK improved to 28-13 in their modern rivalry with U of L
- UK is 25-12 in Regular Season Games in the modern rivalry and 3-1 in NCAA tournament games vs. U of L in the modern rivalry
- John Calipari moved to 11-2 versus U of L and Chris Mack is now 0-2 versus UK
- UK improved to 16-4 at Rupp Arena versus U of L
Top Performers
- Nick Richards – The Kentucky big man put up 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and played good defense against Louisville’s impressive frontline.
- Steven Enoch – The Louisville big man put up 18 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His ability to shoot jumpers could make him a lot of money at the next level.
- Tyrese Maxey – The first-year player scored 27 points in part by hitting 4 of 5 threes and 5 of 6 free throws. He also grabbed 7 rebounds and played 40 of 45 minutes.
- Lamar “Fresh” Kimble – The graduate-transfer had his breakout game at Louisville. Kimble hit 2 of 3 three-pointers, scored 12 points, dished out 4 assists, made two steals, and committed zero turnovers.
- Immanuel Quickley – He played 37-minutes off of the bench, scored 18 points, hit 8 of 8 free throws, and played great defense for UK.
A Word on Officiating
The game was officiated in a fairly uneven manner. Nick Richards’ 3rd and 4th fouls were questionable. The idea that Richards committed no fouls in the remainder of the 2nd half and overtime is dubious. John Calipari was called for a technical foul due to being outside of the coach’s box. I think both UK and U of L’s teams and fans could be mystified by how this game was officiated. U of L in each half reached the bonus fairly quickly only to see foul totals move toward equilibrium by the end of each half. Referees are not perfect people, but this game should have received a more consistent whistle.
An Open Letter to Kentucky’s New Governor Andy Beshear
Dear Governor Beshear,
Congratulations on your victory. You become the chief executive of Kentucky at a moment of deep divisions in our commonwealth and in our nation. This is not an easy time for anyone to be governor. You have experience as a public servant and your father’s experience to draw upon. Both should serve you well.
While I do not envy anyone entering a leadership position in an era of division, I do think that our divisions offer some opportunities. Clearly, teachers in Kentucky are a powerful force, and I think tapping into our teachers and schools can be a good starting point for impacting all of Kentucky. In addition to the vital tasks of helping students to learn information, to learn how to think more clearly, and to mature as human beings, teachers are often the first line of defense for students suffering from developmental delays, medical issues, abuse, or neglect. Finding inventive ways to weave the skills and insights of teachers into their various communities in Kentucky while also shoring up their pension system are highly advisable steps for upcoming legislative sessions.
Similarly, community service and charity are both widespread in Kentucky and an area of common cause. I urge you to reach out to every Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis Club in Kentucky as well as to robustly promote the good works programs of the Kentucky Colonels. Additionally, it would bring a sense of unity and energy to our state if you were to urge young people involved in service organizations ranging from various branches of the National Honor Society to scouting to redouble their efforts. Beyond that, your words and deeds can help to unleash idealism found in Kentucky’s various governor’s schools, colleges, and universities.
Finally, steps taken on casino gambling, industrial hemp, and CBD oil will have lasting impacts on Kentucky. A governor is not a dictator and the legislature will have to approve most if not all steps taken on these topics. No way forward on these areas of concern is an obvious or perfect path. Casinos can undermine people’s finances especially when gambling addiction becomes a factor. Conversely, every state bordering Kentucky has legalized casino gambling. In a state with multiple race tracks, a lottery, and horse farms that depend on race tracks remaining viable, legalizing casino gaming may seem to be obviously good. If Kentucky does legalize casino gambling, it must also take steps to address the damages done by gambling addiction. Similarly, Kentucky has a long history of cultivating hemp. CBD oil, hemp fibers, and other hemp products offer Kentucky a great deal of economic opportunity. These opportunities should not be ignored. Yet, any legislative package attempting to broaden such opportunities will need to be well crafted as it will face a complex set of obstacles and concerns.
You are now governor of a state with deep divisions. The pressing legislative issues you have inherited are complex and have drawbacks that accompany their potential benefits. Yet, our state motto and the very name commonwealth may hold clues to the best avenues for you to take. United We Stand Divided We Fall: Draw wisdom from that. Remember that commonwealth comes from the 14th-century English word “commonweal” meaning general welfare or common good. If uniting people and seeking the common good are your guiding principles, your governorship will have both a strong foundation and broad horizons.
All the best,
Daniel E. Martin, Ph.D.
“Kentucky” Dan Martin
Hello,
My name is Dan Martin. I am a husband, father, son, teacher, tennis enthusiast, and proud Kentuckian. I have been fortunate enough to live for decent periods of time in Washington, DC, Providence, RI, Saint Meinrad, IN, and Dayton, OH. However, most of my life has been spent in Louisville, Burlington, Erlanger, and Park Hills, Kentucky.
In my first year of college, my dorm name quickly morphed from “Dan” to “Dan from Kentucky” due to many Dans living in the dorm to “Kentucky Dan.” “Kentucky” Dan stuck and even morphed at times in “KYD” and “Bluegrass.” The nickname stopped making much sense when I moved back to Kentucky after college, but I have always liked it.
My Kentucky roots run fairly deep. My dad’s side of the family is related to Samuel Howard who founded Harlan County. I have a great affection for my home state, and I also am able to laugh at a few of Kentucky’s quirks. I grew up loving Kentucky basketball and am also a product of Kentucky’s robust Catholic school system.
I hope we can enjoy looking at culture, art, and sports in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Thanks,
Dan Martin
Kentucky Abides 