Kentucky 62, Cornell 45
The final score doesn’t reflect the challenge Cornell gave No. 1 Kentucky Thursday night, but anyone who watched the game saw a team full of non-scholarship players give a bunch of future NBA first-round picks all they could handle. Kentucky’s athleticism, speed and length were ultimately too much for
the Big Red, who were never able to get into a good rhythm offensively.
After jumping out to a 10-2 lead, Cornell let DeMarcus Cousins and UK capitalize on high-percentage shots in the paint to go on a 30-6 run. A 16-point halftime deficit was simply too much for the Ivy Leaguers to overcome, despite much improved play in the second half. Had adjustments been made earlier, the Big Red might have had a chance.
Kentucky’s defense shut down Cornell’s number one weapon, their three-point shooting, and the Big Red didn’t take advantage of what was given to them. Kentucky was double-teaming the ballhandler on screens, leaving the man rolling to the hoop wide open, but it was obvious to the Wildcats–and everyone watching–that the Big Red weren’t looking for that second option. Stymied beyond the arc, the Cornell players were taken out of their rhythm and weren’t able to create off the dribble or get aggressive in the paint.
No Spain, No Gain 