WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2012 B5 THE ADVOCATE-MESSENGER WWW.AMNEWS.COM COLLEGE BASKETBALL VIEWS, from B1 Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury correctly noted, the Bulldogs could not have played any better on both ends of the court while building a 41-28 halftime lead. But Kentucky got back in the game, hung around and then it once again was Miller time. Just as he did in the final five minutes of the win at Vanderbilt, sen- ior Darius Miller took over. He scored all 12 of his points in the final eight minutes. All came on three-point plays — three field goals and a 3-point shot where he was fouled and made all the foul shots. “Darius made big shots. He made free throws. We got blocks and a couple of defensive stops. This was as good an environment as we have played in and respectful, but a great en- vironment,” Calipari said. And a great win for No. 1 Kentucky. Mississippi State went into the game determined to keep the Wildcats out of the paint and away from the rim. The goal was not Victoria Graff/[email protected] to let Anthony Davis, Ter- Terrence Jones goes in for two of his 11 points Tuesday. Jones also rence Jones and Michael grabbed six rebounds and blocked a shot in UK’s win. Kidd-Gilchrist win the game with dunks and for “What happened in the second half was the most part State did that even though UK still Terrence Jones played. e first half he won the in paint scoring battle 34-22. got pushed around. When he plays, we The Bulldogs also are really good. When he doesn’t, we wanted to keep the Cats off the foul line where they have to figure out ways to play.” had made more free throws than opponents Kentucky coach John Calipari Victoria Graff/[email protected] had attempted in South- Kentucky’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist guards Mississippi State’s DeVille Smith. Kidd-Gilchrist guarded Dee eastern Conference play. Stansbury said. “That’s of what we want to do and Bost in the second half and held him to five points as UK rallied to win. Kidd-Gilchrist scored 18 points and In the first half, UK was 2- one of the best Kentucky that’s getting better every grabbed 10 rebounds in the win. for-4 at the line and State defensive teams ever and day,” Miller said. 7-for-7. In the second half, for us to have 41 points He noted the Cats the Cats were 15-for-17 the first half, we were didn’t lose focus earlier in and State 4-for-8. pretty efficient. But they the year when they were “We didn’t want to let are (good defensively) and not playing as well and Kidd-Gilchrist, Miller them drive and foul them,” that’s what enables them were being criticized even Stansbury said. “The first to go on the road and though they were winning. half, we did that. The sec- “When they are saying ond half, we did not.” win.” It’s also what could good things, we can’t come up big for Cats Even though Davis fin- think about it,” Miller said. ished with a double-dou- make Kentucky the fa- ble (13 points, 11 vorite going into NCAA By LARRY VAUGHT right there.” ing back and forth” with rebounds and two blocks) tournament play and ca- pable of winning an eighth [email protected] Kidd-Gilchrist said he Calipari during his hot he was not as dominant wanted to take away Bost’s streak. inside as he has been national championship if STARKVILLE, Miss. — 3-point shooting so “I got Mississippi State coach many games because the it learned one valuable When Kentucky needed my hands up, played good Rick Stansbury thought Bulldogs pulled him away lesson from the first half Dry them most, senior Darius defense” because he knew the foul on the 3-point from the basket on de- that it can’t repeat in post- Miller and freshman Bost would keep making shot when State had a 60- fense and didn’t let him season play. Cleaners Michael Kidd-Gilchrist de- shots if he didn’t “because 53 lead and got the re- get free to the rim on of- “I think we came out livered for the Wildcats in it’s that way with every- bound on the miss was the fense. However, Calipari comfortable. We should Tuesday’s 73-64 win over body” we play. game’s key play. had no problem with never do that, especially Mississippi State that kept Bost didn’t deny that he “He just slapped my Davis taking several shots against a team as talented the Wildcats unbeaten in had more trouble scoring elbow and the ref was right from 10 or more feet from as they are,” Miller said. Southeastern Conference on Kidd-Gilchrist than he behind me luckily and saw the basket. He’s right. Do that in play. did Marquis Teague in the it and got the call,” Miller “He is doing so many NCAA play and it could be Kentucky trailed 41-28 first half. He was 4-for-9 said. things. The kid deserves to time to put the basketballs at halftime when Calipari from the field and 6-for-6 Stansbury praised shoot some balls,” Calipari away until next season. moved Kidd-Gilchrist to at the foul line in the first Miller’s play. said. “He is blocking “We came out lack- guard State guard Dee half and 1-for-6 from the “Darius Miller is the shots. He is defending. He adaisical,” Miller said. “We Bost, who had 16 points at field and 2-for-2 at the foul fiber that holds that team is in traffic. He is rebound- have to come out hungry Clean halftime. He also told line in the second half together. He is the key to ing. I am going to let him and stay focused. When Miller he wanted him to “Give him credit. He them and was the total dif- play.” we don’t, stuff like that and press shoot more after he was 0- was long and athletic and ference in the game Calipari also thought happens.” for-2 in the first half. kind of bothered me a lit- tonight. He stepped up Jones was much better in This time Kentucky sur- your shirts and Bost scored just five tle bit, but at the same and made plays when he the second half when he vived State’s potential points in the second half time we got the ball where had to make plays for that had six of his 11 points first-half knockout punch. pants more and Kidd-Gilchrist and we wanted to and did not team,” Stansbury said. and four of his six re- But that doesn’t mean it’s Miller combined to score knock down shots,” Bost “They look to him when bounds. But it was about time for the Cats to start affordably 17 points during a game- said. the game is on the line. more than numbers. talking about being NCAA winning 20-4 run to close Calipari said he took The game was on the line champions. “What happened in the 1 Mile from downtown the game. Miller scored all Miller out “a couple of at Vanderbilt, who made second half was Terrence “We have to keep taking 12 of his points in the final times” and once came for shots? Miller. When the Jones played. The first half it one game at a time. If we Danville on Shakertown eight minutes and Kidd- not shooting. game was on the line he got pushed around,” start looking ahead, we Rd. (Hwy. 33) Gilchrist had 12 of his 18 “My coach never had to tonight, who made shots? the Kentucky coach said. take losses and lose focus points in the second half. take me out because I Miller. “When he plays, we are re- In the 20-4 run, Miller also would not shoot,” Calipari “He is the only one with ally good. When he had a steal and rebound said. “He passed up shots experience. He’s a senior doesn’t, we have to figure while Kidd-Gilchrist had and he’s out. He went back and has been through the out ways to play.” three rebounds, one assist in and was bombing balls. wars. He is a terrific player True, but what Ken- and one steal. I told him, ‘You are the and to me their most valu- ANIMAL MEDICAL AND LASER SURGICAL CENTER tucky figured out was just DR. KEITH GRUBBS Overall, Kidd-Gilchrist glue to this team. They able player. Cal has done a to let Miller and Kidd- • Laser Therapy For Chronic Pain The healthy alternative to medicine! had 18 points, 10 re- count on you to make great job getting him to ac- Gilchrist make plays the bounds, two blocks, one shots and he did it.” cept his role. He has been • Laser Surgery Less Pain, Less Bleeding, Less Swelling final six minutes. They • Grooming Flexible Appointment Schedule steal and one assist in 36 Miller had three 3-point a complementary player, scored 17 of UK’s final 20 • Boarding Separate Canine and Feline Environments goals and three free but he plays starter’s min- minutes. points and made clutch • Video Ear Exams Cutting Edge Technology “I was thinking about throws when he was utes. He is a high character play after clutch play as • Emergency Services Walk-ins Welcome starting the game that way fouled on a 3-point shot in kid.” part of that will to win that 3880 S.