My feelings as a UK fan this season have transformed into two distinct but polar-opposite latitudes, and today's win over Florida pretty much cemented them.
I am almost afraid to watch away games (but still do) because of this gut feeling that, no matter what happens in the first half, the second half, the first five minutes or the final five minutes, the Cats are going to lose. With the exception of an early win at South Carolina, they have yet to allay my fears.
On the other hand, I have supreme confidence that when this team takes the floor at Rupp Arena, it will win. Pure and simple. The opponent doesn't matter. The previous performance doesn't matter. I have no qualms at all about watching UK destroy opponents on its home floor, and today's game backed up and boosted my confidence.
That being said, the Cats still didn't play a perfect game. Far from it, actually. There was, at times, a distinct lack of defensive rebounding, especially in key situations, and too many stupid fouls were committed too early in the contest.
On the other hand, Darius Miller stepped up in a huge way at Rupp Arena for the second time in as many home games. He shot the three well, he drove to the basket and used his size effectively and he was just an extremely difficult match-up defensively for the Florida Gators. Absolutely great performance out of an experienced player that should strive to consistently put up numbers like the ones he had today.
Brandon Knight, wonderful. Terrence Jones, solid, but still way too dependent on his left hand. Josh Harrellson, a beast, as usual.
I can't wait for Tuesday's prime-time matchup against Vandy at Rupp, I have no doubt the Cats will win.
The season finale @ Tennessee? Check back later.
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