Deep Breath.....

Well that was exciting, wasn't it? So much for the get-acclimated-to-the-big-dance-against-an-inferior-opponent opening round game. Princeton took Kentucky right down to the wire, and unlike another team from the bluegrass, the Cats escaped with a victory and move on to a rematch of last year's Elite Eight battle against WVU.

This time of year, a win is a win, and you have to be impressed with the grit and determination UK showed down the stretch. Brandon Knight was bottled up by Princeton's smothering defense until the final possession, making his first and only field goal of the game and sending the Tigers back to the Ivy League empty-handed.

The performance was not what I or most UK fans expected, given how well the Cats played in the home stretch of the regular season, but that can often be the end result odd matchups and postseason basketball.

It was a huge boost to have our juniors and senior step up and deliver, with Miller and Harrellson basically dragging the team towards the finish line. If I was West Virginia, my number one goal would be to shut down Miller, although I don't personally think they can stop him. He is so versatile on the floor, it is incredibly difficult for other teams to guard him. Put a big man on him, he'll drive past him or knock down triples. Have a smaller, quicker guard match up against him, and Miller will back down in the post and score in the paint.

All in all, an ugly win, but a win nonetheless.