Kentucky No Longer Under Freeze Warning

It was devastating to hear the news last week in my home state. My relatives and friends alike were left without power in freezing cold conditions during the ice storm last week. Even my cousin was not able to celebrate her birthday last week because of the inability to go anywhere outside your home. Luckily everyone I know has recovered and I'm glad to hear that. Everyone except the Kentucky Wildcats, up until Tuesday night. The cold still had an effect on the 'Cats shooting, as Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson combined for 10 for 28 shooting and 30 points. But that didn't stop the 'Cats. It was a collaborative team effort as Kevin Galloway, Josh Harrellson, Micheal Porter, Darius Miller, and Perry Stevenson took the bulk for the team as they combined for 38 points, and with a strong defensive effort at the end, they managed to pull out the win against the arch-rival Florida Gators. Coach Gillispie finally showed what "toughness" character he was talking about. He wanted them to play with mental toughness for a full 40 minutes. It was a close game back and forth, being tied at halftime. But there were 2 turning points in the game: 1.-Florida Guard Walter Hodge was ejected in the 2nd half becaus e of a dead-ball flagrant foul. After Nick Calathes was fouled, UK player Perry Stevenson was on the ground. Before he got up, Hodge walked by and stepped on his arm. He clearly looked down and knew where he was going. It was an intentional foul by all means, and according to the NCAA rulebook he should have been ejected; therefore, the right call was made. Here's the video, you can judge the call if you like, but it was by all means intentional.2.-Patrick Patterson went down afterwards and landed on his ankle. Fortunately, X-rays were negative and he is being listed as day-to-day, although he did not return to the game. Florida then managed to go on a 10-0 run as they took a 60-54 lead with 3 minutes remaing. It was at that point that the team pulled together as Galloway, Harrellson, and Meeks started contributing. After UF missed a 3 to go up 67-63, Dan Werner made 1 of 2 free throws and the game remained tied. 65-65 with 12 seconds remaining, Jodie Meeks took the ball up the court and took a double-clutched shot in Calathes' face as the shot clock hit 0 and swished it. Calathes forced a shot at the buzzer that did not go in but he was "fouled". He forced a foul and created an allusion among the refs and fans. The 24,000 strong at Rupp Arena was at their loudest ever, the decibels being heard from Lexington to Gainesville, as they rejoiced when Calathes missed the first free throw, practically guaranteeing a win for UK. He went on to miss all three as the Cats prevailed against the over-hyped Florida Gators. They did not allow a 3-game home losing streak, which would have been the first time in school history. UK will hopefully use this momentum to gain some ground in the SEC and win games that will help them make the Big Dance.