Kentucky trailed Georgia for much of Saturday's semifinal game in the SEC tournament but came alive midway through the second half and ended up coasting to a 93-80 win that likely ended any hope the Bulldogs had of making the NCAA tournament.
Jamal Murray and Tyler Ulis combined to score 51 points and send Kentucky to the title game and a chance at revenge.
The Wildcats' win sets up an encounter with top-seeded Texas A&M in the conference title game Sunday afternoon. The game won't have much in the way of NCAA tournament implications because both teams are already expected to be No. 5 seeds or better, but it will be a rematch of an entertaining game in February that featured a controversial ending, in which the Aggies prevailed in overtime.
The last three times Kentucky and Texas A&M have played they have needed overtime to settle it.
In this season's game, Kentucky managed to push the contest to overtime, despite injuries and foul trouble with its big men. Coach John Calipari called on Isaac Humphries, who played great in 20 minutes off the bench, but also played a pivotal role in helping the Aggies win.
Texas A&M guard Anthony Collins drove into the lane with 9 seconds left in overtime and Kentucky leading by one and Humphries altered his shott and collected the rebound on a shot that never came close to the rim. The Aggies fouled him and he slammed the ball on the ground, not in anger but in happiness for having made a big play with the game on the line. He was issued a technical foul, fouling out of the game.
Danuel House made the two gift free throws for A&M to put the Aggies up 77-76 and Skal Labissiere made one of two free throws for the Wildcats to tie it 77-77.
On the final possession, House drove into the lane and attempted an awkward shot and missed but Tyler Davis grabbed the rebound and put it in as time expired, giving the Aggies the 79-77 victory.
Since that game, both teams have made a case for being the best in the SEC this season, and Kentucky fans feel their team was robbed by an official who could have easily looked at Humphries' slamming the ball to the floor as a celebration and not an outburst directed at anyone. In Kentucky's past three games, Humphries has played one minute in each contest and he's unlikely to he a factor in the rematch, but he wasn't supposed to play a big part the first time around either.
The teams shared the regular season title, both finishing 13-5 in the conference, but the Aggies claimed the No. 1 seed because of the victory in College Station.
Sunday they will have their chance to settle it on the court.
 | @AndyWittry | |
Kentucky beats LSU to tie Texas A&M atop the SEC standings. This technical may have cost them the outright title. vine.co/v/ireq7AeQUDw
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