This Shows There’s Still Place for Tradition

NEW ORLEANS â€”  Perhaps the best compliment you could give the Kentucky-Kansas second round game was that it was worthy of the rich traditions of the two schools.

In a topsy-turvy tournament, it proved to be a rare example of things holding to form. Put two of the three winningest college basketball programs on the court and you should expect a well-played, competitive, thrilling game. And a No. 3-seeded ought to beat a No. 6-seeded team, which is what happened Sunday when Kentucky prevailed over Kansas, 92-88, in overtime at the Superdome.

“You live for these types of games,� Kentucky forward Heshimu Evans said.

Each side seemed to have an answer for whatever the other side had to offer, matching three-pointers, reining in the opponent when it was about to pull away. Kansas’ early eight-point lead didn’t stand. Neither did Kentucky’s seven-point lead midway through the second half. And even when Kansas led by five with 1:10 left to play, Wayne Turner made two free throws, then Scott Padgett made a three-point shot with 18.7 seconds remaining to force overtime.

The first two minutes of overtime were tight before Padgett made two free throws for a four-point lead with 1:05 left, leaving Kansas with no choice but to foul and hoist three-point shots.

Kentucky (27-8) will play Miami of Ohio (24-7) in the Midwest Regional semifinal in St. Louis. Miami beat Utah in the first game here Sunday, and with Stanford and North Carolina losing already, reigning champion Kentucky is the only participant in last year’s Final Four still alive in the tournament.The Wildcats’ mix of depth, toughness and senior leadership has them looking like a strong contender to make it back.

After 10 players scored for Kentucky in the first half, two seniors, Padgett and Turner, took over in crunch time. They combined to score all of Kentucky’s 25 points in the final 11:05 of regulation.

“We’ve been there,� said Padgett, who finished with 29 points. “We feel like we’ve got something to defend here. We just willed ourselves to a win.�

Kansas senior guard Ryan Robertson, a supporting member of some powerful Kansas teams that couldn’t meet expectations in the past, did his best to keep this less talented group alive. He made seven of 10 shots and 13 of 14 free throws for 31 points.

Freshman Jeff Boschee played a fearless game, draining six of his 18 three-point shots for 18 points. He and Robertson combined to make 10 of Kansas’ 12 three-point baskets.

Kansas’ inside game was nonexistent in the second half. Eric Chenowith, the 7-foot center from Villa Park, took only two shots after halftime, neither from inside the lane.

Turner and Padgett, meanwhile went hard to the hoop, scoring inside or getting to the free-throw line. Turner went for a layup with Kentucky down by three points in the final minute. He missed, but the Wildcats got the offensive rebound, as they did several times in crucial situations. Padgett got the ball up top, pump-faked, stepped back into three-point range and fired away to tie the game.

Kansas (23-10) chose not to call timeout--Coach Roy Williams said he didn’t want to let Kentucky set up its zone trap--and wound up with Robertson driving the lane. Kentucky’s defenders converged, and Robertson passed off to Kenny Gregory, who clearly didn’t want the pressure shot, and his jumper from the baseline missed badly.

This game deserved an extension. As the marquee matchup of the second round, it did little to disappoint, offering both hard defense and good shooting.

The folks at Kansas like to think they invented college basketball, and Kentucky followers believe they perfected it. Regardless of the rooting interest --or even for the casual followers--this one was enjoyable.