Kentucky started off this game on an 18-2 run and never looked back as they kept their lead double digits the rest of the game. A high performance from an individual player was not a factor for the Wildcats, energy and pure teamwork was.
The Mountaineers are a pressing team and Kentucky decided to fight fire with fire. Cats came out and attacked the ball on defense and drove it with intensity to start the game. It must have surprised West Virginia because there were no punches thrown back.
The score at half time was a surprising 44-18 in favor of the Cats. In a Sweet Sixteen game which was hyped up days leading up to the match many expected a close game. Not the smallest amount of points scored in a Sweet Sixteen game since the shot clock was invented.
Kentucky's now 37-0 record stands tall after they beat yet another ranked opponent by double digits. Yet, no game during the regular season has looked quite this ugly. No team that has won two games in the NCAA Tournament should lose by 39.
But that's what Kentucky does to teams. They hit you so hard you don't even know you're almost down 20. It's almost a quiet stampede, when Kentucky runs, you better slow down or else you're getting trampled.
Which is exactly what we saw from West Virginia. We saw a team try to speed up the game by creating more possessions, which only gave Kentucky more chances to score. Defense was the key to winning this game for Kentucky, and that was undeniably seen here tonight.
Kentucky blocked seven shots, had seven steals, and forced West Virginia into 13 turnovers while only committing 10 themselves. Forcing more turnovers than the Mountaineers means you did something right.
Kentucky will have a battle that many called the second brackets came out when they face Notre Dame on Saturday in the Regional Final. An interesting battle will ensue between a top defense in Kentucky and a top offense of Notre Dame.
Individual Statistics
Trey Lyles- Lyles has become an outstanding player for the top team in the country as he scored 14 points to go along with seven rebounds and two assists. He's become a rim attacker and showed how deadly his baseline drive is in this game.
Juwan Staten- Staten was the only player consistently scoring for West Virginia as he also put up 14 points but only hit 5-13 from deep. It was a disappointing way to end his career at West Virginia but his year has been memorable.
Andrew Harrison- Andrew Harrison looked like the leader Kentucky needs to win a championship as he poured in 13 points, four steals, three rebounds and a steal. He showed off a bit late in the second with a behind the back move into a layup which lead to an and-1. Fantastic performance.
Devin Booker- Booker returned to form as he hit his first three of the NCAA Tournament after starting 0-7. He finished with 12 points on 2-5 shooting from deep.
Aaron Harrison- Aaron Harrison scored all 12 of his points in the first half as he sat a majority of the second half with what seemed like a finger dislocation. He later returned to the game with he finger taped but did not but much effort into scoring.
Dakari Johnson- Johnson has now put his mark on this Kentucky tournament run as he scored 12 points to go with six rebounds and two blocks. A terrific defensive outing for the sophomore after Karl-Anthony Towns got into quick foul trouble.