Kentucky wilts at free-throw line in loss to UConn

  • By Dave Skretta Associated Press
  • Monday, April 7, 2014 10:02pm
  • SportsSports

ARLINGTON, Texas — Another team coached by John Calipari was done in at that harmless strip of paint just 15 feet from the basket.

After shooting well from the free throw line much of the season, the young kids from Kentucky wilted when it mattered most Monday night. Their inability to make one of the simplest shots in basketball was a big reason why they lost 60-54 to Connecticut in the national championship game.

“Well, you could say that, but the way we started the game probably cost us the game,” said Kentucky coach John Calipari, whose team found itself in an early 30-15 hole and never led.

Still, Kentucky was 13-of-24 from the foul line, and missed its final three attempts, when the game was still hanging in the balance. The last of them, a miss by Alex Poythress, would have cut the Wildcats’ deficit to 56-53 with 3:47 remaining in the game.

Instead, the lead swelled to six when DeAndre Daniels scored at the other end for UConn, and the Wildcats never had a chance to get within a single possession the rest of the way.

Making it all the more frustrating: UConn was 10-for-10 from the line.

Asked whether that decided the game, Kentucky’s Aaron Harrison replied, “Maybe so.”

So instead of Calipari’s latest bunch of one-and-done stars cutting down the nets during “One Shining Moment,” it was UConn joyously romping around the court inside AT&T Stadium, the confetti falling from the rafters as Kentucky players filed slowly toward their locker room.

Their free throw struggles immediately brought back memories of the 2008 title game, when a Memphis team coached by Calipari struggled down the stretch against Kansas.

In that game, the Jayhawks fouled the poor-shooting Tigers when they had to rally late in regulation. Memphis responded by missing four of its final five free throws. And that was enough for Kansas to overcome its big deficit and ultimately win the game in regulation.

During that stretch before OT, Kansas made all of its shots — including its free throws.

Asked whether it entered Calipari’s mind, he replied flatly: “No.”

UConn was just as maddeningly efficient as Kansas at the line, though, making the troubles of Kentucky all the more glaring: The Huskies never missed, and their final two free throws by Lasan Kromah with 25 seconds to go sealed their fourth national championship.

James Young was 8 of 9 from the foul line for Kentucky, and finished with 20 points. But the rest of the team was 5-for-15, including lousy shooting from Julius Randle (4-of-7) and fellow big man Dakari Johnson, who was 1-of-4 the line.

It wasn’t just the misses that hurt the Wildcats, either. It was their inability to get there.

Their best foul shooters, twin guards Aaron and Andrew Harris, only made it to the line once — Aaron missed the attempt.

“Tough way to go out but at the same time, we proved a lot of people wrong,” Johnson said. “We just had a great season and obviously we would have wanted to be on the other end the last game. We just had a tremendous season and we shouldn’t feel down.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.