Kentucky hits reset button with statement win over North Carolina

It’s been a bleak few months for Kentucky Basketball, but tonight, the Cats gave the BBN the best Christmas present we could ask for: a dominant win over a top-ten blue blood with the nation watching.Kentucky’s 80-72 win over No. 9 North Carolina hit the reset button of the season. This week, John Calipari said he believed the Duke loss still lingered over the fanbase and he was right; that’s why Kentucky’s performance tonight was so great. Not only did the Cats look like they were having fun for the first time since the Bahamas, they won because they were doing the things right that they did wrong earlier this season. Good defense created opportunities for the offense. Proper spacing in the post allowed Reid Travis and PJ Washington to work together. And, most importantly of all, Ashton Hagans controlled the game with pesky defense and impeccable court vision. In a phrase that should sound familiar, Ashton had the fifth most points, but his performance was the most important of all.

…