Bellarmine went to Rupp Arena and did what they do best. They made Kentucky work, for everything. It’s the last thing the Wildcats wanted to see, but it’s exactly what they needed to see.
For 24 minutes Bellarmine moved the ball with minimal dribbles, forcing Kentucky to defend for 20+ seconds into every shot clock. When the Wildcats finally got the ball back, the lazy cuts and dribble hand-offs did not get anyone open. The Knights’ help defense stuffed up the middle of the court and the straight line drives could not get to the basket.
Kentucky’s struggling offense became anemic.