In a pregame exchange, Cuonzo Martin told John Calipari he admired how hard the Wildcats play but that struggling Missouri wasn’t going to roll over against mighty Kentucky.
Mizzou didn’t. The Wildcats got out with a 66-58 triumph that meant something to both sides.
For Kentucky, style points don’t apply for a road victory, especially one that followed a hyped and emotional conquest of top-ranked Tennessee. Calipari just wanted to skip town with a victory, although weather delayed the Wildcats’ trip back to Lexington, Ky., until Wednesday.
“I told our team at halftime they’re going to be playing with house money, they’re going to make some shots and make two or three runs at us,” Calipari said.