South Carolina upsets Kentucky, snaps UK's winning streak at Rupp Arena
South Carolina snapped Kentucky’s 28-game winning streak at Rupp Arena, the 5th-longest in the storied venue, on Tuesday as the Gamecocks were fueled by hot shooting from 3-point range.
The Gamecocks also got 21 second-chance points, and shot 57% in the first half. Meechie Johnson had a career-high 26 points, including 6 3s, as the Ohio State transfer caused problems all night for the Wildcats. He led 3 Gamecocks in double figures scoring, along with GG Jackson, who had 16, and Hayden Brown, who chipped in 11.
It was South Carolina’s third win ever in Rupp Arena, and it came a game after the Gamecocks’ worst-ever SEC loss, a 40-point defeat against Tennessee.
The Wildcats had a chance at the end, down 3, with 20.2 seconds left, but misfired on a pair of attempts. UK clawed back to within 5 down the stretch thanks to making 6 of 8 shot attempts, and saw some improved play on defense.
But South Carolina was a hot-shooting team throughout the night, as the first-half production saw the Gamecocks hit 17-of-30 field goals, and 6-of-9 3-pointers.
????-✌️-???? at Rupp!?!? YUP#Gamecocks // #ForeverToThee pic.twitter.com/xGiFbUwfvT
— Gamecock Men’s Basketball (@GamecockMBB) January 11, 2023
Dang I didn’t even consider watching this because we are so bad.
I was almost there too, but all of my other teams had the night off so I said, what the heck. Not sure how Meechie hit some of his threes last night. He would let the game clock bleed almost all the way down and hit a step back three five feet behind the arc. Crazy!
A UK fan called me shortly before halftime or I would never have seen it. UK must really suck this year. That #20 ranking will be gone next week.
Ky is much worse! Time for Cal to head to Austin! Not sure why they would want him either. Dude can’t coach
The main story of the game was a fan holding a sign telling Cal to Please go to Texas was kicked out of the arena. The sign was easy to see among all of the empty seats in the lower section. I believe Cal’s time has come and gone. If he doesn’t hasten his exit, he will be about as welcome in Rupp Arena as Rick Pitino.
Seems to be lots of truth in your statement. He’s been a great coach in years past but he seems to be way off track now. UT might be a good career ending for him.
UK didn’t play well at all, but SC was hot beyond the arc.
USC was hot BECAUSE UK didn’t play well. But it’s still a big win for our weak coaching staff. I’ll count it.