In a game which featured an estimated 10 future 1st Round NBA Draft choices and more than 20 former Top 100 rated high school players, none were bigger in the clutch than University of Kentucky’s fabulous freshman Anthony Davis.
Having already been in the mix as the potential #1 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Davis continues to show off an amazing skill set and through the roof athleticism in front of the estimated 25+ NBA GM’s and scouts in attendance at Rupp Arena for what was arguably the best, and most hyped game of the young college season between #1 ranked Kentucky and #5 ranked North Carolina.
Many current and retired NBA players like John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Rasheed Wallace joined a throng of celebrities in the crowd to bear witness to an epic clash between arguably the NCAA’s best two teams, which played out like a heavyweight title bout with each side not pulling any punches until the final seconds ticked off the game clock.
Even though UNC led by as many as 9 points in the first half behind 14 points a piece from Harrison Barnes and Tyler Zeller, UK sophomore Doran Lamb (14pts) and frosh Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (17pts, 11 reb) helped lead a furious comeback within the final 4 minutes of regulation to eventually take the lead with 1 minute remaining.
Although the box-score doesn’t tell the whole story, UK sophomore Terrence Jones was spectacular early, helping the Cats stay in the game as the Tarheels continually threatened to take a double digit lead. Jones showed off his tremendous versatility in draining a key NBA range trey, an array of much improved low post moves, and most noticeably another one of his famous monster two-handed dunks in traffic, this time over prized Tarheel big man Tyler Zeller, that ignited the fans of Big Blue Nation.
After UNC sharpshooter Luis Bullock drained a late trey to bring the Tarheels to within one point 73-72, Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague missed the front end of a one-and-one, allowing UNC one final possession and a chance at victory.
With nary 21 seconds remaining UNC’s Kendall Marshall fed the rock to Zeller down low, but as Terrence Jones came to double team, Zeller dumped the ball off to John Henson, who appeared to be wide open standing on the baseline 12 feet from the basket.
That is until Anthony Davis said…not in my house, to secure the 1 point win for the top ranked Wildcats. Although Davis’ statline of 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks wasn’t as gaudy as his near triple-double (15 pts, 15 reb, 8 blk) earlier in the week against St. John’s, Davis is quickly living up to the hype of being the former #1 rated high school player, now playing in the NCAA.
Check out Davis’ Monster Block vs UNC:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
