After just one win in the NCAA, the Wildcats are headed home, their season over. Kansas’ Julian Wright and Brandon Rush combined for 12 points during a critical 14-4 run at the early part of the second half to put the Jayhawks up by 14 at 56-42. The Cats would draw no closer than the final margin of 12 for the rest of the game as Kansas won its 13th game in a row and advanced to the Sweet 16, beating Kentucky 88-76.
Kentucky made it a game in the first half. Two Randolph Morris baskets game the Wildcats an early 4-3 lead. Kansas jumped out in front on a three pointer by Brandon Rush to put the Jayhawks up 14-11. But moments later, freshman Jodie Meeks put the Cats back out in front 17-15 on a three pointer of his own.
At the 8:17 mark of the first half junior Joe Crawford hit a long two point shot to give the Cats what would be their final lead of the game. Kansas took a 36-30 lead into the locker at the half.
The Jayhawks had too many weapons for Kentucky. Kansas had the hot hand the entire night sizzling the nets for 56.6% FG shooting and a blistering 62% from three point range (10-16).
Randolph Morris turned in another solid performance, scoring 22 points and pulling in eight rebounds. Senior Bobby Perry also had a solid night, scoring 21 points on 5-8 three point shooting in his final game in a Wildcats uniform.
The game-turning moment may have come at the 17:46 mark of the second half when Morris was whistled for his third foul. Kentucky trailed just 41-38 when Morris left the game with foul trouble. When Morris returned, Kansas had built the lead to 12.
Kentucky finished its season with a disappointing record of 22-12 and 9-7 in the SEC East, finishing 4th. Despite a high RPI ranking and a schedule rated as toughest in the country, the Cats failed to notch a win over a top 25 opponent. It won just one game in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.
Randolph Morris was non-committal when questioned about whether or not he would return for his senior season. Instead, he said he would evaluate his options and that he had no timeline for a final decision.