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In many respects this game was merely a continuation of all the available memes for the Bearcats this year. There was the obligitory 5+ minute stretch without a point, except in this game it was a 10 minute stretch. You want stupid and pointless fouls that have no effect what so ever on the game? You got that too, two of the Cats primary post players Justin Jackson, off the bench for a change and Cheikh Mbodj both fouled out on the night, contributing 4 points and 7 rebounds in 43 minutes of play. And if you wanted defense boy did you get defense.
The inherent frustration that has been building steadily to a boil for what seems like years is something that I grasp. A Mick Cronin team will never ever, ever win pretty. This is a topic I plan on turning to at some point next week because it merits a more in depth discussion. Anyways back to this game. I think that the Bearcats manged their most complete half of Basketball when it mattered the most tonight. Sean Kilpatrick and Dion Dixon were sublime in the second half on offense, and what's more they played great defense on the perimeter. Kila in particular was spectacular in shutting down Kentavious Cladwell-Pope in the second half. I don't for the life of me understand why the offense is not run through Kilpatrick, but that is another subject for another day. In short I am happy with the win, I am usually happy with a win after all, but the Crosstown Shootout is looking pretty fucking daunting from where I am sitting. And I should probably apologize for the disjointed nature of this wrap up. but it's 1 in the morning and I can't quite hide the buzz in my writing. Sue me