Cats seek revenge against North Carolina in Rupp

Kentucky+guard+Aaron+Harrison+Lays+the+ball+up+during+the+first+half+of+the+University+of+Kentucky+mens+basketball+game+vs.+University+of+North+Carolina+at+Rupp+Arena+in+Lexington+%2C+Ky.%2C+on+Saturday%2C+December+13%2C+2014.+Photo+by+Jonathan+Krueger

Kentucky guard Aaron Harrison Lays the ball up during the first half of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball game vs. University of North Carolina at Rupp Arena in Lexington , Ky., on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Photo by Jonathan Krueger

Follow this page for live updates of the Cats’ grudge match against North Carolina in Rupp Arena. Starting for UK are Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Karl Anthony-Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyles. Lyles usually comes in with the second platoon but is filling in for Alex Poythress today, who’s out for the season with an ACL tear. UNC starters consist of forward Kennedy Meeks, guard Marcus Paige, forward JP Tokoto, forward Brice Johnson and forward Justin Jackson.

Columbia’s strategy was to slow the Cats down, UNC attempting to speed them up. 6-4 UK (17:25)

The second platoon checks in with just less than 17 minutes in the first half. Lyles stays in the game.

Second platoon already 2-2 from three. One for Ulis and one for Booker. Cue a Ulis miss.

First timeout on the floor and UK leads 16-8 (14:53). Second platoon bringing huge energy.

The Cats are playing with a lot of intensity right now. With one glaring exception — Aaron Harrison

A good look from the post by Marcus Lee to a cutting Booker gives UK a 26-21 lead (9:41)

Towns: 0-0 from the field, 0 assists, 0 blocks, 0 steals, 0 fouls, 0 points. 7:54 remaining in the first half.

WCS gets a put back then grabs UNC’s inbounds pass and is sent to the line. Receives a huge ovation.

The Cats take a double-digit lead with 3:19 remaining in the half. Booker leads scorers with 10.

Aaron Harrison seems to have broken his slump. Has back-to-back-to-back threes as the Cats open up a 15 point lead. (49-34)

Cats start the second half with two early fouls. Calipari brings his starters back into the game.

Timeout on the floor, UK’s offense continuing to work seamlessly as it increases its lead to 16, 59-43. (15:23)

The Cats are very sloppy right now. Look to have gotten complacent with their big lead. Now up only 12.

Ulis went to the bench with a leg injury. Getting it rubbed down now, could just be a cramp

Ulis got up like he thought Cal was asking him to come back in to the game. Seems to be OK.

Marcus Paige is as unconscious from three as Aaron Harrison was in the first half. 4-5 for the game and 4-4 this half.

Lyles coming up huge in Poythress’ absence. 4-6 from the field right now. UK leads UNC 78-62

WCS with back-to-back dunks and a steal within 30 seconds of game time. Cats lead now back to 16 (4:36)

UK putting a bow on the win, but Calipari still coaching like it’s a two-point game. 82-66

Andrew Harrison just became the fourth player to go over 10 points in the game. (WCS, Aaron, Booker)

FINAL: UK 84, UNC 70