Facing UCLA on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic, Kentucky had a miserable first half. The Cats had more turnovers (12) than made baskets (11) in the first 20 minutes, falling behind 35-27.
And when the Cats didn't turn the ball over, the shots simply were not falling. Kentucky made just 11 of 31 (35.5 percent) from the floor in the first 20 minutes. And the team's struggles at the free throw line continued, as Kentucky made just two of six at the charity stripe in the first half.
UCLA, meanwhile, made half of its shots, only turned the ball over seven times and got 20 points in the paint.
So, when the second half began, UK head coach John Calipari changed up his lineup. Calipari went to freshman Chris Livingston and junior Lance Ware.
The move paid off, as Livingston made two free throws for the Cats' first two points of the half. Ware got an offensive rebound and kicked to Wheeler for a three to draw the Cats within five, 37-32. Ware then went to the floor and tied up a loose ball to give UK possession back. After a UCLA free throw, Livingston hit a jumper to cut the deficit to 38-34. The freshman scored again on the next possession to get the Cats within two for the first time since 14:46 of the first half.
Walter Cornett, of Glendale, Kentucky, is the owner and operator of Walter's Wildcat World. He founded WildcatWorld.com in 1998 making it one of the oldest Kentucky basketball fan sites in operation today.