South Bound & Down
Fansided

Vanderbilt Basketball stuns #23 Kentucky in final seconds

By Nicholas Nathanson

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - MARCH 01: Jordan Wright #4 of the Vanderbilt Commodores shoots the game winning shot in the 68-66 victory against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on March 01, 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - MARCH 01: Jordan Wright #4 of the Vanderbilt Commodores shoots the game winning shot in the 68-66 victory against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on March 01, 2023 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Coming into this game, Vanderbilt basketball had loss 14 straight to Kentucky, including a 69-53 thwarting in January.

Anything is possible in March, though.

The madness has now officially commenced.

Vanderbilt Basketball stuns Kentucky in final seconds, 68-66

Vanderbilt guard Jordan Wright quieted the Kentucky crowd, finishing with a season-high 23 points, including the game-winning bucket in the final seconds to win, 68-66.

On the opposite end was a Kentucky team who entered this affair red-hot, winners of four straight, and a recent entry of the AP Top 25.

On the opposite was also a Kentucky team who entered shooting quite comfortably from beyond.

Neither mattered.

Kentucky simply couldn’t find their groove. In fact, the Wildcats shot just 15.8% from deep, compared to Vanderbilt who more than doubled that percentage.

What this means for Vanderbilt?

Since losing by 57 to Alabama, Vanderbilt has won 7 out of their last 8, improving their record to 17-13, and, 10-7 in SEC play.

This is a confidence booster, especially on the road at Kentucky.

Vanderbilt has showed time and time again they are for real.

With only a home game left against Mississippi State, before the SEC tournament begins, the Commodores will enter as one of the hottest and most battle tested teams in the conference.

Regardless of the result against Mississippi State, the Commodores will finish with at worst, a Top #6 seed in the SEC Tournament.

What this means for Kentucky?

This loss will most likely knock Kentucky out of the AP Top 25. However, there is little reason of concern. This loss most likely won’t affect Kentucky’s chances of making the tournament, as their late season surge is more than suggestive of their possible inclusion come Selection Sunday.

The Wildcats will close out at Arkansas before the annual SEC Tournament begins. As long as the Wildcats win that one, or, Tennessee and Missouri both lose their finale, the Wildcats will be the #3 seed in the SEC tournament.

Next. Auburn, Tennessee among February recruiting winners. dark

Home/Vanderbilt Commodores