WDRB 41 Louisville - News, Weather, Sports CommunityWDRB Road Trip: UK beats ODU 62-52, now headed home

***Click on link below for post-game video***

UNCASVILLE, Conn. --- 2nd ranked Kentucky beat Old Dominion 62-52 to win the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena Sunday, in easily the most physical game the Wildcats have played so far in the early going.

The Monarchs sat back in a 3-2 zone defensively, and UK struggled against it offensively with a season-high 21 turnovers in the game.

"I'm not upset with our zone offense, because we haven't spent time with it," said John Calipari, after the game. "We got out of here alive somehow, and the reason we got out of here alive is because of Darius (Miller)'s play. If he didn't play we probably get beat by 10 or 12 easy, in my opinion."

Miller was the calming force off the bench, after Kentucky trailed during multiple points in the first half. UK also led by just one point, with under 8 minutes to go in the 2nd half. The senior forward finished tied for the team-high in scoring with 13 points on 4-8 shooting (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist also had 13 points), many of which coming on mid-range pull-ups, created by his own dribble penetration into the teeth of the ODU zone.

"I figure a lot of teams are going to play like that against us anyways. We're going to have to get used to it," said Miller, who acknowledged that he felt more comfortable against that defense than the Cats highly-touted but inexperienced starters. "...get used to playing more physical, playing through bumps, stuff like that, and we'll be fine."

"It was pretty physical. They tried to push a lot of people around," said Anthony Davis, who finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds, before fouling out with four minutes to go. "There were a lot of altercations. We just got to keep our heads."

Davis referred to two separate occasions. The first came in the 2nd half after Davis was fouled on a lay-up attempt and went to the floor with his defender, eventually resulting in some pushing and shoving between the two teams. Terrence Jones and Old Dominion's Jason Pimentel received double technicals. A few minutes later Marquis Teague and ODU's Marquel DeLancy started talking during a dead ball, and DeLancy was T'd up.

Once again though, the Wildcats defense was stellar, holding Old Dominion to 32% from the field. UK has held each of its first four opponents to under 35% shooting.

"We're not bad. We did have a bunch of breakdowns," Calipari said about the defensive effort against ODU. "We got behind a post and fouled, because we weren't fighting for position, and they were fighting harder than we were fighting. So there's a lot of stuff there."

But after the seven day east-coast road trip, UK is headed home unscathed after three wins (4-0 overall). Unscathed, but fatigued.

"This was a long trip folks. I am tired," said Calipari. "That was three games. Two of them mud wrestling games...we're ready to go back. Let's go back, get our feet underneath us, and try to get better."

"I think we can play another half, but that's about it. A lot of guy's legs are killing them, playing back-to-back."

Miller seconded that sentiment, saying he can't wait to sleep in his own bed back in Lexington.

After more than 2000 miles, three basketball games, and one WDRB SUV, I hear that. See you back in the bluegrass state for a five-game homestand, before our next road trip to Bloomington, Indiana December 10th.