By Patrick Maks
NY Times Sports
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The following dynamics have been unable to unnerve Kentucky this season: luck, divine intervention and the bloating pressure of a 36-0 mark that grows greater the deeper the top-seeded Wildcats advance into the N.C.A.A. tournament.
First, there was Hampton Coach Edward Joyner Jr., who said, "I've got Jesus on speed dial" before feigning a phone call after his team won a play-in game to face Kentucky.
"Hey, Jesus," he said. "They want to know how much of a mountain and what our odds are." The Pirates were dismantled, 79-56, on Friday in Louisville, Ky.
Next, there was Cincinnati, which used its length and athleticism to scrap against Kentucky for about 30 minutes Saturday before unraveling late, 64-51.
Now, on Thursday night in Cleveland, Kentucky will play fifth-seeded West Virginia (25-9), which overpowered Maryland, 69-59, on Sunday night at Nationwide Arena here.
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NY TIMES
NY Times Sports
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The following dynamics have been unable to unnerve Kentucky this season: luck, divine intervention and the bloating pressure of a 36-0 mark that grows greater the deeper the top-seeded Wildcats advance into the N.C.A.A. tournament.
First, there was Hampton Coach Edward Joyner Jr., who said, "I've got Jesus on speed dial" before feigning a phone call after his team won a play-in game to face Kentucky.
"Hey, Jesus," he said. "They want to know how much of a mountain and what our odds are." The Pirates were dismantled, 79-56, on Friday in Louisville, Ky.
Next, there was Cincinnati, which used its length and athleticism to scrap against Kentucky for about 30 minutes Saturday before unraveling late, 64-51.
Now, on Thursday night in Cleveland, Kentucky will play fifth-seeded West Virginia (25-9), which overpowered Maryland, 69-59, on Sunday night at Nationwide Arena here.
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