John Clay: Cats stepped up big time

COLUMBIA, S.C. — It's the South Carolina student section that refers to itself as the "Garnet Army," a military-style mob outfitted in garnet, beige and black camouflage gear.

But Saturday night at the Colonial Life Arena, it was visiting Kentucky that answered the call of duty.

After Tuesday's loss at Alabama left John Calipari's team 2-2 in the league with two road losses — never mind the flap over what came out of Calipari's flapper toward one of his players in Tuscaloosa — the Cats couldn't afford to drop another conference game this early, not another road game to a divisional rival.

So the Cats picked it up, all the Cats, to dominate host South Carolina on the way to a key 67-58 win.

In fact, given the circumstances, and what was at stake, it was Kentucky's most impressive performance of the season.

Connie Nielsen Melissa George Cameron Richardson Chandra West Kasey Chambers