UNCW’s Siddle: UK nemesis as participant and coach

UNC Wilmington coach Takayo Siddle steered his group to an 80-73 upset of No. 12 Kentucky on Saturday, a really acquainted feeling for him.

Sixteen years in the past, Siddle scored eight factors as a guard at Gardner Webb when his group upset Kentucky in Rupp Area through the 2007-08 season.

Siddle and Gardner Webb’s victory over Kentucky was the varsity’s first over a ranked group. UNC Wilmington’s highway win over Kentucky secured its first over a ranked group.

Earlier than Saturday’s matchup, Siddle instructed ESPN he did not dwell on the feat at Rupp Area as a participant when he talked to his group. However he did use it as motivation.

“One factor I instructed the fellows about after we pulled it off [in 2007] is that it should be actually loud in there and, as we proceed to reply, it should get actually quiet in there and everybody goes to start out leaving early and that is what occurred,” Siddle stated after the win. “That is once I had a déjà vu second.”

The 2007 Wildcats, coached by Billy Gillispie, hadn’t misplaced a regular-season sport to a mid-major program in six years earlier than they fell to Gardner Webb. On Saturday, Siddle’s squad was an 18.5-point underdog, in keeping with ESPN BET.

Kentucky’s loss capped a weekend full of upsets amongst High 25 groups. On Saturday, No. 3 Marquette misplaced 75-64 at Wisconsin and No. 7 Duke suffered a 72-68 defeat at Georgia Tech. Additionally, No. 18 Villanova misplaced its third Massive 5 sport of the season in a 57-55 loss to Drexel at dwelling.

In response to ESPN Stats & Data, Saturday was the primary time in The Related Press ballot period that Duke, Kentucky and Villanova all misplaced to unranked opponents on the identical day once they have been all ranked.

Kentucky’s setback prolonged a wild 24 hours in school basketball. On Friday, Northwestern beat No. 1 Purdue 92-88 in additional time and No. 4 UConn suffered a 69-65 loss at No. 5 Kansas. With its 82-55 win over Colgate on Saturday, No. 2 Arizona will possible be the No. 1 group when the AP High 25 is launched Monday.

However UNC Wilmington’s victory stood out amid the chaos.

On Thursday, UNC Wilmington misplaced at East Carolina 74-66. Siddle stated the loss humbled his group and helped it put together for Saturday’s sport.

John Calipari’s squad misplaced management early. UNC Wilmington had a 38-24 edge after Nolan Hodge hit a 3-pointer with 2:55 to play within the first half.

5 minutes into the second half, nevertheless, Kentucky took the lead, however Shykeim Phillips (13 factors, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) made clutch performs and Trazarien White (27 factors, 10 rebounds) saved scoring to assist seal the win down the stretch for UNC Wilmington. Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard led his group with 25 factors.

Siddle stated White and Phillips helped his squad keep its composure as Kentucky fought again within the second half.

“I assumed our upperclassmen, Phillips and White, they have been in large moments with me so much,” Siddle stated. “I assumed they did a very good job calming everyone down and ensuring we executed as a gaggle.”

After the sport, Siddle stated he mirrored on the second he achieved as a participant whereas he celebrated as a coach. He stated his group remembered his pregame message about the opportunity of an upset.

“They do not need to hear about my glory days,” he stated. “It was so way back. My most important message was ‘It will probably occur, however you simply gotta consider it might probably occur.'”