Class dismissed.

Photo by AP After jumping out to a 10-2 lead, Cornell came crashing back to Earth as Kentucky throttled them with suffocating defense, closing them out 30-6 in the final 15 minutes of the first half on their way to a 62-45 win.  The Big Red came out fighting in the second half and got the lead under 10 on a couple of occassions, but never were able to pose much of a threat to a team that was physically superior in every area.  For the Cats, DeMarcus Cousins led the way with 16 points (and an impressive controlling his temper after an intentional foul by Jeff Foote went uncalled) and John Wall flirted with a triple-double, going for 8 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. The Cats now stand just one win away from their first Final Four since 1998 and will do battle with Bob Huggins and the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday at 7 pm. A few notes........  - There were a number of positives that came out of the game against the Big Red, but you have to be pleased first with the defensive fury they unleased in the first half.  They smothered Cornell like they were the black smoke from Lost (no Shaughnessy) and the Big Red couldn't even function.  Kentucky turned on their focus and that was pretty much it.  That's a killer instinct right there and you have to very pleased to see that.  - Offensively, I thought the biggest positive from the game was how Kentucky responded to a number of defensive looks from Cornell.  They mixed up their looks between zone and man and the Cats never seemed fazed by it, continuing to attack.  Along that same point, the Cats were able to push the ball up the floor when the situation allowed it, giving them what seemed like a thousand easy baskets on that 30-6 run in the first half.   - I can't decide if I'm amazed by the blatant attempts to bait DeMarcus Cousins into losing his temper or if it should be expected at this point, but Jeff Foote flagrantly fouled Boogie late in the second half with the game out of hand for the most part (Chase McFarland, anyone?), though he got away with just being called for a personal.  Jeff Foote can do a crossword puzzle in 12 and a half minutes so he got away with it.  However, you have to assume that everytime this happens, Boogie earns himself a little more money by showing he can control his temper.  I'm hoping he beats someone's brains out the last game of the year, though.  Here is a picture of it.  - With his 8-assist performance, John Wall became UK's all-time single season assist leader, passing Roger Harden.  Wall will likely break the career record early into his junior season.  - Similar to how Matt Jones has never seen a mirror he didn't like, Daniel Orton has never seen a trajectory that he won't try to block.  If his middle name isn't "Goaltend", then he should at least consider filing the paperwork.  - DeMarcus Cousins appeared to be nursing a back injury just prior to halftime, but did not appear to be hurt the rest of the game and played on it just fine in the second half.  The way he was shooting free throws, I assume the back thing was just to get some sympathy from the ladies.  - So, you're telling me that UK is headed to the Elite Eight after shooting 12.5% (2-16) from downtown?  I'll take it.  That means next game will be a breakout.  - While most of the blame can fall squarely on DeMarcus Cousins' broad shoulders, UK has to shoot their free throws better.  Cousins is struggling more than anyone, but Ramon Harris went 0-2 and several other players have had their battles at times.  They've been lucky to avoid a close game to this point.  They do not want to have one when they aren't hitting their free throws.  - Hey, did you see Mark Coury?  He was the one chasing Patrick Patterson all over like he was wearing socks on the gym floor.  He also can be seen here and here.  The former Kentucky starter really Coury'd the crap out of us with 0 points and 2 rebounds.  Someone call Pete Thamel!  - As far as West Viginia goes, remember UK beat a Mountaineer team last year that, outside of Alex Ruoff leaving and Deniz Kicili coming in, has almost the exact same rotation.  Obviously, teams improve and certain coaches might matchup better against others, but in a world where it's easier to make assumptions based on the transient property of sports, just know UK will now kill them this year.  - And, after saying all of that, this is really the best way to sum it up: