Despite Dominant Defensive Performance, Isaiah Jackson Regrets One Missed Rebound
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Phil Ellsworth | ESPN Images[/caption]
The nation was introduced to Isaiah Jackson's incredible athleticism and tenacious defensive play in Tuesday night's Champions Classic. Despite the spectacular performance, all he could think about after the loss was the play he didn't make at the end of the game.
Kentucky's defense suffocated Kansas in the first half, especially at the rim, thanks to Jackson. No post pass was safe. No layup came easily. At halftime he already secured 10 rebounds and blocked four shots, swatting everything in sight.
https://twitter.com/maxacarlin/status/1333979456705323008?s=20
Jackson flirted with a triple-double, finishing the game with seven points, 12 rebounds and eight blocked shots. A career game for most, after the game Jackson was hung up on the elusive thirteenth rebound.
Kansas built up a seemingly comfortable lead in the final minutes of the game, up five points with just over 90 seconds to play. The Cats fought and clawed to have a chance to win. Trailing by three, Kentucky sent KU's Ochai Agbaji to the free throw line for two shots. He missed the first, then the second attempt rolled off the rim near Jackson, but the ball bounced just over his fingertips into the hands of Christian Braun.
"I had a lot of blocks. I don't want to think about that. We still lost," Jackson said. "On that last play, I tried to box him out and he pushed me under the basket. I went towards the rim and he just got the ball. That's my mistake and I told the team that's my mistake. Everybody knows that was me. I messed up."
After Braun secured the rebound, Kansas went back to the free throw line and extended their lead to four. Kentucky was within three points one more time, but that free throw following the offensive rebound proved to be enough to put the game out of the Wildcats' reach.
Phil Ellsworth | ESPN Images[/caption]
The nation was introduced to Isaiah Jackson's incredible athleticism and tenacious defensive play in Tuesday night's Champions Classic. Despite the spectacular performance, all he could think about after the loss was the play he didn't make at the end of the game.
Kentucky's defense suffocated Kansas in the first half, especially at the rim, thanks to Jackson. No post pass was safe. No layup came easily. At halftime he already secured 10 rebounds and blocked four shots, swatting everything in sight.
https://twitter.com/maxacarlin/status/1333979456705323008?s=20
Jackson flirted with a triple-double, finishing the game with seven points, 12 rebounds and eight blocked shots. A career game for most, after the game Jackson was hung up on the elusive thirteenth rebound.
Kansas built up a seemingly comfortable lead in the final minutes of the game, up five points with just over 90 seconds to play. The Cats fought and clawed to have a chance to win. Trailing by three, Kentucky sent KU's Ochai Agbaji to the free throw line for two shots. He missed the first, then the second attempt rolled off the rim near Jackson, but the ball bounced just over his fingertips into the hands of Christian Braun.
"I had a lot of blocks. I don't want to think about that. We still lost," Jackson said. "On that last play, I tried to box him out and he pushed me under the basket. I went towards the rim and he just got the ball. That's my mistake and I told the team that's my mistake. Everybody knows that was me. I messed up."
After Braun secured the rebound, Kansas went back to the free throw line and extended their lead to four. Kentucky was within three points one more time, but that free throw following the offensive rebound proved to be enough to put the game out of the Wildcats' reach.
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