Crawford, UK surrounded by good fortune
LEXINGTON, Ky. – On the way back from class Friday, Kentucky guard Joe Crawford spotted a $20 bill on the ground.
When you’re hot, you’re hot.
“I didn’t know if I should pick it up or just leave it,” said Crawford, a superstitious sort who wondered about changing the good fortune surrounding him and UK basketball these days.
The Cats have won a season-high nine straight going into tonight’s game against Mississippi State.
Through two conference games, UK is the best shooting team in the Southeastern Conference.
For the first time in his three seasons, Crawford has scored 20 or more points in two straight games.
Maybe most significant for the long term, Kentucky moved into a brand-spanking new $30 million practice facility Thursday.
Visitors almost needed sunglasses when UK held player interviews in a shiny gym in The Joe Craft Center on Friday.
Most notable, the players said, the facility represents unlimited time to work on their skills or use the player lounge. Or as Bradley called the operating hours: “Twenty-four, seven.”
Kentucky, 13-3 overall and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference, may not need to spend much time in the new gym working on shooting. In four of the last five games, the Cats have shot with an accuracy of 51.8 percent or better.
By the way, the superstitious Crawford tempted fate. He picked up the $20 bill.