In the third Kentucky-Kansas matchup of the tournament (after Kansas vs. Eastern Kentucky and Kentucky vs. Kansas State), it was sort of a shame that the Kentucky Wildcats would emerge from a season of inconsistency and beat the previously undefeated Wichita State Shockers. Even more shameful was the officiating changes enacted this season that allowed Kentucky to leverage their less sophisticated offense into key baskets down the stretch. At one point, the Wildcats scored on at least four straight possessions via the free throw line.

To be fair to Kentucky, they put themselves in foul shooting situations by consistently beating their defenders. As good as the Shockers' floppy-haired guard Ron Baker had been on offense (20 points, 7-12 fg), he couldn't contain the Harrison twins even once at the other end. Nor could the even steamier Cleanthony Early (31 points, 12-17 fg) stop Julius Randle when it mattered most. As a result, the Shockers' hot shooting was negated by Kentucky's ability to draw foul calls and make their subsequent free throws.

Funny that it would be the Shockers 9th leading defense (59.5 ppg for the season) that would let them down. On offense, they were brilliant, helped by exceptionally hot shooting, but impressive nonetheless. Defensively, they switched to a zone too late (with about three to four minutes left). By that time, Kentucky's confidence was firmly established. In rhythm, they hit several clutch three pointers against the Shockers' two-three.

"I've been doing this so long. I've been in wars," Calipari said after the game, ESPN reported. "You all understand this was an Elite Eight game. The winner of this should have gone to the Final Four."

Maybe he was right. We'll have to wait and see how far Kentucky advances to make further judgment (Louisville next). For me, it was more about a Kentucky team with higher profiled recruits compensating for their age and less efficient offensive attack with size and athleticism. No chance they would have scored the way they did against a team like Florida, while Wichita's more sustainable offensive methods probably would have gotten closer to their point total in the same scenario. At this point -- without much experience playing big time programs -- the super consistent Shockers are capable of beating an upper tier team having an off game. When both are on, however, they're probably going to lose, especially with today's more sensitive officiating.