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UK Basketball: Harris savors SEC title
By Keith Taylor/Sun Sports Editor
March 14, 2010

NASHVILLE – Ramon Harris thinks the Southeastern Conference championship will go down as one of the most memorable games in school history.

“That’s an instant classic,” Harris said after Kentucky captured its first conference title since 2004 with an exciting 75-74 triumph over Mississippi State in overtime Sunday at Bridgestone Arena.

Although whether or not the memorable finale will be ranked among the best in history of the program is debatable, it may be one of the best finishes ever in the conference tournament. It may very well be the first highlight reel performances in the second millennium of basketball at Kentucky.

Kentucky (32-2) fended off a Bulldog team that was fighting for their lives and a possible bid to the NCAA Tournament at stake. In the final 45 seconds of regulation, the Cats overcame a three-point deficit, intentionally missed a free throw that led to a tip in by center DeMarcus Cousins as time expired that sent the game into overtime.

Harris was among the players who jumped off the bench in jubilation thinking the shot by Cousins was the game-winner.

“I thought we (had it) won,” he said. “I’m glad at the end we were on top.”

Harris only played six minutes, but his lone assist led to a 3-pointer by Wall as the shot clock expired proved to be the margin of difference between the two teams in Music City.

“I thought we had more time on the clock, that’s why I didn’t shoot it,” Harris said afterward. “When I realized the time on the clock, is when I pitched it to John and he had to make the three. It went in, so it was all good.”

Prior to the season, Harris predicted big things from Wall and Cousins and wasn’t surprised by the heroics Wall and Cousins showcased under pressure.

“Like I said after the first game, as time (went) on they were going and they proved that – as time (went on) they have gotten better,” he said the the team's freshmen.

Harris compared the exciting finish to an NCAA Tournament contest and added the experience will pave the way for better experiences once the Big Dance begins Thursday at various sites across the country. The Wildcats solidified a top seed with an impressive showing in the conference tournament.

“The games we’ve had the last couple of days and the one we had today is definitely an NCAA (tournament) atmosphere,” he said.

For Harris, winning the title “is a blessing.” Throughout his career, Harris has played for three different coaches, but had failed to win a tournament title of any type. In his first two seasons, Harris and the Wildcats made a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament and lost to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the NIT in South Bend.

“That’s how you want to go out your senior year,” he said.

Although winning the conference tournament was thrilling, Harris said the Cats will be thriving for bigger and better things in the NCAA Tournament.

“This is one of the (big) stages and I feel like we’re not done yet, but this is definitely a blessing at the moment. I’ve been on the other end of the spectrum and to be where I am today, it’s all because of (God).”

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