Dominican Republic beats former Wildcats by 18

It was hard to tell who was more unpopular in Rupp Arena Monday night: the Louisville products that led the Dominican Republic National Team or the referees.

Each played a part in the Dominicans beating The Pros (a.k.a. a group of former Kentucky players now in the NBA). The Dominicans won 106-88 in a tuneup exhibition for the John Calipari-coached visitors. Or given the intensity radiating from the stands, was it a title game?

“This was like an NBA playoff environment,” said Dominican (and UK) Coach John Calipari, who noted that a stunned assistant coach Del Harris turned to him at one point and asked, “What is this?”

It was basketball, Kentucky style. With the UK-U of L subplot, it was turned up almost full blast.

As if it were late January and a No. 1 ranking was on the line, a capacity crowd got involved. Chants of Go Big Blue, C-A-T-S and Blue/White filled Rupp at various times. Could it be mid-August?

The fans booed several calls. Getting no satisfaction, several fans lined up the aisles and headed for the exit with The Pros losing by eight and barely four minutes left.

The exhibition took on Kentucky-Louisville proportions in the introductions. The crowd booed lustily when public address man Patrick Whitmer announced U of L products Francisco Garcia and Edgar Sosa as starters for the Dominicans.

“When I saw the game was in Rupp Arena, I knew we’d get booed,” Sosa said before telling reporters, “I know you guys still remember that shot. That’s why I got booed.”

Sosa beat UK with a buzzer-beater in Freedom Hall. “I did go to the school down the road,” he said of the booing. “I don’t take it personally.”

Former Florida star Al Horford joined the fun by gesturing the Gator chomp with his hands when introduced. The crowd was not amused.

“I just went with it,” Horford said in claiming the chomp was not a premeditated move. “If they had cheered me, I’d probably have gone with a wave.”

Garcia, Sosa and Horford got the last laugh. Garcia led the Dominicans with 30 points, Sosa 29 and Horford a double-double (12 points, 17 rebounds).

DeMarcus Cousins, who noted Sunday that he’d never lost in Rupp Arena, led the former UK players with 28 points and 14 rebounds. Jodie Meeks added 17, John Wall 15 and Nazr Mohammed 11.

Tayshaun Prince thrilled the Rupp crowd early by swishing two three-pointers in the first minute.

But when Garcia hit a three-pointer to put the Dominicans ahead 29-19 late in the first quarter, a fan could be heard yelling in a plaintive tone, “C’mon, Cats.”

C’mon the Cats did. Keith Bogans looked like a slow-pitch softball pitcher as he one-handed a lob for Wall to dunk.

Cheers turned to boos when Eric Bledsoe landed awkwardly after Garcia blocked his fast-break layup attempt.

Sosa’s third and fourth fouls made the crowd happy as The Pros took a 40-35 lead in the second quarter. Apparently, there was no fouling out as Sosa stayed in the game and finished with nine fouls.

But Garcia shot the Dominicans into a 54-46 halftime lead. Three of his five first-half three-pointers came in a two-minute span that saw the Dominicans take charge.

Horford capped the run — and irked the crowd — by scoring over Bogans in the low post.

The third quarter put the blue in Go Big Blue.

Led by Garcia, Sosa and Horford, the Dominicans extended their lead to as much as 69-53. Sosa set that score with a three-pointer from in front of the Dominican bench. As he retreated downcourt, Sosa got an encouraging pat on the butt from Calipari.

Later in the quarter, Cousins’ frustration spilled over into an incident. After the Dominicans intercepted his pass, Cousins flung Garcia out of his way. Cousins and Garcia slapped palms when they got to the opposite foul line, a gesture that reminded all that they are teammates with the Sacramento Kings.

“That’s me and DeMarcus,” Garcia said in downplaying the incident. “We’re never going to go to the serious mode.”

The former UK players got as close as seven in the fourth quarter. The Dominicans ignored the chant of “Let’s Go, Wildcats” as Sosa, Garcia and Horford kept their team safely ahead.

Late in the game, Sosa picked up a technical foul for protesting an offensive foul. He was called for pushing off a pressing Bogans.

The call gave UK fans a consolation prize.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/08/16/1846625/kentucky-pros-vs-dominican-national.html#ixzz1VCF21QvL