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Kentucky's win over Southern Illinois doesn't ease sting of Duke defeat

UK coach John Calipari's post-Southern Illinois news conference. Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Is Kentucky that bad or is Duke that good?

A question from Tuesday night’s Indianapolis massacre turned to another during Friday night’s home opener for second-ranked Kentucky. An expected get-well game was instead worsening matters and stirring up grumbles at Rupp Arena.

So … is Kentucky that bad or is Southern Illinois that good?

All due respect to the Missouri Valley Conference’s Salukis, who did return all five starters from a 20-win team and “played our a-- off tonight,” their coach Barry Hinson said approvingly.