Freshman Bryce Hopkins gave UK a big first-half lift with seven points and seven rebounds. (Jeff Houchin/Nolan Media)
The ball was tipped Friday night and within 65 seconds Oscar Tshiebwe was called for his second foul. The question, “What is going to happen if Tshiebwe gets in early foul trouble?” would be answered. There was no Lance Ware or Jacob Toppin available again due to injuries.
Next man up.
That man was freshman Bryce Hopkins. Hopkins played a total of 15 minutes and 23 seconds and had seven points, seven rebounds, and one assist — all in the first half. He played with confidence and gave Kentucky a much-needed presence in the paint with Tshiebwe on the bench.
“Without him playing we don’t win the game because we are down 15 at the half,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “He fought. Still has things to learn.”
When Kellan Grady shoots the ball one just presumes it is going in. He is one of the purest shooters ever to wear the blue and white. Friday night however wasn’t his night as he took just two shots and missed them both.
“What happens if the 3’s don’t fall for this team?” — and they didn’t Friday as UK was only 3-for-16 from 3-point range.
Next man up or perhaps next two men up.
The BBN has been waiting for an elite performance from TyTy Washington. Friday was his night to shine as he finished the game with 20 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block. This marked his first double-double as a Cat. His threes weren’t falling (1-for-6) but he made up for it with his mid-range jumpers, free throws, and drives to the basket.
The sixth man, Davion Mintz, got the love from the fans at Rupp that was absent last year. It wasn’t his 3-point shooting that brought the crowd to its feet — it was his defense, plays in transition, and rebounding. He finished the game with 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
Ohio coach Jeff Boals’s game plan was to take Tshiebwe, Sahvir Wheeler, and Grady out of the game and he succeeded. However, Keion Brooks decided to shine with 22 points (one shy of his career-high), eight rebounds, and one block. Once he decided to step back to the 2-point range and away from the 3, the baskets started falling.
This team’s depth prevailed tonight. The Cats outrebounded Ohio 53-17, with the team’s (and nation’s) leading rebounder absent for the entire first half.
It was game of … next man up.
2 Responses
I don’t know where those refs came from, but I hope we never have them call another game. This was good for this team in that it showed that we could win with a different lineup. Sahvir has to learn how to get a play in motion without so much dribbling. Oscar needs to focus on playing under control. I am not sure what Kellan’s issues were, but Sahvir needs to look for him as much as he looks for Oscar or his own shot. I sense that Sahvir is already trying to make a case for the draft. We don’t need him to score 15 points. We are better when he has double digit assists with only one or two turnovers.
Keion had a great game, but seemed unsure of himself in the first few minutes. He needs to just ball and let the game come to him. The same can be said for Ty Ty. Bryce stepped up and made a case for more PT. Dontaie is fighting a losing battle. He only gets a few minutes to play and the team rarely looks to get him the ball at the right time. I hope Lance and Jacob get back soon, they will be needed at South Bend and beyond.
Them refs were veterans they been around a while. It won’t be the last time that the refs will get Oscar in foul trouble mark my word for it. Then again it may be best thing to get Hopkins and Ware or Collins playing time to get there feet wet