Kentucky's team defense helped UK to its first true road win over a top-five team since beating Louisville 58-50 in 2014 and its biggest victory margin ever over a top-five team on the road. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky coach John Calipari didn’t want to call it a statement game or his best road win at Kentucky or anything else other than his team played well. However, almost everyone else knew UK’s 80-62 victory at No. 5 Kansas was a HUGE statement game.
“This team has all the pieces. There is not a team out there they cannot beat,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said. “They got contributions everywhere from top to bottom.”
“Kentucky is legit. So is Kansas. Kentucky made Kansas look like they are not but Kansas is legit. But Kentucky has to see how high their ceiling can be. This team can get even better than they are right now.”
If Kentucky can get better, then watch out.
— Junior forward Keion Brooks was SENSATIONAL. He had a career-high 27 points by going 9-for-16 at the foul line and 9-for-10 at the foul line. He also had eight rebounds and one assist in 29 energy-filled minutes. In the second half, he scored 15 straight points for the Cats.
— Oscar Tshiebwe was Oscar Tshiebwe. He went 8-for-13 from the field and had 17 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and one assist in 30 minutes.
— Kellan Grady buried four 3-pointers on seven tries.
— Jacob Toppin came off the bench to score 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting and grab three rebounds in only 11 points. That meant UK got 38 points and 11 rebounds in a combined 40 minutes from Brooks and Toppin.
— Guards TyTy Washington, Sahvir Wheeler, and Davion Mintz were a combined 4-for-19 from the field and UK still routed Kansas. They combined for 16 assists (Wheeler 8, Washington 5, Mintz 3) but helped force the pace and create spacing. It was one of the rare recent games where all three were completely healthy.
— Even Lance Ware came up big with four points — he made both shots he took — and four rebounds in just 10 minutes relieving Tshiebwe. Kentucky got off to a fast start and did not back up after Tshiebwe got an early foul and Calipari went to Ware for four minutes to let his rebounding star rest and avoid an early second foul.
“This was total domination in every facet of the game by Kentucky. This was never a game. Ever,” Bilas said.
He was right.
Tshiebwe didn’t quite put it the same way but he basically meant the same thing after his 15th double-double.
“I think tonight was really good and shows what we can do in upcoming games,” Tshiebwe said. “You have to be ready. I think we just got to keep doing this. We need everybody to wake up like this and we can go far.
“We were hungry and just wanted to go out and show what we can do. When we have a full roster and team we are dangerous. Everybody can shoot the ball. Our team is a scary team. We need to stay healthy.”
Brooks said the team’s focus going into the game was to make a statement — and the Cats did. Kentucky couldn’t get wins at LSU, Auburn or even Notre Dame.
“We knew the opportunity we had when we were healthy and playing a good team to see how good we are,” Brooks said. “We went in and made a statement.”
Brooks said UK’s fast start “kind of negated how crazy” the crowd could have been and praised the Cats’ energy and communication early in the game.
He also said not to read too much into what he did in the one-sided win.
“Its just the way we are built,” Brooks said. “The type of team we have, when we find that guy (having a good game) we get him the ball. We got some really good players, so you cannot lock in on that guy or other guys will hurt you. Tonight it was my night but we have just got to find that hot hand and go game by game.”
But don’t doubt that finding that hot hand in Brooks Saturday helped make a statement that every team in the country heard loud and clear.
4 Responses
That was a win the team and the fans needed. It was total domination of a very good team in a building that’s nearly impossible to get a win. Those that say Cal can’t coach needs to be sure to watch it again. It is and has always been about executing the game plan. Every time Self made a change, Cal countered. The "Snake Oil Salesman " brought out a new formula and it was delicious. Go Big Blue!
Tshiebwe said it "shows what we can do in upcoming games…" but to do so remains in the future. Likely to be ups and downs, injuries (?), and who knows what else. But, what fun to see them play so well as a team. High hopes vs the unknown reality of what’s to come. Hoping for the best.
Gotta give Cal credit for the game plan he put in. The cats put on a show it was a fun game to watch. Go cats!!
To bad this team could not play together for more than just one season, you can tell they like each other and are enjoying this year as much and probably more, as we the fans are.
GO CATS, KEEP IT UP