Bryce Hopkins comes up big when Kentucky really needed him

Bryce Hopkins, right, got a hug from teammate Jacob Toppin and cheers from UK fans after one of his big plays against LSU. (Vicky Graff Photo)

He had not scored in a game in over a month and had become a forgotten player on the Kentucky bench because of the play of Keion Brooks and Jacob Toppin. But when UK needed a lift Wednesday night against LSU, it came from freshman Bryce Hopkins who had a career-high 13 points — all in the second half. During a 15-2 spurt that put UK ahead for good, he had 11 points.

LSU coach Will Wade understood how big Hopkins was for the Cats who were playing without starting guards TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler.

“That’s just been a problem for us. We’ve let guys down the scouting report really hurt us. He certainly did that, and that was certainly disappointing,” Wade said after Hopkins made five of six shots and also got to the foul line six times. “He had a couple of mid-range (shots).

“He got going on the offensive glass. We fouled him, and he made a few free throws in there. We gave up the free throw offensive rebound, which was a killer. That was certainly a back breaker.”

Oscar Tshiebwe had his normal double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds — his 10th straight double-double — but was even more proud of what Hopkins did.

“You don’t even know how proud we are of him. We are cheering for him. For him to come out like that and knock down some buckets, it really helped us. He really helped us come back in the game,” Tshiebwe said.

“I am proud of him. I told him that this is your opportunity to show what you can do, and whatever you do, you’re forcing Coach to play you more. That is what it is all about, so I am so proud of him.”

Hopkins tried to downplay his performance even though he had scored only 10 points total in the 12 SEC games he had played in for a total of only 45 minutes. He had played six minutes in the previous four games and 17 minutes in the previous 11 games, including three where he did not play.

“I think I played a good game today. I saw in the first half that we were kind of playing a little slow. So, in the second half, Coach was saying that we needed a little more energy. That’s what I tried to do when I came into the game,” Hopkins said. “I just tried to bring energy and just contribute however I could.”

Coach John Calipari and Hopkins’ teammates had been telling him his opportunity would come and he needed to be ready.

“Today was mine and I just took advantage of that. I was staying in the gym, just kept on working on my game and today was the day I finally broke through,” he said.

“Seeing Daimion (Collins) go out there against Alabama (earlier this season) — I was very proud of him. We all were. We’re a brotherhood here and a family, so we’re all excited for each other whenever somebody goes in and does well. Tonight, my guys were proud of me for going in and picking up where I left off.”

Calipari was happy with how Hopkins played but not shocked. Remember summer reports indicated Hopkins was perhaps UK’s best player before a back injury set him back.

“I think we’re going to need Bryce for (an) NCAA tournament run. I’ve said it to you guys (in the media) from day one. Some of it is he fought it. He fought it. He was behind some guys. They were playing well and you had some opportunities; you didn’t take advantage,” Calipari said.

“But he’s practiced, he’s being coached, he’s coming in the gym, spending extra time. That was big.”

The coach said Hopkins didn’t have to do anything extraordinary to contribute like he did.

“What he did today is he rebounded and he went to the offensive glass, he tried to guard, he was involved in everything, made a stick back, makes a 15-footer,” Calipari said. “But there was nothing like crazy-crazy, but we’re all talking about him because he did what the team needed him to do.

“He did it because I said I’m playing guys that are going to fight. If you’re not fighting, I’m not playing you. And I went with him. The team was so happy for him and so was I.”