CJ Fredrick says Cats had no doubt they would win at Tennessee — and they did just that

Vicky Graff Photo

Former Kentucky All-American Jack Givens could not hide his excitement after UK stunned No. 5 Tennessee 63-56.

“I don’t know how many people picked the Cats but this team picked themselves and it showed today,” Givens said on the UK Radio Network after the game.

Nobody picked Kentucky. How could they? A week earlier Tennessee won at South Carolina by 43 points. That’s the same South Carolina team that won at Kentucky on Tuesday.

But the Cats did believe they could win even with starting point guard Sahvir Wheeler out with a shoulder injury and reserve Daimion Collins out with an ankle injury.

“After that South Carolina loss, we came together and there was no doubt that we were going to come in here and get a win. That was the mindset every day in practice,” Kentucky guard CJ Fredrick, who had 13 points, said after the win on the UK Radio Network.

“Coach said give it all we had. I love this team. We fought and competed for 40 minutes and we won.”

Indeed they did by showing fight, hustle and defense that had not been seen all year. They also did it despite being down 8-0 to start the game but Fredrick kept UK in the game and keyed a 13-2 run with eight straight points to answer the Vols’ early surge. He also hit his only basket of the second half after Tennessee tied the game 48-48 and he drilled a 3-pointer.

“Coach told us this team would be super aggressive the first few minutes and deny everything. They got up 8-0 and he said just keep coming and throwing punches,” Fredrick told Givens. “I missed two early shots and didn’t let it affect me. Luckily I hit two and we all took off from there.”

Fredrick said Calipari let the Cats know limiting 3-point shots, stopping transition and rebounding would determine the game. Kentucky out rebounded the Vols 43-23, held Tennessee to 3-for-21 shooting from 3 and did not get beat often in transitions.

Fredrick had missed games with a dislocated finger on his right and “jammed” the finger again fighting through a screen Saturday but did not let it slow him down.

Now he’s ready to see what this team can do after a very unexpected 10-6 overall start and 1-3 start in SEC play before Saturday’s shocking win.

“We were in the locker room and I told the guys we have been through a lot and I love each of you,” Fredrick said. “We go from here. Keep believing in each other and let our work do the talking.”

Kentucky’s play talked loud and clear Saturday.