UK Athletics Photo
After Kentucky lost to Vanderbilt on Senior Night, Jacob Toppin said to blame him.
Not just for getting beat on a drive to the basket late in the 68-66 loss but also for talking back to coach John Calipari in the first half.
Toppin apologized publicly on the Kentucky Radio Network after the loss and associate coach Bruiser Flint said he apologized to every coach.
He didn’t have to say he was sorry for anything Saturday after the way he played in the 88-79 win at Arkansas.
He had 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting from the field and 7-for-8 at the foul line. He had four rebounds, one block and one steal and played 38 minutes in a game where UK was 2 1/2 guards short — point guards Cason Wallace and Sahvir Wheeler were too injured to play and CJ Fredrick managed just 15 points due to his rib injury — and then had Oscar Tshiebwe in foul trouble.
With Wallace and Wheeler out, coach John Calipari turned to Toppin to play point guard at times. He brought the ball up the court to start the offense. He called plays. He directed other players.
“One of the things I said is you may have to call the offense,” Calipari said. “He should not have taken any blame for that loss (against Vanderbilt). That was another team that played with nothing to lose and started making shots and we didn’t come with the focus and intensity as a team.
“I wasn’t as loose in that game. That’s on all of us (for losing to Vanderbilt), not just on Jacob.”
If that loss had been on him, Saturday’s win certainly was on him, too. Sure, Antonio Reeves went ballistic with 37 points but Toppin had two 3-pointers just before the shot clock buzzer that ended Arkansas runs. The first came with 8:50 to play when Arkansas cut the lead to 55-50. Next Arkansas cut a 10-point lead to six before Toppin knocked down another three with 6:07 left.
Overall, Toppin scored 14 of Kentucky’s final 33 points in the final nine minutes of the game.
It was his fourth 20-point game and tied his career best against an SEC opponent. He’s now also scored in double figures in 13 of the last 14 games.
“Kentucky’s length really bothered the perimeter players of Arkansas, especially Toppin,” CBS-TV analyst Steve Lappas said.
Calipari had Toppin use his size advantage to disrupt Arkansas guard Anthony Black, who had 14 points but missed seven of 10 shots from the field.
“Black really hurt us last game. I’ve done that before. I haven’t done it this year, but I’ve done it before and I’ve done it with Jacob before,” Calipari said. “I was not going to let him control the game.
“We prepared a zone because of this team. Jacob told me, ‘Let’s go to the zone (late in the game).’ He is the one who said ‘let’s go zone.’”
11 Responses
I think Steve Lavin should have been tossed out of the game
Probably the most played intense game I haver seen. The Cats showed they have the fight in them . Now if they can keep it going they can hang with anyone,
Now my big one complaint
Cal continues to play ware over Collins. once again Collins contrbuted on offense and defense . he stopped 3 baskets with blocks. shot changing and yes fouls, and also got rebounds
Ware did nothing but hurt the team with Tech by way of Mouth causing 2 more gift points to Gators, Then crucial closing caused 2 turnovers leading to 4 more Gator points with sloppy lazy passes.
Good point he got 1 reeebie n put back and wide open dunk
Collins is more efficient and can score as he did with put back and drive
???? when Collins is out why not put the 7 footer Owensyo in for defense and he can also make Ft’s which Ware cant’ just thinking out loud don’t want to pick on the kid, he has a good heart but were supposed to be playing winning ball here
I don’t understand people complaining about big wins. Just complainers I guess. Ware is intense and yes he made a couple mistakes, but he made some good plays also. Cal played Collins until he fouled out. What else do you want. Also the Cats played the Razorbacks yesterday, not the Gators. Once again Cal proved that he Can Coach. Go Cats!
🙂
Agree with you Jim. Like, good game BUT. How is that a compliment. Be happy, no one is perfect ., enjoy life. BTW I am a Ware fan, he hustles, gives his best, resds the defense better than some, improves each year and very nice to fans.
It wasn’t the Gators!!; We played ARKANSAS for crying out loud!
Yesterday, they seemed to move much faster on offense. The ball got up the floor quicker, they looked for early offense rather than dribbling and passing the shot clock away, they were locked in much better.
A team that moves quickly is much harder to guard.
Probably the most complete game they have played this year.
I was in Lawrence last year for the blowout win against Kansas. That was a blast, but I have to say I enjoyed watching yesterday’s game more from my living room. All GUTS and TOUGHNESS! Better late than never. Congrats to all of the players and coaches. GO CATS!
I think everyone is entitled to their opinion! I think Ware should be last in pecking order and he was. Reeves was the best yesterday and it still seems unclear to me how good or not we truly are! We won and that is what counts especially this time in the year!
Kentucky shown it can play tough basket if they had played that way from start of the year we be in a far better place but the fact remains with out Wallace our team is limited to what we can do and how far we continue to move forward .
Yea, Ware makes boo boo’s but he serves his purpose with his energy. Definitely think the big boy could be used in certain circumstances.
Not a big Cal basher but a player has to recommend a zone defense – PULEEEZE.