Improving D.J. Wagner had First Collegiate Double-Double

Vicky Graff Photo

Freshman D.J. Wagner had his first collegiate double-double in Kentucky’s 105-96 win over Georgia Saturday night and it got very little attention on a night when Zvonimir Ivisic stole the show after finally being cleared to play by the NCAA.

However, Wagner continues to mature and progress and don’t underestimate what that could mean for UK the next few months. The freshman guard can almost get to the rim at will it seems but he’s making better decisions, hitting more shots and cutting down his turnovers.

He had 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 2-for-3 from 3, along with 10 assists in 29 minutes against Georgia. He had a rebound and one steal but also only made two turnovers

“You know, what I am saying to him … he had that high ankle sprain and it kind of lingers. I’m telling him, and a guy like Tre (Mitchell), if I play you too many minutes, the next day don’t do as much in practice,” coach John Calipari said after the win.

“We have a really smart team, a team that I really trust and believe in. They tell me I need a day off. They are not trying to not practice or get out of something. They are not. Trying to get themselves right.”

Wagner credited his coaches and teammates for his success/improvement.

“Every time I would find them, they were getting shots, so it really wasn’t me. It was really all my teammates just making open shots and just making it easier by being open when I need it,” Wagner said.

Of course, he still has to hit the shots, something he had trouble doing in games earlier this season. He said nothing had changed.

“No, just shooting, just playing basketball. Some shots are going to go in, some shots are not going to go in. You got to shoot it. It just happened to go in for me today,” he said.