Vicky Graff Photo
No. 8 Kentucky basketball picked up another top-15 victory on Tuesday night after taking care of business against No. 11 Texas A&M, 81-69.
Over the last 11 days, the Wildcats have strung together wins over the then-No. 6, then-No. 14 & now-No. 11 teams in the country – all in Southeastern Conference play.
Mark Pope’s team is clicking on all cylinders with their most recent performances featuring a combination of veteran guard Jaxson Robinson taking the reigns of the offense (49 points in two games) while the entire team has upped their physicality as well as efforts on the defensive glass.
Though a matchup against now-No. 4 Alabama this coming Saturday lingers (Crimson Tide lost to Ole Miss by 10 on Tuesday night), the game will be played at Rupp Arena where the crowd has been a major factor so far this season.
There are many reasons this team is incredibly easy to root for, with a couple being that they play such unselfish basketball and it’s fairly obvious they take a lot of pride in wearing the Kentucky jersey.
It also helps that former Mr. Kentucky Basketball Travis Perry has earned a legitimate roll as backup point guard due to the absence of Kerr Kriisa and is playing pretty well considering his status as a true freshman.
Kentucky has an entire chunk left remaining of their regular season, but this start to SEC play couldn’t have been much better.
The Wildcats and Crimson Tide will take the floor in Rupp Arena at Noon ET on Saturday with coverage on ESPN.
Kentucky-Texas A&M Basketball
Photos by Vicky Graff
4 Responses
We have yet to have a game where everyone is having a good game, but it will come. If our defense ever catches up to our offense, then the season is over. Everyone else might as well go home.
hoping that day comes Barry
I think were getting there, but the slow starts is what concerning me and free throws as well.
The FT % varied during stages of the game.
12-14 @ 85.7%
3- 6 @ 50.0% Lost focus!!
9-11 @ 81.8 %
24-31 @ 77.4%
The one stretch of 3-6 at the FT line was the only stretch of poor FT shooting.
Champions stay focused 40 minutes.
Champions share the ball 100% of the time.
Many factors impact the game but the A:TO ratio comparison of 2 teams typically parallels the end result.
Share + Focus = National Championship
Unfortunately the SEC has stretched their thug ball to the highest level of nonsense it’s ever experienced. Thuggery is NOT physicality. The 1978 UK Champs were very physical but were not thugs as if playing street ball. There is a stark difference.