Vicky Graff Photo
Early in the game Travis Perry said he got a “little bumped” by Texas A&M defenders when he had to relieve starting point guard Lamont Butler.
Actually it was more than a little bumped as ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes noted that the Aggies were going to attack Perry’s defense and also pressure him when he had the ball trying to initiate the offense.
However, Perry knocked down two open 3-point shots when Kentucky needed them to help spark the Wildcats to an 81-69 win and he likely will have a lot of valuable minutes again Saturday when UK hosts Alabama.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope thought Perry was “terrific” against A&M’s complicated defense.
“This is not a really easy defense to figure out. What our guys are pretty good at is they are pretty good at figuring out what they are seeing. We are pretty good about coaching them,” Pope said after the game. “Things change as much as they do with Texas A&M and that’s the next step for us to be able to really change with the changes.
“But TP (Perry), you know I mean it was big shots, really big shots. Right? It made us feel a whole lot better. He’s got no fear. He’s just going out to play. It’s fun.”
Perry has never had any fear. That is what enabled him to become the state’s all-time scoring leader, Mr. Basketball and state champion last season at Lyon County.
“If you chart his trajectory you get to see these little steps that he’s taking, we all get to see it,” Pope said. “It’s one of the great things about coaching and being fans that are really invested which is BBN is you get to actually see the beginning, the middle, and the growth that we get to prognosticate about where they are going and to see these guys grow is special and TP is definitely doing that.
“This is a high-pressure game. It’s a top 10 game against one of the best defenses in the country and he was terrific.”
3 Responses
I’m glad Perry is getting to learn at his own pace and learn for veteran players. The advice he can get from veterans and the chance to see how they respond will be very helpful to him in the next few years. Perry will end being a player that plays with his head and not just his talent.
Watching a complete player transitioning to the next level is one of the great things about UK BB. Through the years, many great players have grown into greater players while at UK.
Travis Perry will be a legend when he finishes his run at UK. The sky is the limit. His priceless Kentucky ancestry heightens the level he will attain.
Perry’s confidence is growing with each game. His defense is even getting better. He and Chandler will play big minutes if Butler is unable to play. If Carr can’t go, start Almonor and let Noah give him breathers, but he is a better player than most acknowledge. Go CATS!!!