The Kentucky Wildcats will play their second game in three days when Canisius comes to Rupp Arena for a Sunday night affair.
No. 2 Kentucky notched a 87-64 season-opening victory over Stephen F. Austin on Friday night. Sophomore guard Isaiah Briscoe scored 17 points, while senior forward Derek Willis added 15 to help give UK a relatively easy win. They combined to make 11 of 18 from the field.
Freshman point guard De’Aaron Fox showed he is fully capable of living up to the lofty expectations placed upon him. Fox wasted no time taking over the reins of the Kentucky offense in his collegiate debut, and his 12 assists were the most ever in a season opener in school history and the most by a Wildcat in his career debut (with assist records dating back to the 1971-72 season).
Fox is just the fourth freshman in school history to post at least 12 assists in a single game. Dirk Minniefield, Rodrick Rhodes and John Wall are the others.
Seven-foot sophomore center Isaac Humphries (nine points, eight rebounds) filled a big inside void with 6-foot-10 freshman Bam Adebayo (five points) hampered by foul trouble. We should expect Bam to have a big response Sunday night in just his second collegiate game.
As for UK’s next opponent, Canisius will be playing in its regular-season opener on Sunday after wrapping up exhibition play last week. They defeated Ryerson 99-95 Monday night in an exhibition game in the Koessler Athletic Center.
Junior guard Kassius Robertson scored a game-high 32 points after hitting eight 3-point field goals, and senior Phil Valenti added 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Freshman Isaiah Reese came off the bench and scored 11 points for the Griffs, while junior forward Jermaine Crumpton chipped in seven points, four boards, four assists and two steals to the winning effort.
The Golden Griffins, who hail from the MAAC, are coming off a 14-19 season in which they went 8-12 in conference play.. They have a new coach with Reggie Witherspoon taking over after being on the Chatanooga staff last season.
Here is everything you’ll need to watch and follow this contest.
Canisius Golden Griffins at Kentucky Wildcats
When: Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. ET
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky.
TV: ESPN2
Live Online Stream: Watch ESPN
Announcers: Dave O'Brien and LaPhonso Ellis will be on the call.
Radio: UK Radio Network with Tom Leach and Mike Pratt
Satellite Radio: Sirius - 136 | XM - 190
Live stats: UK Athletics
Odds: UK opened as a 30-point favorite.
UK Roster:
No. 0 De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Freshman
No. 1 Sacha Killeya-Jones, Forward, Freshman
No. 3 Edrice ‘Bam’ Adebayo, Forward Freshman
No. 5 Malik Monk, Shooting Guard, Freshman
No. 10 Jonny David, Guard, Sophomore
No. 11 Mychal Mulder, Guard, Senior
No. 13 Isaiah Briscoe, Guard, Sophomore
No. 14 Tai Wynyard Forward, Redshirt Freshman
No. 15 Isaac Humphries, Forward, Sophomore
No. 20 Brad Calipari, Guard, Freshman
No. 25 Dominique Hawkins, Guard, Senior
No. 30 Dillon Pulliam, Guard, Redshirt Sophomore
No. 32 Wenyen Gabriel, Forward, Freshman
No. 35 Derek Willis, Forward, Senior