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It wasn’t pretty early on but Kentucky pulled away from Tennessee State and improved to 5-1 on the season thanks to a 77-62 victory.
Final score from @Rupp_Arena -
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 24, 2018
Kentucky 77, Tennessee State 62 pic.twitter.com/qW7yHahAcN
Keldon Johnson led the way with 27 points, 13 of which came from the free throw line.
It was also a big night for Reid Travis who had 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Kentucky.
Despite looking woeful in nearly all phases in the first half, Kentucky did show improvement on the defensive side of the ball which was vital in earning the win.
Kentucky has now won five in a row with all their wins coming at Rupp Arena where the Cats are 5-0 this season.
Here’s a look at the best social media reactions to the Kentucky victory.
Upper deck of student section. Never too early to study for final exams? pic.twitter.com/oqvZgwS6F3
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) November 23, 2018
Kentucky starts games like it's a Tuesday morning after a holiday weekend. #WakeUp
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) November 24, 2018
MEDIA TO (15:09): Tennessee State, which is 0-3 against Division I teams this year, leads UK 9-5.
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_CJ) November 24, 2018
"Can I copy your homework?"
— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) November 24, 2018
"Sure just don't make it look obvious." pic.twitter.com/XMBq3ygTHE
Kentucky’s defense... pic.twitter.com/83inrjAPUg
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) November 24, 2018
Too much turkey? Tennessee State 12, Kentucky 8 with 11:51 left in 1H.
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) November 24, 2018
Reid Travis is getting poked and prodded like it is his annual physical in the lane.
— Warren Taylor (@WarrenETaylor) November 24, 2018
It's not showing up on the scoreboard but actually think Hagans has done a pretty nice job of putting the ball on the floor and moving the ball to the right guy.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 24, 2018
Cats playing like they’re waiting to hear who won the Mickleson-Tiger match.
— Gary Moyers_The Cats' Pause (@gmoyers) November 24, 2018
Keldon Johnson is shooting well...like I do, if that tells you anything haha.
— Warren Taylor (@WarrenETaylor) November 24, 2018
If you're watching at home you have as many assists as the entire Kentucky basketball team. Congrats.
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) November 24, 2018
Who would of that guys with the names Bubba and Egbuta would be killing Kentucky this season...
— Aaron Gershon (@agershon99) November 24, 2018
Tennessee State this week. pic.twitter.com/c4dEdzrXMx
— Name can be blank (@BernieSadori) November 24, 2018
Did not expect rebounding to be 16-16 late in first half. Cats just off in most facets so far
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) November 24, 2018
Keldon Johnson misses a dunk off a drive. Pretty much sums up the night so far.
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) November 24, 2018
gotta play Nick some so he doesn't transfer and you have at least 1 big next season
— Curtis Burch (@curtisburch) November 24, 2018
What UK has done pretty well is swing the ball around the perimeter and then attack. When they have been doing that more the last couple of minutes is when the separation has come.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 24, 2018
It really is amazing that there is a UK game going on and @KSBarAndGrille is filled and everyone is focused solely on Tiger vs Phil
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 24, 2018
UK leads 35-27 at half. TSU's Kamar McKnight set halftime score with a 3 over Tyler Herro at the buzzer. Surprisingly it was only TSU's fifth three-point shot of the half.
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) November 24, 2018
And one, @2ReidTravis2!!! pic.twitter.com/mcR9rbxodL
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 24, 2018
Reid Travis is Mr. Consistent
— Keith Taylor (@keithtaylor21) November 24, 2018
Keldon Johnson living at the line tonight. Now 9 of 10 free throws. Kentucky is 21 of 25 and this is apparently a great free-throw shooting team. Cats lead by a dozen.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 24, 2018
Tyler Herro has gotten really good at getting hands in the passing lanes
— Round Daddy (@JStreble82) November 24, 2018
Tyler Herro is Mr. Steals all of a sudden. Had five the other night, two in quick succession tonight. Immanuel Quickley hits the Cats' second 3-pointer of the night and UK leads 47-32 with free throws coming, 15:36 2H.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 24, 2018
I thought Duke was heads above everyone else before the season started. Then I watched Gonzaga Wisconsin, UVA, Kansas, Michigan and now Texas/Mich st. Duke, UK and Nova have the most room for improvement. It’s early but all these teams can get there.
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) November 24, 2018
Kentucky's defense is so much better tonight
— Round Daddy (@JStreble82) November 24, 2018
Your whole world changes when shots go in. @KentuckyMBB @UKSportsNetwork
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) November 24, 2018
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) November 24, 2018
You could argue this lineup is UK's best: Quickley, Herro, Johnson, Travis and Montgomery (with PJ interchangeable for Travis).
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 24, 2018
Keldon Johnson is Elite at getting to the rim...if his shot gets consistent, he is unguardable
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 24, 2018
Quade Green
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) November 24, 2018
"They've been tougher defensively than anybody since the Duke game."@MikePratt22 has been impressed with TSU's effort and aggressiveness defensively. Kentucky has handled it and leads 70-54.
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) November 24, 2018
This isn't a popular opinion but oh well, Kentucky fans need to cut this team some slack. They are not a perfect team but they are getting better game by game. Some of the takes I see on a daily basis are sullying what used to be a knowledgeable fan base.
— Warren Taylor (@WarrenETaylor) November 24, 2018
Cal is so mad right now https://t.co/7h5HEaY8K2
— Round Daddy (@JStreble82) November 24, 2018
He did! They made a late announcement as fans were exiting. This crowd never gets louder than at the prospect of free Chick-fil-A for consecutive missed free throws by the opponent. https://t.co/dPOQK63ivv
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 24, 2018
Cats with a so-so 77-62 win over Tennessee State pic.twitter.com/KWpJXyXu7k
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) November 24, 2018
“We got good kids, we got good players, we just need a change in mindset.” Cal talking all about improving on defense after tonight’s win. https://t.co/MHEpgAoJnp
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) November 24, 2018
Calipari on Nick Richards' struggles, what can turn it around: "Demonstrated performance. They gotta play like they have nothing to lose. ... But I'm telling you, if you're getting broken down on defense, you're not going to have confidence offensively."
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 24, 2018
Reid Travis tells UK Radio's Mike Pratt & the smallish crowd remaining here in Rupp Arena 'I'm proud of the effort I put in today. Obviously, some things could have gone better.' Says he feels like he is playing with more energy, trying to be more versatile than when at Stanford
— Mark Story (@markcstory) November 24, 2018
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