:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62259195/IMG_2071.0.jpg)
It wasn’t pretty by any means, but the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats overcame a strong effort from visiting Southern Illinois with a 71-59 win.
Celebrate wins, especially the first one of the season. pic.twitter.com/0cLa5oHL2y
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 10, 2018
Nick Richards had what was probably the best game of his collegiate career while Quade Green, Keldon Johnson, and EJ Montgomery also played very well.
However, overall it was another lackluster performance for the Wildcats as SIU led by seven at one point in the second half and PJ Washington who is supposed to be Kentucky’s leader had another rough game.
Social Media wasn’t all too happy with their Wildcats. Here are the best reactions:
This is just stunning to watch Kentucky be completely incapable of staying in front of anybody. Blow-by, blow-by, blow-by, blow-by. Doesn't matter who is driving or who is defending. Blow. By.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 10, 2018
HALF: Kentucky 31, Southern Illinois 28.
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) November 10, 2018
Points: Quickley 7, Johnson 7, Richards 6
Rebounds: Richards 12
Assists: Hagans 2
Quality of basketball: Poor
YOU GOT SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT SOPHOMORE NICK RICHARDS YOU CAN SAY IT TO MY FACE
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) November 10, 2018
Big rebound plus and-1 putback for EJ Montgomery. pic.twitter.com/Ylg5Zkv1xl
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) November 10, 2018
EJ Montgomery putback gives Cats the lead, 47-46, with 12:05 left.
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) November 10, 2018
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) November 10, 2018
When Kentucky football is better than Kentucky basketball. pic.twitter.com/HRgITclRcC
— Nathan Thayer (@Nthayer1408) November 10, 2018
"The upperclassmen have done a really nice job in this ball game, showing some leadership."@MikePratt22 seconds before the Quade Green assist to Keldon Johnson for the big one hand throwdown.
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) November 10, 2018
Not sure what's happened to PJ Washington. Stripped in the paint for his fifth turnover of the night. Has just three points, four rebounds in 15 minutes. If you're Kentucky, thank God for the other sophomores, Nick Richards and Quade Green.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 10, 2018
As I said on my podcast Tuesday, Quade Green/Immanuel Quickley were by far the most effective backcourt for Kentucky in the Bahamas. Have been again tonight. Wouldnt have mattered against Duke but should be the starting backcourt going forward, with Hagans and Herro off the bench
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 10, 2018
EJ Montgomery might be the best power forward on the team
— • (@swilson502) November 10, 2018
*
— Fred Davies (@DR_Fred_Davies) November 10, 2018
*
*
If Kentucky wins, fans should rush the court.
*
*
*
Never thought I would see a game where Nick Richads would have 18 rebounds -- and UK would be struggling to win
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) November 10, 2018
Quade Green is the leader of this team. IQ, Keldon starting to play like dogs. EJ, Richards with promising nights. Travis is gonna be OK. Not quite sure what to make of Hagans, Herro and PJ through 77 minutes this year.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 10, 2018
Quade REALLY wants that starting PG spot.
— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) November 10, 2018
College Basketball teams that keep fouling with under a minute left down double digits will take a decade off my life
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) November 10, 2018
A win is a win is a win. Go Cats! #BBN
— Max Godby (@OhMyGodby64) November 10, 2018
Nick Richards finishes with 19 rebounds, NINE offensive, tying him with MKG for the most in the Calipari era at UK.
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) November 10, 2018
All’s I can say is thank god our coaches scouted and taught all they did the past two days. Sometimes it goes unnoticed. @KentuckyMBB @UKSportsNetwork
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) November 10, 2018
Wasn't a beautiful game by any means but 71-59 over a talented SIU team that won 20 & went to the tournament last season and has everyone back is ok. Decent recovery from the shellacking on Tuesday night. #BBN
— ESPN Radio Lexington (@ESPNRadioLex) November 10, 2018
Wasnt pretty, but Kentucky did what it had to do against a better-than-anyone-realizes Southern Illinois team. The five that ended the game - Quade Green, Immanuel Quickley, Keldon Johnson, Reid Travis, PJ Washington - need to be the starting five going forward for the Wildcats
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) November 10, 2018
FINAL: Kentucky 71, Southern Illinois 59. Cats looked awful for much of the night but outscored the Salukis 31-13 over the final 13:39. Quade Green and Nick Richards came up big. Final box score: pic.twitter.com/LNHPq0026M
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 10, 2018
Keldon Johnson pic.twitter.com/0rvZ6LeAO5
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 10, 2018
More like Keldon Jam-son!
— Curtis Burch (@curtisburch) November 10, 2018
Calipari said any player that argues with him in practice gets 30 seconds on a 17 mph treadmill.
— Kernel Sports (@KYKernelSports) November 10, 2018
We knew this one wasn't going to be easy. A win and something to build on. Back at it on Wednesday. #DreamBIG pic.twitter.com/gQXXzRfMak
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 10, 2018
I love these ‘Cats. Not one player on the squad I wouldn’t go from here to the ends of the earth for. My favorite squad from 1-15 in years. @KentuckyMBB @UKSportsNetwork
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) November 10, 2018