On this plentiful day of sports, Kentucky came out of it with an impressive win against a talented UNGC team.
It was a lot closer than the final score shows. The Cats had their handful against a well coached UNGC team. To start the game, Francis Alonso was unstoppable, hitting 2 quick threes in the beginning, and finishing 5-7 from beyond the arc.
Kentucky trailed at the half and went back-and-forth for most of the second, eventually pulling away with 5 minutes left to go in the game.
Reid Travis led the charge today while Tyler Herro gave them a late spark to pull away. It was a great test for the team and now it’s time to prepare for Seton Hall next week!
Here’s what social media had to say about the grind-it-out game from the Wildcats:
Let’s put the candle on this for Coach Hall and bring home a W. pic.twitter.com/EtDrI1J6e1
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 1, 2018
Happy 90th birthday to Coach Hall, who was just honored here at the game and presented with a pic.twitter.com/oaZPLamhrh
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 1, 2018
Happy #Caturday pic.twitter.com/OImr6lHodm
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 1, 2018
Tyler Herro’s done something today I didn’t know he was capable of. Took over a game late when the popcorn was popping, people in the stands, and the game means something. Love it. But now he’s shown his hand. Greater expectations. This place ain’t for everyone.@KentuckyMBB
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) December 1, 2018
The Cats wake up in 2nd half & win by 17 over @UNCGBasketball who led by 3 at half / BBN let out a sigh of relief in the 2nd half .I said @UKCoachCalipari would get their attention at halftime .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 1, 2018
UNC Greensboro's Francis Alonso scored 22 points over the first 23:48. Kentucky held him scoreless over the final 16:12.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) December 1, 2018
Did Kentucky find their main 5 today?
I think with this team he has a delicate balance to strike finding the right combination of stoppers/energy guys and scorers. Might change game to game. Johnson, Herro and Travis are probably the constants https://t.co/XwkjfQd1jh
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) December 1, 2018
Kentucky has now won seven straight games since its opening night loss versus Duke. Can't wait to see the Cats a week from today against Seton Hall. A legitimate litmus test. #BBN
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 1, 2018
Got dat dawg in ‘em. @KentuckyMBB @UKSportsNetwork pic.twitter.com/fj3MPkwcLH
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) December 1, 2018
Happy with how we emphatically closed out a quality opponent. We’re making the extra passes and playing markedly better defense. #BBN
— Jon Martin (@JMartJamboree) December 1, 2018
You see “spurts” of how good and efficient this Kentucky team can be and it’s get you excited. It’s just a matter of if and when they can put it together for a full game. #BBN
— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) December 1, 2018
If you’re officiating a game in the Southeastern Conference and you can’t see a clear travel here — then you can’t adequately officiate at the level. Middle-school refs get this one right. Every time. Happy it wasn’t called. Ridiculous nevertheless. Smh.pic.twitter.com/P6x8ZNLNeY
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) December 1, 2018
Today’s game showed that Ashton Hagans and Tyler Herro are Kentucky’s best backcourt duo right now. Add in Keldon Johnson, Reid Travis and either PJ Washington or EJ Montgomery and you’ve got a team you can win with.
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) December 1, 2018
Cal says Keldon looks like he was shot by a sniper and then played gang busters in 2nd half. (Falls down a well, eye go crossed. Kicked by a mule, eyes go back. I don’t know).
— Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) December 1, 2018
Keldon Johnson gets his double-double: 13 and 10. Joins Reid Travis: 22 and 12. And Tyler Herro hits a shot-clock-beating three (his second) to get to 18 points and punctuate the best win of the season so far for Kentucky.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) December 1, 2018
You're not taking Ashton Hagans' spot. pic.twitter.com/MRICoeYX0z
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) December 1, 2018
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Kentucky closes the game on a 28-6 run including a 10-0 run to close it out.
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) December 1, 2018
Rough day for my guy @PJWashington today. Sometimes — it just be that way. His brothers picked him up today and we got the win. He’ll bounce back. He’ll pick-up a brother in the next one. It’s a team game. @KentuckyMBB @UKSportsNetwork
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) December 1, 2018
UK (down three points at halftime) held UNCG to a total of 21 points in the second half. UNCG was 10/36 on FGs and 1/12 on threes after halftime. Coach Wes Miller: "Their defense was tremendous in the second half."
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) December 1, 2018
MIller on Hagans' defense: When he's in game, they extend defense. Main thing we talked about in scouting.
— Jerry Tipton (@JerryTipton) December 1, 2018
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