:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62837165/usa_today_11985943.0.jpg)
The Kentucky Wildcats get conference win number two in a defensive slugfest against the Vanderbilt Commodores, with only 103 combined points in the game. Kentucky trailed by two going into the second half, scoring their lowest amount in a first half this season. The Wildcats would match that point total in the second half for their lowest scoring outing of the season with 56 points.
Ashton Hagans, yet again, was the player of the game, totaling 15 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. A negative from the game however, is that Tyler Herro, Reid Travis, and P.J Washington combined for 12 points on the night despite each one playing over 30 minutes.
We normally complain about the defense from this Kentucky team, but tonight it was the offense that looked like they had never seen a zone defense in their history of playing organized basketball. The Wildcats just did not know what to do against it and gave a lot of teams game film for playing against them.
But despite the ugly performance, a win is a win. Especially in conference play. Here’s what social media had to say:
Slow start, fast finish. 12-3 on the season, 2-1 in conference play. pic.twitter.com/D4cxlk4FpY
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 13, 2019
Hard earned win with hard hats on hand tonight. Kentucky defeats Vandy 56-47 and improve to 2-1 in the SEC pic.twitter.com/hqz1QHka6o
— Eli Gehn (@EliGehnLEX18) January 13, 2019
Vanderbilt had an ugly game. Zero dunks, 4 points off 15 UK turnovers, six second half FG's, two fast break points, and a painful 21 seconds per possession. Cats had something to do with that.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 13, 2019
Leaving aside the first 5 minutes of the game, Kentucky played really good Defense tonight
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 13, 2019
Offense....needs some work
SEC win in the book #BBN
— Jackson Hancock (@NotJackson859) January 13, 2019
Calipari on Vandy: "They played zone for 40 minutes and it's REALLY difficult when you play young guys." Said he tried everything and couldn't find anything offensively that worked. "But it's a good win." Reels off all the SEC teams that lost at home today. "We didn't."
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 13, 2019
Coach Cal says Nick Richards made a big difference in the game. #BigNickEnergy
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) January 13, 2019
Silver lining for tonight: Kentucky allowed 47 points and 17 points in the second half
— Ian Teasley (@ianteasley) January 13, 2019
Solid win tonight for Kentucky. A conference win is a conference win, and you never take it for granted. But at some point they've got to fix these slow starts. There are way too many good teams in the SEC to be spotting your opponent 10 points to open every game.
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) January 13, 2019
Hagans, Johnson and Quickley led the way for the Cats, scoring 42 of our 56 points.#DreamBIG pic.twitter.com/yHlYREBCNz
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 13, 2019
Kentucky held Vanderbilt to 17 points on 6-of-25 shooting in the second half. Extending that, the Wildcats limited the Commodores to 31 points on 11-of-40 shooting in the final 35 minutes.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 13, 2019
Vandy has 4 players scoring in double figures on the season. Kentucky held them to only 1 tonight. Defense was solid.
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) January 13, 2019
It’s worth asking: Why do teams take a below-average number of 3PA’s against Kentucky? Their 2P% and FTA defense is very good so a lot of incentive to take 3’s if 3pt D is truly so poor. I’m guessing it's not as easy to get open shots as people think. (Also, Vandy finished 7-25) https://t.co/1NG3vCkbdw
— Ken Pomeroy (@kenpomeroy) January 13, 2019
Reid Travis, PJ and Herro combined for 12 points
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 13, 2019
Yet UK won by 9....early in the year, that stat line gets UK beat by 20
Great point Andy Kennedy is making about tempo. Vandy set the pace and Kentucky played into it. Hard to score points with turnovers while playing at a snail’s pace. Great job by Bryce Drew to give his team a puncher’s chance.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettBOS) January 13, 2019
Murder’s Row coming up. Next six opponents over next three weeks. Scary, to say the least.
— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) January 13, 2019
At Georgia
At Auburn
Miss. State (Rupp)
Kansas (Rupp)
At Vanderbilt
At Florida
Hagans has been good (and he is UK's best player). Quickley's been solid. Keldon has bounced back. Aside from Herro, the freshmen UK really needs production from have given it. All of those older players who were supposed to anchor this team ... another story.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 13, 2019
I still believe, @PJWashington is our difference maker, he needs more touches at that SEC logo, hes a willing and great passer (maybe the best in the county as a big man) and he can stretch the floor, feed him the ball!!!
— T. Seybold© (@Seybold24) January 13, 2019
Up-To-Date UK Team Statistics After Vanderbilt pic.twitter.com/EuoOAhgZu1
— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) January 13, 2019
*There was a lot of groin shots tonight in Rupp*
On hardhat night, apparently cups were needed.....#BBN #Kentucky #Vandy
— Shane Parsons (@Bobdelaney14) January 13, 2019
These @SEC officials calling the Kentucky-Vandy game are trash.
— Phil Roberts (@proberts27) January 13, 2019
Hey Vandy, did Kentucky win?
— Madison Adams (@maskedmadi2k) January 13, 2019
Vandy: I Shittu not they did! pic.twitter.com/feuBgUsCP6
But the best tweet came earlier today:
Newest member of the BBN is gameday ready. @UKAthletics @ASeaOfBlue @KentuckyMBB #BBN #Kentuckywildcatfan #ibleedblue #BeatVandy pic.twitter.com/GPNxxA0G0G
— J & L McIntosh (@docmac26) January 12, 2019