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The Kentucky Wildcats get their first conference win of the season in their SEC home opener against the Texas A&M Aggies, in what was looking to be a blowout, but wasn’t a blowout, 85-74.
Unlike the Alabama game, this was just Kentucky making silly mistakes and letting arguably the worst team in the SEC hang with them, but as we know, any conference game is tough. But as usual, Texas A&M was the worst three point shooting team int the SEC coming into the game and the Aggies ended up shooting 46% from behind the arc.
Maybe it’s just the opening of conference play jitters that’s getting to the team, but the Wildcats haven’t looked like the same team that played against North Carolina and Louisville. That being said, a win is a win, especially in conference play.
Ashton Hagans had himself yet another terrific game with 18 points and 4 assists and Tyler Herro was back to hitting shots with 21 points. PJ Washington and Reid Travis both had quiet games, not dominating an Aggies team with zero post presence. I would expect, and hope, Kentucky to pick it up now that the SEC gauntlet is looming.
Here’s what social media had to say:
Final from @Rupp_Arena -
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 9, 2019
#18/19 Kentucky 85, Texas A&M 74 pic.twitter.com/3ElwiBB3ms
Shouldn’t have been that close
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 9, 2019
But Kentucky did make some good winning plays down the stretch
To update at the horn: Five steals this game, 19 steals in the last four games (118 minutes), an average of 6.4 per 40 minutes. That. Will. Do. https://t.co/EJ32t8TzuZ
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 9, 2019
Calipari, "Come on go get balls"
— Curtis Burch (@curtisburch) January 9, 2019
(He was talking about rebounding)
Cal singing Jemarl Baker praises. WILLING PASSER! We had guys who got outworked and they said “so what”. We’re breaking down (in) execution and it’s driving me crazy. pic.twitter.com/Ntpu8KxxSU
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) January 9, 2019
Billy Kennedy says PJ Washington had a stretch where A&M "couldn't do anything with him."
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_CJ) January 9, 2019
How long does it take for Calipari to give us his "be that guy all the time" line in relation to PJ?
That half court three is one of the worst beats I have ever seen for those that had Kentucky (-12.5)
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 9, 2019
Wow Vegas is PISSED!
— Tod Lanter (@tod_lanterIII) January 9, 2019
Hagans has to be the early frontrunner for SEC Defensive Player of the Year. And if he's not on your national watch list, you haven't been watching.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 9, 2019
With all the incredible defensive pressure Ashton Hagans has applied all game and he commits his first foul with 1:37 left in the game.
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) January 9, 2019
Billy Kennedy on Ashton Hagans: "He's probably the best defensive point guard we've played against this year." Said they wanted to make him shoot jumpers, but he did a good job making the right decision, "knowing when to attack and when not to."
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 9, 2019
Ashton Hagans with his FIFTH steal of the night. 19 steals over his last 4 games. Amazing defender. pic.twitter.com/JdzXv0t8BB
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) January 9, 2019
Interesting stat line: A&M shoots 47% from 3 Kentucky only 33%. Also out rebounded us by 3 at home. Got to get better. But one good thing is Kentucky isn’t turning the ball over a lot and turning teams over. #BBN
— Bluegrass Dad (@brndoaking) January 9, 2019
Weird night for Kentucky tonight, but I'll say this: The bench is coming along very nicely. All the Wildcats need is for EJ Montgomery/Immanuel Quickley/Nick Richards/Jemarl Baker to do what they do well (and nothing more), and it adds a whole new dimension to this team
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) January 9, 2019
Mr. All-Time is in the house.
— Rex Chapman (@rex_rexchapman) January 9, 2019
And Benny Snell is here too! @benny_snell @KentuckyMBB @UKFootball @UKSportsNetwork pic.twitter.com/Xq3u32JMc6
Nothing wrong with Dan Issel for the Y, but got to think Benny Snell would have got my vote tonight since he is in rupp
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) January 9, 2019
Also, Ive gotta say: I saw a ton of Jemarl Baker in HS here in LA, and I never thought he'd be as good at Kentucky as he's been already. I mean, the dude didn't play at all for a year and a half. Give him a few more weeks to get his legs - he can be DEADLY coming off the bench
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) January 9, 2019
Also, there is no way PJ Washington deserved a technical on this play:
Three technical fouls for this? pic.twitter.com/aSHDnN5cFS
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) January 9, 2019
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) January 9, 2019
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