:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67985000/1287707550.0.jpg)
The college basketball season is officially here, and the Kentucky Wildcats were in Rupp Arena Wednesday night for their season opener against the Morehead State Eagles.
The Cats took the floor with an entirely new group of Cats, and it was the start of what BBN hopes is a run to national championship No. 9.
Right from the start, this Kentucky team looked very good, especially Isaiah Jackson, who logged a quick 7 points before picking up his second foul sending him to the bench.
The Cats built up a quick 10-4 lead in the first 5 minutes of the season and never looked back.
At the under 8 media timeout, the lead had grown to 24-11 and these young Cats went into the halftime locker room with a 45-26 lead.
The second half was more domination from the Cats as they had built a 30-point lead, 67-37, with 10 minutes left in the game.
Kentucky did everything they needed to in the season opener. They shot the ball well, dominated the boards, and locked in defensively as they rolled to an 81-45 win.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the win:
It’s time
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 25, 2020
pic.twitter.com/Pq05vAMNCN
I’ve missed this place. Feels good to be back. pic.twitter.com/m7fvYEbPzr
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) November 25, 2020
Isaiah Jackson scores the first bucket for the Cats this season.
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) November 25, 2020
Terrence Clarke has drawn 4 fouls in 4 minutes
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 25, 2020
That’s pretty good
Showing up early: Askew looking good with the ball. Clarke's midrange game looks money. Jackson's length, quickness off the floor.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 25, 2020
Boy, Jackson is gonna be good. Has a chance really improve his draft stock.
— All Things Kentucky (@BBNWonka) November 25, 2020
Enjoy Isaiah Jackson for these few precious months.
— Travis Graf (@TravisGraf_) November 25, 2020
Terrence Clarke reminds me so much of Malik Monk.
— BIG BLUE NATION #BBN (@UKBasketbalI) November 25, 2020
Athletic freak who can score from anywhere.
Lance Ware is getting a lot of run here in the first half, seems like he's solidified that No. 7 spot in the rotation (No. 8 when Keion Brooks Jr. returns).
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) November 25, 2020
I think both Askew and Mintz are showing they will be more than capable 3-point shooters. Why both may play together a lot
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) November 25, 2020
Dontaie Allen's first three-point make as a Wildcat was pure from the corner. Love to see the Mr. Basketball get quality minutes early.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) November 25, 2020
TERRENCE CLARKE AT THE ONE.
— Travis Graf (@TravisGraf_) November 25, 2020
We dreamed of times like these.
Obviously the competition is going to get much more difficult, but B.J. Boston and Terrence Clarke look like the type of guys Kentucky has been missing since 2017.
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_CJ) November 25, 2020
Never forget Drake slid in Cam’ron Fletcher’s DMs to tell him he was nice at basketball
— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) November 26, 2020
Surprise of the half is Cam'Ron Fletcher
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) November 25, 2020
Clarke makes it look so easy.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) November 26, 2020
Askew cannot get beat to the basket that easy. Will not happen to Mintz I don't think
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) November 26, 2020
Olivier Sarr went almost 20 minutes into his Kentucky debut without a point, then dunked a lob and swished consecutive jumpers in the span of two minutes. He hasn't forced anything tonight and been a good and willing passer. But he can certainly get buckets.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 26, 2020
I really like watching this team...all these guys are so talented
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) November 26, 2020
Pretty obvious this is going to be one of, if not the most athletic team in college basketball.
— Jason Marcum (@marcum89) November 26, 2020
One thing that has stood out to me tonight is the absence of those 4-5 minute scoring droughts that recent UK teams would experience regardless of opponent strength. This team has a lot of options on that end of the floor.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) November 26, 2020
I really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really hope college basketball is sustainable this year, not just at Kentucky but around the country.
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) November 26, 2020
Tonight was so fun
Special guest here tonight! @iamnickrichards pic.twitter.com/ZE5jXMAIjl
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) November 25, 2020
Kentucky defeats Morehead State 81-45 Wednesday night at Rupp Arena. Slideshow will follow. @KentuckySports @heraldleader @BenRobertsHL @johnclayiv pic.twitter.com/6qW8Bll2O0
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) November 26, 2020
The new autograph:
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) November 26, 2020
Bunch of youngsters are carefully (and masked) approaching (masked) Nick Richards and standing several feet in front of him to take a selfie while he throws deuces in the background.
Kentucky dribbled out the clock to win 81-45. Kentucky’s over/under for the game was 81.5 points.
— SDSBasketball (@SDSBasketball) November 26, 2020
We have our first #badbeat of the season!
Ohhh... C-A-T-S, CATS, CATS, CATS!
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) November 26, 2020
What a great opening day of UK men’s and women’s basketball! Go Cats! #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/GjtNQig97U
Coach Cal has to be happy with his young team and how they have started this season. Playing good defense and moving the ball on offense. Go Cats!
— Rich Brooks (@UKcoachbrooks) November 26, 2020
We're off and running into #Thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/8cKnPFgAnm
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 26, 2020
And like, look, maybe this is some confirmation bias for me! I’ve been saying I like this team a lot for months now. But they look even better early than I thought they would. https://t.co/6B1AC9xBSo
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 25, 2020
A Sea of Blue comes loaded with Kentucky Wildcats links, news, analysis, and some other fun stuff, so ‘like’ our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.