No one can predict how next week’s SEC Tournament will go, but the Kentucky Wildcats made sure they ended their regular season on a high note.
The Wildcats played host to the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday afternoon, running and gunning all the way to a 92-64 win for their highest point total of the year. Although the victory comes over a six-win South Carolina team, any positivity from this 2020-2021 season should be heavily embraced.
The score was close early on, with Kentucky pulling ahead to a 36-28 lead at the break. Kentucky then began the second half on a 19-8 run fueled by five triples from Davion Mintz. Mintz alone created the separation from South Carolina, but credit his head coach John Calipari and his teammates for continuing to feed the hot hand. The Wildcats coasted the rest of the second half and to the finish line, wrapping up the 2020-2021 regular season.
Kentucky had four players score in double figures, led by BJ Boston with 21 points and Davion Mintz with 20. Olivier Sarr and Isaiah Jackson also made it to double figures, scoring 15 and 13 respectively. The Wildcats had a total of 12 players score in the win.
There’s no question that a regular season of 9-15 is a disappointment, but at least the team appeared to find a rhythm on offense with a retooled lineup and now has momentum going in to the SEC Tournament in Nashville.
Here are some Twitter reactions from Saturday afternoon’s victory over the Gamecocks.
Fun way to wrap this regular season pic.twitter.com/33SU1nf8Hq
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 6, 2021
You just knew this team was going to be playing their best basketball at the end of the season.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) March 6, 2021
Whoa, perfect example of Calipari's plea for toughness. SC dude just ripped rebound away from Mintz, pass to teammate, easy 2 points.
— Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) March 6, 2021
No wonder this team is no good @KySportsRadio @DrewFranklinKSR @ryanlemond you tell me who is supposed to get the ball. pic.twitter.com/6eEO3zO5ux
— Trey Murphy (@TreyUK1) March 6, 2021
This was honestly what I thought the team would look like early in the year with Boston and Sarr leading the way
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 6, 2021
Cut down on Turnovers and it is a pretty good Half
Good to see @KeionB_12 hit that jump. feed him
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) March 6, 2021
Already three second half triples for Davion Mintz.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) March 6, 2021
Surely Kentucky can put away a 6-win South Carolina team with a 60-43 lead with 11:54 to go
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) March 6, 2021
If @deemintz1 thinks this is cool, come back next year and do that with 20,000 maniacs in the building. Sunlight will shine through as the roof lifts up.
— Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) March 6, 2021
Something to keep in mind today when Kentucky solidifies their spot in the SEC Tournament’s 8/9 game. https://t.co/cbccAsQcZ5
— Tide Hoops News (@TideHoopsNews) March 6, 2021
I am enjoying this game
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 6, 2021
Would be nice if Kentucky did this three-point shot making thing in six days against Alabama.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) March 6, 2021
This South Carolina team, as bad as they appear to be, did beat Florida and stomped Georgia twice this season. Kentucky up 72-50 at the eight-minute mark.
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) March 6, 2021
UK 92, South Carolina 64
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) March 6, 2021
Boston: 21 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast
Mintz: 20 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast
Sarr: 15 pts
Jackson: 13 pts, 10 reb, 2 stls
Brooks: 7 pts, 8 reb
Askew: 6 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast
Ware: 2 pts, 3 reb
Allen: 2 pts, 2 stls
Toppin: 2 pts, 2 ast
Fletcher: 2 pts, 2 reb
Payne: 2 pts, 2 reb
When Riley Welch, Brennan Canada, Zan Payne and Kareem Watkins get minutes, it's a great day. Happy for these kids. They needed this one.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 6, 2021
Riley Welch crossed his man there and kicked to a wide-open Dontaie Allen. Hope he lets one fly.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 6, 2021
Wrote a big thing on Riley and his coaching dream and what a front-row season watching a HOF coach grind has taught him: https://t.co/sOYVsOAzG6
Today’s great performance guarantees @KentuckyMBB nothing in Nashville but sure as hell beats the alternative.
— Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) March 6, 2021
Kentucky is BACK. pic.twitter.com/X6rW2TvkLl
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 6, 2021
Glad these dudes got to have a day like this
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 6, 2021
Nice to see these kids smile
Look at the bench’s reaction to @young_payne2321’s bucket! pic.twitter.com/2iY7cSNnrs
— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) March 6, 2021
Kentucky men’s basketball in 2021 pic.twitter.com/R2XJ6DUFGU
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) March 6, 2021
Cam’Ron Fletcher for two. Kentucky leads South Carolina 86-54 with 3:50 left. @KentuckySports @heraldleader @johnclayiv @BenRobertsHL @markcstory pic.twitter.com/pDOXdiliDo
— Alex Slitz (@AlexSlitzPhoto) March 6, 2021
LET'S GOOOOOO, @CamRonFletcher1 pic.twitter.com/FQYoL0tfQl
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 6, 2021
Ayyyyyy I see you C. Fletcher. Do yo thing my boy!!! #BBN
— Skyy Clark (@skyyclark) March 6, 2021
Wildcats having fun!!! Smiling!!! Winning!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/5Sre2mo8iv
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) March 6, 2021
Nice ovation for Mintz as he goes out with over 5 minutes to play. 20 points on 7 for 13 shooting, 7 assists, 5 rebounds in 28 minutes
— Vaughts' Views (@vaughtsviews) March 6, 2021
BBN, total team show out by the Cats! Pace of play, shooting, and execution. Created best possible vibe under circumstances going into post season. Note BJ performance and D MINTZ we shall remember you! On to win or go home.
— Roger Harden (@HardenRoger) March 6, 2021
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