:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70377270/usa_today_17489248.0.jpg)
The third time’s the charm as the Kentucky Wildcats finally pick up a road win in their third true-road game of the season down in Nashville, 78-66.
Kentucky ended the first half on a ferocious run after Vanderbilt knotted things up in the first half by way of a 12-0 run.
Kentucky would lead by as many as 28 in the second half before autopilot mode kicked in and Vandy cut the lead to 12, which would be the final margin.
Oscar Tshiebwe put on his best performance of the season, which is saying something, as he becomes the first Wildcat since Tayshaun Prince to put up 30 points and 10+ rebounds in a game. Tshiebwe finished with 30 points and 13 boards.
Sahvir Wheeler missed his second straight game due to a neck injury, but not playing tonight allows him some much-needed recovery time with a date with the Tennessee Volunteers looming on Saturday.
Here’s what Twitter had to say about the Wildcats’ win:
Picking up the win in Nashville pic.twitter.com/sHMD7ewSbG
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 12, 2022
This will be six straight wins at Vandy and 11 in a row against the Dores for Kentucky.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) January 12, 2022
“The lob to Toppin!” @deemintz1 ➡️ @Jtoppin0 pic.twitter.com/8cpR9cK21u
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 12, 2022
Jacob Toppin found the other trampoline. Goodness. Cats just bludgeoning Vanderbilt now.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 12, 2022
Did he hit his head on the rim?
— Curtis Burch (@curtisburch) January 12, 2022
Bryce Hopkins has a bright future and John Calipari knows it. Nothing but encouragement tonight from Calipari.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) January 12, 2022
Like … 30 & 13. And still half a half to play. If Oscar ain’t in NPOY talks, they’re doing it wrong.
— Anna Maria Tarullo (@tarullotweets) January 12, 2022
The SEC should just force Vandy to change their name from the Commodores to the ConfidenceBuilders. ™️
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) January 12, 2022
Big O - 30 PTS, 13 REB
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 12, 2022
Last 30-10 game at UK? Tayshaun Prince with 31 PTS, 11 REB vs. UNC on 12/9/01. pic.twitter.com/HAxm72OUIQ
Sometimes I do wonder how good Oscar Tshiebwe could be, if only he worked hard…
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) January 12, 2022
Career high 30 points in 30 minutes against Vanderbilt
I can’t imagine a Kentucky fan not liking this team
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 12, 2022
They share the ball, play fundamentally sounds, are good shooters, older players and GREAT kids
This reminds me of the 2003 team which I loved. Watching them is truly a joy
Tshiebwe is the first Kentucky player to have at least 30 pts & 10 reb in a game since Tayshaun Prince on Dec. 9 2001 against UNC #BBN
— Eli Gehn (@EliGehnTV) January 12, 2022
I think the biggest compliment I could give Oscar Tshiebwe is that you see he finished with 30 points and 13 boards and you sort of just nod your head, unsurprised. Ridiculous individual stat lines have become the norm for him. Seems to set a record every game.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) January 12, 2022
Oscar Tshiebwe has UK's first 30 point game since Immanuel Quickley on February 25, 2020
— Matt Sak (@MattSakBBN) January 12, 2022
Here's the thing I see:
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) January 12, 2022
Kentucky, with Wheeler, has seven guys it can trust. That's just enough, but not a ton. Shaedon Sharpe, get yourself in shape and come on down.
UK coach John Calipari excited about the progress Oscar Tshiebwe has made on the offensive end of the floor. "Remember when he was missing 2-footers at the beginning of the year?" Has games of 30 and 29 points to his credit now.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) January 12, 2022
Lmao at all the blue in Nashville pic.twitter.com/LkfWbIiYdb
— Cameron Newton (@morrisoncrying) January 12, 2022
This Kentucky team is getting to be so fun to watch offensively. Davion Mintz shooting it well. TyTy Washington is just a star. Oscar Tshiebwe continues to dominate. AND doing this without the engine to the car, Sahvir Wheeler. When he comes back...look out.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) January 12, 2022
FINAL: Kentucky 78, Vanderbilt 66
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) January 12, 2022
Cats were up 28 w/ 6:14 left but Vanderbilt ended the game on a 16-0 run. It didn’t matter. Another dominant performance by Oscar, who had 30 pts and 13 rebounds. TyTy looked great again and I LOVED the production from Keion Brooks. Great to see
Tshiebwe is the +/- champ at +25. Mintz was on his heels at +24
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) January 12, 2022
“That guy doesn’t work hard enough.”
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) January 12, 2022
-Bob Huggins pic.twitter.com/7MLo5D52fm
Big O is a MONSTER @Oscartshiebwe34 is the first member of @KentuckyMBB to post 30 and 10 since Tayshaun Prince in 2001 pic.twitter.com/2QdCraQMmh
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 12, 2022
Coach Cal says Brad is the reason the staff wore suits tonight:
— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) January 12, 2022
“My son bought suits, and I have to sleep with that kid’s mom, you know that?! He’s been all over me to wear SUITS” pic.twitter.com/DZGEu1blA3
to our ears in Music City. #GoBigBlue https://t.co/Je6dnqIfCs
— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) January 12, 2022
Good dubs.@tytywashington3 pic.twitter.com/7wZ5UpUi9Z
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 12, 2022
Sea of Blue comes loaded with the best Kentucky Wildcats links, news, analysis, and some other fun stuff, go ‘like’ our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. Got a link we should check out? Email us at seaofblue@gmail.com.