A Sea Of Blue - Kentucky beats Michigan State: Everything to knowOnline Home of the Big Blue Nation: Kentucky Wildcats Sports for the Discerning Fanhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46621/aseaof-fav.png2019-11-07T08:45:00-05:00http://www.aseaofblue.com/rss/stream/207093022019-11-07T08:45:00-05:002019-11-07T08:45:00-05:00What Kentucky beating No. 1 Michigan State means moving forward
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<figcaption>Drew Brown - Sea of Blue</figcaption>
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<p>Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves, but Tuesday night’s win was a major factor in the maturation of this team. </p> <p id="X2Sk1F">When the closing seconds ticked off the clock at last year’s Champions Classic in Indianapolis, Big Blue Nation was in shock as the <a href="https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/">Duke Blue Devils</a> rolled over the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> in a highly anticipated showdown. </p>
<p id="bklUB2">It felt like the Cats didn’t belong on the floor with the Devils after the 37 point drubbing. But as the season progressed, fans left that game in the rearview mirror. That team finished the season in the Elite Eight: the exact same way that Duke ended the season.</p>
<p id="rcAMX6">Tuesday night’s feeling was completely different as the Cats bested the preseason No. 1 team in the nation, the <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com/">Michigan State Spartans</a>. Sparty is the odds on favorite to win the title. and point guard <span>Cassius Winston</span> was the man to beat for Player of the Year.</p>
<p id="7HNXOP">But it was Kentucky who won 69-62. <span>Tyrese Maxey</span> became a star in Madison Square Garden, and Kentucky announced that they will not take a backseat to any college basketball team. </p>
<p id="0ZwKGh">What surprised me the most is the fact that this young UK team physically dominated a much older, and bigger, Spartan team. There were stretches when MSU would close the gap to three points or less. And every time, Kentucky had an answer on offense or defense. That maturity isn’t easy to come by with early season John Calipari teams.</p>
<p id="ZbovB5">Cal has been preaching toughness and physicality. He got both of those and then some. Defensively, this team is well ahead of schedule. Offensively, they will figure out their roles in the coming weeks and will be even more potent than it was Tuesday. </p>
<p id="3KPzH7">Now, the Wildcats should be the top team in the land, and that may not change for a long time. The coming weeks are full of cupcakes for the Cats to hone their skills against. </p>
<p id="ZVaDHa"><span>Kahlil Whitney</span>, <span>Johnny Juzang</span> and Keion Brooks will figure out how they fit on this team. <span>EJ Montgomery</span> and <span>Nick Richards</span> will continue to build confidence and toughness.</p>
<p id="A91BHT">The future is bright for Kentucky. But just like last season, the Champions Classic is just one game. A lot can happen between now and March. </p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/7/20951482/uk-basketball-kentucky-michigan-state-2020James Streble2019-11-07T06:00:00-05:002019-11-07T06:00:00-05:00The top 5 Kentucky performances against Michigan State
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<figcaption>Drew Brown - Sea of Blue</figcaption>
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<p>Maxey stole the show, but several other Wildcats had major impacts. </p> <p id="rDtqmY">The ritual is back! </p>
<p id="YTKNie">Sitting on my bed, trying to write the intro for this article and chills that feel like boa constrictors are wrapping themselves around me. Somehow, I think I’m smiling wider than <span>Tyrese Maxey</span>. We still have two more hours, guys! </p>
<p id="QgZlJe">Other than the fact that Champions Classic victories are addicting for me, I’m awake because there’s a Swaggiest Cal Ever interview and a Matt Jones postgame show on the way. It’s how I’ve spent my childhood. I can’t fall asleep on a game night until “Werewolves of London” fades into the blackness of my bedroom. </p>
<p id="0rjyUM">Alright. For the player takeaways, I’m going to start ranking the performances, assigning a Crunch Time five-man lineup and having the takeaways operate like an Associated Press Poll, with players vacillating up and down depending on their performances. Let’s start with the best player in college basketball. </p>
<h2 id="rpzqnv"><strong>Tyrese Maxey: Per Dickie V, “OH MR. CALIPARI YOU HAVE A STAR. AN S-T-A-R!”</strong></h2>
<p id="2DUcdd">In two gifs, I can tell you the story of College Basketball’s one-versus-two 2019-20 debut.</p>
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<p id="CfnYGr"><strong>If that doesn’t give you chills, you aren’t a living, breathing Kentucky Basketball fan.</strong> Maxey’s remake of the Davis THIS IS MY STATE finger-wag punctuated his arrival to the AD Shrine of Legendary One-and-Done’s—in his first game! </p>
<p id="xRIwJ8">As an avid college basketball fan and addicted reader of stereotypical CBB analysis, Michigan State senior point guard <span>Cassius Winston</span> was an offseason protagonist. A unanimous preseason Player of the Year by the AP’s vote, and deserved. <span>Winston</span> dismantled <span>Zion Williamson</span>’s and <span>RJ Barrett</span>’s Duke team, and he’s a 5’11 career backup at best in the NBA. The dude is a bonafide top-three player in the country. Maxey was better. </p>
<p id="Z6DvE4">On twitter, <span>PJ Washington</span> called him “special,” and <span>Draymond Green</span> chimed in, conceding “Maxey is tough though” after the MSG stage-owner finished off Green’s experience-laden Spartans. </p>
<p id="uQkOoZ">No tweets of that nature from NBA guys talking about <span>Cassius Winston</span> or <span>Tre Jones</span> or <span>Devon Dotson</span>...ever! Even with 21 points and 4 assists, <span>Winston</span> was a pair of ragged claws scuttling across floors of silent seas...while Maxey established himself as one of the five best players in college basketball. It couldn’t be more obvious after Tuesday night. </p>
<p id="YPLpIS">Future lottery pick in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a> and go-to crunch-time scorer. His offensive arsenal is beyond extraordinary and he just turned 19. In the open court, Maxey looks as fast as No. 1 on the football field except he can finish floaters over seven-footers. Oh, and he catapulted and connected on a 35-foot bomb to bury the preseason number one with a minute to play. </p>
<p id="keRI2M">I could unleash probably 3,000 words on Tyrese. But life is long and Tyrese’s basketball-playing will be a staple of mine over the next ten years, so I’ll save some for later. I hope Ty does too. </p>
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<span><strong>Ashton Hagans</strong></span><strong>: A “pit bull” </strong>
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<p id="y5gF4a">“We threw the pit bull at him,” Maxey bragged of his backcourt mate Ashton Hagans and his defense on Winston. Defensive menaces that can handle the ball and make mid-range jumpers are a wonderful delicacy. </p>
<p id="xG7nTN"><em>Oh, that dude’s the best player in the country? Just throw Ashton on him. </em></p>
<p id="Swf411">Cassius wound up with 21 and 4 but the senior table-setter was flustered all night with Hagans’ edge and double teams from our bigs off the same ball screens he used to butcher defenses last season. </p>
<p id="a8MTJu">Offensively, Hagans still can’t finish at the rim with any consistency. “Shai would’ve made that” was a comment my roommate threw out there several times. Other than the botched bunnies at the rim, Hagans was excellent, pacing the half-court with direction rather than unsteadiness and finding the right pass or rotation. Loved what I saw from him. </p>
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<span><strong>Immanuel Quickley</strong></span><strong>: Everything I want in a third guard</strong>
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<p id="ksqVsp">IQ splashed a couple threes, swished several free throws and played defense on par with Hagans. He finished with an even 10—and that’s what I hope is an average number for no. 5. I think he can jump his average up to about 12 or 14 with 37-40% three-point shooting. And that would be fantastic. </p>
<p id="Anc79w">The reality is Kentucky has three guards with similar base skillsets: Competitive athletic defenders who can each create their own offense but in varying methods. Maxey can chuck it from the logo, Ashton is implementing some Ulis-esque mid-range and floater ability and Immanuel looks the part of our most consistent catch-and-shoot deep threat (sans Sestina). </p>
<p id="AL7Xfl">Plus, he looks more creative attacking the basket, which I’m sure is a matter of increased confidence personally and from the coaching staff. He doesn’t need to be Maxey, because, well, only Maxey is Maxey. </p>
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<span><strong>Nick Richards</strong></span><strong> is my favorite kid on the team</strong>
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<p id="t9r4rX">When I see Nick Richards catch the ball at the free throw line, take two steps and slam-dunk on the head-banded head of the preseason POY, I feel great emotion. He shows us a smile, and it was my favorite moment of the night.</p>
<p id="Ug0a13">Nick works hard, does not complain and is always a positive, gentle presence off the court. Now, I think he’s getting it on the court. He’s starting to get that he can block every shot and he can perform a euro-step dunk and that each and every rebound not only can be his but WILL be his. </p>
<p id="oU9k8n">There’s so much to like from what Nick has shown so far this season, and he battled through the game with an injured ankle. Quite a warrior. </p>
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<span><strong>Nate Sestina</strong></span><strong>: Rice</strong>
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<p id="LFvAXu">On Mexican dishes, I love rice. With correct seasoning or sauce, it’s good enough to eat alone and perfect in a complimentary role. Like bringing <span>James Harden</span> off the bench in the 2012 Finals. <em>Rice to go with the steak, cheese and salsa? Are you kidding me, of course! </em>Every Mexican dish is better with rice. </p>
<p id="crm5Ok">Every Kentucky lineup is better with Big Nate Sestina. He’s <a href="https://youtu.be/7o36ssIchxA?t=56">got the works</a>: threes, baby-hooks, rebounding, loose-ball chasing, sturdy defense, vocal leadership and any other “glue guy” stuff <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/5/20949013/michigan-state-msu-spartans-kentucky-uk-wildcats-news">like we mentioned the other day</a>. </p>
<p id="tFmwF5">The stretch that has Kentucky basketball coverers tickled is the two-possession stint where Sestina handled a Spartan big defensively, corralled the rebound, passed it off, sprinted down and hit a spot-up three a few steps behind the arc to push Kentucky’s lead to 13. </p>
<p id="Ihz2qa">Pretty big stuff, quite frankly. </p>
<p id="MZ9hzC">I swear it’s the same elements of <span>Reid Travis</span>, just in a different avatar. Knowing how not to mess up is so crucial in elite-calibre games like the Champions Classic matchups. Until Brooks or Whitney grow more comfortable, I think Sestina’s minutes should huddle around 25 or so. </p>
<p id="72F93i">But, there are a lot of bodies this year at the 2-3-4 positions, and seeing how Calipari divvies them up will be more interesting for Kentucky fans than monitoring the AP Poll. </p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/7/20951649/kentucky-wildcats-michigan-state-spartans-hagans-maxey-sestinaA-Web2019-11-06T18:49:08-05:002019-11-06T18:49:08-05:00Ashton Hagans and Nick Richards gutted it out to beat Michigan State
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<figcaption>Jamie Boggs - Sea of Blue</figcaption>
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<p>We all knew Richards was hurt, but Hagans had his own injury as well. </p> <p id="ooMZPJ">One of the few returning players from last year’s Elite Eight roster, <span>Ashton Hagans</span> suited up against Michigan State is what could be a terrific start to his sophomore season. After a great start to the game, it was obvious something was bothering the team’s leader as the game wore on. </p>
<p id="hRFZrA">After the game, John Calipari revealed Hagans was playing through a leg injury he sustained against Kentucky State in the team’s final exhibition. It actually required an MRI but turned out to be nothing more than a strain. </p>
<p id="C03hse">“He’s hurt. His leg has been bothering him for about four or five days,” said Calipari. “But he’s such, I don’t know if you saw whoever we played. He got kneed, kicked in the head. And if you saw it you would’ve said ‘wow’ and he just kinda bounced up. He is really tough. </p>
<p id="vWXdld">“For him to say his leg is bothering him, and we’ve had the MRI, we’ve had everything done. There’s nothing there. It’s more of a strain, a muscle thing. And I just kept telling him ‘take yourself out, tell me when you’re ready to go.’”</p>
<p id="98TvWK">Hagans gutted through the injury and even hit two clutch free throws in the final minute to help ice the game, but it sounds like he’d reached his limit at that point. </p>
<p id="nrJ1v1">“That last free throw he made, he looked at me like ‘take me out.’ And EJ ran out,” said Calipari. “So he stayed on the court. But he’s a really mentally, physically tough kid.”</p>
<p id="vNp88J">Hagans played 29 of a possible 40 minutes, the fourth-most for Kentucky, finishing with 11 points on 3/9 shooting, including five of the Wildcats’ first 11 points in the game. He also had a team-high three assists, but he missed several layups at the rim that he has to hit to take his game to another level, but perhaps the injury affected that. </p>
<p id="Na9Dsi">Overall, we don’t know the limitations that Hagans will be on with his lower-leg. injury for the team’s next game against Eastern Kentucky this Friday, but it doesn’t sound like it will be a long-term issue. </p>
<aside id="NbLSpe"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"5 more thoughts and postgame notes from Kentucky’s win over Michigan State","url":"http://www.sbnation.com/e/20715153"},{"title":"A big development from Jonathan Kuminga cutting his list","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20952359/kentucky-basketball-jonathan-kuminga-lsu-tigers-news-duke-blue-devils"},{"title":"Auburn transfer Joey Gatewood visiting Kentucky","url":"http://www.sbnation.com/e/20713638"}]}'></div></aside><p id="v9ieor">Hagans wasn’t the only Wildcat playing through injury. Going into the game, it was unclear if <span>Nick Richards</span> would be able to go after suffering an ankle injury just over a week before the Champions Classic. It looked bad enough that Richards could have ended up missing several weeks, but he was able to recover and play through it vs. the Spartans.</p>
<p id="Rycj1E">Richards played 25 minutes and finished with seven points, four rebounds and played physical defense in the post, which helped limit Spartans star <span>Xavier Tillman</span> to just seven points on 3/8 shooting. </p>
<p id="XCGAlQ">To put that in perspective, <span>Tillman</span> racked up 19 points on 8/12 shooting vs. <span>Zion Williamson</span> and Duke in the Elite Eight last year, so Richards being able to play through his injury and help keep <span>Tillman</span> contained was a difference-maker in a game that saw Kentucky only leading 62-60 with just over a minute left. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nick Richards <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KentuckyMBB</a> ballscreen defense was tremendous last night. You can’t simulate his size and length in your preparation. He showed big with high hands and took away all vision for Winston and still recovered on the pass. If he can make some jump hooks watch out.</p>— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/SethOnHoops/status/1192152128170659840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
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<p id="MigEnx">Saying this, Calipari admitted that he kept Richards in too long since the junior center essentially did no basketball-related activities for the last week while he rehabbed. </p>
<p id="FFpsyF">“There’s no way he should’ve played 25 minutes,” said Calipari. “He hadn’t done anything – when did we play Georgetown?. He literally hadn’t done anything in 10 days. For him to play that many minutes. He fought through so that was really good to see.”</p>
<p id="tmL2lq">It takes a lot of heart to beat the No. 1 team, and it was clear these Cats were giving it everything they had to score this massive victory. </p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20951921/kentucky-wildcats-news-ashton-hagans-injury-nick-richards-michigan-stateNathanBeighle2019-11-06T15:04:58-05:002019-11-06T15:04:58-05:00Jonathan Kuminga watches UK upset Michigan State and meets John Wall
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<p>Kuminga is the No. 1 player in 2021 but will likely be a 2020 recruit when it’s all said and done. </p> <p id="Zb95Kj">Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden was a special one, as the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> upset No. 1 Michigan State in front of a worldwide audience.</p>
<p id="IhUU0b">Such a big game demands a host of celebrities, which included NBA star <span>John Wall</span>, who was a UK superfan on this night. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look at this beautiful sequence by Nate Sestina that brings John Wall to his feet. <a href="https://t.co/IiYKE5eN7A">pic.twitter.com/IiYKE5eN7A</a></p>— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Charlton/status/1191939890981822464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">John Wall is about to go on the court I’m telling you. <a href="https://t.co/pH9CjYDvha">pic.twitter.com/pH9CjYDvha</a></p>— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigBlueDrew33/status/1191946246799400960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
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<p id="tUM2nI">The former Wildcat and current <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> point guard, who is sitting out this season while recovering from a torn Achilles, also met a future star and UK recruit in Jonathan Kuminga, as our own Drew Brown captured:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">John Wall dapping up Jonathan Kuminga is what you wanna see if you’re a UK fan. <a href="https://t.co/fYvvGuLVuE">pic.twitter.com/fYvvGuLVuE</a></p>— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigBlueDrew33/status/1191931771639750657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
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<p id="y6WsXQ">Oh, and UK commit Lance Ware was also in attendance sitting behind Kuminga, as the two have been AAU teammates with the New York Rens, which is another feather in UK’s cap. </p>
<p id="n9I4hB">Kuminga is the No. 1 player in 2021, but the expectation is he’ll reclassify into 2020 and be a strong contender for the top spot there. Having the five-star forward watch UK upset the nation’s second-ranked team while meeting an NBA star/former Cat is obviously great news for the Wildcats.</p>
<p id="V3XucA">And with UK having just missed out on Cade Cunningham, that would make for a bigger role Kuminga could have if he eventually picks the Cats. It was hard to ever see Kuminga and Cunningham on the same team, so hopefully missing on one helps with the other. </p>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20952033/uk-basketball-recruiting-john-wall-jonathan-kuminga-wizards-news-kentuckyJason Marcum2019-11-06T10:35:52-05:002019-11-06T10:35:52-05:00John Calipari & Wildcats recap epic win over Michigan State
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<p>The Cats are 1-0 and should be No. 1 in the next top 25 polls. </p> <p id="ryHhzR">Freshman Tyrese Maxey, making his college basketball debut under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, led the <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> to a 69-62 win over top-ranked Michigan State on Tuesday night in a star-studded performance on the national stage. </p>
<p id="VSO8Aw">Maxey had a game-high 26 points and nailed every big shot needed to lift the Wildcats to victory. <span>Ashton Hagans</span> finished with 11 points, while <span>Immanuel Quickley</span> also scored in double figures with 10.</p>
<p id="Hoi8ZG">The Wildcats turned in a stellar defensive performance in the first half and held the Spartans to just 29.6 percent from the field as Kentucky led 34-24 at halftime. </p>
<p id="p4LlJg">But despite a tough night offensively, Michigan State battled back late in the second half to cut the lead to three at 56-53 with six minutes remaining. That’s when Maxey turned up the heat with a quick bucket before forcing a turnover that resulted in a Hagans lay-up to push the lead back to 60-53 with 4:44 left. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Maxey says that they put the PIT BULL on Winston to slow him down. Kid is glowing in postgame <a href="https://t.co/7Jz5pcuGo9">pic.twitter.com/7Jz5pcuGo9</a></p>— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigBlueDrew33/status/1191952186311368706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
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<p id="y7rfRg">The Spartans made one final run when <span>Cassius Winston</span> hit a runner in the lane and made a free three to convert a conventional three-point play to cut the Kentucky lead to 62-60 with 1:27 left in regulation. Once again, Maxey stepped up and hit a deep three-pointer at the 1:00 mark to give the Cats a 65-60 lead and some breathing room down the stretch. Hagans followed with two free throws and <span>Nate Sestina</span> put an exclamation point on things with a thunderous dunk to close the game.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Awesome stuff here from Coach Cal on Tyrese Maxey’s spirit. <a href="https://t.co/wl7gZI0PJF">pic.twitter.com/wl7gZI0PJF</a></p>— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigBlueDrew33/status/1191955091458273282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
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<p id="MGafqW">Kentucky, 1-0, now appears destined for AP’s No. 1-ranking as the Cats prepare for the non-conference schedule in November. The Wildcats return home on Friday night to host Eastern Kentucky at 7:00 p.m. </p>
<p id="GzUBxV">After the game, Kentucky coach John Calipari and select players met with the media to discuss the win. Here is a recap of all postgame comments, courtesy of UK Athletics.</p>
<h2 id="RQ8Cuu"><strong>John Calipari</strong></h2>
<p id="qoHcDj">On Tyrese Maxey:</p>
<p id="IumUQ8">”I didn’t start him because I told him, ‘I want you to come in firing.’ And I said, ‘I want you to watch what’s happening and then you get in there and you let it go.’ Early on, he wasn’t. Then he got into it and he started putting it in ball screens and doing different things that I’ve seen him do and what’s made him better, I don’t know if he said this, but he has to go against Ashton [Hagans] every day. Like, it’s ridiculously hard. Like he gets demoralized at times and I keeping telling him, ‘there’s no defender like this kid.’”</p>
<p id="P7pD1Y"> </p>
<p id="7FC3qG">”What I saw today is what I saw in high school. I had not seen it to this point.”</p>
<p id="DsJGwQ"> </p>
<p id="AaGFJI">On Michigan State:</p>
<p id="KgczMM">”They’re good. Tommy [Izzo] and I said after neither one of us played great. I mean, we just made a couple of plays late and they didn’t but, you know, my hope would be, you know, late, late, late, late we’re playing them again. Like late, late, late like two of us left, because I’m a big fan of Tom a(Izzo)and the program and their kids and Cassius [<span>Winston</span>] is terrific young man.”</p>
<div id="Q2H4VM"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://ukathletics.com/showcase/embed.aspx?Archive=14252&autoplay=false" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
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<p id="pttYmK"></p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20951082/uk-basketball-john-calipari-wildcats-michigan-state-2019Greg Goins2019-11-06T08:35:00-05:002019-11-06T08:35:00-05:005 more thoughts and postgame notes from Kentucky’s win over Michigan State
<figure>
<img alt="State Farm Champions Classic - Michigan State Spartans v Kentucky Wildcats" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WpXSD0ch25o4XUbMe-ndWfSGvC8=/762x266:1959x1064/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65635829/1185797018.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Cats are primed to be the No. 1 team after their monster win over the Spartans. </p> <p id="2fZQRG">The <a href="https://www.aseaofblue.com/">Kentucky Wildcats</a> were at Madison Square Garden for the season opener against the top-ranked <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com/">Michigan State Spartans</a>. </p>
<p id="7L3DK3">Former Kentucky stars <span>John Wall</span> and <span>Terrence Jones</span> were in attendance to see the new group of Cats and were just as into the game as the rest of BBN.</p>
<p id="z0SE01">Right from the tip, one thing was certain: The Cats were locked in defensively, as they held MSU to just 7 points by the under 16 timeout and held an 11-7 lead. </p>
<p id="zOVO09">The Cats had a chance to pull away early but couldn’t find a rhythm offensively as each team scored just 2 more points by the under 12 timeout. </p>
<p id="YvPC7A">Then the scoring started to pick up for both teams as they began trading baskets, and <span>Tyrese Maxey</span> drilled a deep moving 3 to put the Cats up 21-18 with just under 8 minutes left in the half. </p>
<p id="5KCw2A">With just over 4 minutes left, the Cats held a 25-23 lead. From that point, they would end the half on a 9-1 run to take a 34-24 lead into the break. </p>
<p id="ixwcPl">The Cats didn’t get off to the best of starts in the second half, as they allowed Michigan State to cut it to 34-28 before Coach Cal took a timeout. </p>
<p id="5ACqiR">Each team would go on big runs as the Cats would stretch the lead to 8. However, MSU would battle right back to keep it close. </p>
<p id="zGoqHO">After each team made a big run, the Cats held on to a 45-41 lead at the under 12 media timeout. </p>
<p id="XsFX3P">The Cats would be the next to go on a scoring run, and <span>Nate Sestina</span> drilled a transition 3 to give the Cats their largest lead of the night at 54-41. </p>
<p id="EwMwu2">Unfortunately, the Cats had their worst defensive stretch of the game following that 3, and the Spartans cut the lead to 3, 56-53 with 6 minutes to play. </p>
<p id="OWtk73">Kentucky would maintain the lead, but with 1:27 remaining, <span>Cassius Winston</span> converted an and-1 to make it a 62-60 game. </p>
<p id="EaJRzk">The Cats then turned to Maxey with the shot clock running down, and he drilled a deep 3 to make it 65-60. </p>
<p id="hzax2g">Kentucky would get the stops and convert the free throws and came away with the 69-62 win over the No. 1 team in the nation. </p>
<h2 id="sRdDW3"><strong>Thoughts on the game</strong></h2>
<p id="sc5YH9"><strong>Tyrese Maxey was outstanding</strong></p>
<p id="B4bGQK">Coming into the year, we all believed that Maxey would be our best player… by the end of the year. I didn’t expect he would prove that in Game 1. </p>
<p id="8zxPm2">Maxey was 7/13 for 26 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. He was also 9/10 at the free throw line and made big play after big play down the stretch, including a big time rebound with less than a minute to play. </p>
<p id="7V4APW">Maxey didn’t get the start tonight, but I fully expect that change to be made sooner rather than later. He already looks like a legitimate Player of the Year candidate. </p>
<p id="imJM69"><strong>This team is elite defensively </strong></p>
<p id="Ns4L4O">I expected this team to be good defensively eventually due to their length and athleticism, </p>
<p id="wm5z4S">However, I didn’t know that they would be this good defensively this early. </p>
<p id="bC0Cz9">Besides the hard-fought 21 that Winston was able to put up, the Cats didn’t allow any other MSU player to score in double digits and held the team to 62 points. </p>
<p id="5ZdZ3I">The Cats’ rotations were very good, and they were helping each other and fighting for each other. They also double-teamed and forced Spartans into turnovers or inaccurate passes on many occasions. That helped make up for the lack of a big impact from Kentucky’s frontcourt. </p>
<p id="42Xf7R">Besides a couple stretches, each shot that MSU got had a hand in their face, as the Cats made life difficult for the Spartans. </p>
<p id="uzah98"><span><strong>Nick Richards</strong></span><strong> was impressive</strong></p>
<p id="FloArJ">Even though Richards didn’t put up big numbers in the stat sheet as he had 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and he fouled out. </p>
<p id="FpEPAQ">Richards did play really solid defense as he was battling with the Spartans bigs all night and was also able to get out on guards and contest their jumpers. He also helped hold an all-conference level Xavier Tillman to just 7 points on 3/8 shooting with </p>
<p id="DI3Pif">What Nick brought to the table didn’t show up in the stat sheet, but he was a major factor in the Cats getting the win. </p>
<p id="SDBDw3"><strong>EJ still finding himself </strong></p>
<p id="x47m7h">It’s been a rough month for EJ Montgomery. He failed to impress in either of the exhibition games or even the Blue-White Game, as he’s looked really overwhelmed in the post and looks like he had little confidence in himself.</p>
<p id="k07fL3">Things didn’t really change vs. the Spartans, as he struggled to rebound against the Spartans physical bigs, and he only hit 2/6 shots for 4 points to go with 2 rebounds. He did block 2 shots, but the sophomore forward has to improved dramatically for Kentucky so survive the grind of this schedule, as well as make a deep run in the Big Dance.</p>
<p id="pFiBI7"></p>
<p id="Vay0js"><strong>Kentucky converted from the foul line</strong></p>
<p id="5LlOos">How many times have the Cats lost a game they could’ve won if they shot descent from the foul line?</p>
<p id="f2yiW7">Well, this team is off to a good start from the line as they were 25/32 on the free ones, good for a 78% rate. </p>
<p id="dNHfre">If they are able to convert those chances at that rate all season, then they will win a lot of games, especially in close defensive slugfests like this one. </p>
<p id="EbQ5Pf">The Cats will be in action again on Friday night in Rupp Arena when they take on the Easter Kentucky Colonels. That game will tip at 7:00 pm and can be seen on the SEC Network. </p>
<p id="shbQow">Now, here are the postgame notes and milestones via UK Athletics:</p>
<p id="KdDWgD"><strong>Team Records and Series Notes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="PUQ9Kf">Kentucky opens the season 1-0. Michigan State begins 0-1.</li>
<li id="lOZHa8">UK improves to 14-11 vs. Michigan State and has won three of the last five matchups, including back-to-back games.</li>
<li id="L2qcUd">Kentucky increased its NCAA-leading win total to 2,294 all-time.</li>
<li id="2G1dK6">UK how now won 10 of its last 11 season openers, all under John Calipari.</li>
<li id="ekicM1">Next up: The Wildcats open their home season Friday night in Rupp Arena vs. Eastern Kentucky. That game will tip at 7 p.m. on SEC Network.</li>
<li id="lhNVky">UK is 12-0 all-time vs. the Colonels.</li>
</ul>
<p id="iYXbn2"> </p>
<p id="h2vo8X"><strong>1-2 Matchup</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="9KM0wm">Tuesday’s matchup marked just the second all-time meeting between the Associated Press Top 25’s top two ranked teams to open their respective seasons.</li>
<li id="WoBsv0">In November 1975, No. 1 Indiana defeated No. 2 UCLA 84-64.</li>
<li id="wrGu0X">It was the 42nd time overall the AP’s top two teams have met.</li>
<li id="xzJdWA">UK improved to 6-3 in AP 1-2 matchups but captured its first win in a 1-2 meeting since the second-ranked Wildcats defeated Calipari’s top-ranked UMass team 81-74 on March 30, 1996.</li>
<li id="RJeZ4R">It was UK’s first 1-2 meeting since losing to Michigan State 78-74 in the 2013 State Farm Champions Classic in Chicago.</li>
<li id="RqzZHt">Kentucky – regardless of its ranking – defeated the AP top-ranked team for the ninth time in program history. UK is now 9-16 vs. the No. 1-ranked team.</li>
<li id="jsvyZ8">The Wildcats have defeated the No. 1 team in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history. UK topped Tennessee 86-69 on Feb. 16.</li>
<li id="VVz4fD">UK is 3-2 vs. the top-ranked team under Calipari</li>
</ul>
<p id="CMPEYS"> </p>
<p id="LggJmF"><strong>Kentucky in the State Farm Champions Classic</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="FEszsN">Kentucky moved to 5-4 in the State Farm Champions Classic.</li>
<li id="4rQfJU">Duke leads the four teams with a 6-3 record. Kansas is tied with UK at 5-4 and Michigan State is 3-6.</li>
<li id="cSO8oP">UK is 2-1 vs. Michigan State in the Champions Classic</li>
</ul>
<p id="ePuROC"> </p>
<p id="PFxErY"><strong>Kentucky in New York</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="NHpFF9">UK improved to 38-14 in games in the New York City area.</li>
<li id="2L3RUc">The Wildcats are now 14-4 in Madison Square Garden and have won five of their last six in “the Mecca.”</li>
</ul>
<p id="xKRTTZ"> </p>
<p id="YsGjU0"><strong>Player Notes </strong> </p>
<ul>
<li id="MFItdk">
<strong>Tyrese Maxey </strong>made his Kentucky debut in historic fashion. With 26 points, Maxey scored the most points by a UK freshman in a debut in school history, topping Terrence Jones’ mark of 25 (Nov. 12, 2010).</li>
<li id="v8lPHg">Mike Casey scored 28 on Dec. 2, 1967, in his debut but was a sophomore.</li>
<li id="LNhuhU">Maxey was 7 of 12 from the floor, 3 of 7 from 3 and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line.</li>
<li id="IUUKfv">He also had five rebounds.</li>
<li id="x4G9Rz">In addition to his typical lockdown defense, <strong>Ashton Hagans </strong>scored 11 points with three assists.</li>
<li id="QtfC81">
<strong>Immanuel Quickley </strong>was the third Wildcat in double figures with 10 points thanks to a 7-of-8 performance at the free-throw line.</li>
<li id="QnUt2W">It’s his seventh career game in double figures.</li>
<li id="cVYaLe">He also added five boards.</li>
</ul>
<p id="YVKTp7"><strong> </strong></p>
<p id="u2iDpq"><strong>Calipari</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="O9Fgkz">Calipari improved to 306-71 at UK. </li>
<li id="nnqt4c">He has a 751-211 all-time on-court record.</li>
<li id="6YGBPK">UK is 10-1 in season openers under Calipari.</li>
<li id="RPkv7v">In addition to his 3-2 record vs. top-ranked teams at Kentucky, Calipari is now 6-4 all-time vs. the AP’s top team in the land.</li>
<li id="o3r02l">Calipari is now 61-31 vs. AP Top 25 teams at Kentucky.</li>
<li id="H62ADw">Calipari improved to 13-8 in his career when both teams are ranked in the AP top five, 27-18 when both are in the top 10 and 83-54 when both are in the top 25.</li>
<li id="XmQvtu">At UK, Calipari is 7-4 when both are in the top five, 16-11 when both are in the top 10 and 52-27 when both are in the top 25.</li>
</ul>
<p id="kmX4i4"> </p>
<p id="FSfrh8"><strong>Team Notes</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="swczmF">UK shot 38.0% from the floor but held Michigan State to 29.6% from the floor.</li>
<li id="IrTshe">The Wildcats improved to 188-16 under John Calipari when holding the opponent to 40% or less from the floor.</li>
<li id="zOuQMB">Kentucky is now 174-7 under Calipari when limiting the opposition to 63 points or less.</li>
<li id="lmEgFr">The Wildcats generated 21 points off 16 Michigan State turnovers.</li>
<li id="LpEtR8">UK improved to 271-6 under Calipari when leading by at least 10 points.</li>
</ul>
<p id="4Hgkap"> </p>
<p id="NRXPAO"><strong>In the First Half</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="qmzGBJ">The first starting lineup of the season consisted of <strong>Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Kahlil Whitney, Nate Sestina </strong>and <strong>Montgomery.</strong>
</li>
<li id="PBngxl">
<strong>Nick Richards </strong>was the first sub of the season.</li>
<li id="EI72wy">Quickley scored the first points of the season with three free throws on UK’s first possession after drawing a foul on Cassius Winston for a 3-2 lead.</li>
<li id="JgRzrE">Montgomery made the first field goal of the season, a turnaround layup in the paint on a feed from Hagans.</li>
<li id="D9aPK7">UK reeled off the first significant run of the game, an 8-0 stretch to take an 11-4 lead.</li>
<li id="tmqx6V">After the Wildcats took a 16-9 lead, Michigan State answered with a 7-0 run to tie the game.</li>
<li id="SB6I9o">The Cats went 7:28 of game time without a field goal before <strong>Tyrese Maxey </strong>hit a floater at the 9:20 mark.</li>
<li id="xl24zn">Maxey would go on to score UK’s next seven points.</li>
<li id="4ygNdH">Kentucky opened up a 30-23 lead on a Quickley 3 with 3:09 left in the first half. Maxey increased it to 34-23 after a pair of free throws.</li>
<li id="yXgEmA">UK took a 34-24 lead into the halftime locker room.</li>
<li id="d26ohV">Quickley led the Wildcats in the first 20 minutes with 11 points. Hagans and Quickley added seven.</li>
<li id="dFNOUT">UK held MSU to 29.6% from the floor.</li>
</ul>
<p id="iHcFgf"><strong> </strong></p>
<p id="iK7zsF"><strong>In the Second Half</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="n8CK5x">With Michigan State clawing back, Maxey again provided the answer for the Wildcats. He scored six straight points to put the Cats up 42-36.</li>
<li id="nGAFMe">The key stretch of the game was a 9-0 run by the Wildcats midway through the second half. With Michigan State trailing by four, Quickley got the run going by getting fouled on a 3-point attempt and making all three at the line. Whitney followed with a trey from the right wing and Sestina answered with another triple from the top of the key on three straight possessions. That put UK up 54-41 with 10:00 left.</li>
<li id="KMeZVF">Michigan State answered with seven straight points.</li>
<li id="Db3u7I">Up 60-56, Maxey hit a another key bucket – a layup – to go up by six with 2:25 left.</li>
<li id="ZCmAGQ">MSU closed it to 62-60 on an “and one” by Winston.</li>
<li id="q9I4dx">Maxey answered with a 3 from three feet behind the 3-point line to go up 65-60.</li>
</ul>
<p id="V5r1wd"> </p>
<p id="cv66HW"></p>
<p id="80YLQN"></p>
<p id="zdqMeJ"></p>
https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20951112/uk-wildcats-news-kentucky-michigan-state-2019-postgame-notesAdam Haste2019-11-06T06:30:00-05:002019-11-06T06:30:00-05:00Wednesday Quickies: A good day to be a Wildcat
<figure>
<img alt="State Farm Champions Classic - Michigan State Spartans v Kentucky Wildcats" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KUuGkNgVFpqWQTS8FbJw9YvPK2M=/0x593:2336x2150/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65635287/1185796820.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cats baby! </p> <p id="UTmvVc">Well, last night was pretty awesome. </p>
<p id="4jsDZh">It didn’t get off to the best of starts when Kentucky lost Cade Cunningham to Oklahoma State, but that felt like a distant memory was the final seconds rolled off the clock of a 69-62 win by the Cats over No. 1 Michigan State. </p>
<p id="ZPc9BB">After the frustration of missing on seemingly every elite recruit in the Class of 2019, not to mention Kerry Blackshear, <span>Jaden McDaniels</span> and <span>N’Faly Dante</span> over the summer, <span>Tyrese Maxey</span> reminded everyone he’s not only one of nation’s the best freshman, but also a star on the rise who already made a major statement in the Player of the Year award races. He also outshined the favorite for said awards in Spartans All-American senior <span>Cassius Winston</span>. </p>
<aside id="5gtp8n"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Highlights, box score & MVP from Wildcats beating top-ranked Spartans","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20951069/kentucky-wildcats-highlights-box-score-game-mvp-msu-spartans-basketball"},{"title":"Twitter reactions to Kentucky’s win over Michigan State ","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20951054/uk-basketball-twitter-kentucky-michigan-state-2019"}]}'></div></aside><p id="yUdmmT">After that aforementioned loss of Cunningham, the Wildcats proved yet again they can win at the highest level even when not getting those <span>John Wall</span>/<span>Anthony Davis</span>/Karl Anthony-Towns-level recruits. </p>
<p id="yLCjUz">Perhaps most impressively, Kentucky already looks like an elite defensive team capable of locking down anyone, and that’s with a team that, while it does have veterans, still played four freshmen, a grad transfer from Bucknell, a hobbled <span>Nick Richards</span>, and a struggling <span>EJ Montgomery</span> still finding himself. </p>
<p id="K1argD">Despite all of this, they played like a true team that, at least defensively, has been through countless battles together, a great sign for the rest of what now looks like a very promising season. </p>
<p id="zQWCNw">But above all, this was just a great day to be a Wildcat. </p>
<p id="VqomVt"><strong>Tweet(s) of the Day:</strong></p>
<div id="KSWj3A">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> UK defeated the AP top-ranked team for the ninth time in program history<br><br> The Wildcats have defeated the No. 1 team in back-to-back seasons for the first time in school history<br><br> UK is 3-2 vs. the top-ranked team under <a href="https://twitter.com/UKCoachCalipari?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UKCoachCalipari</a> <a href="https://t.co/blkLaW8S8w">pic.twitter.com/blkLaW8S8w</a></p>— Kentucky MBB Stats & Info (@UKMBBStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/UKMBBStatsInfo/status/1191964094632484864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="g7W6td">Word. </p>
<div id="UnxqZG">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Aye I know this is against the rules card nation but that kid Maxey fromUK is tough! Salute youngin </p>— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) <a href="https://twitter.com/spidadmitchell/status/1191945503497474048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<div id="qUi8lJ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">the rook PJ Washington has had everyone on notice from opening night <a href="https://t.co/nZKYSM02cB">pic.twitter.com/nZKYSM02cB</a></p>— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1191891536574844929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="xaW38l">Mean mug and the staredown. </p>
<p id="f46fI7">Real recognizes real. </p>
<h2 id="UtCjmo">Your Quickies</h2>
<p id="PhVkc1"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2019/11/6/mens-basketball-maxey-mum-effort-lifts-no-2-cats-past-top-ranked-spartans.aspx">Maxey-mum Effort Lifts No. 2 Cats Past Top-Ranked Spartans - UK</a><br>The Champions Classic brought the top-four teams in the nation to the same building for the first time in college basketball. The nightcap marked the fourth No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in college basketball in the last 10 years, and it was Kentucky who came out on top. </p>
<p id="zO8odI"><a href="http://kentuckysportsradio.com/basketball-2/tyrese-maxey-im-a-winner-im-a-competitor/">Tyrese Maxey: “I’m a winner, I’m a competitor” - KSR</a><br>Maxey, Kentucky’s latest freshman star, scored a game-high 26 points, including a dagger three in the final minute. </p>
<p id="A6XBu4"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2019/11/5/womens-basketball-defense-leads-no-13-kentucky-past-mount-st-mary-s.aspx">Defense Leads No. 13 Kentucky Past Mount St. Mary’s - UK</a><br>Rhyne Howard had 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists as the 13th-ranked Kentucky women’s basketball team beat Mount St. Mary’s 67-44 on Tuesday night at Memorial Coliseum.</p>
<p id="ugfXOS"><a href="https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-recruiting/article237043204.html">Cade Cunningham picks Oklahoma State | Lexington Herald Leader</a><br>Five-star point guard recruit Cade Cunningham announced his commitment to Oklahoma State on Tuesday night, picking the Cowboys over Kentucky and three other schools. His brother is a coach in Stillwater.</p>
<p id="fE2LD0"><a href="https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/Article/Kentucky-basketball-recruiting-Isaiah-Jackson-decision-date-138087059/">Five-star forward Isaiah Jackson sets decision date - CatsPause</a><br>Ranked No. 25 overall and the No. 3 power forward in the 2020 class according to 247 Sports Composite, <span>Jackson</span> is down to Alabama, Kentucky and Syracuse.</p>
<p id="cNJUxV"><a href="http://kentuckysportsradio.com/football-2/kentuckys-bowl-projections-with-four-games-remaining/">Kentucky’s Bowl Projections with Four Games Remaining - KSR</a><br>The Gator Bowl is becoming a popular pick again for the Cats. Where are you hoping to see them land for the postseason? </p>
<p id="hd0CwQ"><a href="https://ukathletics.com/news/2019/11/5/football-blake-best-named-burlsworth-trophy-candidate.aspx">Blake Best Named Burlsworth Trophy Candidate - UK</a><br>Senior long snapper Blake Best has been named one of the record 83 candidates for the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy, which is given to the most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. </p>
<p id="Iy1jMT"><a href="https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-recruiting/article236988284.html">‘She just felt at home.’ | Lexington Herald Leader</a><br>Five-star basketball recruit Treasure Hunt committed to Kentucky on Monday, joining the Wildcats’ class of 2020. She is a friend and former teammate of UK star Rhyne Howard and a major addition for the Cats.</p>
<p id="WbAweQ"><a href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401168155">No. 4 Duke edges third-ranked Kansas 68-66 - ESPN</a><br><span>Tre Jones</span> scored 15 points and <span>Cassius Stanley</span> added 11 of his 13 points in the second half to help No. 4 Duke beat third-ranked Kansas 68-66. The real story was 27 turnovers by the Jayhawks, though Duke did have 16.</p>
<p id="3MR2Cl"><a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001073520/article/lamar-jacksons-rise-eight-other-things-to-love-in-the-nfl-in-19">Lamar Jackson’s rise, eight other things to love in the NFL in ‘19 - NFL.com</a><br>The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson-led attack is a sight to behold -- along with Joey Bosa’s defensive prowess and Tyler Lockett’s connection with his QB. Gregg Rosenthal spotlights nine things to love in 2019.</p>
<p id="nsGtT3"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fnfl-grading-all-32-first-round-picks-after-week-9-2019&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aseaofblue.com%2F2019%2F11%2F6%2F20950882%2Fwednesday-quickies-a-good-day-to-be-a-wildcat" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Grading all 32 first-round picks after Week 9 of the 2019 NFL season | PFF</a><br>PFF’s Mark Chichester takes a look at the overall grades for every first-round rookie after the ninth week of the 2019 NFL season.</p>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20950882/wednesday-quickies-a-good-day-to-be-a-wildcatJason Marcum2019-11-06T01:11:59-05:002019-11-06T01:11:59-05:00Highlights, box score & MVP from Wildcats beating top-ranked Spartans
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<img alt="State Farm Champions Classic - Michigan State Spartans v Kentucky Wildcats" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kuruZ9HejCmQjEk6ZiMXkEEjOK4=/0x184:1901x1451/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65634805/1185793859.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>On this day, the best in the land was Kentucky Basketball. </p> <p id="nLZV1X">Kentucky is 1-0 after beating No. 1 in the Champions Classic. </p>
<p id="ajijP5">Behind a suffocating defense and a marvelous performance by freshman <span>Tyrese Maxey</span>, the 2nd-ranked Wildcats upset the top-ranked Spartans 69-62. </p>
<p id="Vswnj3">Maxey led all Champion Classic scorers with 26 points. Sophomore guards <span>Ashton Hagans</span> and <span>Immanuel Quickley</span> combined for 21 points while helping hold Spartans All-American guard <span>Cassius Winston</span> to 5/12 shooting and four assists vs. four turnovers.</p>
<aside id="7e49jp"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Twitter reactions to Kentucky’s win over Michigan State ","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20951054/uk-basketball-twitter-kentucky-michigan-state-2019"},{"title":"Kentucky knocks off Michigan State: 5 things to know and postgame banter","url":"https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20950936/kentucky-basketball-michigan-state-spartans-5-takeaways-uk-wildcats-news"}]}'></div></aside><p id="oJYNIP">Speaking of, the young Wildcats forced the veteran Spartans into a game-high 16 turnovers while shooting a meager 22/56 (39.2%) from the field and 5/26 (19.2%) from deep. </p>
<h2 id="AQxm9D">Box Score</h2>
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<h2 id="wpgGBj">Game MVP</h2>
<p id="3Bl8RK">First, an honorable mention goes out to the overall team defense. That was one of the best defensive games of the John Calipari era, so hats off to every player tonight who made it possible.</p>
<p id="9Ej9rO">Now, there’s no doubt the MVP-winner tonight is one Tyrese Maxey. For a guy that was being billed as a future lottery pick and the favorite to lead Kentucky in scoring, we all may have undersold him. </p>
<p id="rL11zG">On a court that saw the nation’s top two teams, multiple all-conference players, an Al-American, and future <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a> picks, Maxey was the best player on the floor. Heck, he was the best player of any of the four teams that played in New York tonight (it was the top four teams in basketball, fwiw). </p>
<p id="wFeENG">So yeah, what Maxey did tonight in his first official collegiate game was pretty damn special. </p>
<h2 id="m3iHKq">Highlights</h2>
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https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/11/6/20951069/kentucky-wildcats-highlights-box-score-game-mvp-msu-spartans-basketballJason Marcum