I really wanted this one for Terrence Jones. He was booed every time he touched the ball from the Washington fans. I can understand their dislike for him, yes players decomitt all the time but not in the way Jones did it. It is unprecedented to do the whole pick a hat at a press conference and then immediately turn face. So the hate is understandable but this was big for him to come and get a win against these guys. There will likely never be another chance to do this.
Not to mention, there was quite a bit of cheers from Washington fans when Jones went down injured, pretty classless for whoever chose to cheer for any player injured.
Terrence Jones received the defender of the game and player of the game awards with 17 rebounds and 4 blocks. He ended with 16 points, 2 assist and 1 rebound.
Jones after the game (paraphrased comments ): “Not a very good offensive game tonight for me, but I tried to get every rebound and let other people play. I knew coming in, they would key in on me and I didn’t want to fall into that.”
Jones went on to say he didn’t expect this game to be as much hyped as it was, with the whole situation of him committing to Washington first.
He discussed that Harrelson doesn’t get the credit for how much of a leader he is and how much he communicates on the floor.
Lastly mentioned that UK is a family and loves everybody and is happy when anyone on the team succeeds.
Knight led all scorers with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal. Knight found himself in foul trouble early, which limited his minutes. When he was in, he played significantly better than yesterday. He came in being known as a three point shooter and tonight he played a little more John Wall style driving to the hole.
He was guarded tight and showed his ability to drive to basket. He finished shooting only 1-6 from three, with several of those threes being questionable shots. He also did not have a single assist tonight. Not what you would expect from a point guard, especially one playing dribble drive basketball.
Knight also had 8 turnovers tonight, with only having a total of 10 in the previous four matchups in his limited playing time. Of course, as mentioned yesterday, tougher talent will equal more turnovers from any point guard.
Knight and Jones were the only Wildcats to score in double figures. Harrelson had 9, which has to be his career high against a top 25 team. Harrelson also had 14 rebounds. His hands in the paint are a liability, he should have had 20 rebounds but he could have done a whole lot worse.
Other scorers: Miller-8, Liggins-7, Lamb-6, and Vargas with 4.
Washington was led by Thomas with 13.
The big story tonight is UK’s ability to play defense, except for at the end when they scored in the paint at will. Washington in their first three games scored: 118,98, and 106 last night over Virginia. We came in and shut them down to only 67 points.
Offensively was not a great night, other than Knight’s driving game. We only shot 3-17 (17.6%) from three, 25-64 (39.1) from the field, and 21-34 (61.8%) from the free throw line.
Personally it is going to take some getting used to with the whole “look at the monitor, while we are at commercial” type of basketball. In what other sport, do you go to break and happy with the situation. It goes back to the game and without missing anything, some new call is made that turns things around. Of course if it is against the other team, it is nice. Just quite odd to go to a commercial and having to wonder if there is something going to be called while they are away…just odd…
UK will now move on to play the surprising UCONN Huskies in the Maui Invitational Championship game. Game will tip at 10 eastern tomorrow night. This will be a tough game, even though it isn’t against the favorite #2 Michigan St. We have little depth and UCONN has a little more rest than us.
Cal’s thoughts after the game (paraphrased in his point of view, his comments not mine): I didn’t expect this but this is the greatest type of win. People are saying I’m losing my mind on the side line and yeah I’m not acting like these are 17 year old kids, this is Kentucky, I’m trying to win the game.
When looking at tape, I honestly didn’t think we could win this game. The key was the start of the game. Washington played this game up and we didn’t, it was just another game for us.
At our shoot around there is two things we need to do. We need to keep them away from the offensive rebound and play their pick and roll. This was a big time win to hold them to 67 points.
Knight had eight turnovers, which is typical for my freshman point guards. I got on him hard a couple of time, just like I did Terrence, but I want him to be the best point guard in the country.
Foul trouble in the first half and had to go to a different lineup. With us being down one in the half with Knight, Miller and Liggins out, it was impressive to be only down one.
Harrelson is getting in the best shape of his life and is a player that I’ve never seen before. Every player my goal is to make him better. Vargas needs to get better. He got pushed around by a smaller guy out there. To make your team better, you first half to make them better. You hold them to a high standard. It’s pretty good stuff for us being so inexperienced, it was a good win.
Hopefully we will get better from here. Hard game tomorrow. Our guys are wore out. Other teams are playing ten guys and we are only playing eight.
Go Cats! Beat Huskies again!
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