No. 4 Kentucky Responds With 106-63 Victory Over SC State
Kentucky's quick turnaround proved to be just what the doctor ordered, as the No. 4 Wildcats breezed past South Carolina State 106-63 inside Rupp Arena.
The win continues the Wildcats' home winning-streak to 22 games. It's also the 300th win for UK under head coach John Calipari against an unranked team.
UK (3-1) held SC State (0-4) to just 24 made field goals, scorching past the Bulldogs late with 57 second-half points thanks to a lack of defense from the visitors.
After playing second fiddle to Antonio Reeves' for the first week of the season, CJ Fredrick claimed the role of leading scorer against the Bulldogs, racking up 17 points on 5-11 shooting, including three made 3-pointers. He's now made 10 treys through the first four games of the campaign.
“I like to think of myself as a good shooter," Fredrick said. "My job is to make shots and I didn’t make shots Tuesday. I wish I could’ve made more shots, obviously, but you’ve got to deal with that. That’s how it is as a shooter, you’re not going to make them all. You’ve just got to trust yourself and trust your teammates.”
Oscar Tshiebwe saw limited action in his second back, playing just 14 minutes, where he totaled six points and seven rebounds. Following a 34-minute debut in a tough, physical clash against Michigan State, the National Player of the Year had a bit of a refuel in preparation for Kentucky's upcoming trip to take on Gonzaga.
“He still looks like Oscar," SC State head coach Erik Martin said post-game. "One time tonight, he missed a shot and by the time the ball was coming off the rim, he was already back up at the ball and getting it on the glass. I tried to tell our guys, you're going to have to hit him. That doesn't mean you're going to stop him but at least he’ll know you're there. And he's just so much."
Despite the lack of Oscar, Kentucky crushed the Bulldogs on the glass by a 48-28 margin. Jacob Toppin led the way with nine rebounds, beating SC State to the rim with his freak athleticism on numerous occasions.
"I have never been hit so hard in my life," SC State center Dallas James said.
Sahvir Wheeler reminded the SEC why he's led the conference in assists for back-to-back seasons, finishing with 10 dimes, propelling the senior to a team-best plus-minus of plus-32. Through three games, the second-year Wildcat is averaging an absurd 9.6 assists.
The secondary pieces to the puzzle also found success for the Wildcats. Junior forward Lance Ware went a perfect 6-6 from the field, slamming home dunk after dunk, most of which were uncontested, en route to a career-high 12 points. True freshman Adou Thiero got some run, scoring six points to go along with four rebounds and an assist in just nine minutes.
"We've got to be great teammates, and then we can be a great team," Calipari said. "We've got pieces. But if you're not great teammates, you're not going to be a great team. Not happening."
The win serves as a nice tune-up for the Wildcats, who now set their eyes on the No. 2 Zags, who will welcome UK to Spokane fresh off an ugly defeat at the hands of No. 11 Texas. Tip-off between the major programs is set for 7:30 p.m. EST this Sunday, Nov. 20 from Spokane Arena.
"This will be a hard game for us to win," Calipari said previewing the matchup. "It's gonna be a great challenge."
Wildcats Today will have post-game coverage from Rupp Arena.
