Briscoe the Latest Cat to Make History with Triple-Double

All manner of all-Americans and all-time greats have suited up for Kentucky men’s basketball over the years, but only one – Chris Mills – had managed a triple-double prior to this year.

It’s a statistical marvel that has been the source of constant fascination over the years, but this season’s iteration of the Wildcats seems intent on putting an end to all of that.

Isaiah Briscoe became the second UK player to notch a triple-double in 13 games this year after there had been only one in thousands of games over more than a century.

To Briscoe, it was just another day at the office.

“I see that I got a triple-double, but I give credit to my teammates for putting me in the position that they were,” Briscoe said, who finished with 19 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.

The position that Briscoe was in had him just an assist and a rebound away from that triple-double with plenty of time remaining, but he got stuck there. For more than 12 minutes of game time in UK’s 99-76 win at Ole Miss, Briscoe went without either an assist or rebound. So, was he concerned he wouldn’t match De’Aaron Fox’s triple-double against Arizona State?

“No, because ultimately I just wanted to win,” Briscoe said. “That’s what I’m about is winning. But the triple-double is fine. Ultimately, I’m just worried about winning the game.”

The outcome was in hand though, so why not go for it?

First came double-digit assists with a find of Malik Monk, who banged home his fifth 3 en route to 34 points. The rebounds, however, were a little more squirrely. Briscoe nearly had it on an offensive rebound he battled for, but Ole Miss knocked it out of bounds before he could wrangle board No. 10. 

That’s when his senior teammate, Derek Willis, decided to dish an assist of his own. Stepping to the line after a put-back, Willis opted to forego the opportunity to convert his and-one and fired an intentional miss. Briscoe took advantage and corralled the rebound for his triple-double.

“He was like, ‘Yo, you need one more rebound?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah.’ ” Briscoe said. “He said he got me. Shout out to Derek for real. I appreciate that.”

Briscoe was also sure to express his appreciation for Bam Adebayo, who followed up a promising performance in a loss at Louisville by posting a career-best 25 points.

“The way that Bam has been playing is great for us,” Briscoe said. “They double-team him down there and they give the guards open shots. Down low, we’re going to need Bam to play like that.”

Briscoe took full advantage of Adebayo’s play, feeding the big man for five of his assists.

“We were building together,” Adebayo said. “In practice they were throwing me the ball. Just building up my confidence and trusting my teammates. When we got in this game, they found me and I found them. It all worked out for the best of us.”

Maybe it’ll be Adebayo’s turn for a triple-double next.