Kentucky-Wichita State Postgame Notes

March 23, 2014

Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery

Kentucky improves to 26-10 on the season, while Wichita State falls to 35-1.
Today’s game marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
It is the first time in school history that the Wildcats knocked off the No. 1 seed as an eight-seed. Previously the Wildcats were 0-2 against No. 1 seeds. Kentucky improves to 5-9 all-time in NCAA Tournament play against No. 1 seed.
The Wildcats lead the nation with a 113-46 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats are now 7-1 in the NCAA Tournament when the game is played in St. Louis.
UK is 15-2 in NCAA Tournament games under John Calipari.
Kentucky advances to its 44th Sweet 16 appearance in school history and will play No. 4 seed Louisville on Friday in Indianapolis. A game time and television network will be released at a later date.

Kentucky’s starting lineup consisted of five freshmen in Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson, Julius Randle and James Young. That lineup improves to 10-4 on the season.
Alex Poythress was the first sub off the bench for UK. It was his team-leading 21st time being called upon first this season.
Aaron Harrison hit a 3-pointer at the 13:38 mark of the first half to extend UK’s 3-point streak to 895 consecutive games. It is the second-longest streak in the country.
John Calipari coached teams are now 126-38 in the months of March and April.
Calipari is 40-13 all-time as a coach in the NCAA Tournament.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Aaron Harrison and Young gave UK its largest lead at 14-10 with 13:08 remaining in the opening half.
Wichita State utilized a 4-0 push to recapture the advantage at 22-19 at the 9:34 mark.
A 17-4 run over a nearly seven-minute span allowed the Shockers to take the game’s largest lead at nine points, 32-23, with 4:37 remaining.
Wichita State took a six-point, 37-31, lead into the break. Kentucky is 4-8 when leading at halftime.

Kentucky went on an 8-0 run over a 1:40 span highlighted by a traditional 3-point play from Randle to cut the deficit to just one at 40-39.
A Poythress layup gave UK’s first lead since the first half at 41-40, but the Shockers responded with a traditional 3-point play of its own to recapture the advantage.
A 7-0 spurt for the Cats lifted them to a four-point lead at 50-46 with just under 13:30 remaining.
The Shockers responded with a 6-0 run of its own to take a three-point lead, 58-55, with 8:54 remaining.
A 3-pointer from Young with 1:41 remaining gave UK back the lead at 73-71. It would be a lead it would not relinquish.
Wichita State got a look for a game-winning 3-pointer, but it rimed just out and Kentucky held on for the two-point victory.

Aaron Harrison finished with 19 points and drained four 3-pointers.
- The four 3-pointers match a career-best total.
- Became just the fifth freshman in school history to hit 50 or more 3-pointers for the season.
Andrew Harrison scored a team-high 20 points and added three assists in the win.
- Is the third 20-point effort of his career.
- Made 7-of-9 free throws in the second half.
Julius Randle logged his 22nd double-double of his career with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
- Matched his career high with four assists in the opening 10 minutes of play.
- Finished with a career-best six assists.
  - He is the first player since Dwayne Wade in 2003 (against Kentucky) to have at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a single NCAA Tournament game.
- His 22 double-doubles is the second-most in school history. Only Dan Issel (25) in 1970 had more double-doubles in a single year.
- Moved past DeMarcus Cousins (375) for second place in the single-season freshman rebounding list with 385 boards on the season.
- His 385 rebounds also ranks as the sixth most for any player in school history.
James Young scored 13 points and had eight rebounds.
- Sank a trio of 3-pointers. He has hit at least one in 13 of UK’s last 14 games.
- His eight rebounds marked the most in a single outing since he had 10 in back-to-back outings against Louisville and Mississippi State.

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