Andrew Harrison had 18 points in UK’s 84-67 win over Arkansas on Saturday. (Chet White, UK Athletics)
From the opening moments, you could sense Andrew Harrison was about to have a big game.The way he dribbled screamed confidence. The way he was attacking, he seemed certain no one would stop him.Not surprisingly, his coach took notice too.”It’s a spirit,” John Calipari said. “It’s a spirit that we all feel when you watch him play.”No one felt it more acutely than the Arkansas players who had the unfortunate task of trying to shadow him on Saturday.Harrison was in control from tip to buzzer as top-ranked Kentucky (29-0, 16-0 Southeastern Conference) led by as many as 31 in a victory over No. 18/16 Arkansas (23-6, 13-5 SEC) more dominant than the final score of 84-67 suggests. He had 18 points, three rebounds and three assists as UK clinched its 46th SEC regular-season title outright and moved to within two wins of a perfect regular season.”I felt like I could get into the lane and find my teammates and score if they give me that,” said Harrison, who made 2-of-4 3-point tries and 8 of 8 at the line. “I was just taking things given to me today.”Harrison also gave very little back.The sophomore point guard committed just two turnovers in steadying UK against Arkansas’ patented pressure. The Wildcats had nine turnovers as a team in 70 possessions, putting their turnover percentage at .129, well below the 22.9 percent Razorback opponents are averaging on the season.By contrast, Harrison committed eight of UK’s 35 turnovers in a pair of losses to Arkansas during his freshman season.”We just remember last year,” Harrison said. “We lost to them twice and didn’t want that to happen again. We knew what they were capable of and we worked hard and came out with a win.”Harrison may have gleaned an added edge from the memory of those two losses, but it wasn’t as if the spirit Coach Cal noticed in him appeared out of nowhere. In eight February games, Harrison is averaging 10.6 points, 4.5 assists and 1.4 turnovers per game, marked improvements in all three categories compared to his season totals.”He doesn’t stop on the court,” Calipari said. “There’s nothing. ‘I’m in attack mode, I’m aggressive. I’m talking to my teammates. I’m running this. You know I’m controlling this. I’ll score when I have to. I’m not trying to get fouled. I’m driving to score, not get fouled.’ “Harrison has shown that kind of attitude in spurts over the course of his two Kentucky seasons, but never more consistently than this recent stretch.”I had it when I got here,” Harrison said. “It’s just–you have to be ready to bring it every night. That’s what you have to be prepared to do. That comes with maturity and stuff like that, I guess.”Improved conditioning doesn’t hurt either.”It’s hard (to play the way Calipari asks me to play),” Harrison said. “You have to be in good shape. Not only do you have to push the ball on offense, but you have to pressure the ball on defense as well.”As much progress as Harrison has made, Calipari still thinks he can reach another level.”I still want him to get to the rim more,” Calipari said. “I thought he had two or three or four other opportunities to drive the ball, which I’m telling his brother the same thing. Don’t settle, man. We threw it to him on the wing. It was him and no other defenders except the guy on him. Don’t pass it to anybody. Drive the ball. You’re 6(-foot-)6, you’re a moose. Get the ball by the guy, get in the lane, shoot the layup.”If anyone understands what Coach Cal is asking, it’s Tyler Ulis, Harrison’s fellow point guard. Ulis also understands what Harrison means to Kentucky when he delivers.”Andrew’s playing great,” said Ulis, who had 14 points himself. “When he’s aggressive and pushes the ball he’s one of the best players, one of the best point guards in the country. When he’s doing that he’s a great player and I feel like if he understands that and does it all the time then we’re just going to be a great team.”