Cats Understand Challenge Posed by Wofford
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Before Selection Sunday, John Calipari spoke of a nameless soon-to-be under-seeded mid-major team he expected to see in Kentucky’s bracket.
When Wofford popped up as the No. 7 seed in UK’s pod, Coach Cal was asked if the Terriers were the team to which he was referring. A wry smile and a nod all but confirmed that to be the case.
Now, with both teams having won their first-round matchups, UK and Wofford will face off.
“I knew we’d be playing this team,” Calipari said, “and my team knew, because I told them before, we would be playing Wofford because you and I know how hard this game will be, especially with PJ out, how hard a game it’ll be for us. I don’t think there’s any, like we’re a favorite. Come on now, this team is legitimate in every form and fashion, including defense, including toughness, including veteran play.”
The seventh-seeded Terriers (30-4) advanced in impressive fashion, building a double-digit lead on Seton Hall before the Pirates stormed back to take the lead. Then, Wofford closed with a 3-point barrage and 17-2 run in an 84-68 victory. The Terriers made 13 3-pointers in the win, their 25th game this season with double-digit treys, to set up a matchup with No. 2 Kentucky (28-6) at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Saturday.
“There’s a lot of respect in this locker room,” Reid Travis said. “That’s not something that needs to be said. Everyone understands anyone in the tournament is a great team, especially once you go to the next round and keep on advancing.”
Senior Fletcher Magee made five 3s against Seton Hall to bring his career total to 509 treys, an NCAA record. He is shooting 41.9 percent from beyond the arc this season, his fourth consecutive season shooting at least 40 percent in spite of carrying a heavy offensive load for the Terriers.
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| Kentucky vs. Wofford | ||
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Sat., March 23 – 2:40 p.m. ET |
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| Coverage | ||
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TV: CBS |
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| UK | 2018-19 Stats | WC |
| 28-6 | Record | 30-4 |
| 15-3 | Conference Record | 18-0 |
| 76.8 | PPG | 83.0 |
| 64.8 | Opp PPG | 65.7 |
| .480 | FG% | .493 |
| .401 | Opp FG% | .426 |
| 38.6 | RPG | 35.2 |
| .362 | 3PT FG% | .418 |
| .346 | Opp 3PT FG% | .322 |
| .741 | FT% | .704 |
| 13.7 | APG | 15.2 |
| 6.0 | SPG | 6.8 |
| 4.9 | BPG | 3.0 |
“I’d just say being active is the biggest thing,” Travis said. “Like any other shooters that we’ve faced this year, you want to get a hand up. You want to jump when they jump and get a good contest. Just staying active with him. You don’t want to give them open looks or anything too easy, let him see the ball go in early. It’s definitely going to be a by-committee deal.”
Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson and Ashton Hagans figure to be part of that committee, not to mention anyone who happens to switch onto Magee.
“It’s a team challenge, not personal,” Keldon Johnson said. “We’re going out to win. We’re not going out to prove (any) point that we are better than him or we can shoot better than him. We’re just going out and competing.”
UK will also be competing with more than just Magee. Wofford has three other shooters who have made at least 40 treys – Nathan Hoover, Storm Murphy and Tray Hollowell – and is shooting 41.8 percent from 3 on the season as a team.
“Really their whole starting five and even off the bench can shoot,” Herro said. “Just being there early, not allowing them to shoot open 3s. Everything has to be contested.”
Perimeter defense was a well-documented struggle early in the season, with the Cats allowing opponents to hit 40 percent or better from 3 six times in their first 14 games. That’s happened only four times in the 18 games since and now UK has a chance to prove how much it’s improved in that area against one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country.
“We’ve prepared all year,” Travis said. “We’ve been in situations like this where you get little prep for a team. I feel like our prep’s been all season as far as trying to get our defense on the 3-point line better.”
Though Wofford does score more than 40 percent of its points from beyond the arc, talking only about their outside shooting is doing them a disservice.
“I give them more credit than that,” Travis said. “I think that kind of pigeon-holes them to just a fast and loose 3-point shooting team. They do run good offense. They got inside guys that are effective too. I think they’re really well coached. I think the 3-point (shooting) overshadows exactly how good of a system team they are.”
Big man Cameron Jackson (14.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) is a key cog in that system, while Keve Aluma and Chevez Goodwin – both 6-foot-9 – man the four spot alongside him.
“They’ve got athletes at the four position, and that’s if I’m calling Jackson a 5, which I don’t know if he is, that really are long and active and go after it,” Calipari said. They’ve got their four or five guards who are ones, twos and threes and they’ve got five of them that score, a couple of them drive a little bit better, a couple of them shoot. But they’re going to take 25, 26 3s in this game. I don’t care what we do, they’re going to take them, and if they’re spinning in the air and they’re going in, it’s a tough night.”
All those compliments paid to Wofford aren’t just lip service. The Terriers, who haven’t lost a game in three months and are No. 19 in both final polls, are worthy opponents.
“It’s going to be a big game for us,” Travis said. “Got a lot of respect for their program, what they’ve been able to do this season. … Our approach is this is a huge game for us and we know it’s definitely going to be a challenge. We’re approaching it that way and trying to get our minds and bodies right for a battle. We know that’s what it’s going to be (Saturday).”
Reid Travis
“I give them more credit than that. I think that kind of pigeon-holes them to just a fast and loose 3-point shooting team. They do run good offense. They got inside guys that are effective too. I think they’re really well coached. I think the 3-point (shooting) overshadows exactly how good of a system team they are.”
“We’ve prepared all year. We’ve been in situations like this where you get little prep for a team. I feel like our prep’s been all season as far as trying to get our defense on the 3-point line better.”
“There’s a lot of respect in this locker room. That’s not something that needs to be said. Everyone understands anyone in the tournament is a great team, especially once you go to the next round and keep on advancing.”
“Just working hard, boxing out. They got guys that definitely are putting their bodies on guys and really just working hard. They’re not just a 3-point shooting team in that sense, but they do have paint presences and guys who can definitely get physical down there. For us, it’s definitely going to be a challenge across the board.”
“I think it’s a nice to have as far going a little smaller and having him be as versatile as he is and being able to go against bigger guys and his defense getting a lot better in the post. It’s been great for us. We’ve been throwing it out there and really just going to different sets and different lineups definitely helps us have a lot more success.”
“I’d just say being active is the biggest thing. Like any other shooters that we’ve faced this year, you want to get a hand up. You want to jump when they jump and get a good contest. Just staying active with him. You don’t want to give them open looks or anything too easy, let him see the ball go in early. It’s definitely going to be a by-committee deal.”
“I think early on it was definitely something we had to work on and really emphasize as far as how to defend the 3, how to contest and different ways that you have to work on the ball to try to defend it. I definitely think that a lot of the games that we’ve played throughout the year and a lot of practice that we’ve had prepares us for the game.”
“It’s going to be a big game for us. Got a lot of respect for their program, what they’ve been able to do this season. … Our approach is this is a huge game for us and we know it’s definitely going to be a challenge. We’re approaching it that way and trying to get our minds and bodies right for a battle. We know that’s what it’s going to be (Saturday).”
Keldon Johnson
“I’m not sure. It’s all what the coaches want me to do. If they want to play the four, I’ll play the four. If not, then I’ll just do whatever they need me to do.”
“I’m pretty comfortable. I’ve played it a couple times now with Reid being hurt and PJ being hurt. I’ve picked it up a little bit.”
“It doesn’t really matter to me, whether is the four, three, two. Whatever it is, just go out there and compete and do whatever Coach tells me to do.”
“It’s a team challenge, not personal. We’re going out to win. We’re not going out to prove (any) point that we are better than him or we can shoot better than him. We’re just going out and competing.”
Tyler Herro
“It just spreads us out more with more spacing and stuff like that. Obviously if a big’s guarding Keldon, he has a mismatch. We’ll exploit whatever mismatches we have.”
“Really their whole starting five and even off the bench can shoot. Just being there early, not allowing them to shoot open 3s. Everything has to be contested.”
“They’re definitely not one-dimensional. They’re a great team so it’ll be fun to go out there and compete against them. Obviously the bigs are going to have to do work inside and the guards are going to have to help them rebound.”
“Just going and getting the ball, really. Just being in position and wanting it more than whoever else is trying to get it.”
Kentucky Cruises Past Abilene Christian in NCAA Opener
Kentucky could afford to be down a man against NCAA Tournament newcomer Abilene Christian.
Going forward, the Wildcats are surely going to need that guy who was zipping around the arena on a scooter, most of his lower left leg covered by a hard cast.
With PJ Washington sidelined by a sprained foot, second-seeded Kentucky still romped past the small Texas school 79-44 on Thursday night — a huge mismatch that was over by halftime.
The Wildcats shot 60 percent in the opening period, held No. 15 seed Abilene Christian to 5 of 26 from the field and went to the locker room with a 39-13 lead. They led by as many as 36.
Washington, who sprained the foot in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, is Kentucky’s leading scorer and rebounder. Still, the Wildcats had far too many weapons for the Southland Conference representative.
Keldon Johnson scored 25 points, Reid Travis added 18 and Tyler Herro chipped in with 14. Kentucky outrebounded Abilene Christian by a whopping 44-17 margin, the largest in NCAA Tournament history for the Wildcats, and the 13 first-half points the Wildcats surrendered was the fewest they’ve ever given up in an NCAA Tournament game in a half.
“We got out of the gate really guarding and blocking shots and shot a high percentage,” head coach John Calipari said.
Kentucky advanced to the second round of the Midwest Regional on Saturday to face Wofford.
The big question: Will Washington be able to go?
“If they take (the cast) off tomorrow to check him, he might be able to play,” Calipari said. “If they don’t, he won’t play Saturday. Then, they would probably take it off Tuesday or Wednesday,” giving Washington a chance to play if the Wildcats advance to the second weekend.
Calipari isn’t looking ahead that far.
Saturday’s game will be enough of a challenge.
“If PJ doesn’t play, we’ll have work to do with either team,” the coach said.
Kentucky could certainly afford to be cautious in its tournament opener. Abilene Christian is also known as the Wildcats, but that was about the only thing these teams have in common.
The striking disparity – one of the nation’s most storied programs vs. a small Texas school not far removed from playing in Division II – was best epitomized by the point guards. Kentucky started Ashton Hagans, a 6-foot-3 freshman who was one of the nation’s top recruits. Abilene Christian countered with 5-7 freshman Damien Daniels, who missed all five of his shots.
The biggest scare for Kentucky came with just under two minutes remaining when Nick Richards went down hard after getting his legs cut out from under him going for a rebound. After pounding the court several times in pain, he was able to get up, shoot a pair of free throws and finish the game.
“If we get another guy hurt, our staff is going to have to start playing,” Calipari said.
• Kentucky limited Abilene Christian to 44 points. UK is 74-0 under Calipari when holding the opponent to 55 points or less, including 10-0 this season
• ACU shot 32.1 percent from the field. UK is 180-15 (.923) under Calipari when keeping the opponents to 40 percent or less, including 16-0 this season
• UK shot 53.6 percent from the field. UK is 14-1 this season when making at least half its shots
• Kentucky won the rebounding, 44-17. UK is 23-4 this season when outrebounding the opponent. The plus-27 rebounding margin helped UK win second-chance points 24-2
• UK increased his nation-leading NCAA Tournament win total to 127
• The Wildcats are now 23-7 as the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament
• UK improved to 29-7 in the NCAA Tournament under Calipari
• Johnson’s 25-point game marked his seventh 20-point game of the season. He also made three 3-pointers, moving UK to 6-0 when he makes at least three treys
• Travis’ 18 points were his most in a game since scoring 18 vs. Kansas on Jan. 26
• EJ Montgomery grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds in Washington’s absence
• Jemarl Baker Jr. scored a career-high seven points
Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament
Kentucky is making its nation-leading 58th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2019 (59 on-court appearances as the 1988 appearance was vacated).
The Wildcats were selected as the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region. The Wildcats defeated Abilene Christian, the No. 15 seed in the region, 79-44 on Thursday, in Jacksonville, Florida. Up next is a date with No. 7 seed Wofford on Saturday at approximately 2:40 p.m.
This is the seventh time in program history the Wildcats have earned a No. 2 seed in the annual event. UK improved to 23-7 record as the No. 2 seed. Most recently, the Cats participated as the No. 2 seed in the South Region of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, falling 75-73 to eventual national champion No. 1 North Carolina in the regional final after defeating the Tar Heels 103-100 in the regular season. Coincidentally, UNC is also the No. 1 seed in UK’s region again.
UK is 48-10 in tournament openers and has won 25 of its last 26 opening-round tournament games. UK owns a 127-51 (record all-time in NCAA action, with its .713 winning percentage the fifth best in NCAA history). This is the sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the Wildcats and ninth in 10 seasons under John Calipari.
UK has never faced Wofford in program history.
Kentucky is 29-7 (.806) in NCAA Tournament games under the direction of Calipari. Calipari is 54-18 (.750) as a head coach in NCAA Tournament games.
Since Calipari took over the reins at UK, the Wildcats lead the country in:
• NCAA Tournament wins (29)
• Final Four appearances (four)
• Elite Eight appearances (six)
• Sweet 16 appearances (seven)
