KENTUCKY MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME NOTES
MOREHEAD STATE at KENTUCKY
RUPP ARENA AT CENTRAL BANK CENTER | LEXINGTON, KY.
NOV. 25, 2020
ATTENDANCE: 3,075
Final Score: No. 10/9 Kentucky 81, Morehead State 45
Team Records and Series Notes
- This was the season opener for both teams.
- Now in its 119th season of men’s basketball, Kentucky is 98-20 in season openers (no season in 1952-53).
- Kentucky leads the series 11-0, including 9-0 in Lexington.
- Next: Kentucky hosts Richmond on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the finale of the Bluegrass Showcase. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Player Notes
- Other than walk-ons Brennan Canada and Riley Welch, every other Wildcat appearing tonight made his first game appearance for Kentucky.
- Brandon Boston Jr. had game highs with 15 points and seven rebounds, earning a team-best 32 minutes.
- Devin Askew and Terrence Clarke each had 12 points and paced UK in assists with four. Clarke also had a game-high three steals.
- Davion Mintz tallied 10 points and had a good shooting night with a 2-of-3 performance from long range and all four free throws.
- Isaiah Jackson and Cam’Ron Fletcher each scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting.
- Jackson also swatted a team-high-tying two shots.
- Olivier Sarr had eight points on 4-of-6 shooting with a team-high-tying two blocks.
Coach John Calipari
- Beginning his 12th season in Lexington, Calipari is now 331-77 at UK.
- Beginning his 29th season as a head coach, he has a 776-217 all-time on-court record.
- UK is 268-44 vs. Associated Press unranked foes under Calipari.
- UK is 11-1 in season openers under Calipari and 12-0 in home openers.
Team Notes
- Kentucky limited Morehead State to 45 points. The Wildcats are 78-0 under Calipari when keeping the opponent to 55 or fewer points.
- It’s the fewest points by a UK opponent since a 79-44 win over Abilene Christian in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
- It’s the fewest points allowed in a season opener since an 85-45 win over Grand Canyon in 2014-15.
- Morehead shot 34% from the field. UK is 203-19 (.914) under Calipari when keeping the opponent to 40% or less.
- Four Wildcats scored in double figures and seven had at least eight points.
- Kentucky led by as many as 39 points during the game. UK is 282-8 (.972) under Calipari when leading by at least 10 points at any time in the contest.
In the First Half
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The starting lineup consisted of freshmen Devin Askew, Brandon Boston Jr., Terrence Clarke and Isaiah Jackson, along with senior transfer Olivier Sarr.
- Davion Mintz and Lance Ware were UK’s first substitutes at the 14:35 mark.
- Kentucky never trailed, although there was a tie at 2-2.
- Jackson got the first points of the season with a jump shot and tallied seven points, plus a blocked shot, in the first 6:09 of the game before exiting with his second foul.
- Mintz made the first 3-pointer of the season at 12:53, giving UK its first double-digit lead of the season at 15-4.
- Kentucky led by as many as 20 points at 43-23 before settling for a 45-26 lead at intermission. Clarke played the entire half and led the Cats with 10 points.
In the Second Half
- Kentucky opened the second half with the original starting lineup.
- The Wildcats lengthened the lead to as many as 39 points at 81-42.
