Freshmen Step Up, Lead Cats Past Tigers

During the John Calipari Era at Kentucky, the Cats have annually had a roster full of talented freshmen who have led UK to Elite Eights, Final Fours and the 2012 NCAA title.

So it was natural that the Big Blue Nation was expecting big things from the freshmen on the 2020-21 squad. The group came in as the nation’s number one recruiting class and was expected to have a huge impact on the season.

However, unlike most of Calipari’s freshman classes, this group experienced a tough combination of injuries and growing pains. Altogether, it had added up to a 5-13 record heading into Saturday’s game against an Auburn team that had already beaten the Cats once this year, a 65-59 AU win on Jan. 16 at Auburn Arena.

But on this day, the Wildcat freshmen lived up to their billing as UK snapped a four-game losing streak by topping Auburn 82-80.

Freshman forward Isaiah Jackson had arguably his best game as a Wildcat. Jackson had a career-high 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to record his first career double-double. Jackson added a pair of blocks while playing 31 minutes.

According to Jackson, it was key for the Cats to get a win to eliminate some of the pressure.

“It’s been a heavy burden,” Jackson said. “We would be up in games and then just lose the lead. But this game we finally put everything together and we got the win today.”

Kentucky head coach John Calipari knows how hard his team has been working and he was happy to see their effort pay dividends on Saturday.

“They have to have rewards,” Calipari said. “We’ve been making strides for three weeks, but you’ve got to have a reward at the end. And so because all the hard work, all the extra conditioning they are doing and shots, and then sacrificing for the team, you’ve got to have some reward, and you’ve got to win somewhere.”

Brandon Boston Jr., another of UK’s talented rookies, has found his shooting touch in the last two games. On Saturday, Boston hit five three-pointers, the most he’s ever made as a Wildcat, on his way to 17 points. He has now hit nine of his last 13 shots from behind the arc.

As for why Kentucky has suddenly started to shoot the ball better, Boston says it’s hard work paying off.

“Nothing’s really changed,” Boston said. “We’ve just been consistent in the gym, getting up a lot of shots, focusing on our craft.”

Boston continues to do other things to help the team as well, and on Saturday that included four steals and three assists. The Georgia native sees his game continuing to improve.

“I feel like it has evolved tremendously,” Boston said. “Just trying to go out there and make winning plays every time on the court.”

Boston also praised Jackson for his outstanding play on Saturday.

“He brought everything,” Boston said. “He brought the scoring, the rebounding, the intensity, the defense. I felt he had a very great performance today.”

Jackson knows this is a win that UK can use as a building block moving forward.

“It just gives us confidence when playing close games like this and being able to close them out for a win,” Jackson said. “So it just feels good for us moving forward.”

Kentucky is now an amazing 50-2 against Auburn in Lexington all-time. The Tigers have not won in Lexington since 1988 when the Tigers upset top-ranked Kentucky 53-52 on a late three-pointer by John Caylor.

“We’re a good team. A lot of people try to doubt us and say we’re not that good. We’re never going to stop fighting.”

And that fight helped the Cats snap a four-game skid on Saturday. It also gives the team renewed hope for the rest of the season.