Sharing Cats Roll Past Illinois State on Friday

No. 8 Kentucky has been very good at sharing the ball this season, especially in the Wildcats’ nine victories. That trend continued on Friday night as the Cats recorded 23 assists in a 96-70 win over Illinois State.

In Kentucky’s victories this season, the Cats have averaged 20.2 assists per game. In UK’s two losses, the Cats have assisted on an average of 14 baskets.

On Friday night, several Cats got in on the action. In fact, six Kentucky players recorded an assist in the game. Four UK players had at least four assists, led by Rob Dillingham, who had seven.

Antonio Reeves led Kentucky in scoring again on Friday, scoring 27 points against his former team. That followed Reeves’ 30-point effort against Louisville last week. Dillingham had 16 points, Reed Sheppard had 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

D.J. Wagner was the fourth UK player in double figures, scoring 14 points and handing out three assists.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari likes how his team is playing through 12 games.

“We’ve got a good team,” Calipari said. “We pass the ball, we shoot the ball.”

One area of concern from Friday’s game was rebounding. Calipari knows that his team needs to continue to improve in that particular area.

“They blocked us out. We didn’t go get any balls,” Calipari said. “We got a few, but not like they did. That will concern me but we’ve got time.”

Kentucky now has eight days off before opening Southeastern Conference play at Florida on Jan. 6.