Kentucky-Vanderbilt Men's Basketball Postgame Notes

KENTUCKY MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME NOTES
MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM | NASHVILLE, TN
FEB. 6, 2024
ATTENDANCE: 11,678

Final Score: No. 17/15 Kentucky 109, Vanderbilt 77

Team Records and Series Notes

• Kentucky is 16-6 on the season, 6-4 in the Southeastern Conference.
• Vanderbilt is 6-16 overall, 1-8 in league play.
• UK leads the series 156-49, including 63-29 in Nashville.
• Next for Kentucky: the Wildcats have their final regular-season non-conference game Saturday at home vs. Gonzaga.  Game time is 4 p.m. and it will be televised on CBS.

Team Notes

• Kentucky scored 109 points tonight, the Wildcats’ fourth 100-point game of the season and most points against an SEC opponent.

• UK entered the game third in the nation in scoring at 88.8 points per game.

• Kentucky shot 55.4 percent from the field (41 of 74), the 10^th game this season that the Wildcats have made at least half their shots.
• Kentucky made 15 of 26 from 3-point range, 57.7 percent.  It is tied the third-most 3-pointers made this season and the fourth time that UK has made at least half of its 3-point tries.

• UK entered the game fourth in the nation in 3-point percentage at 40.3 percent.

• Kentucky made all 12 of its free-throw attempts.  It is the sixth time in school history that UK has been perfect from the foul line while shooting at least 12.

• The last time it happened was Dec. 19, 2009, when the Wildcats hit all 18 against Austin Peay.

• Six players scored in double figures, the second time this season that has happened (also vs. Marshall).

• It is the 10^thtime this season that at least five players scored in double figures, all of which are UK wins.

• Kentucky had 22 assists and 12 turnovers, an assist/turnover ratio of +1.83.

• UK entered the game third in the nation with a +1.83 ratio.
• UK entered the game 12^thin the nation in assists per game with 17.9.

• Kentucky won the rebounding 50-28, a +22 margin that is the largest of the season.

• UK is 10-0 this season winning the rebounding.

• Kentucky limited Vanderbilt to 35.5 percent from the field (22 of 62).  UK is 238-24 (90.8%) under Calipari when keeping opponents to 40 percent or less from the field.
• Kentucky led by as many as 33 points.  UK is 343-16 (95.6%) under Coach John Calipari when leading by at least 10 points at some time of the game.
• Kentucky is 75-28 in bounce-back games (following losses) under Coach John Calipari, including 5-1 this season.
• Kentucky had two players score at least 20 points for the third game in a row and eighth time this season.
• D.J. Wagner and Tre Mitchell did not play because of injury. Kentucky has not had all players available for any game this season.

Player Notes 

• Antonio Reeves had 24 points, his 12th 20-point game of the season.
  • He has landed in double figures in every game but one this season.
• Rob Dillingham had 20 points, his fifth 20-point game of the season and third in a row.
  • With 20 points vs. Florida and 35 vs. Tennessee, he is now averaging 25 points over the last three games.
  • He also tied his season high for assists with nine.
• Justin Edwards had a career-high 17 points, his eighth double-figure game of the season and first against an SEC opponent.  He also went 6 of 6 at the foul line.
• With the Wildcats shorthanded because of injuries, Jordan Burks played 15 minutes – most in a game since November – and responded with a career-high 13 points.
  • He made all six field-goal attempts, including a 3-pointer.
• Aaron Bradshaw had 12 points, his sixth double-figure game of the season and first since the Mississippi State game on Jan. 17. He also tied for game-high rebounding honors with seven.
• Playing just 12 minutes, Zvonimir Ivisic totaled 11 points and tied for game-high rebounding honors with seven boards.

Coach John Calipari

• Calipari has an 848-259 (76.6%) all-time on-court record, including 403-119 (77.2%) at Kentucky.
• Calipari is 332-68 against unranked opponents while at Kentucky.
• Calipari is 26-6 vs. Vanderbilt.
• Calipari is now 399-130 (75.4%) all-time in conference games, including 191-64 (74.9%) in the SEC.

In the First Half

• Kentucky started Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves, Justin Edwards, Adou Thiero  and Ugonna Onyenso for the first time.
  • It is the eighth different lineup of the season and fifth straight game with a different lineup.
• Rob Dillingham was UK’s first substitution at the 17:15 mark.
• Kentucky scored on its first two possessions for a 5-0 lead.
• UK eventually stretched the lead to 22 points at 52-30.
• Vanderbilt closed with an 8-2 run to send it to 54-38 at halftime.
• Reeves led the Wildcats with 16 points and Dillingham had 13. UK made 10 of 14 on 3-point shots in the opening period, tying for the most made threes in a half this season.
• UK is now 14-2 this season when leading at halftime.

In the Second Half

• Kentucky began the second half with the starting lineup.
• Kentucky returned the lead to 22 points at 70-48 at the 14:45 mark.
• UK hit the century mark, 100-72, with a Burks dunk with 3:48 remaining.
• UK led by as many as 33 points at 107-74.