LOUISVILLE, KY — It was a normal game between a 1-seed and a 16-seed. We saw a slower start by Kentucky but they cruised past Hampton without much of an issue rolling to a 79-56 victory.
Karl Anthony-Towns was the star of the game as he continues to show is transformed offensive game by posting 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Kentucky seemed to really only have one offensive strategy and that was to pound the ball down low and let the bigs carry them to the win. It was a coaching decision that even the most novice of coaches could make after seeing the extreme height disparity between the two teams. Hampton started an average player of 6-foot-3 and UK started an average player of 6-foot-9.
The Wildcats (35-0) were also led by Trey Lyles with 10 points and Tyler Ulis with 11. The Cats will now move on to face Cincinnati on Saturday in Louisville, KY at the KFC YUM! Center.
Hampton may not have been able to hang with the bigger, stronger Kentucky team but they played with class and heart. The head coach for Hampton has been polite and personable during their time in the spotlight and you can tell that there are good things ahead for the program out of Virginia.
Quentin Chievous was the star for Hampton tonight as he poured in 22 points with 10 rebounds on an injured leg. During the first four game against Manhattan, he fell awkwardly during the second half and they were unsure about his status. He was determined to see the floor against the nation’s number one team and he showed off why he is the leader of the Pirates, who finish their season 17-18.
Kentucky now only has five to go to reach the perfect mark of 40-0. The question now is, who will be able to stop the Wildcats from going undefeated?