Kentucky hasn't looked as confident as they did against Missouri all season long. Their big men showed up and their guards showed up even more. The defense from all five positions was unbelievable.
The Breakfast Club
Tyler Ulis and Isaiah Briscoe have started a morning workout routine with the team. Kentucky has been putting in the extra work and it surely paid off in their blowout win over the Tigers.
Seeing a group of young players agreeing to get up early to get in the gym together is outstanding. The last time John Calipari had a team agree to do this, a player named Anthony Davis still wore blue and white.
Kentucky's Pressure
Kentucky applied full court pressure from the get-go. It became obvious early on that this disrupted the flow of Missouri's offense.
The Tigers committed 15 turnovers and shot 18-of-57 from the field, a measly 32 percent.
Kentucky's pressure wasn't the only defense they applied, as they found great help inside from their big men. Kentucky had a combined 11 blocks and a career and game high five blocks from Skal Labissiere.
Their three-point defense continues to look improved. After allowing 12 three-pointers at Auburn, Kentucky has only allowed 13 threes in the last three games.
The Buzz Saw
Calipari stated after the game that Missouri "got the buzz saw." Calipari told Kim Anderson not to get too down on his team.
"That's as good as we are." Calipari said. If Kentucky just showcased their best basketball they are in good shape for their upcoming game.
After this "buzz saw" game, the Wildcats hope to deliver another buzz saw to the Kansas Jayhawks.
Having Fun
There was nothing but smiles along the UK bench and from Kentucky players on the court. Many moments of the game highlighted what basketball is all about.
Early in the game, Missouri's Jakeenan Gant went up for a one-handed slam and had it rejected emphatically by Labissiere.
The freshmen proceeded to run back down the court flexing at his teammates on the bench.
Labissiere had another flex moment, an and-one late in the game had the crowd going crazy. After Labissiere's struggles, UK fans love seeing this young man finally getting into the flow of the game.
Quite possible the most entertaining moment of the entire game was when Kentucky's Isaiah Briscoe nailed two free throws and the UK bench went crazy and the crowd followed suit. Briscoe laughed and ushered for the crowd to get louder; they did.
Briscoe only shoots just above 35 percent from the line on the season, and seeing him hit two in a row had UK fans going mental.
The smiles and laughs from a team that has had struggles is great to see. They needed a game that got them all enjoying basketball before their biggest test of the season.
Their game in Allen Fieldhouse will prove just how far these 'Cats have come in the last two weeks.
Player Statistics
Tyler Ulis- Ulis leads all scorers once again and has his third 20-point outing in a row. The guard just keeps making a case for why he's not just a top five point guard, but possibly the best in the country. He finished with 20 points and eight assists.
Derek Willis- Nobody guessed Willis would be putting up these kind of numbers for UK in his junior year. The kid from Bullitt County outperforms himself again with a career-high 18 points and 12 boards.
Isaiah Briscoe- Briscoe showed off his mid-range game in this one, and he seems to have a good stroke when his shot isn't rushed. The freshmen finished with 15 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Skal Labissiere- Labissiere swatted almost every shot that was put up near him. The big man had 12 points complimented by five blocks. He still has issues boxing out, but that will come as he gets into the flow of the college game.
Upcoming Schedule
#20 Kentucky and #4 Kansas 1/30/16
Mississippi State at Missouri 1/30/16