The Wildcats were without one of their big men from the get-go and got extra help from their guards. Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray had outstanding games to make up for the loss of Alex Poythress.
Career Nights
Ulis seems to keep setting career highs every week. This time, he set a career high of 11 assists to go along with his 18 points. This is also the first time in the last six games Ulis didn't reach 20 points.
Showing up Ulis was the career night of Murray. Murray had 35 points which makes him the only John Calipari era player with multiple 30-point games.
His 35 points ties the program high points scored by a Kentucky freshmen; Terrence Jones also scored 35 in 2010-11.
These two scored 53 points combined, giving the Kentucky back court a huge plus on the Gators.
Potential Without Poythress
With Poythress not playing Calipari had to look to his bench against Florida. He found some much needed support from an unlikely candidate.
Isaac Humphries, a 7-footer from Australia, played important minutes for the first time since early January. The player who recently just turned 18 had a productive 15 minutes against the Gators.
Humphries scored four points, six rebounds and two blocks in his limited play. He have Kentucky size down low and provided that strength Kentucky has been looking for on the glass.
Seeing Humphries on the floor again would not be surprising after his effort. Calipari gave Derek Willis a chance to shine, so this young man should get some more time to prove his worth as well.
Gator Defense
Florida played the inside game well put were unable to guard the perimeter as Kentucky was nailing the long ball. Kentucky hit 12-20 threes to match their previous season high from downtown against Louisville.
The Gators committed a lot to any player driving the basketball, so you saw a plenty of dribble-drive offense from Calipari today.
Florida's pressure forced 10 turnovers, most coming in the first half. The Gators needed to keep the Kentucky guards at bay to win, but Kentucky's back court only coughed it up a total of five times.
The Gators got the Wildcats late into the shot clock on multiple occasions but Kentucky's shooting ability got them out of it. Sometimes, good defense doesn't pay off against elite guards.
Florida has nothing to hang their heads about, for they came into Rupp Arena and Kentucky shot the lights out against them. These Gators are still growing and will get another shot at Kentucky in March.
Player Statistics
Jamal Murray- Murray went off and started the game 6-6 from behind the arc. He was red-hot all game and finished 8-10 from long-distance. He recorded 35 points on 13-21 shooting and six rebounds.
Dorian Finney-Smith- Finney-Smith abused the absence of Poythress down low and worked the post and grabbed offensive boards. His effort didn't go unnoticed as he put in a team high 24 points and eight rebounds for the Gators.
Tyler Ulis- Ulis put up his third double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 assists. The 5'9 guard has blown up in the recent weeks and showed no sign of slowing down against the Gators.
Derek Willis- Willis had a quiet night from downtown, only hitting 2-5 from three. But he racked up 12 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes of play for the Wildcats.
Upcoming Schedule
Georgia at #20 Kentucky 2/9/16
Mississippi at Florida 2/9/16