Last night, Kentucky proved to be too much for Kansas to handle. PJ Washington was a major factor in securing an important home win for the Wildcats.
On Saturday night, in front of a rowdy home crowd, the Kentucky Wildcats picked up a special win as they took down the defending SEC champion Kansas Jayhawks. Although it was Kentucky who were favoured by five points, the two college basketball giants went into the game pretty evenly matched. But, it was John Calipari‘s team who took the win for themselves and the SEC in the SEC/Big 12 challenge.
The game was contested very closely throughout the first half at a high tempo, resulting in a 33-30 lead for the visiting Jayhawks, on the back of Dedric Lawson‘s 14th double-double of the year. Reid Travis proved to be the standout Wildcat in the first half, his toughness at both ends of the floor, specifically under the basket, gave Kentucky a strong backbone and the chance to recover any rebounding ball. Travis recorded seven offensive rebounds in the entirety of the game, finishing the night with 18 points and 12 boards, in what was a terrific game for him and this Kentucky side, as they dominated vast periods of the second period.
The Wildcats came out firing after the break, going on extended runs and locking down the Jayhawks more effectively than periods of the first half. Their defensive efforts were led by the incredible Ashton Hagans, who’s perimeter defence and ability to do the dirty work stood out. It wasn’t an offensive night to remember, by a very long shot, for the freshman, however, he did record eight assists along with his spectacular effort on the defensive end, managing three important steals for the Wildcats.
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Kentucky’s starters scored all 71 of their points, as they took down the number 9 Kentucky, as Keldon Johnson also had a quietly good night. But, it was sophomore forward, PJ Washington who stole the headlines with an excellent second half performance, as he carried the Wildcats to this integral victory. The possible 2019 NBA Draft first round pick, recorded 14 points in the second half, eventually finishing with 20 points along with 13 boards in a dominating performance.
Dedric Lawson was the main man for Kansas by a significant margin, finishing with 20 points after his double-double at the break, but, this wasn’t enough to keep the Jayhawks in it. Many of Kansas’ star players weren’t able to get it done on the night. Guards LaGerald Vick and Marcus Garrett both had off nights, Garrett going just 1-9 from the field. It was Quentin Grimes and Ochai Agbaji who had to provide more offensively. Devon Dotson was able to command the game pretty efficiently, but Hagans and the Wildcats proved to be too much of a task for the Jayhawks at this moment in time.
As we approach the end of January, The Jayhawks remain at the top of the Big 12, as usual, with a 16-4 record and the Wildcats remain a game back of LSU and possible number 1 Tennessee in the SEC. There’s no doubt both teams will have aspirations which go beyond the next month or so and they both have serious talent that can propel them forward in March. Kansas travels to Texas, to play the Longhorns next, whilst Kentucky travels to Vanderbilt. Both games occur on Tuesday.