The Kentucky Wildcats picked up a much-needed win Saturday night as they knocked off the Indiana Hoosiers, 72-60.
There are several factors we could point to that sealed the win for the Cats, but the biggest
came on the defensive side of the ball. Specifically, locking down guard Lamar Wilkerson.
Finishing the night with 15 points on 5-11 shooting, including 2-5 from 3-point land, the sharpshooter just never got rolling for the Hoosiers. It came just four days after he scored 44 points on 10/22 shooting in a 113-72 home win over Penn State, who nearly upset Michigan State on Saturday before falling 76-72.
Of course, foul trouble played a role in that as well, as he picked up his fourth foul three minutes into the second half, but the UK defense deserves some major props.
Forcing 18 turnovers, Mark Pope might have finally unlocked the secret to making this team dangerous going into SEC play. Suffocate the opponent on defense and crash the offensive glass.
It also made this sweeter for Kentucky that Wilkerson was essentially down to Indian and Kentucky before picking the Hoosiers over the summer, then claiming he’d just be another guy for the Wildcats.
“I didn’t want to go to Kentucky and just be another guy, that has already been to Kentucky. Hoosiers basketball, it’s a big-time name, and they haven’t been where they wanted to be,” he said.
Now let’s hope it keeps translating. Go Cats!
