You couldn’t ask for a greater begin for Kentucky in Gainesville. Trying to make an announcement on the street with a 3rd consecutive Quad 1 victory, the Wildcats jumped out to an awesome 30-15 lead, taking pictures a formidable 66.7% to open the sport (12-18) whereas outrebounding the Gators 12-5. Lacking star ahead Colin Castleton on account of a damaged hand, Florida had no reply for the Kentucky frontcourt, nor did it have the offensive juice to counter on the opposite finish of the ground. A blowout was underway with minimal resistance from the house workforce.

After which, a 13-0 run for UF to chop the deficit to only two factors. UK responded with three fast buckets to push the lead again as much as eight, however proceeded to surrender 9 straight factors to shut out the half down one. 22 of the final 28 factors total, a defensive catastrophe for the Wildcats after an excellent begin on each ends.

It was extra of the identical after the break. Kentucky put collectively a 14-6 run to go up 50-43 5 minutes in, adopted by a fast 8-0 run to retake the lead at 51-50. Wildcats push it again to 11 factors at 74-63, then the Gators rating 9 straight to chop it to 2 with simply 1:12 to go.

Within the recreation of runs, Kentucky acquired the one which mattered most, closing out the sport on an 8-2 run that included six made free throws to earn the 82-74 street win. It moved the workforce’s total file to 19-9 on the yr and 10-5 in convention play. Extra importantly, the Wildcats are actually 5-7 in Quad 1 alternatives — simply 10 days after having only one win in that essential class — and 5-0 in Quad 2. A resume that mirrored a workforce on the skin of the NCAA Match area is now resembling a reasonably stable one — now doubtless a lock to earn an at-large.

How did the win come collectively for the Wildcats? KSR has the takeaways.

Chris Livingston places the workforce on his again

Up two with 51 seconds to go, Cason Wallace launched a stepback three from the highest of the important thing, bouncing up off the entrance of the rim earlier than grazing the appropriate facet of the cylinder and down. A dagger try off by a hair, out there for a Gator to seize and take down the ground for the tie or lead.

As a substitute, reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Chris Livingston glides by means of the air on the baseline for a putback try, an and-one end that will finally put the Wildcats up 5 with 46 seconds to go. It was one in all his 15 rebounds and three of his 10 factors on the night time, the rookie ahead’s second consecutive double-double on the yr — his solely two of the season. Within the midst of his finest stretch of video games as a Wildcat, his season breakthrough, Livingston put collectively crucial sequence of the win. He was the ultimate dagger towards a determined Florida workforce taking part in with nothing to lose.

“What we’re making an attempt to do is spoil their week,” John Calipari informed the workforce previous to shootaround. “Damage their week.”

The previous five-star recruit did simply that, the important thing purpose the Gators’ week is ruined. Simply as he helped spoil Tennessee’s weekend on Saturday and Mississippi State’s week a number of days earlier than that.

Livingston has hit the double-figure mark in 4 of Kentucky’s final 5 video games, 7.6 rebounds per contest throughout that very same stretch. He’s been a terror on the glass whereas taking what the protection has given him as a scorer, utilizing his bodily presents to search out mismatches. And he’s stepped up defensively, a key purpose for his inconsistent taking part in time early within the yr. It’s an all-around particular person leap that has allowed the workforce to stack up high quality wins to shut out the common season.

“Chris Livingston was ridiculous right this moment, however he’s been ridiculous for the final couple of weeks,” Calipari stated after the win. “His stuff is that power, the diving on the ground, the going after offensive rebounds as a result of he makes an attempt them. Then, rebounding defensively with two palms. He’s been a monster.”

Oscar Tshiebwe with a near-perfect offensive night time (and will get his 1,000th level)

Livingston stole Oscar Tshiebwe‘s highlight as a rebounder, main the best way with 15 boards, together with 4 offensive. The veteran heart was restricted to only 4 whole, a season-low and his fewest as a Wildcat.

His affect was made elsewhere, particularly as a scorer, placing forth a near-perfect outing on the offensive finish of the ground. The senior star led the best way with a game-high 25 factors on 12-13 taking pictures, his most since going for a career-high 37 factors in Kentucky’s house win vs. Georgia on Jan. 17. Of his 12 makes on the night time, seven have been soar pictures, with Tshiebwe confidently firing up mid-range makes an attempt with unmatched success — his lone miss was a ridiculous fadeaway jumper on the baseline, a 6-foot-9, 265-pound heart’s model of a warmth test.

Simply how ridiculous was his 92.3% taking pictures effort? It was essentially the most area purpose makes an attempt with just one miss in a single recreation in program historical past. That mark can also be fourth-highest in a single recreation in Kentucky historical past with no less than eight makes an attempt, highest by a Wildcat in a 25-point outing during the last 25 seasons. He’s additionally simply one in all eight gamers nationally this season to go 12 for 13 or higher from the sphere in a single recreation.

By way of counting numbers, Tshiebwe scored his 1,000th level as a Wildcat, the 61st participant at school historical past to hitch that prestigious membership and the primary since 2012. He additionally turned simply the third UK participant to file no less than 1,000 factors, 800 rebounds and 100 steals of their profession, becoming a member of Kenny Walker and Chuck Hayes.

With out Castleton, the Florida frontcourt was at a transparent drawback from the opening tip. And with out Riley Kugel and Kowacie Reeves going nuclear within the backcourt for the Gators (40 mixed factors, 13-23 FG and 6-11 3PT), Tshiebwe is probably going the explanation Kentucky leaves Gainesville with a blowout win.

Jacob Toppin and Antonio Reeves mix for 35

Tshiebwe was the star scorer and Livingston was a monster on the glass, however they weren’t alone in both class. Jacob Toppin added an environment friendly 19 factors on 7-10 taking pictures, 2-3 from three and 3-4 on the line to go along with 11 rebounds, one help and two turnovers in 35 minutes whereas Antonio Reeves went for 16 factors, 4 assists, one block, one steal and two turnovers in 39 minutes.

The 2 mixed to attain 13 of Kentucky’s first 17 factors of the second half, then 10 of the final 15 factors to finish the sport. 25 whole factors within the ultimate 20 minutes for the senior duo. It was Toppin’s sixth double-double of the season and his eleventh straight recreation with double-figure scoring, whereas Reeves completed together with his twenty first double-digit efficiency and a season-high in assists.

The 4 spot has been the workforce’s largest query mark from the start, wildly inconsistent there on a game-to-game foundation. Not solely had Toppin underwhelmed going into SEC play, there was additionally no clear reply concerning his backup. Or somebody threatening to take his minutes, preventing to develop their very own position. The state of affairs simply was what it was, the weakest hyperlink of the lineup by a big margin.

After which Toppin discovered his confidence. He’s realized to play to his strengths as an above-the-rim athlete whereas working in mid-range and perimeter jumpers, not the opposite method round. A non-shooter throughout his first three years of school basketball, he has additionally quietly knocked down 10 of 19 3-point makes an attempt in SEC play, together with seven of his final 12. And that’s not even accounting for his manufacturing on the glass.

As for Reeves, he’s embraced the inexperienced gentle Calipari has given him as a crucial bucket-getter, notably in massive moments. Effectivity hasn’t all the time been there — he went simply 6-15 total and 2-6 from deep tonight — however the Illinois State switch continues to hit well timed pictures in any respect three ranges. With Cason Wallace struggling in Gainesville — eight factors (2-8 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-4 FT), six assists, six turnovers — Reeves carried the scoring load within the backcourt whereas the forwards and heart took care of enterprise within the frontcourt.

Issues ought to get simpler for him as soon as fellow veteran senior guards CJ Fredrick and Sahvir Wheeler return to the lineup.

All 5 starters play 20 second-half minutes

Talking of the rotation, there was no rotation within the second half for the Wildcats on Wednesday. The five-man group of Wallace, Reeves, Livingston, Toppin and Tshiebwe acquired issues rolling after the break and didn’t sub out a single time by means of the ultimate buzzer. 20 minutes every whereas Adou Thiero, Daimion Collins, Lance Ware and Ugonna Onyenso remained on the bench. No breaks, no subs.

“I needed to inform the workforce after, as a result of Adou [Thiero] performed nicely, Daimion [Collins] performed nicely, Lance [Ware] performed nicely, however I simply went with the 5 guys as a result of I used to be making an attempt to win the sport,” Calipari stated after.

The technique labored, nevertheless it’s not sustainable. Wallace’s again spasms may flare up at any given second taking part in so many minutes, to not point out the leg points he’s already handled. We’ve already seen what occurs when Reeves’ legs get shaky on account of fatigue — it’s one in all a number of causes the Wildcats misplaced in Athens two weeks in the past. Livingston, Toppin and Tshiebwe have all been high-minute gamers as of late, too.

Calipari likes tightening up his rotation going into postseason play, however to not this extent. Three straight wins, positive, however Kentucky wants C.J. Fredrick and Sahvir Wheeler again sooner somewhat than later. And he made that clear to each gamers afterward.

“They’re figuring out and the trainers, the load room, and all of the stuff they’re doing. They’ve acquired two completely different sorts of accidents however they’re injured,” he stated. “One of many issues that I do know, you belief a participant as a result of solely he is aware of his ache. Don’t query it. If he’s in ache, they shouldn’t be taking part in. However I informed them each, we’d like you. I’ve acquired no subs. It’s arduous.”

Kentucky survived as soon as once more with out both of the veteran guards. How for much longer can the Wildcats stick with it? Hopefully we don’t have to search out out.

Three video games to go, No. 3 within the SEC

What’s subsequent for the Wildcats? Kentucky controls its personal future within the convention, holding agency because the outright No. 3 workforce within the SEC standings, establishing a double-bye alternative in Nashville. Earlier than then, although, a Quad 1 matchup vs. Auburn, a must-win Quad 3 vs. Vanderbilt and one other Quad 1 at Arkansas to shut out the common season.

Simply 10 days after sitting at 1-7 in Quad 1 video games, the trail is now there for a 7-7 end in such matchups, gold within the eyes of the Choice Committee. Win the subsequent three and also you’re sitting at 22-9 total and 13-5 within the SEC, doubtlessly again within the prime 25 — Kentucky is already receiving votes.

Then make a run in Nashville? The Wildcats may go from the main focus of bubble speak to being a workforce nobody needs to face within the NCAA Match.

Gotta end robust.