Kentucky defeated Boston 82-62.
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After expressing his disappointment with how the team performed against Wright State on Friday, UK head coach John Calipari was more optimistic about certain individual performances after the Cats beat Boston 82-62 on Tuesday. “There’s got to be 20 teams better than us right now”.
Focus again could be an issue considering Boston University (2-2) hasn’t beaten a ranked team since 1959 and lost by 24 in its visit to Rupp Arena last November. The last time he had a double-double was the beginning of his sophomore year. “I think he’s got a chance to be a really, really good player at the next level”.
That’s good enough for some tepid praise from Calipari. “Guys didn’t listen. We’re doing certain things and they just kind of broke it off and did their own thing”. Freshman forward Skal Labissiere was tops in scoring with 16.
Alex Poythress recorded his second straight double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He was 7 of 8 from the field – all from close range.
“I feel it day-to-day”, said Labissiere. He finished with 15 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Kamau Stokes hit six 3-pointers and finished with 24 points for the Wildcats (4-1), but the freshman also committed a pair of costly turnovers in the closing minutes.
UK guard Jamal Murray (23) pulls down an offensive rebound during the first half of the UK Men’s Basketball game vs. Boston University at Rupp Arena. I just told him, you got to shoot ’em. “I was really trying not to force anything”. Couldn’t get it to the basket, was shooting fadeaways, couldn’t get a ball, had a couple blocks and it’s going to take time. Boston connected on four three-pointers during the first nine minutes, as a result of defensive breakdowns and struggles with fighting through screens.
He comes off the bench to provide a boost and ends up playing the minutes of a starter, but his first foray on Tuesday night lasted all of 26 seconds.
Oklahoma 96, Incarnate Word 63 – Buddy Hield scored 22 points to lead the No. 7 Sooners (3-0) win in Norman, Okla.
Matthews, however, was outstanding in other areas, most notably areas involving hustle.
Boston U coach Joe Jones certainly noticed Matthews’ impact. I mean, that’s who he is and that’s where we got to get him back to.
“I really like him as a player and I think his upside is phenomenal. And the game is finally starting to slow down for me”. “I’m just trying to play out there, for real”. If he makes free throws, he’s in that seven-man rotation and he pushes guys out.
The first half against Boston U might have led Calipari to amend that statement and make it at least 21.
The Terriers overcame a game-opening 10-0 Kentucky run to take a 1-point lead with 3:40 left in the first half, and trailed by just 7 points at halftime (40-33). And I said, look, get in the gym and shoot free throws.
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“We were obviously rattled right away from the tip when they got off to a clean start, but our guys are fighters”, Jones said. They’re booked for a game against South Florida, which is coached by former United Kingdom assistant Orlando Antigua.
