Bryce Hopkins’ breakout game helped Kentucky rally past LSU after a brutal first half.
The Kentucky Wildcats avenged their opening conference loss against the LSU Tigers tonight with a 71-66 victory.
It was a very grind-it-out type of game against the Tigers of Baton Rouge. Without its opening backcourt, Kentucky struggled to score and make plays.
After the first half, the 'Cats got just one assist and hit zero three-pointers. LSU's third-ranked defense knocked Hatch down and forced Kentucky to take unnecessary, poor shots.
The second half was a different story. Kentucky was about to tighten up on the defensive side of the ball, which forced LSU to take a bad shot, not a great recipe for a team that has one of the worst in the nation, statistically, at shooting from the outside.
Kentucky forced three of LSU's key players to foul out in the second half.
Scoring was also more balanced in the second half, with Davian Mintz, Oscar Tshibwe, Kellan Grady, Keon Brooks and Bryce Hopkins all taking part. Tshibwe recorded his 22nd double-double of the season.
Just like you draw it up @Jtoppin0 pic.twitter.com/ckzsWsVKRY
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 24, 2022
Here's what you need to know from the game.
Wheeler and Washington out again
Kentucky played its second straight game without its opening backcourt. Sahveer Wheeler and Tyty Washington missed the second straight game due to injuries. Hopefully, this is their final game being held up for precautionary reasons, as Kentucky travels to Fayetteville on Saturday for a big showdown with the Arkansas Razorbacks, potentially for second place in the SEC.
Kentucky also fought hard to handle the press thrown at him by LSU. Nobody really seemed comfortable handling the ball. Making the game more interesting with 30 seconds left. It was a very poor end-of-game execution and great game film for Arkansas and Eric Musselman.
It's hard to see a scenario where Kentucky goes to the Bud Walton Arena and walks out with a win if they're without Wheeler and Washington for a third straight game.
Scoring struggle
Without an opening backcourt, Kentucky struggled to keep the ball in the basket, especially in the first half. LSU held the Wildcats to a season-low 23 first half points. Kentucky did not hit a three-pointer in the first 20 minutes, despite some open looks.
LSU's third-rank defense stunned the UK without their play-making guard, making it really hard to get any easy looks. Kentucky shot just 33% in the first half, with no threes.
Kentucky only hit two shots from downtown, making the fewest this season (@Notre Dame.)
Hot Shooting Road Teams
There's something about Roop Arena that really lets street teams shine. LSU finished 232nd nationally in tonight's game with a three-point percentage. He began hitting four of his first five and went 5/9 from behind the arc in the first half. Javier Pinson, who averaged 9.6ppg, had 16 points in the first half.
Thankfully, he chilled out big time in those last few minutes in the second half.
Bryce Hopkins
Who do you turn to when you need a spark and a bucket?
Bryce Hopkins, of course.
The freshman forward hasn't seen much floor in SEC play this season but was ready when his number was called against the Tigers.
Hopkins immediately provided a spark from the bench with two and a basket in the span of two plays. Hopkins had not scored a single issue since January 25. He finished with 13 points off the bench.
Do you think Jacob Toppin is happy for his teammate Bryce Hopkins? pic.twitter.com/uhFntG0Pxg
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) February 24, 2022