Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Kentucky basketball team we’ve been waiting for is finally here. The Wildcats’ six-game lost streak is ancient history. John Calipari’s Cats have now won three consecutive games thanks to a full team effort at Gainesville, who beat Florida 76-58 in Keion Brooks’ return to the field.
Little was expected of the sensational sophomore upon his return to the hardwoods. Brooks soon proved he didn’t miss a beat from the injury, catching a lob in transition for a dunk on his first game in the game.
Allow me to re-introduce myself.
My name is @ KeionB_12.
? @espn – https://t.co/7t5H7g8CUU pic.twitter.com/OKJVo8gcYy
– Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 9, 2021
That was not his only opinion of the day.
We missed this. A lot of.
? @espn – https://t.co/7t5H7g8CUU pic.twitter.com/sIgslYXcSJ
– Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) January 9, 2021
In his first game since scoring 10 points at Gainesville last March, Brooks played 24 minutes and finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Brooks wasn’t the only Wildcat to play at an incredibly high level. Each player contributed to the team’s win, particularly in defense, scoring 25 points on 15 Gator turnovers. The barrage of sales led to a 10-0 UK run at the start of the second half. Kentucky stopped the game with a 13-0 run from 11 minutes, highlighted by a six-point possession with threes by Davion Mintz and Devin Askew.
Four players scored in double digits for the Wildcats, including BJ Boston. The limp-firing guard changed his haircut, brought bounce to the hardwood, and buried his first three-pointer in a game since December 12. He finished the evening with 13 points, tied for a team-high with Mintz.
Kentucky thoroughly and utterly dominated Florida for its best win of the season. Basketball in Kentucky is fun again, and they don’t slow down anytime soon.