UK's Marquis Teague controls the ball during the second half of the University of Kentucky men's basketball game against Arkansas at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., on 1/17/12. UK won the game 86-63. Photo by Mike Weaver | Staff
The press that the Cats anticipated from Arkansas was evident from tip-off in UK’s 86-63 victory Tuesday night at Rupp Arena, while freshman forward Anthony Davis broke UK’s single season blocks record.
“Kentucky just did so much better tonight,” Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson said. “It’s very difficult to win on the road.”
Davis set the UK record for most blocks in a single season with 89 as of Tuesday’s game. Davis recorded 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in the first half. He finished the game with 27 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocks.
“It’s a great accomplishment, especially for a freshman,” Davis said, “so I am really proud of myself.”
UK won the opening toss, but a double-team on sophomore forward Terrence Jones and increased pressure on the Cats’ defense forced a turnover.
The Razorbacks were constantly guarding the Cats, forcing them to burn the clock to avoid losing the ball.
But to overcome the press, UK scored its first eight points before Arkansas finally got on the board with a dunk by Arkansas senior forward Michael Sanchez at the 16:52 minute mark.
“By the way they play, we felt like we had to come out and take it at them,” senior guard Darius Miller said. “Instead of them being aggressive with us, we had to do that with them. We knew they were gonna play physical.”
While the Razorbacks attacked UK with a full-court press throughout the first half, the Cats still led 24-10 with 6:35 to play in the half.
From then, UK seemed to have no trouble breaking and silencing Arkansas’ defensive strategy.
Miller, along with sophomore forward Terrence Jones, sophomore guard Doron Lamb and freshman point guard Marquis Teague have all continued to make strides, Calipari said.
“I slowed down a lot more today than I have,” Teague said. “I just found people earlier, didn’t take extra dribbles and found them when they were open.”
Jones recorded 13 points and nine rebounds while Lamb sunk 14 points and Miller scored 11.
“I just think we came out with high energy,” Jones said. “Darius Miller scoring consecutive baskets got it started. Marquis Teague running the floor and being the team general really helped us today on our offense to get easy points.”
Teague tallied seven points, nine assists and only three turnovers.
“I thought he did a good job taking care of the basketball,” Anderson said. “I don’t think we applied as much pressure as we wanted to, but a lot of that credit goes to them being prepared.”
While the Razorbacks strung together a run to close the lead 35-21 with 1:47 remaining in the first half, the Cats went into the locker room leading 37-21.
Despite Arkansas’ effort to close the gap, UK continued to increase the point margin, closing out the game with ease.
As more physical play looms in the matchup with Alabama Saturday, the Cats will prepare for another tough conference team.
“They’re a really good team,” Calipari said. “They’ve got terrific players and it’s going to be a hard game for us.”
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