Sharecats Dominate Illinois State in Friday Victory

No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats showcased their exceptional ball-sharing skills on Friday night, as they cruised to a comfortable 96-70 victory over Illinois State. Kentucky has been setting a high standard when it comes to team play, evident from their average of 20.2 assists per game in their nine wins this season. However, this trend did not translate into their two losses, where they managed to assist on an average of only 14 baskets.
A total of six Wildcats contributed to the assists column in their latest triumph, with four players recording at least four assists. The standout performer in this regard was Rob Dillingham, who dished out an impressive seven assists. Antonio Reeves once again led the scoring charts for Kentucky, putting up 27 points against his former team. Reeves had previously showcased his scoring prowess with a 30-point outburst against Louisville last week. Apart from his scoring, Dillingham also made a significant impact on the game with 16 points to his name. Reed Sheppard recorded an all-around performance with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. D.J. Wagner rounded up the list of Kentucky players in double figures, contributing 14 points and three assists.
Kentucky head coach John Calipari expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance so far this season, highlighting their exceptional passing and shooting abilities. He believes that the Wildcats possess a strong roster capable of making a significant impact.
However, one concern that arose from Friday’s game was Kentucky’s rebounding. Calipari acknowledged that his team needs to improve in that area, as they were outworked on the boards by Illinois State. Despite the concern, Calipari remains optimistic and believes that his team has the time and potential to address this issue.
Looking ahead, Kentucky will have a well-deserved break of eight days before kicking off their Southeastern Conference (SEC) play against Florida on January 6th. The Wildcats will utilize this time to regroup, assess their performance thus far, and work on areas that need improvement, including rebounding.