Saturday, February 10
College Station
7:15 p.m.
Texas A&M
17-8, 6-6SEC
85
vs
74
Kentucky
6-617-8; SEC
1
2
F
Kentucky
30
44
74
Texas A&M
26
59
85
Photo by: Thomas Campbell/Texas A&M Athletics
Men's Basketball Defeats No. 24 Kentucky for Fourth Straight Win
Feb 10, 2018 | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Freshman point guard T.J. Starks scored 17 points and Texas A&M toppled No. 24 Kentucky 85-74 on Saturday night in a sold-out and raucous Reed Arena.
John Calipari has lost three consecutive games for the first time since taking over the Kentucky program before the 2009-2010 season.
Kentucky (17-8, 6-6 Southeastern Conference) led 30-26 at halftime, but the Aggies (17-8, 6-6) made 11 of their first 16 shots in the second half -- including all four of their 3-point attempts -- to take a 14-point lead.
D.J. Hogg added 16 points for the Aggies. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Kentucky with 19 points.
Texas A&M Aggies dominated the Wildcats in fast-break points (18-10), and the Aggies' high-flying Robert Williams had four of the team's six blocks.
Texas A&M Basketball Postgame Notes
Texas A&M 85, #24 Kentucky 74
Feb. 10, 2018 | Reed Arena (College Station, Texas)
RECORDS / SERIES NOTES
TEAM NOTES
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
UP NEXT
Postgame Quotes
Texas A&M 85, #24 Kentucky 74
Feb. 10, 2018 | Reed Arena (College Station, Texas)
TEXAS A&M HEAD COACH BILLY KENNEDY
Opening Statement… "Obviously, the beginning of the second half was a big key for us to get some transition baskets. We went to pick and roll in the middle of the floor. I thought that gave us some opportunities, that TJ Starks made the right play. We were able to get our confidence back going on the offensive end."
On what was being told to players at halftime… "We said, 'Hey, we are playing hard.' But offensively, we thought we didn't have enough ball movement and we didn't get enough post touches. We got caught up in the emotion of the game and threw some quick shots on the perimeter and didn't make them."
On how important it is for offensive to have DJ [Hogg] shooting with confidence… "He is a weapon because he has good size on the perimeter. When he is making shots, he just opens up the floor for one-on-one play with Tyler [Davis] and our post guys."
On 'banking' in shots from top of key area … "The bank was open as we say. When we can make two of them, it is very rare. It was just our night."
On Duane [Wilson]… "He is beat up. The Auburn game and this game with having to take lead in practice the last two days. So, we are having to take a look at if whether or not he needs more rest to get him healthier. His knee is swelling up after games and this schedule of playing Saturday and Tuesday's with a quick turnaround in this league is pretty challenging."
On crowd at Reed Arena tonight… "It was definitely different; It was rocking. Our fans and students have been good to us all year and obviously were a big bonus for us tonight."
TEXAS A&M JUNIOR FORWARD DJ Hogg
On biggest difference in last couple of weeks… "Just sticking together and keeping positive attitudes. We have just been listening to the game plan and following what Coach [Kennedy] says. He is a positive man and in turn helps us stay positive. We just feed off each other's energy."
TEXAS A&M SOPHOMORE FORWARD Robert Williams
On being able to get to the rim in the second half… "Just aggressiveness. We knew how Kentucky was coming out with PJ [Washington] and Jarred [Vanderbilt]. They are a great rebounding team, so Coach was stressing to attack and following through."
KENTUCKY HEAD COACH JOHN CALIPARI
On team performance tonight… "I just told them after, 'I'm not cracking.' I've been through this. I've coached 30 years and all I'm thinking about is how I get these guys to play two halves the way they played the first half. We're still not there offensively. But, we need a team full of guys performing. We didn't have it. But, let me shift gears here and tell you, what Billy's done, because of the injuries and the stuff that happened, to have his team now on the win streak, that's what coaching is. It's easy when things are going well. I want to know when you lose three or four, how you do now. What he's done, I told him prior to the game, 'man, an amazing job.' He's got a good team. He's got good players. But, when things go south and you've got to corral everybody together and get them back on the same page, that's what coaching is. So, my hat's off to Billy. He's a good man and he's a hell of a coach."
On second half… "You can't let lob dunk, lob dunk, lob dunk. You just don't do it. You foul, you do something. You're not going to give that. The offensive rebounds, a couple guys just not into [it]. You've got to want to fight and play."
On strength of the SEC… "This league is unbelievable. It's a heck of a league . . . we've just got to get a game where we put two halves together and let the winning take care of itself and we'll go from there."
KENTUCKY FRESHMAN FORWARD KEVIN KNOX
On what happened in second half… "We did a really great job in the first half of holding them to only 26 points. In the second half, I don't know. They just came out, I think they shot 70 percent in the second half. That's crazy. That's a really good number. We just had a lot of defensive lapses and no communication in the second half. [We weren't] able to get second-chance points, wide open shots, and the next thing we know we'd be down 15."
John Calipari has lost three consecutive games for the first time since taking over the Kentucky program before the 2009-2010 season.
Kentucky (17-8, 6-6 Southeastern Conference) led 30-26 at halftime, but the Aggies (17-8, 6-6) made 11 of their first 16 shots in the second half -- including all four of their 3-point attempts -- to take a 14-point lead.
D.J. Hogg added 16 points for the Aggies. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Kentucky with 19 points.
Texas A&M Aggies dominated the Wildcats in fast-break points (18-10), and the Aggies' high-flying Robert Williams had four of the team's six blocks.
1??3??,2??6??3?? voices. 1 heartbeat.#DoMore #12thMan pic.twitter.com/73qMSnYVef
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2018
Trending ??
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2018
Ags take down the Cats 85-74!
On the road Tuesday for a matchup w/ Mizzou.#DoMore #12thMan pic.twitter.com/FKHTPBwN7k
Together!
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2018
Sawing 'em off w/ the @ReedRowdies after the dub.#DoMore #12thMan pic.twitter.com/R1JWMMK6nw
Robert Williams ?? pic.twitter.com/syGsqT2yhi
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 11, 2018
Texas A&M takes down the Wildcats!
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 11, 2018
Kentucky has now lost four of their last six games against unranked teams. pic.twitter.com/otiXrOOSvf
Aggies and the #12thMan SURGING!
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 11, 2018
Texas A&M dismantles No. 24 Kentucky, 85-74 getting sweet revenge on the Wildcats. pic.twitter.com/pJdGOjliUK
Robert Williams is a BEAST
— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) February 11, 2018
Play above the rim.@hph_lilmon lobs it up to TD & Reed erupts.
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2018
The 33-9 2nd half run spanned over 8 minutes & closed the door on the Cats.#DoMore #12thMan pic.twitter.com/SC3QeXJymQ
"We couldn't have done it without you..."@rob_williamsIII on the atmosphere in Reed tonight.#DoMore #12thMan pic.twitter.com/pCmRlmf8IA
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2018
The defining moment.
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2018
Re-live the run that crushed Kentucky.#DoMore #12thMan pic.twitter.com/7dTlP1N8A7
RW phone home ??
— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) February 11, 2018
Watch @rob_williamsIII (12p, 11r) abuse the Reed Arena rims all night long.#DoMore #12thMan pic.twitter.com/bmaa0j0hdi
Texas A&M Basketball Postgame Notes
Texas A&M 85, #24 Kentucky 74
Feb. 10, 2018 | Reed Arena (College Station, Texas)
RECORDS / SERIES NOTES
- Texas A&M won its fourth straight game on Saturday at Reed Arena, defeating No. 24 Kentucky 85-74.
- A&M is 4-3 overall vs. ranked teams this season, having carded wins over No. 11 West Virginia (Nov. 10 at Ramstein Air Base Germany), No. 10 USC (Nov. 26 in Los Angeles), No. 8 Auburn (Feb. 7 in Auburn) and No. 24 Kentucky (Feb. 10 in College Station) against road losses vs. No. 21 Kentucky (Jan. 9 in Lexington), No. 24 Tennessee (Jan. 13 in Knoxville) and No. 5 Kansas (Jan. 27 in Lawrence) … The four wins trails only the 1978-79 Aggies for most wins over ranked opponents wins in a season (5).
- The win by the Aggies trimmed the Wildcats' lead in the all-time series to 9-4.
TEAM NOTES
- The crowd of 13,263 was the largest of the season as well as the eighth-biggest in the 20-year history of Reed Arena.
- The Aggies came out hot following the intermission, connecting on their first six 3-point attempts of the second half after hitting just 2-of-14 in the first period … the Aggies shot a blistering 66.7 percent from the field during the second half (7-for-9 from 3-point range) while outscoring the Wildcats 59-44 in the frame.
- The 59 second-half points were the second most by the Aggies in a half this season, just short of the 61 they scored during the second half vs. Savannah State on Dec. 13.
- Texas A&M finished with five players in double-figure scoring for the sixth time this season with all five starters reaching at least a dozen points.
- Kentucky closed the opening period on an 8-0 run to take a 30-26 lead into the intermission … the comeback marked A&M's first win (1-7) when trailing at the break this season.
- A&M used the starting lineup combination of TJ Starks, Admon Gilder, DJ Hogg, Robert Williams and Tyler Davis for the fifth time this season (4-1).
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Sophomore forward Robert Williams carded his 16th career double (fifth this season) … the Oil City, La., native grabbed 11 boards and scored 12 points with 10 coming on a total of five dunks … Williams also blocked a game-high four shots to bring his two-year career total to 130, fifth-most in program history.
- Junior forward DJ Hogg also posted a double-double, the third of his career, finishing with 16 points and a career-high-tying 10 rebounds … the Plano, Texas, native connected on 4-of-7 from behind the arc and added three assists.
- Freshman TJ Starks led the team in scoring with 17 points, marking the third time in his five starts where he has paced the Aggies in scoring.
- Aggie head coach Billy Kennedy improved to 132-93 during his seven-year tenure at Texas A&M and 343-272 in 20 seasons as a head coach.
UP NEXT
- The Aggies begin a road-heavy stretch that will see Texas A&M play four of its next five contests away from College Station, beginning Tuesday at Missouri ... Tipoff between the Aggies and Tigers is slated for 6 p.m. from Mizzou Arena with television coverage on ESPNU.
Postgame Quotes
Texas A&M 85, #24 Kentucky 74
Feb. 10, 2018 | Reed Arena (College Station, Texas)
TEXAS A&M HEAD COACH BILLY KENNEDY
Opening Statement… "Obviously, the beginning of the second half was a big key for us to get some transition baskets. We went to pick and roll in the middle of the floor. I thought that gave us some opportunities, that TJ Starks made the right play. We were able to get our confidence back going on the offensive end."
On what was being told to players at halftime… "We said, 'Hey, we are playing hard.' But offensively, we thought we didn't have enough ball movement and we didn't get enough post touches. We got caught up in the emotion of the game and threw some quick shots on the perimeter and didn't make them."
On how important it is for offensive to have DJ [Hogg] shooting with confidence… "He is a weapon because he has good size on the perimeter. When he is making shots, he just opens up the floor for one-on-one play with Tyler [Davis] and our post guys."
On 'banking' in shots from top of key area … "The bank was open as we say. When we can make two of them, it is very rare. It was just our night."
On Duane [Wilson]… "He is beat up. The Auburn game and this game with having to take lead in practice the last two days. So, we are having to take a look at if whether or not he needs more rest to get him healthier. His knee is swelling up after games and this schedule of playing Saturday and Tuesday's with a quick turnaround in this league is pretty challenging."
On crowd at Reed Arena tonight… "It was definitely different; It was rocking. Our fans and students have been good to us all year and obviously were a big bonus for us tonight."
TEXAS A&M JUNIOR FORWARD DJ Hogg
On biggest difference in last couple of weeks… "Just sticking together and keeping positive attitudes. We have just been listening to the game plan and following what Coach [Kennedy] says. He is a positive man and in turn helps us stay positive. We just feed off each other's energy."
TEXAS A&M SOPHOMORE FORWARD Robert Williams
On being able to get to the rim in the second half… "Just aggressiveness. We knew how Kentucky was coming out with PJ [Washington] and Jarred [Vanderbilt]. They are a great rebounding team, so Coach was stressing to attack and following through."
KENTUCKY HEAD COACH JOHN CALIPARI
On team performance tonight… "I just told them after, 'I'm not cracking.' I've been through this. I've coached 30 years and all I'm thinking about is how I get these guys to play two halves the way they played the first half. We're still not there offensively. But, we need a team full of guys performing. We didn't have it. But, let me shift gears here and tell you, what Billy's done, because of the injuries and the stuff that happened, to have his team now on the win streak, that's what coaching is. It's easy when things are going well. I want to know when you lose three or four, how you do now. What he's done, I told him prior to the game, 'man, an amazing job.' He's got a good team. He's got good players. But, when things go south and you've got to corral everybody together and get them back on the same page, that's what coaching is. So, my hat's off to Billy. He's a good man and he's a hell of a coach."
On second half… "You can't let lob dunk, lob dunk, lob dunk. You just don't do it. You foul, you do something. You're not going to give that. The offensive rebounds, a couple guys just not into [it]. You've got to want to fight and play."
On strength of the SEC… "This league is unbelievable. It's a heck of a league . . . we've just got to get a game where we put two halves together and let the winning take care of itself and we'll go from there."
KENTUCKY FRESHMAN FORWARD KEVIN KNOX
On what happened in second half… "We did a really great job in the first half of holding them to only 26 points. In the second half, I don't know. They just came out, I think they shot 70 percent in the second half. That's crazy. That's a really good number. We just had a lot of defensive lapses and no communication in the second half. [We weren't] able to get second-chance points, wide open shots, and the next thing we know we'd be down 15."
Team Stats
UK
TAMU
FG%
.455
.470
3FG%
.400
.391
FT%
.471
.609
RB
43
40
TO
12
9
STL
3
5
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
C
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