Kentucky vs. Wichita State Post Game Notes

Kentucky Basketball Postgame Notes

Kentucky 78, Wichita State 76
March 23, 2014
Scottrade Center – St. Louis, Mo.

Team Records, Notes

Kentucky improves to 26-10 on the season, while Wichita State falls to 35-1.

Today’s game marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

It is the first time in school history that the Wildcats knocked off the No. 1 seed as an eight-seed. Previously the Wildcats were 0-2 against No. 1 seeds. Kentucky  improves to 5-9 all-time in NCAA Tournament play against No. 1 seed.

The Wildcats lead the nation with a 113-46 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats are now 7-1 in the NCAA Tournament when the game is played in St. Louis.

UK is 15-2 in NCAA Tournament games under John Calipari.

Kentucky advances to its 44th Sweet 16 appearance in school history and will play No. 4 seed Louisville on Friday in Indianapolis. A game time and television network will be released at a later date.

Team Facts

Kentucky’s starting lineup consisted of five freshmen in Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson, Julius Randle and James Young. That lineup improves to 10-4 on the season.

Alex Poythress was the first sub off the bench for UK. It was his team-leading 21st time being called upon first this season.

Aaron Harrison hit a 3-pointer at the 13:38 mark of the firsthalf to extend UK’s 3-point streak to 895 consecutive games. It is the second-longest streak in the country.

John Calipari coached teams are now 126-38 in the months of March and April.

Calipari is 40-13 all-time as a coach in the NCAA Tournament.

First Half Facts

Back-to-back 3-pointers from Aaron Harrison and Young gave UK its largest lead at 14-10 with 13:08 remaining in the opening half.

Wichita State utilized a 4-0 push to recapture the advantage at 22-19 at the 9:34 mark.

A 17-4 run over a nearly seven-minute span allowed the Shockers to take the game’s largest lead at nine points, 32-23, with 4:37 remaining.

Wichita State took a six-point, 37-31, lead into the break. Kentucky is 4-8 when leading at halftime.

Second Half Facts

Kentucky went on an 8-0 run over a 1:40 span highlighted by a traditional 3-point play from Randle to cut the deficit to just one at 40-39.

A Poythress layup gave UK’s first lead since the first half at 41-40, but the Shockers responded with a traditional 3-point play of its own to recapture the advantage.

A 7-0 spurt for the Cats lifted them to a four-point lead at 50-46 with just under 13:30 remaining.

The Shockers responded with a 6-0 run of its own to take a three-point lead, 58-55, with 8:54 remaining.

A 3-pointer from Young with 1:41 remaining gave UK back the lead at 73-71. It would be a lead it would not relinquish.

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Wichita State got a look for a game-winning 3-pointer, but it rimed just out and Kentucky held on for the two-point victory. \

Individual Notes

Aaron Harrison finished with 19 points and drained four 3-pointers.

The four 3-pointers match a career-best total.

Became just the fifth freshman in school history to hit 50 or more 3-pointers for the season.

Andrew Harrison scored a team-high 20 points and added three assists in the win.

Is the third 20-point effort of his career.

Made 7-of-9 free throws in the second half.

Julius Randle logged his 22nd double-double of his career with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Matched his career high with four assists in the opening 10 minutes of play.

Finished with a career-best six assists.

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He is the first player since Dwayne Wade in 2003 (against Kentucky) to have at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a single NCAA Tournament game.

His 22 double-doubles is the second-most in school history. Only Dan Issel (25) in 1970 had more double-doubles in a single year.

Moved past DeMarcus Cousins (375) for second place in the single-season freshman rebounding list with 385 boards on the season.

His 385 rebounds also ranks as the sixth most for any player in school history.

James Young scored 13 points and had eight rebounds.

Sank a trio of 3-pointers. He has hit at least one in 13 of UK’s last 14 games.

His eight rebounds marked the most in a single outing since he had 10 in back-to-back outings against Louisville and Mississippi State.