In their dominant win over Bucknell, standout performances pushed Kentucky basketball to a 2-0 start after earlier defeating Wright State. With a comfortable 18-point halftime lead, the Wildcats cruised to a 100-72 victory, marking the first time since 1978-79 that Kentucky scored over 100 points in its first two games. Now, Kentucky looks ahead to a highly anticipated Champions Classic showdown with Duke on Tuesday.
Head coach Mark Pope’s focus on rebounding was met with a strong response, as Kentucky outrebounded Bucknell 57-35. Here’s a look at the top performers in their 28-point victory:
1. Koby Brea
Brea shone as the game’s MVP, scoring 20 points on 7-11 shooting, including 6-8 from beyond the arc, contributing significantly to Kentucky’s 36% shooting from three. He also tallied 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. Brea has become just the second player in Kentucky history to hit four or more three-pointers in each of their first two games, establishing himself as a strong offensive threat off the bench.
2. Amari Williams
Williams continues to impress as a double-double candidate, recording 13 points and 14 rebounds along with 2 assists and a block. He responded to Pope’s call to improve offensive rebounding, with 5 of his 14 boards coming on the offensive end, showing his potential to dominate the glass.
3. Kerr Kriisa
Kriisa displayed his playmaking abilities by dishing out 12 assists, along with scoring 6 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and blocking a shot. His court vision and unselfish play were evident as he found open teammates, even occasionally passing up his own shots. He notched 8 of his 12 assists in the second half, all within 21 minutes of play.
On Saturday, five Wildcats scored in double figures, highlighting their teamwork and high-scoring style. Kentucky’s fast pace is keeping opponents off balance, setting up an exciting matchup with Duke in their first major test of the season.
