In a thrilling 106-100 victory over No. 6 Florida on Saturday, Kentucky’s playmaking was on full display as they carved up one of the nation’s top defenses. The Wildcats finished with a remarkable 25 assists to just 6 turnovers, marking one of their most efficient offensive performances of the season. Kentucky, which entered the game ranked third in assist/turnover ratio, will likely finish the day as the nation’s leader after this display.
Head coach Mark Pope couldn’t help but marvel at the numbers postgame. “25 assists, 6 turnovers against the number one defensive team in the half-court over the last six games — that’s crazy,” Pope said. Florida had been dominating defensively recently, but Kentucky’s precision passing broke them down in every way possible.
Lamont Butler led the way for Kentucky with eight assists, while big men Amari Williams and Andrew Carr each added five. Seven Wildcats recorded at least one assist, with no player registering more than two turnovers. The team’s unselfish ball movement was evident, as they shot 58% from the field and 48% from three-point range.
Butler credited the team’s success to their trust in one another. “I think we trusted in each other, trusted in ourselves, played off two feet, wasn’t going in there wild,” he said. “It’s a big point of emphasis for us all. We continue to try to be good in that category.”
The Wildcats’ frontcourt played a major role in the success, with over half (13) of the team’s assists coming from the big men. Williams, in particular, was a standout, contributing both as a scorer and facilitator. “We got great cutters,” Williams said, referring to the team’s off-ball movement. “It makes our job a lot easier.”
Pope has been emphasizing better off-ball movement recently, and the Wildcats responded with a nearly flawless offensive outing, dismantling Florida’s defense with ease. The result was a statement win that highlighted Kentucky’s offensive potential when they’re firing on all cylinders.
