No one can predict what the SEC’s tournament will look like next week, but the Kentucky Wildcats have ensured that they have ended their regular season on a high.
The Wildcats hosted the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday afternoon, running and shooting until the 92-64 victory for their highest point total of the year. Although the victory comes from a South Carolina team with six wins, any positivity this season 2020-2021 should be strongly embraced.
The score was tight at the start, with Kentucky advancing to a 36-28 lead at halftime. Kentucky then started the second half with a 19-8 run propelled by Davion Mintz’s five triples. Mintz alone created the South Carolina split, but credits his coach John Calipari and his teammates for continuing to feed the hot hand. The Wildcats spent the rest of the second half and to the finish line, ending the 2020-2021 regular season.
Kentucky had four players scored in double digits, led by BJ Boston with 21 points and Davion Mintz with 20. Olivier Sarr and Isaiah Jackson also reached double digits, scoring 15 and 13, respectively. The Wildcats had a total of 12 players scored in the win.
There is no doubt that a regular 9-15 season is a disappointment, but at least the team seemed to find a rhythm in attack with a revamped lineup and now have momentum going to the SEC Tournament in Nashville.
Here are some reactions on Twitter about Saturday afternoon’s victory over Gamecocks.
Did you know that this team would play their best basketball at the end of the season.
– Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) March 6, 2021
Wow, perfect example of Calipari’s call for resistance. The SC guy just pulled the rebound from Mintz, passed to the teammate, 2 easy points.
– Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) March 6, 2021
Honestly, I thought the team would be like that at the beginning of the year, with Boston and Sarr leading
Reduce turnover and it’s a good half
– Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 6, 2021
Already three trebles of the second half for Davion Mintz.
– Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) March 6, 2021
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Kentucky can certainly beat a South Carolina team with 6 wins and a 60-43 lead with 11h54 left.
– Vaughts Views (@vaughtsviews) March 6, 2021
If @ deemintz1 think this is cool, come back next year and do it with 20,000 maniacs in the building. The sunlight will shine as the roof is raised.
– Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) March 6, 2021
I’m enjoying this game
– Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 6, 2021
It would be nice if Kentucky made that three-point bid in six days against Alabama.
– Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) March 6, 2021
This South Carolina team, as bad as it sounds, beat Florida and stepped on Georgia twice this season. Kentucky won 72-50 at the eight-minute mark.
– John Huang (@KYHuangs) March 6, 2021
United Kingdom 92, South Carolina 64
Boston: 21 points, 4 reb, 3 ast
Mintz: 20 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast
Sarr: 15 points
Jackson: 13 points, 10 reb, 2 stls
Brooks: 7 pts, 8 reb
Askew: 6 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast
Goods: 2 points, 3 reb
Allen: 2 points, 2 stls
Toppin: 2 points, 2 ast
Fletcher: 2 points, 2 reb
Payne: 2 points, 2 reb– TheCatsPause247 (@ TheCatsPause247) March 6, 2021
When Riley Welch, Brennan Canada, Zan Payne and Kareem Watkins have minutes, it’s a great day. Happy for these kids. They needed this.
– Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 6, 2021
Riley Welch crossed his man over there and kicked an open Dontaie Allen. I hope he lets one fly.
He wrote a great thing about Riley and his coaching dream and how he was taught by a first-rate season watching an HOF workout: https://t.co/sOYVsOAzG6
– Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 6, 2021
Today’s excellent performance ensures @KentuckyMBB nothing in Nashville, but it sure beats the alternative.
– Darrell Bird (@DarrellBird) March 6, 2021
Glad these guys need to have a day like this
Good to see these kids smile
– Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 6, 2021
Ayyyyyy I see you C. Fletcher. Do your thing, boy !!! #BBN
– Skyy Clark (@skyyclark) March 6, 2021
Good standing for Mintz when he leaves with more than 5 minutes to play. 20 points out of 7 for 13 shots, 7 assists, 5 rebounds in 28 minutes
– Vaughts Views (@vaughtsviews) March 6, 2021
BBN, total team exhibited by the Cats! Pace of play, shooting and execution. It created the best vibe possible in the circumstances of the postseason. Watch the performance of BJ and D MINTZ we will remember you! To win or go home.
– Roger Harden (@HardenRoger) March 6, 2021
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