By LARRY VAUGHT
Kentucky has opened Southeastern Conference play by scoring 199 points in two wins, its highest total since 1975.
Freshman point guard De'Aaron Fox did his part in Tuesday's 100-58 win over Texas A&M. He had 15 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals in 28 minutes.
“It’s a lot of chemistry, our athleticism and our ability to run and get out," Fox said about UK's offense. "If you miss, and don’t get that rebound, it is more likely to turn into a lay-up. You just need an emphasis on running, getting out and transitioning so that’s what we have been doing.”
Kentucky fell behind 3-0 and then ripped off 15 straight points. The eventual 28-5 run opened a 28-8 lead that put the game away.
"It was extremely fun. We came out and talked about pressuring the ball so that is what we did. They turned the ball over 25 times and I think that’s a season high this year. It’s just something that we have been putting an emphasis on," Fox said.
"We came out, pressured the ball and did what we were supposed to do. We got steals, got dunks and layups. Its always fun, especially against a team like that.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari has preached for the Cats to be more disciplined on defense.
“Just no bad fouls like one of the fouls I picked up last game. No touch fouls or fouls we shouldn’t have. Not too much gambling, even though they turned the ball over and we got a lot of steals. That wasn’t from gambling; it was just from good defense," Fox said."That’s what he’s talking about when he is talking about being disciplined on defense.”
Kentucky had not played in Rupp Arena since losing to UCLA in early December. It had not played any games after losing at Louisville before beating Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
“We are just building momentum. Every game right now matters; it’s league play so we are just coming out. We have been confident in ourselves and have been making shots," Fox said.
"We have been doing well defensively these past two games. And we are putting the ball in the basket, so it’s nothing but just building confidence for March.”
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