8 notes from one heck of a win over Arizona State

As Kentucky fans, we’ve been spoiled with some good basketball over the years, but I’m telling you, I’m not sure I’ve had more fun watching a team play than I am this season. The Cats moved to 7-0 tonight by thumping Arizona State in the Bahamas by a score of 115-69, the cherry on a particularly satisfying weekend of UK sports. Before I spend the rest of the night grinning in silence like an idiot, let’s break it down for posterity.

1. De’Aaron Fox became only the second player in Kentucky basketball history with a triple double

Fox flirted with the elusive triple double earlier this season, but finally achieved it tonight, finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in 31 minutes. Fox was on triple double watch for most of the second half, and thankfully, Calipari put him back in during garbage time to get that last assist, a dish to Malik Monk for a three. Fox is only the second player in UK Basketball history to achieve the feat behind Chris Mills in the 1988 season.

In what is becoming a pattern, Fox’s big night was just one of many amazing stats the Cats turned in…

2. How good is this team?

Tonight’s win marked the…

• First triple double since 1988
• Third straight 100+ point game (most since 1977)
• Fourth straight 31+ point win (most since 1954)

At times, this game felt like Kentucky’s routs of Kansas and UCLA from the 2014-15 season, and although Arizona State isn’t nearly as good as either of those squads, I felt the same levels of giddiness and awe while watching Kentucky absolutely dismantle them.

3. UK also had the most points (115) and assists (33) in the Calipari era

UK broke the record it just set vs. UT-Martin for the most points in a game in the Calipari era with 115, and in a stat that has to make John Calipari VERY happy, they dished out 33 assists to only 9 turnovers. That’s crazy. Right, Calipari?

“Thirty-three assists on 44 field goals is incredible,” Calipari said afterwards. “The question now becomes, how good can we be?”

4. De’Aaron was great, but Malik Monk had the assist of the game

Holy Malik Monk pic.twitter.com/r0qZG8KdLv

– Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) November 29, 2016

I mean, my word. Is there anything that guy can’t do?

5. Isaiah Briscoe’s butt is okay

Briscoe started after sitting out the past two games with a “muscle contusion of the gluteus maximus,” aka butt bruise, and looked just fine. In fact, he was second to only Malik Monk in scoring, finishing with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. He was even 2-2 from behind the three-point line, putting any doubts about his health to rest. Briscoe himself told Mike Pratt that once the MRI revealed it was just a bruise, he knew he could just play through the pain. A few extra days of rest should help as well. #donutpillow

6. Everyone did something well

Six players finished in double figures for the second straight game. De’Aaron got a triple double. Monk led in scoring and had the most absurd assist I’ve ever seen. Isaiah bullied his way to the rim. Bam was assertive in the paint. Wenyen almost had a double-double. Hawkins had 3 assists and zero turnovers. Sacha had six rebounds. Brad, Brad hit a three! Even Tai scored. What about Derek?

7. Derek dove for the ball!

The evolution of Derek Willis in one play pic.twitter.com/SF9C3lOvGi

– Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) November 29, 2016

If there was ever one play to sum up Derek Willis’ evolution as a UK player, that might be it. From first out of the gym to the last one in and diving for balls and doing all the extra stuff, Derek has come full circle.

“How about Derek Willis though!” Calipari said on the postgame show. “How about diving on the floor for balls!”

8. One stat that sums up this group: Fast break points

Kentucky had 21 fast break points to Arizona State’s 4. This team is good at most things right now (after slacking on rebounding early in the season, they won the battle of the boards 59-33), but they excel in transition. Afterwards, Bobby Hurley raved about the Cats, telling reporters they may be the fastest team he’s ever seen.

I agree. Through seven games, I don’t think there’s a team in college basketball that can keep up with Kentucky in terms of speed and athleticism. UCLA will try on Saturday, and I can’t wait to see how this group rises to the occasion.

“We look like a team that has a chance,” Cal said. “A now, it’s time. Now, we go.”

Let’s go.