Jacob Toppin praises Chris Livingston's contributions for Kentucky

Thing have not gone perfectly for Kentucky in 2022-23, but the Wildcats are 12-6 and have as good a chance to play their way into contention as anybody in the middle of the pack. If they do, it’ll likely be because players like Chris Livingston get rolling.

Speaking with media this week, senior forward Jacob Toppin explained what Livingston, a freshman forward, can bring to the table. It’s less scoring pop or stat sheet stuffing that Livingston brings, but a bit of do-it-all grit.

“He’s a really good player for us. He can get downhill. He uses his body very well and can finish through contact, so that’s really good. He’s a tough player and he can get to the free throw line and make free throws, so he needs to do that a little bit more,” Toppin said. “But he’s been really good for us, being tough. Diving on floors, getting rebounds that we need. So, he’s really good for us.”

Through 18 games, Livingston averages 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and half an assist per game.

Jacob Toppin shares initial thoughts on Texas A&M

Kentucky gets Texas A&M in SEC play after a win Tuesday and Jacob Toppin had initial thoughts on the Aggies.

Following the win over Georgia, the Wildcats are back in the NCAA Tournament picture, but the momentum can’t stop against Texas A&M. Toppin expected a dogfight coming Saturday.

It would be the third straight win for John Calipari and company, should the Wildcats come out on top.

“So yesterday, Coach sent all of us film from last year when we played them at Texas A&M,” Toppin said. “And we watched that. I watched it and I know they’re a really good team. They’re great players, they’re going to fight and they scramble up the game a lot. So it’s going to be a tough game for us. 

“They fight like Tennessee, so it’s going to be another dogfight like Tennessee. So we just got to, like I said before, focus on today, win today and worry about them when the day comes.”

In 17 games this season, Toppin averaged 10.6 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, two assists per game and shot 41.3% from the floor.