Kentucky's offensive explosion followed John Calipari's script

Kentucky scored 107 points in the win over Tennessee, the most since 2017 season; only 33 of those points came from threes. The Cats’ offensive explosion came against the No. 2 defense in the country. Coming into this game, the Volunteers were limiting opponents to 60.9 points per game; Kentucky passed that mark with over 17 minutes left in the game.

The fact that Kentucky’s big scoring night was not built solely on three-pointers had to make John Calipari smile. Over the offseason — and even during the season — fans and media clamored for Calipari to open up the offense. When asked if today’s performance was vindication that his way is the right way, Calipari had to smile.

“I’m not going to argue with people. They have their own opinions. I’ll let them be wrong. But here’s what I’d say to everybody listening: I have this team every day. I’m in the gym every day. You’ve never been in the gym. I don’t know how you could tell me exactly how you think a team can play or a player. You’ve got to see them every day.

“Now, people have opinions and it’s fantasy basketball. It’s the day and age. And I’m fine. But, I’m not saying, I’ve had a little bit of success doing this a certain way. I’m not saying it’s the most successful, but it’s been pretty successful. Not only here but in other places and I don’t like living and dying on the three; I just don’t. I like to be, if we make a bunch of them, we win big. If we don’t, we win by eight. So that you can keep going and keep building.”

The numbers are hard to argue with. The Cats shot 38-56 from the floor for a season-best 67.9%. At one point in the second half, it was almost 80%. According to Corey Price, that’s Kentucky’s best shooting performance since Tubby Smith’s squad shot 68.9% from the floor vs. Indiana in December 2000. Kentucky was 11-18 from three for 61.1%, also a season-high, but they dominated the Vols in so many other ways. Kentucky had 27 fast-break points to Tennessee’s ONE. The Cats were a stellar 20-21 from the free-throw line. TyTy Washington‘s stealth floater in the lane is practically automatic. Kentucky made so many shots Oscar Tshiebwe only had three offensive rebounds.

“They spread the defense and we shot layups,” Calipari said of the difference in the offense from past games. “That’s why the percentage was what it was.”

Threes are great, but it’s even better to see Kentucky beat a team down without really needing them. By the way, with today’s performance, Kentucky is No. 4 in KenPom’s offensive efficiency ratings. Balance is a great thing.