Three takeaways from Kentucky basketball’s impressive win over Auburn

Three takeaways from Kentucky basketball’s 86-54 blowout win over the Auburn Tigers at Rupp Arena on Saturday:

1. Kentucky hit on all cylinders

Let’s see here. Kentucky shot 56.1 percent from the floor. Hit 8 of 13 three-point attempts. Made 14 of 15 free throws. Outrebounded Auburn 41-23. Outscored the Tigers 36-22 in the paint. And dominated the visitors 46-25 in the final 20 minutes.

Yeah, that’ll do.

Aside from the sweep of Tennessee, Saturday was Kentucky’s most complete and dominating performance of this 2022-23 season. Oscar Tshiebwe scored 22 points while ripping down 17 rebounds. Antonio Reeves scored 21 points. He was 4 of 7 from three-point range. Jacob Toppin complemented his 13 points with 12 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double. Cason Wallace dished nine assists in addition to his 19 points.

From the time Auburn led 25-24 with 5:25 left in the first half, UK outscored Bruce Pearl’s club 62-29. After shooting 34.4 percent in the first half, the Tigers wound up just 33.9 for the game. They were 7 of 21 from three-point range and, as mentioned previously, were bashed on the boards.

Rebounding was a Pearl point of emphasis during the week. After Auburn was outrebounded 38-28 by Ole Miss in the Tigers’ 78-74 squeaker over the Rebels on Wednesday, the Auburn coach said a similar performance on the glass would result in his team losing by 40 at Rupp. His crystal ball was almost dead on.

Auburn grabbed six offensive rebounds in the early going, then four more of the rest of the game. Meanwhile, Kentucky’s glass-eaters grabbed 12 offensive boards to just 13 defensive rebounds for the Tigers. Second-chance points: Kentucky 14, Auburn 7.

One of many superior stats for Wildcats hitting on all cylinders.

2. Jacob Toppin is on top of his game

You know the Jacob Toppin story. Kentucky senior. Rhode Island transfer. Third year in the program. Toppin placed his name in the NBA Draft process last year to better learn his weaknesses. Through the first half of the season, however, the New York native was playing more to please scouts than team. He pressed. He took bad shots. He brooded over mistakes. His mental outlook suffered.

The last dozen games, however, Toppin has been on top of his game. Saturday marked his 12th consecutive game scoring in double figures. It was his second consecutive double-double and fifth in that impressive 12-game stretch. His 12 rebounds against the Tigers was a career high.

One more stat: Saturday, Toppin was credited with five of Kentucky’s 16 assists. That’s the second time in four games he has contributed five assists to the Cats’ cause. An indication of his overall game.

Preseason, we said Toppin was a key to this Kentucky season. We weren’t alone. It was the prevailing opinion. But confidence has always been a question mark for the 6-foot-8 forward’s game. That and maturity. And Toppin is currently playing with the confidence and maturity of someone who knows how important he is to his team’s success. And that he can deliver.

3. UK appears to be peaking at the right time

March is more than just around the corner. Three more days and March is here. Three more days and Vanderbilt arrives at Rupp Arena to start the final week of the regular season. The Commodores come first. Arkansas comes last. UK meets the Razorbacks on Saturday in Fayetteville.

Now 20-9 overall and 11-5 in the SEC, Kentucky has won four consecutive games. All four deserved a star. A road win at Mississippi State. A second win over Tennessee. A win at Florida when the Gators gave their all without Colin Castleton. And now a trouncing of the Tigers.

Now is when you want to start playing your best basketball. Now is it when it counts most. And the five Cats currently carrying the load appear to have developed a cohesion that has the team playing its best basketball. Tshiebwe. Toppin. Reeves. Wallace. And Chris Livingston. A fab five, of sorts.

Can they keep it up? Some analytics types believe momentum is a myth. Not me. Anything can happen, of course. Basketballs can always bounce the wrong way. But right here, right now, this Kentucky team appears as assertive and sure-footed as any team around. That’s a good place to be.

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