As illogical as it might sound, freshman Ashton Hagans may be Kentucky’s starter as well as its stopper. That is to say he can be the trigger to UK’s team defense by containing the opposition’s leading scorer and/or hot shooter.
This duality was on display in Kentucky’s 78-61 victory over UNC Greensboro last weekend. It figures to be needed again on Saturday against Seton Hall. The Pirates are led by guard Myles Powell, who ranks 20th nationally in scoring (22.4 ppg) and inspired New Hampshire to resort to a box-and-one defense earlier this week.
“When he can disrupt the other team’s point guard like that (and) make them go to different sets, it’s going to bring energy for everybody,” teammate Reid Travis said of Hagans Thursday.