Derek Willis was huge tonight in Kentucky’s pivotal win over South Carolina, previously unbeaten in conference play, the victory helping the Cats maintain a stranglehold on the SEC race for a season championship.
The senior forward came off the bench, getting extended minutes with both De’Aaron Fox and Mychal Mulder out of the the game, and the Kentucky native delivered. Willis scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked a shot, giving the Cats a much-need lift in a game where the Gamecocks put up plenty of fight. South Carolina pressured the ball, played physical defense and tested Kentucky with a couple of runs that put the game in question.