Kentucky was without its starting point guard — and its likely starting big man — on Friday night against the top-ranked preseason team in the country, Purdue.
And yet, the ninth-ranked Wildcats came out on top with relative ease, cruising past the Boilermakers 78-65 in Rupp Arena. Kentucky led for over 37 minutes of game time and beat out Purdue in most major statistical categories. Every UK player who saw real playing time recorded at least one field goal, an assist, and a rebound. Eight of them scored at least six points. The fancy analytics predict Purdue will have the best offense in the country this season, and that still might end up being true, but they shot under 40 percent against Kentucky, including a 3-15 mark from deep.