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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University head coach
Dave Bezold had a message for the rest of the college basketball world after watching No. 1-ranked Kentucky post a 93-63 victory over his Norse on Sunday afternoon.
"They are really, really good right now, and what's scary is the fact they are going to be even better by tournament time," Bezold said after Kentucky shot 54.5 percent from the field before a crowd of 22,925 in Rupp Arena. "You're talking about a team that has an incredible collection of size, skill and great coaching. When March rolls around, that team is going to be hard to beat. I was impressed."
Kentucky (2-0) used a 28-9 run in the first half to turn a 10-6 lead into a 38-15 advantage with 4:45 remaining. Willie Cauley-Stein keyed the spurt with six straight points, including a thunderous dunk off an offensive rebound.
The Wildcats owned a 48-22 lead at the break as freshman forward Julius Randle collected a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds during the first half. Randle, considered by many as the nation's top freshman, finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
"When I walked out on the floor and saw how big they were, I thought about turning around and going back in the locker room for a little bit," Bezold said. "They are monsters. Randle is just physically so gifted and a special player. He is like all young kids, if he works really, really hard he is going to be special at this level and the next one, too. He is one guy that we really couldn't physically matchup with right now."
Kentucky used its size advantage to dominate the rebounding, 51-23, and points in the paint, 36-18.
Northern Kentucky junior guard
Jordan Jackson, who poured in 24 points in his Norse debut Friday night, landed hard on the floor after scoring a basket early in the first half and did not return. Jackson finished with three points in seven minutes of action.
Daniel Camps led Northern Kentucky (0-2) with 13 points in a reserve role.
Tyler White scored 12 points, while
Todd Johnson netted 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
"We did well moving the ball at the beginning of the game," Johnson said. "We just had to knock down open shots and convert on those opportunities. We were moving the ball well and crashing the boards, but at the end, towards the middle of the half, Kentucky kind of took off."
Sunday marked the first meeting between the two programs in a regular-season game. The crowd of 22,925 was the largest to ever watch the Norse.
"It was a great experience for me because I have never played in front of that many people," White said. "This is a whole different atmosphere. I've never played in front of this many people. Kentucky loves their basketball, and it was a Sunday game. It was a great experience."
The Norse were 9-for-35 from 3-point range and committed just seven turnovers.
Jalen Billups added nine points for Northern Kentucky, which shot 32.8 percent from the field.
Aaron Harrison scored 16 points for Kentucky, while twin brother Andrew Harrison added 13 points.
"I just want to thank Coach (John) Calipari and the University of Kentucky for having us here. What this means to our university is priceless," Bezold said. "Our alumni, the people in our state – I mean, I grew up and still am a UK fan, but to be able to be here is very, very special for our university what it does for us, not only regionally but nationally. We are very fortunate for those guys to be here."
Northern Kentucky begins its home schedule Saturday when San Diego visits The Bank of Kentucky Center at 7 p.m.
