Inside The Numbers: Kentucky vs. Winthrop
By Corey Price
Today at 1 p.m. on Fox Sports South, the Kentucky Wildcats, ranked 13th in the latest AP Poll, will take on the Winthrop Eagles, defending Big South tournament champions at Rupp Arena. Here are some numbers and facts of interest heading into today’s game:
Various Records
Kentucky’s overall record vs. Winthrop: 1-0 (1.000)
- Only meeting: November 21st, 2003 Kentucky – 65 Winthrop – 44 Rupp Arena (Attendance: 21,271)
- Kentucky’s leading scorer: Erik Daniels (15 points)
- Winthrop’s leading scorer: Josh Grant (9 points)
Kentucky’s record vs. schools located in the state of South Carolina: 59-14 (.808) (6-4 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record vs. schools currently in the Big South Conference: 14-4 (.778) (8-2 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record when ranked #13 in the AP Poll: 18-7 (.720) (6-4 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record when ranked #13 in the AP Poll and facing an unranked opponent: 15-4 (.789) (8-2 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record playing in the month of December: 473-115 (.804) (9-1 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record playing on December 22nd: 27-5 (.844) (9-1 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record playing at Rupp Arena in the month of December: 124-16 (.886) (won last 12 meetings)
Kentucky And 8-2 Starts
After 10 games have been completed so far this season, the Wildcats have compiled an 8-2 record. This is the 11th time in the last 67 seasons that Kentucky has had a record of exactly 8-2 after their first 10 games of the season. Let’s see how they fared in the previous 10 occurrences:
2001-2002: Final Record: 22-10, #16 in final AP Poll, reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament
1994-1995: Final Record: 28-5, #2 in final AP Poll, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament
1991-1992: Final Record: 29-7, #6 in final AP Poll, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament
1990-1991: Final Record: 22-6, #9 in final AP Poll, couldn’t participate in the postseason due to probation
1971-1972: Final Record: 21-7, #18 in final AP Poll, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament
1970-1971: Final Record: 22-6, #8 in final AP Poll, reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament
1968-1969: Final Record: 23-5, #7 in final AP Poll, reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament
1956-1957: Final Record: 23-5, #3 in final AP Poll, reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament
1955-1956: Final Record: 20-6, #9 in final AP Poll, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament
1951-1952: Final Record: 29-3, #1 in final AP Poll, reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament
So, based on past occurrences, Kentucky is expected to have around 5 to 7 losses, finish in the top 10 of the final AP Poll, and reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament this season. Doesn’t sound like a bad season for Kentucky, although we always love hanging Final Four banners.
Terrence Jones And Brandon Knight: Making Their Mark
Freshman sensations Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight have both made their presence very known in their first 10 games in a Kentucky Wildcats uniform. Here’s how they stack up against other Kentucky players in their first 10 games all-time:
Most Points In A Kentucky Player’s First 10 Games
Cotton Nash (1961-1962): 192
Terrence Jones (2010-2011): 189
Mike Casey (1967-1968): 184
Johnny Cox (1956-1957): 182
John Wall (2009-2010): 180
Patrick Patterson (2007-2008): 175
Louie Dampier (1964-1965): 173
Bob Burrow (1954-1955): 172
Brandon Knight (2010-2011): 171
Rex Chapman (1986-1987): 169
Also, Terrence Jones has the most rebounds in a Kentucky player’s first 10 games (100) since Sam Bowie pulled down 102 boards in the 1979-1980 season.
Most 3-Point Field Goals Made In A Kentucky Player’s First 10 Games
Rex Chapman (1986-1987): 29
Brandon Knight (2010-2011): 22
Patrick Sparks (2004-2005): 22
Most 3-Point Field Goals Attempted In A Kentucky Player’s First 10 Games
Brandon Knight (2010-2011): 65
Patrick Sparks (2004-2005): 60
Rex Chapman (1986-1987): 60
And don’t fall asleep on another freshman, Doron Lamb. He is currently on pace to break the record for best 3-point field goal percentage in a player’s first year at Kentucky. Doron is currently shooting 48.6% from behind the arc. The current record holder is Mark Pope, hitting 47.7% of his 3-point attempts in the 1994-1995 season.
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