Kentucky basketball: Cats loss of Washington, game shows the value he brings

Kessler dominates Kentucky in the paint as help for Oscar doesn’t come

Walker Kessler started at North Carolina but transferred to Auburn after his freshman year. What a difference he has been for the Tigers and frightful for Kentucky in the paint.

The final stats say Kentucky won the points in the paint 42-32 but the ones Auburn got were just way too easy.

Kessler made 8 of 10 field goals with seven coming on dunks just standing under the basket. He grabbed seven rebounds, blocked two shots, and had two assists.

Tshiebwe tried and worked equally as hard but didn’t get as much help to slow Kessler.

Kentucky’s big man had 16 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocked shots. He had another terrific game.

He said after the game that he is ready for a rematch in the SEC Tournament maybe.

"“I hope we matchup against them again, probably in the SEC Tournament, when everybody will be healthy and ready to go. Because I don’t think they are better than us, in my opinion. I think we’re gonna beat them. I want to play them again. I want to see them.”"

They just couldn’t also stop KD Johnson (17 points), Jabari Smith (14 points, 7 rebounds), Wendell Green (11), or Allen Flannigan (8 points, 4 rebounds).

Keion Brooks (6 points, 4 rebounds) and Jacob Toppin (6 points, 1 rebound) just added little support.

While trying to slow them down Kentucky committed 20 fouls sending Auburn to the line where they knocked down 20 of 26 free throws.

Kentucky was just 8 of 10 at the foul line. A clear difference-maker.