UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Freshman Kyle Wiltjer wheeled into the lane and scored on a right-handed hook. Sitting courtside, Hall of Famer Cliff Hagan smiled knowingly.
An 85-47 victory over Penn State on Saturday was an occasion for Kentucky smiles.
Wiltjer, who played three scoreless minutes against Kansas on Tuesday, showcased his inside-outside versatility in this Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tournament semifinal. More than once he made three-point shots or worked effectively around the basket in a 19-point afternoon.
But for suddenly hook-happy UK fans, it is that throwback to yesteryear that causes a buzz. Surely few could appreciate the hook more than Hagan, who made the shot his signature weapon a half-century ago as an All-American for Kentucky and an all-pro in the NBA.
"Love it, love it, love it," Hagan said when asked about Wiltjer's hook.
Alas, Wiltjer was too young to fully appreciate the presence of the master of the hook shot. When asked after the game if the name Cliff Hagan meant something to him, Wiltjer politely replied, "It does not."
His mental wheels turning, Wiltjer then recalled UK Coach John Calipari introduced him to Hagan at a tournament dinner Friday night.
"Is that the guy with the hook shot?" Wiltjer said.
Maybe more than the hook, Wiltjer's versatility made an impression on Hagan. "He can always be able to get off a shot," Hagan said. "That's the secret to basketball."
Scoring, schmoring, Calipari seemed to say. The UK coach noted how Wiltjer must improve as a defender, rebounder and ball hawk.
When asked if Wiltjer's inside-outside game made him hard to defend, Calipari said, "It'll be hard if he rebounds the ball and defends. Then I'll have him on the court.
"If he doesn't come up with the ball and he does not defend, he won't be on the court as much as I want him on the court."
Message received.
Wiltjer noted how he reported to Calipari's hotel room Friday night for a five-minute meeting on defense and rebounding.
"Just go in the game and be in the right spot, defensively," Wiltjer said of Calipari's message. "Don't even worry about offense."
Sophomore guard Doron Lamb made sure Kentucky had no worries with offense against Penn State. He led the Cats with 26 points, his second-highest scoring total as a Cat, surpassed only by his 32 against Winthrop as a freshman last season.
Lamb personally outscored Penn State until Jon Graham posted up for a basket with 15:36 left. That reduced UK's lead to 56-25.
When told he had personally outscored Penn State that deep into the game, Lamb's eyebrows raised in surprise. He could not keep a smile from crossing his face. As if reading from a script, he noted that he had not attempted to outscore Penn State. Then he added, "That's crazy, though."
Kentucky (3-0) advanced to the finals of the Hall of Fame Tournament. The Cats will play Old Dominion on Sunday for the championship. The Monarchs (3-1) advanced with a 68-66 overtime victory over South Florida on Saturday.
To borrow a gambling term, the first half represented a royal flush for Kentucky. For Penn State, it was a 20-minute span to flush away.
UK led 47-15 at halftime. The Cats scored the game's first five points and steadily pulled away.
Penn State went without a basket from the 11:33 mark to the final half-second of the half. After missing a dunk, Graham scored on a put-back.
Leading scorer Tim Frazier, who came into the game averaging 20.7 points, scored 11. He could have had more had he made more than one of seven first-half free throws. With 2:38 left, he shot an air ball from the foul line.
Kentucky didn't need Penn State's help.
Wiltjer flashed his hook and also hit a three-pointer en route to a 12-point first half.
Only Lamb matched Wiltjer's 28 minutes against Penn State. That came in stark contrast to Wiltjer's cameo appearance against Kansas. After that game, Calipari noted how Wiltjer did not let his pride prevent him from re-entering a game already decided in the final minute or so.
"I want to play every minute possible," Wiltjer said in dismissing the importance of his willingness to play the final minute of a game already decided.
Calipari acknowledged that fans, apparently including his wife, Ellen, lobbied for more minutes for Wiltjer.
"My wife was mad after the last game; 'Why didn't you play Kyle more?' " Calipari said. " 'Ellen, go take care of (son) Brad. Don't tell me what I should be doing on the basketball court.' "
