Talking points

Playing in front of a hostile crowd, Kentucky looked like a No. 1 team on both ends of the floor. UK came out sharp, hitting a couple of three-pointers and sticking it to the Tigers on defense. Five players scored as UK built a 19-8 lead nine minutes into the game. Darius Miller again came off the bench hot, but LSU went on an 14-3 run as UK's Anthony Davis went to the bench after falling and hitting his head on the knee of an LSU player. LSU was within one, 25-24. At that point, UK went on a 27-6 streak. Terrence Jones looked like an All-American when he scored the first nine points of the second half. UK suddenly had an 18-point lead.

Telling numbers

■ Jones and Davis combined to hit 16 of 22 from the field.

■ In the first half, UK was 5-for-11 on three-pointers while LSU missed all seven attempts.

■ Michael Kidd-Gilchrist did not make a field goal and scored one point. He had eight rebounds.

■ Anthony Hickey, the LSU standout freshman who was Mr. Basketball in Kentucky last year, did not score until 9:49 was left.

Thumbs up

■ That was the Terrence Jones everyone was expecting to see this year. He played with strength and emotion on both ends.

■ You had to like the way UK started the game (10-4 lead) and the second half (17-4 run).

■ UK turned it over only six times.

■ Kentucky continues to play championship-caliber defense.

■ Davis was knocked around all day but showed a lot of toughness.

Thumbs down

■ UK missed four of its first five free throws and finished 15-for-26.