TyTy Washington sees ‘a huge lesson’ learned in Kentucky’s victory
After making only a third of his shots (eight of 24) in Kentucky’s first two games, freshman TyTy Washington showed marked improvement against Mount St. Mary’s on Tuesday night.
“It was a good game for me,” he said before adding that he had “too many turnovers” in the Cats’ 80-55 victory in Rupp Arena.
Washington scored 16 points, which was only three shy of his total in UK’s first two games. He made seven of 12 shots, including two of three attempts from beyond the three-point line.
He called the opener against Duke “a huge lesson.”
Washington said his 3-for-14 shooting against the Blue Devils included makeable shots.
“The shots I missed are shots I’m capable of making,” he said. “I have my whole life.”
Of the Duke game, he said, “I felt I didn’t bring enough to the table.”
Washington had a busy stat line against Mount St. Mary’s. Besides the 16 points, he had three rebounds, three assists and a steal.
“He had four turnovers, though,” UK Coach John Calipari said.
One seemed to stick in Calipari’s mind. Washington threw a lob too low for Daimion Collins.
“He could have thrown it to the top of the backboard and Daimion would go get it,” Calipari said. “But he threw it low. Why would you throw it low?
“But he’s getting better. He’ll be fine.”
Washington acknowledged the mistake.
“With Daimion, (Calipari) told me just throw it to the moon,” said Washington, who called it “a good little learning mistake for me.”
Injury update
After undergoing an MRI exam last weekend, Jacob Toppin did not play. Calipari said Toppin had nothing more severe than a bruised shoulder.
The UK coach said he was not sure if Toppin could play Friday against Ohio University.
Calipari was also unsure about Lance Ware’s availability. An ankle injury kept Ware sidelined against Mount St. Mary’s.
CJ Fredrick, who might miss the season because of a hamstring injury, was in a “good frame of mind” before undergoing surgery earlier Tuesday, Calipari said.
Why this game?
The game was part of The Kentucky Classic, a multiple team event (MTE) that also includes Robert Morris and Ohio University. Multiple games in a MTE count as only one against the NCAA mandated limit for a season. Teams are allowed to play in one MTE per season.
Financial considerations contributed to Mount St. Mary’s playing in Kentucky’s MTE.
“I have to bring in $350,000 every year,” Coach Dan Engelstad said. “So, we were looking for MTEs, and thought this one fit pretty good.”
Plus, he added, “playing in Rupp Arena is a great experience for our guys.”
Looking ahead
Kentucky’s next game is Friday against Ohio University.
The Bobcats will bring a 3-0 record to Rupp Arena, having beaten Belmont 92-80, Cleveland State 67-56 and Robert Morris 85-71.
In those three games, Ohio averaged 12 three-point baskets. The Bobcats have made 36 of 94 shots (38.3 percent) from beyond the arc.
Blue Ribbon, Lindy’s and Athlon all picked Ohio to finish second in the Mid-American Conference.
Viewing ahead
Upcoming Kentucky home games against Albany (Nov. 22) and Central Michigan (Nov. 29) will be available for viewing outside of Rupp Arena only on SEC Network Plus and ESPN Plus. Those games will not be available on “traditional television,” UK said.
Every SEC school will have more than one game only available on SEC Network Plus and ESPN Plus this season as dictated by the conference and its television partners, UK said.
SEC Network Plus is accessible with your TV provider credentials. It can also be accessed through the ESPN App on smartphones, tablets, connected streaming devices or via espn.com/watch.
ESPN Plus requires a subscription separate from the TV provider credentials. It is available through the ESPN App and ESPN.com. The sign-up fee is $6.99 per month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App. It is also available on The Disney Bundle.
More information on SEC Network Plus and ESPN Plus is available by calling ESPN customer care at (888) 549-3776.
UK also noted that fans can listen to the games on the radio or buy single-game tickets at Ticketmaster.com or through the Ticketmaster app.
Correction
A note earlier this week incorrectly said that Kentucky had played Mount St. Mary’s once: a 113-67 UK victory in the 1995 NCAA Tournament first round. That remains UK’s largest margin of victory in the NCAA Tournament.
But Kentucky also played Mount St. Mary’s in the 2019-20 regular season. UK won 82-62 on Nov. 22, 2019.
Second-half surge
UK outscored Mount St. Mary’s 23-5 to start the second half. “We need to play like we started the second half every time we step on the court,” Calipari said.
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 12:23 AM.
