Traditionally, Florida is Kentucky’s biggest threat in the Southeastern Conference. That was before Jamal Murray came along and former Gators coach Billy Donovan bolted for the NBA.
Murray put on an offensive clinic Saturday, scoring a career-high with 35 points to lead No. 20 Kentucky to an 80-61 win over the Gators.
From the opening tip, Florida, the last Southeastern Conference team to beat the Wildcats on their home court, had no answer for Murray.
“He did whatever he wanted to do anytime he wanted to do it,” Gators coach Mike White said.
It was evident Murray was in for a big outing after he hit three shots from long range in the first four minutes and scored 11 of the first 18 points. The early spark by Murray allowed the Wildcats to take control early and end a rare two-game losing streak. The hot start by Murray also took pressure off point guard Tyler Ulis.
“It makes it easier on a lot of us, especially with me,” he said. “I don’t have to go in and try to score too much. Just let things come to me a little more and let Jamal do what he’s doing. And when he’s on fire, I’m happy for him.”
BOXSCORE: Kentucky 80, Florida 61
Although Murray has been on target for most of the season and is Kentucky’s leading scorer, his career effort against the Gators came at a time when Kentucky needed it the most. The Wildcats were without junior Alex Poythress, who tweaked his non-surgical knee and didn’t play.
Aside from 12 points poured in by Derek Willis, Kentucky got very little production from its post players. Regulars Marcus Lee and Skal Labissiere combined for six points, while rarely-used freshman Isaac Humphries tallied four.
“I think their guard play is extremely important,” White said. “I think it masks other issues.”
Murray and Ulis combined for 53 points and made 20 of Kentucky’s 30 made field goals. Murray likes having Ulis to fall back on, especially on the offensive end of the court.
“We do a lot playing off each other,” Murray said. “He’s a great facilitator for the team, makes sure everybody’s in place and everything. I just kind of play off of him and try and knock down shots and help him a little bit.”
Behind the effort by Murray and Ulis, Kentucky (17-7, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) got the win it desperately needed after dropping two straight games, an overtime loss at Kansas and a disappointing letdown at Tennessee.
“It was a great bounce-back game,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “This team beat West Virginia by 20 and they (had) won five of six games. They had been playing well (and) this was good for us, a good win.”
Although the performance marked the 21st consecutive time Murray has finished a game in double-double figures, it marked the first time in program history a freshman has scored 30 or more points in a single season.
While the fans got a treat, Murray’s parents also were in attendance and witnessed the feat. Murray’s father provided an inspiration for his record performance.
“I think just having him here instead of hearing him over the phone is a difference,” Murray said. “I love to have him here and I kind of involved him in the game.”
Most of Murray’s scoring came from behind the arc, where he made eight 3-pointers, setting a personal career-high and was one long range jumper away from tying the Rupp Arena mark of nine treys made by Tony Delk in 1995.
Most Murray’s shots were on target, but some missed the rim badly. To Calipari’s disappointment, Murray shot an airball on a finger roll attempt in the second half.
“Why would you do that?” Calipari said.
Murray knew what Calipari was talking about, but didn’t take the criticism from his coach personally.
“It’s just him being him,” Murray said. “I just go out there and listen to what he’s saying, not how he says it and focus on my game and how I have to play.”
He tuned out the noise and simply let his shooting do the talking against the Gators.
Notes
* Lee started in Poythress’ absence and finished with four points and six rebounds. Lee is 5-5 from the field in the past three games.
* Ulis completed a double-double with 11 assists, his third of the year.
* Willis finished with six rebounds and has led the team in rebounding six of the past seven games.
* Freshman Isaac Humpries scored four points, had six rebounds and two blocked shots in 15 minutes.
* Kentucky’s seven 3-pointers in the first half were a season high. Kentucky’s 12 3-pointers also were the most in a game this season.
Game tracker: Georgia at Kentucky, 9 p.m., Tuesday. TV/Radio: ESPN, 98.1 FM WBUL
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports writer who covers University of Kentucky athletics for KyForward.com