Photo by Vicki Graff
Grit, grind and the heart of a champion. Saturday’s win in Gainesville didn’t return a national title, but the Kentucky Wildcats certainly executed like champions in the game’s final nine minutes. The Wildcats began the game with cold shooting and stagnant offense. However, their defense kept them in contention through the conclusion of the first half.
Offensive struggles continued to start the second period as the Florida Gators looked as if they’d pull away with the home crowd on their side. One particular Wildcat, though, had something to say in regards to his team’s effort.
Sophomore forward PJ Washington decided to share a few motivational words to calm the Wildcats and keep the game’s outcome in reach. In response, Kentucky popped off a 14-0 run to take a nine point lead with just over two minutes remaining.
Kentucky went on to close the deal in Gainesville, a victory they hadn’t seen in two years.
During the Wildcats’ eight-game winning streak, Washington has embraced becoming the team’s “alpha” star. When Kentucky needs a basket, or someone to check the opposition’s best big man, Washington has answered the call.
Washington’s head coach has recognized the sophomore’s effort as much as anyone over the last month.
“He is building his own confidence and taking control of games and coaching players on the court. I have been waiting a year and a half for this,” Calipari said following Saturday’s win.
Washington finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, marking his third consecutive double-double and seventh of the season. It’s the longest streak for a Kentucky player since Julius Randle had four-straight in March of 2014.
Over his last four outings, the standout sophomore has averaged 20.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.
Freshman shooting guard Tyler Herro, Saturday’s game-high scorer with 19 points, had high praise for Washington’s ability to lead the team.
“He was big. You know, he was just being a leader,” Herro said. “I think when we see a guy like PJ who has been here before, he works hard everyday in practice, us young guys can look up to him and just take his lead and follow his lead,” he said.
Members of the Wildcats aren’t the only people recognizing Washington’s sophomore campaign. Much like Kentucky football star Josh Allen, Washington’s return to school seems to be paying off.
The former five-star recruit was hardly drawing second round draft noise as a freshman. However, Washington now finds his name in the top-20 of the latest NBA mock drafts. As the team’s SEC slate further unravels, Washington’s draft stock should only flourish.
With the Wildcats now standing at 18-3 (and seventh in the nation), their position in the Associated Press Top-25 ranking is poised to surge even higher.
Kentucky now boasts significant wins over North Carolina, at Louisville, at Auburn, vs. Mississippi State, vs. Kansas and at Florida.
Behind Washington, as well as each member of the team, Kentucky appears to have resurfaced as one of the nation’s legitimate title contenders.
