The Kentucky Wildcats battered the Georgia State Panthers in Lexington on Black Friday night by a score of 105-76.

The Cats got off to an uncharacteristically slow start in this one. For the second straight game, they looked sloppy in the first half, but to be fair, they did shoot a blistering 68% from the field. Turnovers and defense were a bit of an issue, but luckily, a late run helped Kentucky take a 48-33 lead into the half.

After the break, Kentucky really left off the gas following a really strong end to the first half. This was just like the WKU game in that Georgia State’s physicality seemed to bother the Cats. The Panthers cut the lead to as little as six in the second half.

However, as Kentucky started to pull away, GSU’s physicality went too far. Clash Peters received a flagrant foul for a cheap shot on Amari Williams, followed by a technical foul. This led to what was close to a brawl on the court. Mark Pope even had to hold back a GSU player.

Peters was playing dirty all night, and what happened in the second half was just a carryover from the first half. He was seemingly ejected, then returned, which was odd, but it ignited UK immediately. Kentucky took the flagrant foul personally and never looked back, ending the game on a 44-23 run the rest of the way.

Pope’s squad is now 7-0 on the season after hitting the century mark for the fourth time this season. Now, they have a big week ahead.

Next up, the Cats will travel to Clemson to take on the Tigers on Tuesday night.

Here’s what you need to know from win No. 7, which matches the Cats’ best start since the 2016-17 season.

No Brandon Garrison

Brandon Garrison has been a hustle guy off the bench for the Cats this season. The former McDonald’s All-American isn’t Kentucky’s best player, not even their best big man, but he always plays hard.

The Oklahoma State transfer provides rebounding and shot blocking, cleans things up down low, and isn’t a bad passer in his own right. His numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s an important depth piece that can spell the five spot and is an energizer off the bench.

Garrison was unavailable in this one due to “soreness.” That’s the only context provided at the moment. He was in street clothes before the game, but he was helping rebound shots pregame, so let’s hope it’s just something minor.

The Cats will need him next week against the Clemson Tigers and Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Butler continues to improve

Lamont Butler has been a steady presence at the point guard position so far this year, but his scoring numbers have been a bit inconsistent.

Of course, Mark Pope brought the San Diego State transfer in to run the offense and lockdown opposing teams’ point guards, not lead the team in scoring. However, a consistent double-digit scorer at point guard is certainly welcomed.

The senior guard is still a menace on the defensive end, but he has started to settle in on the offensive end as well. Butler’s shot looks better, but he’s finally realized that it’s really hard to stop him when he attacks the basket.

Butler is a big, physical guy that’s a load to stop when he has a full head of steam. He’s also just really crafty around the rim. Butler makes this team go, so the recent consistency is really important for the team in the long run.

The defense looked rough

We all know that Mark Pope is an offensive guru. The defense has been pretty good this year, other than that Duke first half, but overall, it hasn’t given us anything to worry about.

Butler, Otega Oweh, and Amari Williams are physically imposing and elite defenders at their respective positions. Butler is a menace. Oweh is tough, grabs rebounds, and will rip the ball right away from an opposing player (see Cooper Flagg, multiple times). Williams provides rebounding and shot blocking.

However, other than Oweh, who’s been Kentucky’s best player to date, Butler and Williams aren’t exactly elite on the offensive end. As I mentioned above, Butler has been improving game to game. Williams has a lot of intangibles and isn’t your typical big man, but he’s more of a cleanup guy than a go-to scorer.

Unfortunately, the big-time scorers on this team aren’t the best defenders. And when I say not the best, I mean they’re not very good. The hope is that the three elite defenders can pick up the slack on the defensive end, while the scorers pick up the slack on the offensive end.

The problem is you can see a steep drop-off on the defensive end when Kerr Kriisa comes in for Butler, Koby Brea comes in for Oweh, and Andrew Carr steps down to take Williams’ spot.

Of course, you have to take the good with the bad, because these guys are very good at what they do. But this one was bad, and Kentucky has to be better as the season goes on.

It also must be pointed out that Kentucky forced 18 turnovers and outscored the Panthers 36-8 in points off turnovers.

Now, let’s go get a big win over the rival Louisville Cardinals tomorrow! Go Cats!