Jacob Toppin was a difference-maker for Kentucky in their 77-71 win vs. Vanderbilt at Amalie Arena Friday night.
The junior forward scored 10 points and blocked three shots off the bench in 20 minutes of action for the Wildcats.
Toppin’s impact could’ve been greater if not for a blow to the face in the first half that forced him to the locker room. He returned to the floor in the second half wearing a mask, playing through a likely broken nose, according to John Calipari.
“It looks like Jacob may have a broken nose. I don’t know, but he played with it, and that showed us a lot,” Calipari said following the game.
Every time the Wildcats needed a hustle play, whether that be a block, a rebound, or to come away with a 50-50 ball, Toppin was there.
Early in the game, Toppin erased two points off the board for Vanderbilt, flying out of nowhere to swat a Tyrin Lawrence layup attempt off the glass.
With Kentucky leading 64-58, it was Toppin that gathered a loose ball and fired it to TyTy Washington, who drilled one of his four three-pointers.
The biggest play of the game by Toppin occurred in the final 30 seconds when he chased down another loose ball and bounced it out of bounds off a Vanderbilt player to help Kentucky retain possession with a four-point lead.
Junior guard Sahvir Wheeler took notice of Toppin’s energy and effort on the floor.
“He was talking. Even with the face mask, you can barely understand him, but you know he was saying something, and that is big-time right there, and for him to have the ball and still kind of make those shots, the same thing Coach got on him early in the first half and was, like, why shoot an airball three when you can step in and make midrange, 75%, 80% of the time,” said Wheeler. “He adjusted to that, took constructive criticism, took that with him on the offensive end. And defensively, he was the anchor in the second half. Being able to switch and being able to talk out the actions and contest and blocking shots, coming from the weak side and finishing possessions for us on the defensive end as well.”
TyTy Washington followed with a similar message, showing appreciation for Toppin’s effort.
“What he did for us on defense was phenomenal. He brings that for us every game. He is always rebounding. He is just an energy guy for us. For him to make those big baskets and big moments when we needed them, that was pretty good.”
