Kentucky sophomore guard Ashton Hagans is the catalyst that makes the Wildcats go, both offensively and defensively.
The Cartersville, Georgia, native had another successful homecoming vs. the Georgia Bulldogs Tuesday night, totaling 13 points, 5 assists and four steals to help lead the Wildcats to a 78-69 victory in Athens.
Hagans’ 7.1 assists per game average is a school-record pace (Tyler Ulis 7.0 in 2015-2016). He has dished out at least five assists in 11 straight games.
“Ashton came out, went home, got a little excited, took a few too many jump shots, but at the end of the day, the kid has a will to win and drags the rest of us,” John Calipari said. “Kind of like (Lynn) Bowden did. He is that. He’s Lynn Bowden for us.”
Hagans sprained his left ankle in last Saturday’s win vs. Missouri that had him listed as day-to-day heading into the game at Georgia. That said, nothing was keeping him out of action vs. the Bulldogs. He admits he was little amped up heading into the game with his family and friends in the stands.
“You could say that (I was amped up to play),” Hagans said. “The coaches were talking to me about it before the game, Just like keeping my cool, don’t try to go out here and do too much, but I couldn’t (help myself). They said I had put up at least 10 shots when we went into halftime. I’m like, ‘Dang, I don’t normally do this. Let me go out here and try to chill this second half. ‘I had the family in. I had over 50 people at the game so I was just trying to put on a show for them. At least we came out with a dub.”
When asked why Calipari has so much confidence in him right now, Hagans responded with the following.
“I feel like he’s just been watching me and watching me grow. I feel like I’m a better leader but not fully all the way there yet. I’m working on it. We got Nate (Sestina) over there. He’s helping me out a lot. Not only me, but EJ (Montgomery), Nick (Richards) and everyone else. We’re just getting better as the season goes along.”
And for opponents, that is a scary thought. Kentucky looks like they have turned a corner the last two weeks and guys are playing with a purpose. As for the next step, the Wildcats just have to keep pushing and finding ways to improve.
“Just keep learning, keep building, listen to the old guys like Nate and Nick and things like that and just keep working together and know that we need each other’s back in these tough road games and things like that.”
Kentucky will return to action on Saturday at Noon ET. vs. Alabama. Coverage will air on ESPN.
