HALFTIME: Kentucky leads Kansas 48-41

Kansas jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first three minutes. Kentucky looked like a group of freshmen playing under the bright lights for the first time, spooked.

And then Rob Dillingham happened.

A stretch of four consecutive 3-pointers, then an assist to Antonio Reeves for a fifth straight from deep to put the Wildcats up big. The early nine-point deficit turned into a seven-point lead. Kentucky shot 35.7% from the field, but a blistering 39.1% from deep on 23 attempts while hitting nine of 11 free throws to go up 48-41.

Dillingham led the way with 16 points on 6-10 shooting and 4-5 from three while adding three assists and two rebounds. Adou Thiero followed right behind with 13 points on 4-6 shooting and 4-4 from three with nine rebounds — a pair of monster putback dunks being the highlights.

Reed Sheppard was also an instant-impact piece for the Wildcats, adding six points and four steals in six minutes before two fouls kept him out of the game. Tre Mitchell added six points and four rebounds, followed by Antonio Reeves with five on 1-8 shooting, but four rebounds. Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner have struggled, combining for two points on 0-10 FG, but everyone else has stepped up early for the key rotation pieces.

As for the other side, Kansas is shooting 41.9% from the field, but 27.3% from deep while turning the ball over seven times. Hunter Dickinson earned a quick double-double with 13 points on 4-7 shooting to go with 10 rebounds, but no other Jayhawk is in double figures.

The key differences? 22 bench points for Kentucky, zero for Kansas. Nine made threes for the Wildcats, three for the Jayhawks. Dickinson has been able to eat, but UK has figured things out elsewhere to not only hang in there, but hold a firm lead at the break.

Check out the complete box score:

20 minutes to go. Can’t ask for a better start for the Wildcats.