HALFTIME: Kentucky starts Mark Pope Era on a high note

Hey, did we mention this is fun? We’re having a lot of fun around here — and I’m sure Mark Pope is in the locker room at halftime, as well. In his first official game as Kentucky‘s head coach, the Cats are up 46-24 after 20 minutes, clearing the game spread at the midway point.

How did they get there? It was a well-rounded effort with seven players scoring at least one bucket and five players with eight points — Otega Oweh, Jaxson Robinson, Andrew Carr, Amari Williams and Koby Brea hitting that mark to lead the team. Lamont Butler has added four while Brandon Garrison has a basket, as well.

As a team, the Wildcats are shooting an absurd 58.1 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from three and 100 percent at the line with 14 assists on 18 made shots. A few too many turnovers for their liking (five), I’m sure, but it’s been pretty clean everywhere else.

Individually, Williams has been the star of the show on both ends, adding nine rebounds and three assists on top of his eight points in 12 first-half minutes. Butler has added four rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal while Oweh picked up two rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals. Robinson and Brea have let their play do the talking from the perimeter, hitting two 3-pointers apiece for the lone makes from deep up to this point.

The ball movement has been spectacular and the inbounds plays have been even better. So much to love through one half with another to go here inside Rupp Arena.

Check out the full box score below:

20 minutes until Mark Pope’s first official win as head coach. Close it out, Cats.