Kentucky beat Florida with three "kill shot" scoring runs, an unbeatable combo

DrewFranklinKSR

otega-oweh-florida-runs — Jan 4, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (0) reacts towards the bench during the first half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Kentucky and Florida gave us another memorable game in Rupp Arena on Saturday, taking the SEC opener into the 100s on the scoreboard. Both sides of the rivalry game scored in bunches, each shooting above their average from the field in their first league game.

On the winning side, the Wildcats shot 58 percent for the game, with 14 made 3-pointers on 48 percent shooting from long range. The Gators came up six points shy of matching Kentucky, connecting on 55 percent of shots from the field, with 12 made 3s in the 106-100 loss. Florida also had 31 second-chance points.

“Absolute lava,” said Matt Norlander of the highly efficient afternoon in Rupp Arena. “A very good chance we don’t see a more efficient offensive performance between two high-major teams the rest of the season.”

Kentucky shot 1.47 points per possession today, while Florida was at 1.39. Absolute lava. A very good chance we don't see a more efficient offensive performance between two high-major teams the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/EBwtFNXqZF
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) January 4, 2025

ESPN’s Myron Medcalf compared Kentucky’s efficiency to the Boston Celtics, noting that the Wildcats’ 147 points per 100 possessions are 27 points higher than Boston’s average this season. “Kentucky just put together one of the greatest offensive displays in a top-25 matchup that we’ve seen in recent memory,” he added.

OK. So let’s take a look at how ridiculous this Florida-Kentucky game was. Florida registered 139 points per 100 possessions. Incredible. That would have won almost any game this year. But Kentucky hit 147 POINTS PER 100 POSSESSIONS! The Boston Celtics are averaging 120.4 points…
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) January 4, 2025

It was clearly a game of offense each way, and Kentucky won it with three double-digit scoring runs throughout the afternoon. College basketball statistician Evan Miyakawa provided further insight into the Wildcats’ runs of 16, 10, and 10 points, known as “kill shots” when a team scores 10+ unanswered points. Miyakawa noted that teams with three separate “kill shots” in one game have never lost in the 299 times it has been done. “It’s unbeatable,” he added.

Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

Kentucky finished with three separate 10-0 runs against Florida.

In the last three seasons, teams who go on at least 3 "Kill Shots" in a game while not conceding any are 299-0.

It's unbeatable.
— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) January 4, 2025

Two of Kentucky’s kill shots came before halftime. First, the 16-0 run that included the game’s only lead change, when the Wildcats turned an 11-point deficit into a five-point lead. Five minutes later, Kentucky broke a tie game with a 10-0 run into halftime.

Two separate kill shots in a single game win 88 percent of the time, according to Miyakawa. Two in the first half would be a significantly higher win probability.

Kentucky had two separate "Kill Shots" in the first half alone against Florida, a 16-0 and a 10-0 run.

Teams with 2 Kill Shots in a single game win 88% of the time, I can only imagine that percentage is way higher for two first half 10-0 runs.
— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) January 4, 2025