Kentucky's playmaking carved up Florida's defense: 'We trusted in each other.'

Kentucky came into Saturday’s game against Florida ranking third in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.99). Following a thrilling 106-100 win over the previously undefeated Gators, UK will likely end the day ranked at the very top.

The Wildcats dished out 25 assists to just six turnovers (4.19 ratio) in what was one of their most efficient offensive performances of the season. Kentucky has posted similar figures a handful of times this season, but none of them came against a team as talented as Florida, which had been playing like one of the nation’s top defensive teams over the last few weeks.

“The last six games, (Florida has) the number one analytical half-court defense in the entire country and our guys were 25 assists and six turnovers,” Head coach Mark Pope said postgame. “Like that number guys, I was going to say breathtaking but Lee Anne (Pope) gets mad at me when I say breathtaking. That number is insane. 25 assists, six turnovers against the number one defensive team in the half-court in the country over the last six games, that’s crazy.”

Lamont Butler led the way for Kentucky with eight dimes while a pair of big men, Amari Williams and Andrew Carr, both chipped in five assists each. Seven Wildcats recorded at least one assist. No one had more than two turnovers. Kentucky shot 58 percent from the field as a team and 48 percent from deep.

“I think we trusted in each other, trusted in ourselves, played off two feet, wasn’t going in there wild,” Butler, who turned the ball over just twice, said postgame. “I know I have to continue to work on my turnovers, I think I had some careless ones tonight. It’s a big point of emphasis for us all. We continue to try to be good in that category.”

Respectfully, Lamont, 25 assists to six turnovers is better than just good. That’s a pretty damn impressive stat.

Six turnovers are the second-fewest of the season for Kentucky. 25 assists rank third-most. Including Brandon Garrison, over half (13) of UK’s assists came via the frontcourt — that might be the craziest part about these passing numbers. There were stretches in the second half when Williams was personally carving up the Gators with aggressive (and instinctual) playmaking. Backdoor cuts were easily accessible.

“They were pressing up at first and we found the passes,” Williams said. “We got great cutters, I feel like that’s the best thing about our team. Lamont had a lot of backdoors, Otega (Oweh), Koby (Brea), Jaxson (Robinson). Guys like that cutting, it makes our job a lot easier.”

Pope has emphasized more off-ball movement as of late. His players listened against Florida. The result was a near-flawless offensive performance against a tough SEC defense.