The Kentucky Wildcats kicked its "Big Blue Bahamas" Tour off in style on Sunday at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium, as it defeated what was said to be a 'B' version of the Puerto Rican national team, 74-49.
It was estimated that about 1,000 fans, most of them decked out in Kentucky blue wear, were in attendance yesterday.
The Wildcats are now 1-0 in its six-game tour; the team will be in action again today, at 1 .p.m, against the Champagne Chalons-Remis Basketball Club out of France.
Aaron Harrison put all his skills on display for the crowd yesterday. He hounded the Puerto Rican ball handlers on defense and set up his teammates for easy looks on offense. What really stood out was his ability to get to the rim with relative ease. In the fourth quarter, he finished a straight line drive to the rim with a ferocious dunk that sent the already loud crowd into a frenzy.
"One of the things that he (Aaron) wants to do, which were his comments to me, 'I don't ever want to evaporate on the court. I want to have a presence on the court whether I'm scoring or not'," said Wildcats' Head Coach John Calipari afterwards. "You saw him pressure the ball, you saw him in pick and rolls and you saw him without the ball."
In the first half, Puerto Rico came out and tried to rattle the younger Wildcats with aggressive play, so much so that a technical foul was called on Manuel Narvaez within the first two minutes of the contest for taunting.
Despite having less experience, the Wildcats were clearly the more talented squad. The team took the lead at the end of the first half, 38-31.
The Wildcats never looked back from there. The team began to pick the Puerto Rican team apart in the second half. Puerto Rico committed multiple turnovers as fatigue settled in and was forced into taking low percentage shots from behind the three-point line, while the 'Cats continued to pour in points from deep as well as close range.
With the 'Cats playing without big men Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyles, it made the team's victory that much more impressive. After the game, both Calipari and organizer of the tournament Sean Bastian expressed their sentiments about Kentucky's trip to The Bahamas.
"We have only been here two days, but it's been terrific so far," said Calipari.
Bastian said: "It is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have coach Calipari and his team playing in The Bahamas. It is wonderful that basketball fans had a chance to see this level of talent showcase their skills against a national team. I'm hoping that as we move forward, other major programs jump on board for next year."
Puerto Rico will have another shot at the Wildcats on Tuesday. Tip-off time is set for 1 p.m. over at the Kendal Isaacs Gym. That game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.
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