No.2 Kentucky pummels Indiana 80-41

[NT80]

No. 2 Kentucky Pummels Indiana 80-41

By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS - Chuck Hayes scored 22 points and Erik Daniels added 19 to lead No. 2 Kentucky to an 80-41 rout of Indiana on Saturday. The Wildcats (6-0) won their 26th straight regular-season game with a suffocating defense that rarely allowed the Hoosiers an open shot.

Indiana (4-4) managed just 15 points in the second half and finished with its fewest points in coach Mike Davis' four seasons. It was also the worst defeat under Davis.

Kentucky shot 50 percent from the field and outrebounded Indiana 54-35. Hayes and Daniels each had 10 rebounds. Indiana, meanwhile, shot just 24.2 percent — 16.7 percent in the second half.

Bracey Wright scored 23 points and Sean Kline 15 for Indiana, with the rest of the Hoosiers managing just three points.

About the only thing Kentucky did wrong was commit 13 turnovers in the first half, allowing Indiana to stay close at 32-26.

But the Wildcats took control early in the second half. Hayes opened with back-to-back baskets to spark a 9-0 run that made it 41-26 with 17:45 to go.

Kentucky's second 9-0 run made it 54-31 with 12:30 left.

The 39-point margin was the Hoosiers' worst defeat in the 47-game series with Kentucky.

[CMJ]

I've watched the Hoosiers a few times this year. They definitely are in a rebuilding mode - which is great for us.