The Kentucky Wildcats (22-5, 12-2 SEC) was home for the second straight Saturday, this time playing host to the Florida Gators (17-10, 9-5 SEC). All eyes were on the Nick Richards-Kerry Blackshear match up. Kentucky and Florida were both battling one another for his services once he decided to transfer from Virginia Tech.

He ultimately chose Florida. The 20,489 in attendance in Rupp Arena vehemently let him know that they hadn’t forgotten that whenever he touched the ball throughout the afternoon. He was up to the challenge. After racing out to an early 8-2 lead, Kentucky appeared ready to pounce on the Gators from the get go.

Blackshear prevented the blowout from taking place with his production in the first half. Keyontae Johnson was doing damage as well. Tyrese Maxey countered with seven points and six assists in the first half to keep Florida from building any kind of a lead as both teams went into halftime tied at 31.

A 9-2 Florida run had Kentucky shakily staring at a 40-33 deficit. Then Immauel Quickley went to work.

Oh, come on. Immanuel Quickley with an off-balance, well-defended three, bounced up and in, beating the shot clock. He's 4 of 5 from three and now has 24 points. Kentucky by eight in the final 80 seconds. — Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) February 23, 2020

That was near the end of Quickley’s explosion after he helped put Kentucky up by eight and helped them survive the lead being whittled away and secure another win.

He went nuclear from the three-point line, he attacked the rim and got three the old fashioned way. He took and made heat check shots. Remember the three that he threw in against LSU in Baton Rouge that didn’t count because the shot clock expired just before he let it go? The off balance three yesterday that bounced in nicely for him makes up for that one.

Quickley doing Quickley things! Kentucky on a 17-4 run since trailing 40-33. Now up 50-44. #BBN #UFvsUK @cameronradio — Vinny Hardy (@VinnyHardy) February 23, 2020

He’s been the model of consistency for several weeks. Now he gets to take his show and game to Texas A & M Tuesday night keep it going in another hostile road environment.

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