Williams is helping Kentucky in a much-needed area with Lamont Butler out.
Without starting point guard Lamont Butler, Amari Williams stepped up in a big way Tuesday night, tallying 10 points and 15 rebounds to help No. 12 Kentucky stun No. 8 Tennessee in Knoxville, 78-73. The victory marked the Wildcats’ sixth win over a top-15 opponent this season.
Williams, who notched his fifth double-double of the year and third in SEC play, played a crucial role beyond just scoring and rebounding. He was a key facilitator in Kentucky’s half-court offense, dishing out four assists while committing just three turnovers in 24 minutes against one of the nation’s top defensive teams.
The fifth-year senior would frequently bring the ball up the court and handle it on the perimeter against a Tennessee team ranked No. 2 nationally in KenPom defensive efficiency. That’s a major reason why Kentucky was able to go into Knoxville and take down a top-10 Tennessee team that was just a shot away from winning at No. 1 Auburn just three days prior.
“Amari Williams is, like, a 1-of-1. I’m asking him to do an impossible job right now,” Pope said after the game. “Come into this gym, sold out, top 10 team, the No. 1 defense in the country, no point guard to be found on our roster. And I’m like, ‘Amari, it’s up to you, and then BG [Brandon Garrison], you gotta be his wingman. You’ve got to control the whole game.’
“Amari brought the ball up against the press, probably more than anybody else on our team. I’m telling you, this kid is special, man.”
Williams delivered the standout performance on a special occasion—his birthday.
“It’s his birthday today. We didn’t sing to him. I was saving it for after the game, I was like, ‘Please let us win because if we have to sing to him after a loss it’s going to be sour and sad,’” Pope said. “But it was a joyful locker room.”
Pope believes no other center in the nation could have matched Williams’ performance on Tuesday. That’s pivotal going forward for a Kentucky team that could be without Butler for several more games, while it’s still unclear if we’ll see backup Kerr Kriisa return this year.
“He’s incredible. I’m telling you, he is special,” Pope said of Williams. “You look at his numbers tonight: 15 rebounds in this game, four assists, only three turnovers, 3/5 from the field, only two fouls. There’s not a center in the country that’s had to carry a load like the way he had to carry it tonight. It was incredible.”
In his first season with Kentucky, Drexel transfer Amari Williams has made a significant impact. The two-time Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year has been a steady force for the Wildcats. Through 20 starts, he is averaging 9.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 56% from the field.
Williams has really stepped up in the games Butler has missed. He went for 12 points (5/8 shooting), three boards, and two blocks with no turnovers in the win over Gonzaga in Seattle.
In a home win over Colgate, the Nottingham, England product went for 15 points (6/8 shooting), eight rebounds, two assists vs. one turnover, and one block.
Along with the win over Tennessee, that’s three no-Butler games in which Williams averaged 12.3 points (66.7% shooting), 8.7 boards, and 2.0 assists vs. 1.3 turnovers.
Up next, Kentucky will take the court Saturday as former Wildcats head coach John Calipari, along with ex-Kentucky players Zvonimir Ivišić, Adou Thiero, and DJ Wagner, make their return to Rupp Arena with Arkansas. It’s looking highly likely that Butler will miss this game, meaning the Cats need Williams to step up again when it comes to running the offense.
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