by David Cassilo / @dcassilo
It was just last week that Jared Sullinger made his case to be called the nation’s best freshman, but it didn’t take long for him to have some company. Terrence Jones, one of many talented freshmen for No. 8 Kentucky, was unstoppable in Tuesday’s 76-64 win over Oklahoma, tallying 29 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.
Jones, the heavily recruited forward from Portland, has been a lot for opponents to handle so far this year. Through his first three games he is averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Coach John Calipari’s freshman class is loaded yet again. Along with Jones, Brandon Knight and Doron Lamb headline a group that almost rivals last year’s Wildcats. But while all three are talented players, it is Jones that is earning rave reviews so far.
From The Lexington Herald Leader:
“I thought Terrence Jones was the best player in the country in his class,” Jeff Capel said after Jones led Kentucky to a 76-64 victory over the Sooners on Monday. “I didn’t see anyone who could have the impact on a game like he could. He certainly did that this afternoon and I anticipate him continuing to do that.”
Jones’ 29 points equaled the second-most by a Kentucky freshman (Jamal Mashburn scored 31 against visiting Georgia in 1991) and advanced Kentucky into Tuesday’s semifinals of the EA Sports Maui Invitational.
What Jones does for an encore will have an added twist of intrigue as the Wildcats will take on No. 13 Washington, the school that Jones verbally committed to three weeks before ultimately deciding on Kentucky. If Monday’s performance didn’t already confirm it, all eyes will be on Jones in this recruiting grudge match.
