Video: Bryce Hopkins Sparks Kentucky's Comeback Win Over LSU
Last summer there was growing buzz around Kentucky’s basketball program that freshman Bryce Hopkins could be the surprise of the 2021-22 Wildcats.
Providence fought tooth and nail to try to land Hopkins out of high school, but the top 40 prospect from Chicago opted for John Calipari’s program and the prestige that comes with it.
A prospect ranked in the 35th range in most national services would have made headlines in Providence. At Kentucky, the expectation was that he would have to wait his turn.
Still, Hopkins showed promise early. In Kentucky’s Blue and White scrimmage in late October, Hopkins went for 18 points and nine rebounds.
A back injury, first reported in October, limited his playing time early, and by the time LSU came to Lexington on Feb. 23 he had scored three points in his previous seven appearances.
Kentucky’s come-from-behind 71-66 victory over LSU has been Friar fans’ only extended look at Hopkins from the past season. In re-watching the entire game over the past week what stood out was just how flat Kentucky looked in the first half.
In that opening half, Hopkins logged about three minutes and did not score. He got to the free throw line once, but missed both free throw attempts. LSU led by double figures 12 minutes into the first half and The Rupp Arena was largely quiet until Hopkins provided the second-half spark.
He scored all 13 of his points in the second half, making 5-6 from the field. His only miss on the night was on his only 3-point attempt.
The Wildcats trailed by nine early in the second half when they ripped off an 11-0 run — with nine of their points being scored by a revitalized Hopkins.
What stood out most about Hopkins on this night was his ability to attack off the catch. Almost the instant the ball touched his hands, Hopkins went into attack mode, putting pressure on the LSU defense.
Watch how quickly he attacks off the catch:
“I think I played a good game today. I saw in the first half that we were kind of playing a little slow,” Hopkins said after the win. “So, in the second half, coach was saying that we needed a little more energy, so that’s what I tried to do when I came into the game, just tried to bring energy and just contribute however I could.”
Kentucky certainly needed the lift on a night in which they were playing without their starting backcourt of TyTy Washington Jr. and Sahvir Wheeler.
“He did it because I said I’m playing guys that are going to fight,” Calipari said. “If you’re not fighting, I’m not playing you. And I went with him. The team was so happy for him and so was I.”
Calipari said Kentucky would need Hopkins down the stretch, but the LSU performance did not lead to bigger minutes. In fact, he sat during the final two games of the season.
Hopkins will have far more opportunity in Providence, likely in a featured role from the start for a system seemingly tailor-made for a punishing combo forward comfortable putting the ball on the deck, hitting the glass, and finding his teammates.