Kentucky cruises to NCAA Sweet 16

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Nothing came easy for top-ranked Kentucky against eighth-seeded Cincinnati, which mixed it up with the Wildcats on almost every play.

They didn’t flinch and eventually built a double-digit lead by physically imposing their will on the Bearcats. Kentucky’s reward was college basketball’s first 36-0 start and a return visit to the Sweet 16 as it cleared an important step in its quest to become the first unbeaten champion since Indiana in 1976.

Aaron Harrison scored 13 points, Trey Lyles added 11 with 11 rebounds and the Wildcats outworked Cincinnati for a 64-51 victory Saturday that showed their resolve even when the numbers worked against them.

Kentucky shot just 37 percent and was outrebounded 45-38 yet always seemed in control because of timely baskets and rebounds that Cincinnati failed to get.

“I always like it when my team shoots 37, 36, 35 percent and wins in double digits,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “It shows them they don’t have to make shots to win. You can miss them all. No, you can’t miss them all. You can miss most of them, and you can still win games if you defend, you rebound and you play that way, make your free throws, and they did.”

In other results, NC State stunned Villanova, 71-68, while Notre Dame topped Butler in overtime, 67-64.