Kansas jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first three minutes. Kentucky looked like a group of freshmen playing under the bright lights for the first time, spooked.
And then Rob Dillingham happened.
A stretch of four consecutive 3-pointers, then an assist to Antonio Reeves for a fifth straight from deep to put the Wildcats up big. The early nine-point deficit turned into a seven-point lead. Kentucky shot 35.7% from the field, but a blistering 39.1% from deep on 23 attempts while hitting nine of 11 free throws to go up 48-41.
Dillingham led the way with 16 points on 6-10 shooting and 4-5 from three while adding three assists and two rebounds.