protect the football to stay close in this one.FINISHING DRIV

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- As top-ranked Kentucky develops in small steps, the on-court relationship between Malik Monk and DeAaron is clearly off and running.Monk scored 23 points and Fox had 16 points and 11 assists to propel the Wildcats to a 101-70 rout of Cleveland State on Wednesday that was impressive on several fronts.With leading scorer Isaiah Briscoe sidelined by a back injury, the freshman duo picked up the slack and did it quickly, helping Kentucky (5-0) roll to a 16-2 lead that was never threatened in its first game this season as the nations No. 1 team. They combined for 31 first-half points alone, with 19 from Monk, whose 4-for-4 start from long range and 8-of-12 shooting overall helped him match his career scoring best set last week against Michigan State.We played well, Fox said. Without Isaiah today, people stepped up and we ended up getting the win.They combined for 15 assists -- including 10 in the first half -- and seven rebounds with two steals apiece, looking to each other when Kentucky was in transition.Which was often.We have great chemistry, Monk said. Although we never played that much together, we know where we are on the court. Thats another thing that makes this team so close.Their chemistry was evident in the first half when Monk stole the ball near midcourt and drove toward the basket before bouncing the ball off the glass perfectly back to the trailing Fox, whose thunderous dunk brought a roar from the crowd of 22,441 at Rupp Arena.It was just a great pass, Fox said. In transition if a guy plays you, you give it up and thats what happened. The guy played him, he threw it off the glass and I dunked it.Bam Adebayo added 14 points and seven rebounds while Mychal Mulder matched a career high with 13 for Kentucky, which shot a season-best 52 percent from the field and broke 100 points for the first time this season. Wenyen Gabriel had 10 points and 10 rebounds as Kentucky won the second of three games in the Bluegrass Showcase.Rob Edwards 28 points on 12-of-21 shooting led Cleveland State (1-3), which couldnt keep up with the Wildcats on either end. The Vikings committed 19 turnovers, shot 39 percent and were outrebounded 47-36.Were trying to do everything from the outside and thats hard against a team like Kentucky because their guards really come after you and play defense, Vikings coach Gary Waters said. And you know what the crazy part about it is? They enjoy doing it.THE BIG PICTURECleveland State: The Vikings appeared headed for a big improvement over their 38 percent shooting effort against UT Martin, with 48 percent accuracy in the first half. But they made just 11 of 35 shots after the break and finished close to their season low. Bobby Word added 14 points.Kentucky: Senior guard Dominique Hawkins started in Briscoes place along with Fox, Monk, Adebayo and Derek Willis (seven points, five rebounds), and that lineup was energetic from the start. Briscoes absence allowed coach John Calipari to use several combinations that were encouraging, though he quickly noted that its still early.I told them after the game, theyre a November team, he said. I dont want my team in November to look like its January or February. ... Were a ways away from where we need to be.POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Wildcats should remain atop the rankings through next weekend, with their only major upcoming test on Monday against Arizona State in the Bahamas.IN THE HOUSEFormer Kentucky standout and NBA veteran Tayshaun Prince was among the crowd for the Thanksgiving eve matinee. Prince thanked fans for their support during his time here before looking up at a video of the latest Wildcats in the NBA.UP NEXTCleveland State: Visits Duquesne on Sunday in its final Showcase game.Kentucky: The Wildcats wrap up play in the Showcase on Friday night against UT Martin in the first meeting between the schools since Nov. 26, 1994, when they rolled to a 124-50 win.---More AP college basketball at: www.collegebasketball.ap.org Charles Barkley Jersey . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Frank Kaminsky Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . https://www.thesunslockerroom.com/Jevon-Carter-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- Stanford squashed Oregons national championship hopes again, schooling the Ducks in power football. Shaquille ONeal Suns Jersey .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Mikal Bridges Jersey .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee wants to continue one streak before the Volunteers think about ending another.The 15th-ranked Volunteers (2-0) will seek their ninth consecutive victory over the last two seasons Saturday when they host Ohio (1-1). This marks Tennessees longest winning streak since a 14-game run from 1998-99.The visit from Ohio will be Tennessees last game before opening Southeastern Conference play next week against No. 23 Florida, which has beaten the Vols each of the last 11 seasons .Tennessee insists it isnt worrying about Florida just yet. The Vols are too concerned with trying to slow down an Ohio offense averaging 45 + points and 563 yards per game.Theres no looking ahead, Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs said. Were locked in and focused on the task at hand and getting ready for Saturday.Ohio, which has never beaten a Top 25 team, is trying to earn its second straight victory over a Power Five opponent after winning 37-21 at Kansas last week . The Bobcats took an early 25-0 lead in that game and are outscoring teams 14-0 in the first quarter thus far, while Tennessee has needed to erase double-digit deficits in each of its first two games.Certainly its a great challenge to play Tennessee, and you know I think our players look forward to those kinds of challenges, Ohio coach Frank Solich said. Well obviously play hard, and what we need to do is play our best football and see where that leaves us. Weve faced some very good football teams over the course of my time here. Some of those players that are on our team now have been in some very big games, and so we hope to handle it well and play our best football and see where that puts us.Tennessee coach Butch Jones knows Solich well from his own Mid-American Conference background. Jones coached Central Michigan from 2007-09. Jones Central Michigan team beat Solichs Ohio squad 20-10 in the 2009 MAC championship game.Jones noted that Ohio lost 31-29 to Appalachian State in last seasons Camellia Bowl after leading 24-7. Tennessee trailed Appalachian State 13-3 at halftime two weeks ago before winning 20-13 in overtime .ddddddddddddThis is a football program that has played on a big stage and has won big football games, Jones said. We know were going to get their best shot.---Some things to watch when Tennessee, a 27-point favorite, hosts Ohio:ON THE LINE: Ohio hasnt allowed a sack all year and has averaged 5.2 yards per carry, but the Bobcats offensive line faces a significantly tougher test Saturday. Tennessees Derek Barnett, who recorded 10 sacks each in 2014 and 2015, is still seeking his first sack of the season. Barnett said he had one of my softer performances against Virginia Tech last week.BALL-HAWKING VOLS: Tennessee forced five fumbles against Virginia Tech and recovered all of them. Tennessee safety Micah Abernathy had three fumble recoveries. Ohio must protect the football to stay close in this one.FINISHING DRIVES: Ohio kicker Louie Zervos already is 9 of 10 on field-goal attempts through the first two games of the season. Ohio wont have a chance of pulling the upset if its settling for field goals rather than scoring touchdowns.MOBILE QBs: Tennessees Joshua Dobbs ran for 106 yards and accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) in a 45-24 victory over Virginia Tech . Ohios Greg Windham, a fifth-year senior but first-year starter, already has thrown for 560 yards and five touchdowns and has run for 183 yards and one touchdown. Windham averages 7.6 yards per carry.DEFENSIVE REINFORCEMENTS: Tennessee will be playing without defensive end LaTroy Lewis and linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr., who have ankle injuries. Colton Jumper, a former walk-on, will be starting in place of Kirkland at Mike linebacker. Corey Vereen, who had a combined 18 starts in 2014-15, will likely start in place of Lewis.---AP college football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '