Cauley-Stein, Wildcats Throw ‘Block’ Party as UK Tops Providence 79-65 [VIDEO]

I am a fan of UK sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein. While he's never exactly given me a great reason to be, I just always knew the kid had it in him. He's smart. He's conscientious. And he's 7 feet tall. On Sunday night in Brooklyn, he hosted a block party.

Behind Cauley-Stein's 9 blocks and 15 points (not to mention James Young's 18 points and Aaron Harrison's 15), Kentucky beat Providence at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Another freshman sensation, Julius Randle, had 12 points but wasn't a factor except in fits and starts. That needs to change. The team must constantly involved Randle and his NBA-ready skills and body. Had he had the kind of game he CAN have, this thing would have been a laugher.

But this was an important win for the 'Cats. Providence fancies itself an NCAA Tournament team. It has the talent to get there. And it's a far better team than the Cleveland State squad that nearly took out UK in Rupp Arena a week ago.

Aaron Harrison's performance was important in another respect. His brother Andrew, the starting point guard, couldn't stay out of foul trouble. Aaron, a natural shooting guard, showed that he can step into that role and get things accomplished.

It's a good win for Kentucky and a good way to kick off a month that looks to be the most challenging December the 'Cats have ever faced.