Ben Simmons’ LSU gets massive win over Kentucky University

BEN Simmons couldn’t resist taking a cheeky shot at Canadian rapper Drake after his team’s big win over the lyricist’s team.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers looks on against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Barclays Center on November 24, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

WHAT is it about Canadian rapper Drake that makes him such a target for Australia’s most promising athletes?

Aussie basketball sensation Ben Simmons couldn’t resist taking a cheeky shot at the recording artist after his team Louisiana State University caused a major upset over basketball giant University of Kentucky on Wednesday.

Just as Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios became embroiled in a slanging match with Drake after blaming the rapper’s music for a slow start to a match at Wimbledon in July last year, Simmons has invited the wrath of the Grammy Award winner.

Despite being a Canadian native with no official ties to the Kentucky school, the 29-year-old considers the Wildcats his favourite college team — which is why Simmons’ subtle dig may not be received graciously.

After his team’s big 85-67 win over Kentucky, Simmons posted a photo on his Instagram account captioning the image by switching the words of Drake’s track Scholarships to highlight his team’s win over the rival school.

In the song Drake gives a shout-out to his favourite college, saying: “And I rock Kentucky blue on these hoes. Drafted, I’m gettin’ choose by these hoes. Usually they just leave when we done. I don’t wanna share no room with these hoes.”

Simmons’ version was slightly different.

“I rock LSU gold on these @champagnepapi,” Simmons posted, tagging Drake’s official Instagram account alongside a “woman with bunny ears” emoji often used instead of a Playboy emoji.

The subtle swipe at the rapper was well received by Simmons’ followers with the post receiving more than 5,700 likes.

Meanwhile, broadcaster ESPN turned LSU’s crucial clash against Kentucky into the Ben Simmons show — even though the 19-year-old spent a lot of the game sitting on the bench.

The LSU forward had an impressive highlights reel on his way to 14 points and 10 rebounds as LSU pulled off a major upset to knock off University of Kentucky 85-67 in Baton Rouge.

Simmons picked up two early fouls in the first half and spent most of the first stanza warming the pine.

The LSU freshman played just 27 minutes as teammate Tim Quartermaine took control of the offence and sunk 21 points.

However, as far as ESPN is concerned, Simmons was still the star.

The nationally televised game featured live video footage of Simmons sitting on the bench, cheering his team on and reacting to Kentucky’s scoring plays.

It was a bit too much for some.

@espn Ben Simmons is average.Played against a good team that played bad. Picked up garbage points late.There was better players on the court

— IKE (@ike_ramey) January 6, 2016

@ESPN Ben Simmons is good, but good grief quit acting like he played alone..LSU had more than one guy on the floor.

— Shana Farris (@ShanaFarris1) January 6, 2016

ESPN wants Ben Simmons to be the next LeBron more than Ben Simmons wants to be the next LeBron.

— Ben Watson (@BasedWatson44) January 6, 2016

Didn't have any idea of the ESPN-Ben Simmons infatuation until tonight. It's bad

— Clark Dupree (@CDUPREE44) January 6, 2016

Id be happy to start a #jumpoff petition for the love affair @espn has with Ben Simmons...

— Riley Benock (@Riley_b3nock15) January 6, 2016

Simmons was even picked by the broadcaster to do his team’s post-match interview with a courtside reporter.

Ben Simmons, LSU’s No. 3 scorer tonight, gets the ESPN interview. Quarterman: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists. Anyone?

— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) January 6, 2016

I wish Ben Simmons had the self awareness to tell ESPN they should be talking to Quarterman instead of him. #UKvsLSU

— Wil Winstead (@wilw410) January 6, 2016

Talking to Ben Simmons and not Quarterman? Wow @espn, you're biased!

— Ronnie Allen (@rallen7303) January 6, 2016

In the interview, Simmons said he is enjoying the challenge of being a leader in his first year of college ball.

“I think just acting like we were supposed to be,” he told ESPN.

“Obviously i believe in my teammates and we’re working hard to get to the top. We have to prove it every time we step on the floor.

“I think just being a leader and being someone that that people can look at and get momentum off and get energy off. I think I’ve been doing pretty well with that.

“Some people are just meant to be leaders and I’m enjoying that role and I love doing it.

“I think just being a lot stronger and confident in my game and trying to take over games and making sure I look like one of the oldest guys on the court.

“It feels great. We don’t take any wins for granted especially against a team like Kentucky.

Simmons, the favourite to be snapped up with the No. 1 pick at the 2016 NBA draft, still put on a show despite his limited minutes.

The son of Melbourne Tigers great Dave Simmons slammed down an alley-oop pass from halfway and also had a stinging put-back dunk off a teammates three-point attempt.

This monster slam by Ben Simmons was the cherry on top of LSU's 85-67 win over No. 9 Kentucky: https://t.co/redHt5CHIU

— ESPN (@espn) January 6, 2016

Ben Simmons: on pace to become 1st player in the last 20 seasons to average at least 15 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast per game. pic.twitter.com/qsiTxkxcdI

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 6, 2016

He said after the game it was just nice to be part of the LSU team after a week of soul searching.

“We have come together as team,” he told LSU.

“We are gelling. Everyone got sick of what was happening and we all laid it out. We put our goals down and everyone has really stepped up and contributed. Everyone has to have the same goal and that’s to be the best team we can be.”

“I think we played a lot better tonight. We were excited to play against Kentucky due to the history between the teams. I think everyone really stepped up and focused tonight.”

LSU coach Johnny Jones said he was thrilled with his team’s win — LSU’s first against a team ranked inside the top 9 college teams in America since February 2007.

“The team is growing, but had this happened a month ago before Keith (Hornsby) and Craig (Victor II), I’m not sure exactly which way we would have possibly turned,” he said.

“Ben (Simmons) did a great job of staying engaged while he was over there and really had an impact there in the second half.

Ben Simmons liked that one.

“You’re absolutely right. Should something happen throughout the game, these guys know and understand they can play. They feel very confident. They were a very confident team tonight.”

Meanwhile, Basketball legend Magic Johnson has given Australian teenager Ben Simmons a huge endorsement as the best all-round player to emerge since LeBron James.

Melbourne-born Simmons has NBA clubs circling in his rookie year for Louisiana State University, averaging 20.5 points and a league-high 13.1 rebounds.

Simmons has often been compared to Johnson, a five-time NBA champion and three-time NBA MVP, because of his rare combination of size, ball skills and passing ability.

And Johnson’s high praise will only strengthen his favouritism to be the No.1 NBA Draft pick in June - when he could easily end up with Johnson’s former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

“LSU’s Ben Simmons is the best all around player I’ve seen since LeBron James came out of high school straight to the NBA!” Johnson tweeted.

“Whatever team selects Ben Simmons, will be getting a player that will have an immediate impact on their squad!”

LSU's Ben Simmons is the best all around player I've seen since LeBron James came out of high school straight to the NBA!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 6, 2016

Whatever team selects Ben Simmons, will be getting a player that will have an immediate impact on their squad!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 6, 2016

The NBA Draft rewards the teams with the worst records with the best chance of scoring the top pick and the Lakers are having a woeful year.

— with AAP