Robert Morris could not slow down Sahvir Wheeler. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky had six players in double figures in Friday’s 100-60 win over Robert Morris. Point guard Sahvir Wheeler was not one of them … and that was a good thing.
Instead of shooting, Wheeler distributed the ball and ran the offense with confidence and patience. He finished with 12 assists, three steals, and no turnovers in just 23 minutes after making seven turnovers in 38 minutes against Duke Tuesday. He also had five points.
Robert Morris coach Andrew Toole says trying to slow down Wheeler or alter the way he plays is not easy to do.
“We weren’t able to do it, so obviously it was extremely hard,” Toole said. “He’s running it down your throat. The way that he pushes the ball down the floor just encourages all those other guys to run so hard because he’s so unselfish and he’s able to get them shots early in the offense.”
Remember Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops saying it was impossible last week for his team to simulate in practice the tempo that Tennessee’s offense used. It’s the same for an opponent trying to get ready to face Wheeler.
“We don’t see anybody obviously with that kind of speed and that kind of playmaking ability in the open court,” the Robert Morris coach said. “He has such a good understanding of the pace, so as soon as there isn’t anything there, he’s able to organize and get into whatever action they’re trying to execute.
“There were times in the game that even after a made basket where our guys were sprinting back as fast as they can just trying to keep up. It just adds an incredible amount of pressure to your transition defense. There are not many guys that can do what he does.”
He’s right. Wheeler has 22 assists in two games, the best two-game total to start a Kentucky career, so obviously “not many guys” can do what he does.
2 Responses
Sad news just came out that CJ Fredrick is out for the season. I really was looking forward to see him play. He will under go surgery.
I was too 79, but it may be for the best. Minutes were going to be hard to come by this year, but it may not be any better next year with two shooting guards and a point guard coming in.
That was Wheeler’s blueprint game. If he will play that way and not try to do more, that will help our team be the best version it can be, even if that doesn’t do much to improve his NBA prospects. Sahvir may choose to come back for another year.
Coach needs to find some bigs. If Oscar leaves, next year’s team will resemble a submarine with a screen door for a hatch.
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