Kentucky has ‘best package on both ends of the floor’ that North Florida has faced

Sahvir Wheeler, right, had a career-high 14 assists and 12 points for UK against North Florida. (UK Athletics Photo)

Credit North Florida coach Matthew Driscoll for understanding that media members at Rupp Arena didn’t really want to know that much about his team’s 86-52 loss to host Kentucky Friday night. Instead, Driscoll understood most wanted to know how UK compared to some other teams North Florida has already played this season. He called it the “million-dollar question” about comparing UK to other teams he’s seen this year.

North Florida has already played Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Grand Canyon, Arizona State and UCLA.

“I’ve been doing this 34 years, 13 at this school and this is our 68th Power Five game. It is what it is, it’s what we have to do, it’s all part of it,” Driscoll said.

“I will tell you this, I thought they really, really guarded, I thought they really were connected defensively and I thought they had the ability to be one of the best defensive teams, because of not only their length, but their IQ.”

Now for the comparison to other teams.

“I would say of the teams that we’ve played you guys definitely have the best package on both ends of the floor. You don’t have a lot of shooters but you have the right guys getting shots,” Driscoll said. “You don’t have a lot of shooters but you have guys that find them when they are open.

“Number 34 (Oscar Tshiebwe) I can’t pronounce his name is one of the greatest rebounders in basketball right now, and he took away a dunk that he could have had and kicked out for the first three in the half to TyTy (Washington). To me that says they are really connected and you can see that they have great love for each other.

“We’re obviously a heavy 3-point team. I think we turned down some that we could have gotten, but to their credit they put a lot of pressure on us as well. You guys should be really excited about where you’re at and where you’re going.  I guess Ohio State is the next one that you guys will be the most eager to see your team compete against and you guys are going to have a very good year.”

Driscoll said he knew point guard Sahvir Wheeler was not a shooter but he had 14 assists in the win.

“I told him after the game, Wheeler, if you continue to do what you do and be the player that you are, this team has a chance to really be special. If you try to listen to everyone else who is on the outside then you could really screw up what you guys have,” the North Florida coach said. “The way he defends the ball at the point and the way he pushes the ball to the rim and puts pressure on you, it’s great to see. It’s exciting for these guys to see.”