If Tom Hart is right, Kentucky should have a lot of good times this season. (Chet White/UK Athletics Photo)
SEC Network’s Tom Hart spent a week in the Bahamas with the Kentucky basketball team. Not only did he do the play-by-play for all four UK exhibition wins, but he also had access to players and coaches during the week.
Hart, a Big Blue Nation favorite, shared a lot of thoughts about the Cats on Twitter earlier this week. He noted that Kentucky is going to be “great” and has talent and depth at nearly every position. He shared thoughts on several players, too.
Antonio Reeves: “Antonio Reeves was a breakout star. His role on this squad is very different from what he was last year — and he’ll be even better for it.”
Jacob Toppin: “Toppin’s emergence as an offensive threat will be the tipping point for this team. If he can replicate what he did in the Bahamas the ceiling is national title.”
Daimion Collins: “Collins will be a tough matchup for many teams, and he’s a great fit for Cal’s offense. He’s improved.”
CJ Fredrick: “I wish we could’ve seen more of CJ. He’s a steady voice, is always in the right place, and can be deadly from 3.”
Point guards, freshmen: “The point guard position is in great hands with Wheeler and Wallace. Wallace and Livingston can be elite, even though they’re just getting started.”
Oscar Tshiebwe: “Oscar is Oscar. I don’t know that there is any more likable college player in any sport. He’s authentic. Oh and he’s the reigning Player of the Year so there’s that.”
6 Responses
Not that the Bahamas was a true test, but it was still a good introduction. Every single player seemed to be fully as good as I had envisioned. They are in a good place right now, just need to stay healthy, not repeat last season’s rash of injuries.
I don’t recall a UK team simply dominating opponents as this did last weekend.
This team simply played its game regardless of the opponent rather than playing down to its competition the way so many teams tend to do.
Last year Oscar was a man among boys, and he had to carry that team on his back. Oscar is better this year than he was last year, but his performance within the context of this team appeared average. He is no longer a man among boys, and he no longer has to carry this team on his broad shoulders.
Yet, when all the dust settled on those 4 games, Oscar was the most efficient player on this team. That is not to take anything away from the level of play that the others contributed, because, across the board, it was outstanding basketball.
Based on these 4 games, this is Calipari’s strongest team at UK
November’s sames will be a berrer benchmark on potential for #9. It has been a long and often frustrating 10 years.
GO CATS!
Xxx "games" not "sames"
Keys to a successful season from one point of view
1. Reeves was not a "breakout" star – he already was that guy and thankfully Chin knew it. He was top of my list of 3 that I wanted out of the portal. I will settle for one, especially now that Kingsley is on board.
If Cal will allow him to handle the ball on offensive sets more, we will really get to see his ability to "hunt" for his shot, but I am not counting on that. Last season, we saw what TyTy could do with the ball in his hands when Wheeler was out, then we really saw what Grady could do when TyTy and Wheeler were both out during the Alabama game. TyTy and Grady both needed the ball in their hands more in the half court throughout the season to probe defenses and catch their man a half step behind. Reeves is the same kind of guy, but Wheeler is so ball dominant.
2. Wheeler is ball dominant! Is that just who he is and Cal can’t change him or is Cal asking him to have the ball in his hand 90 % of the time in the half court? He is a valuable tool, but I would like to see us move away from last year’s role to more of a specialized role to be used a little less. Hopefully, Cason will be so good at the point that Cal is forced to use him there a lot.
3. Cason and Livingston are not typical freshmen! I wouldnt trade them for any other freshmen in the country. If Livingston is consistent with that 3 pt shot, we have real depth and options. I think he was streaky in high school though. Anyone confirm that memory I have of him from over a year ago?
4. Toppin has to be what he was the last 2.5 games in the Bahamas and not the Toppin of the first 1.5 games. Can he permanently change his offensive mindset?
5. Collins has not progressed his jump shot as many speculated he would and he will be a liability against some teams. A Collin, Toppin, Oscar front court will overwhelm lesser teams with size and everyone will want more of that lineup but it is fools gold. Against very good teams, Collins will get drug out to the perimeter where he and Oscar are both a liability. Worse, if Wheeler is at point with that lineup, it will not have enough outside shooting, playmaking, or ball handling.
6. Oscar looked like he was on cruise control. I don’t know if that an intentional strategy to force others to step up, or if he was just exhausted from business, but hopefully he can turn it on when needed.
7. Lance……. Lance…… liability on perimeter defense. Preferred means of stopping opponent at the rim is to foul him. His jump shot looks worse than last year. On a plus note, he did offer weak side help several times, and some of those times, he didn’t foul.
8. Ugonna – he is very good and I hope it translates to CBB. If we are lucky, he progresses quickly and can be primary backup for Oscar by conference time. Sorry Lance.
9. CJ performed exactly as expected. He is not a shoot first guard and we should not expect him to be any different than he was at Iowa – that is his strength – he will not hurt you anywhere, makes good decisions, and hits a high % because he only takes good shots (just not very often).
9. CAN THIS TEAM PLAY THAT FREELY WHEN CAL TAKES OVER THE REIGNS? I haven’t seen a UK team play that loose in a long time and it makes me wonder how much effect Cal’s screaming, jumping, and waving distracts them.
Can they keep their foot on the gas and put teams away every night like they did in Bahamas?
Your welcome, you may open fire when ready!!
No one wants to match up against this team
SEC beware
When Oscar Collins Toppin Reeves and Wheeler are on the floor
Speed😻Defense😻and Reeves😻 if you guard Reeves any of our bigs will be open if you don’t Reeves is gonna simply light your butt up!
Go Big Blue!!!
LifelongWildcat
Oh and I forgot our bench would start at most colleges
Maybe Coach Calipari’s best squad yet
The depth is why I say that and the defense