Freshman guard Cason Wallace had to play point guard Thursday but responded with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block in 28 minutes. (UK Athletics Photo)
This was the way an exhibition game against a vastly outclassed opponent should go for the University of Kentucky.
After scoring only 56 points in a win over Missouri Western Sunday, Kentucky exploded offensively Thursday night in a 111-53 win over Kentucky State that was really never close.
Kentucky had six players in double figures, dominated the rebounding and got the pace a lot faster than it did against Missouri Western.
However, the best part was that Kentucky found out what it was like to play without All-American center Oscar Tshiebwe and point guard Sahvir Wheeler, both preseason all-Southeastern Conference selections. Tshiebwe is still not ready after recent knee surgery and Wheeler was out after re-injuring his knee against Missouri Western.
Kentucky was also without sophomore forward Daimion Collins. He was in Texas with his family after the unexpected passing of his father Tuesday (there was a moment of silence for Ben Collins at Rupp Arena before the game).
While it’s never good to have players out with injuries like Tshiebwe and Wheeler were and still could be for Monday’s season-opening game against Howard, it’s a lot better to have it happen now than in March and let players adjust to different roles.
No Wheeler meant that both freshman Cason Wallace and Illinois State transfer Antonio Reeves got to run the point. Wallace didn’t shoot well (5-for-16 overall, 2-for-8 on 3’s) but he had 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block in 28 minutes. Reeves went 7-for-14 from the field (5-for-10 on 3’s) and had three rebounds, two assists and one steal.
No Wheeler also enabled senior guard CJ Fredrick to be more creative. He was 5-for-8 from the field (3-for-5 on 3’s) but didn’t force any shots. He not only dished out a game-high six assists but he also pulled off six rebounds.
Okay, I know it was Kentucky State, not Kansas or Gonzaga. But Calipari needs to know what players can or cannot do if Wheeler is not available or not playing well.
No Tshiebwe and Collins enabled Lance Ware and Ugonna Onyenso to get extra playing time.
Ware did what he does best — play with energy. He had 10 points on four shots and got to the foul line seven times. He pulled off nine defensive rebounds and also had three blocks and three steals. He even set one devastating screen in the backcourt that probably should have been a foul but he did provide physical play UK needs.
The 6-11 Onyenso is not skilled offensively. He was 1-for-6 from the field and needs a lot of work to develop. But he runs the court so well and he can protect the rim. He had 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards. He blocked four shots and even got a steal.
When will Wheeler and Tshiebwe return? With Calipari and his history of predicting how long injured players might be out, who knows. That’s why getting a look at so many players in different roles than they will be with Tshiebwe and Wheeler back was such a good thing even against an opponent as overmatched as Kentucky State.
