Sahvir Wheeler returns to lineup with a double-double

Sahvir Wheeler had 11 points and 11 assists Friday. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Freshman Cason Wallace created quite a buzz in his first Kentucky game when he just missed a triple-double and took advantage of extended playing time because of the injury to Sahvir Wheeler, last year’s starting point guard and a two-time all-Southeastern Conference player.

However, Kentucky assistant coach Orlando Antigua reminded everyone before the game what the Cats would miss with Wheeler not available.

“His sped, his tenacity, the way he is able to impose his will on the game and the opposing team’s guard,” Antigua said about what Wheeler’s absence meant. “It is hard to replicate that.”

“The other thing he does is he has a great basketball mind. He knows how to find guys and put them at ease and get them easy baskets. That’s what you can expect from a veteran player.”

Wheeler showed just what Antigua meant Friday night in Kentucky’s 77-52 win over Duquesne.

He came off the bench to play 27 minutes and went 4-for-7 from the field, including 1-for-2 from 3-point range, to score 11 points. He also dished out 11 assists and even got six rebounds along with two steals. And get this — he even blocked a shot.

“I am just happy Sahvir played the way he did,” Calipari said.

His point guard injured his knee a few weeks ago but Calipari said then it was not a long-term injury. However, he did get beat up at times last season and there was no way Calipari was going to chance anything early.

“I thought he was good. He held the ball a little too long a few times,” Calipari said. “But he’s back to making his shot. He is shooting way better.”

However, there was still a lot of grumbling on social media about Wheeler’s play despite his double-double.

Wallace also played 27 minutes but was not quite the same as he was against Howard. He had eight points on 3-for-6 shooting, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block.

Calipari is going to find ways to play Wheeler and Wallace together because they can both be defensive disruptors. However, Calipari said one thing on the UK Radio Network postgame show about Wheeler that could be huge this season.

“If he (Wheeler) is struggling, you don’t have to ride him,” Calipari said.

Translation: There were times last year Calipari felt he had no choice but to leave Wheeler running the point. Now he can go to Wallace if Wheeler is not at his best and have shooters CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves on the wings and like that lineup a lot.