Vicky Graff Photo
Basketball can be a funny game.
Kentucky got off to a horrible start against Texas A&M Commerce but still won 81-61 on Nov. 10. A week later Texas A&M Commerce beat St. Joseph’s 57-54 and the losing Hawks were only 6-for-30 from 3-point range.
So how do you explain Kentucky needing overtime Monday night to survive 96-88 against that same St. Joseph’s that made 15 of 37 3-pointers?
Kentucky outscored the Hawks 28-11 in fast break points, had 24 assists on 33 made field goals and made just nine turnovers. Kentucky also had five players in double digits, including there — D.J. Wagner (22), Tre Mitchell (22) and Antonio Reeves (20) — who went over 20 points. UK had three 20-point scorers in a game since 2009 when the trio of John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson all did it on their way to the NBA.
Still, the older, more experienced Hawks not only hit 3-pointers but found ways to get inside against the Cats and got 34 points in the paint. In recent years that might have led to a UK loss or more likely a 58-54 win or maybe 65-61 win.
Not this team. We got the first game in Rupp Arena where both UK and the opponent score at least 88 points in seven years and I like that style.
These Cats are just different. They are fast and explosive — and coach John Calipari is letting them play. Sure, Rob Dillingham can go from great to awful to great in about 60 seconds but if you let him go you get 13 points (5-for-10 shooting), six assists, five rebounds and just one turnover in 26 minutes. I am not sure Calipari could have let him loose before but this year he is.
“We got some unbelievable depth,” Mitchell said. “We got dudes who can do everything. There are so many lineups we can bring out there. Dudes are unselfish and willing to make the right play to win games.”
Mitchell had eight of his 22 points in overtime including two 3-pointers that gave UK a lead it never gave up. His ability to bang and defend in the paint but also hit 3-pointers or distribute the ball — he had four assists — to change the game.
Kentucky’s offense was efficient. The Cats shot 51.6 percent (33 of 64) from the field and 48 percent (12 of 25) from 3. There are no ball-stoppers who just hold the ball or stand and dribble. No, the ball moves and that makes this team fun to watch and you know a team that relied on three freshman guards — Wagner, Dillingham and Reed Sheppard — in overtime is going to get better each week.
“You can’t play random unless you have high IQ basketball players out there and Kentucky has that,” SEC Network analyst Dane Bradshaw said.
Kentucky also finally has shooters. It made 12 3-pointers Monday and Sheppard, who had seven 3’s in the previous game, missed the only one he took. But five other players made at least one trey and four made two or more.
“If we don’t make 12, we don’t win,” UK coach John Calipari said.
According to unofficial UK statistician/historian Corey Price this is the first time UK has made at least 12 3-pointers in three straight games since the 1994 SEC Tournament when Rick Pitino was coaching Kentucky.
I don’t think Calipari can back off this faster, 3-point shooting style now if he wants because not only do fans like it but so do players and it sure seems like Calipari does, too. He’s back shaggy, almost cocky like he was when he got to UK and his young, talented teams just kept getting better until they were a force every NCAA Tournament.
“I am trying to get these guys not to worry about expectations. When you worry about expectations, you become judgmental of yourself and critical of yourself,” Calipari said.
“You want them all to win but what went on shows me what this team can be. I will get a better feel for who should be in at the end of the game. It is a marathon and my job is to keep them growing.”
9 Responses
I look at it like pitinos bombinos.. keep shooting. A true equalizer.
Agree this team is fun to watch. They need to work on three-point defense and stopping the drives to the rim. Lots of potential, along with a lot of work to become a great team. Looks like the players want to be great and will improve as the season progresses. Best talent since 2012 and 2015.
Below is an excerpt from an online article by Nick Wheatley following last night’s "win".
Why are we still even having this conversation? I don’t know the answer to that question, but apparently, we need to. Everyone on this planet can see Reed Sheppard and Robert Dillingham are better than DJ Wagner right now. The same goes for Justin Edwards. That may not always be the case, but it is right now, and there’s no question about it.
But, for some reason, Wagner and Edwards continue to start game after game while Sheppard and Dillingham come off the bench after the opposing team inevitably starts with a lead, and UK can’t score. Dillingham can be a little erratic, and defense isn’t his strong suit, but he’s a microwave scorer and provides so much energy. Sheppard does everything well and just plays winning basketball—scores, passes, and defends.
Right now, Wagner provides solid on-ball defense but poor shooting and inconsistency when attacking the rim. Edwards plays like he knows he was the projected No. 1 pick before the season, but the results certainly aren’t there. Now, I will say Wagner seemed to find his stride a bit in the second half and helped Kentucky pull out the win. All these guys are freshmen. I’m sure we’ll see plenty of ups and downs. But let’s let the best guys play and make the “stars” earn it for once. End of excerpt.
What Nick failed to take into account was the fact that Wagner and Edwards are Calipari’s pets. Calipari is willing to lose games in order to give his pets more PT which he hopes will result in better play and hopefully become lottery picks. Edwards has toned down his shooting and is shooting much better. Now, he needs to start rebounding and play better defense. Wagner still thinks he can shoot the 3, going 1 – 4, and was still under 50% on his 2 point shots 6 – 13. If he would play better defense and look to assist more, he could have a role on this team, but his play thus far does not warrant a starting role or starter’s minutes. Even the Calipari lovers have to concede that the team’s worst shooter should not be the guy who takes the most shots…every game. It cost us the game against Kansas and almost let St. Joe steal a win at Rupp. Someone needs to remind Calipari that he works for UK and needs to put UK’s interest first, i.e. winning, but Barnhart was the idiot who gave Calipari that lifetime contract with a gazillion dollar buyout. The inmates are running the asylum.
Lord people get over it, who cares who’s starting this team has brought back the fun too watch. Quit your complaining and enjoy the ride because it’s going to get better as the season goes along. It’s a new season with a better mind set of players that Cal has put together.
I have to agree Cats79. Once those rim protectors get on the floor, this team will be Nasty. I also see a lot of drives that end in lob dunks. Go Cats!
What does it mean to be a troll?
Trolling is when someone post or comments online to deliberately upset others. In short: Trolling is when someone deliberately tries to upset others online.
I do recall that you stated that you like to make the Cal lovers Squeal!
I bleed blue and always will. I want Kentucky to keep the most wins record. I want Kentucky to win titles again. I would love to see this team get 70 shots a game, but by the kids who are making them. I love that we are taking more 3’s and have single digit turnovers. John Calipari is a good man, but only an average coach with questionable agendas and basketball philosophy. He is not the right coach for Kentucky and YES, I did say that I love to make Calipari lovers SQUEAL! When he finally gets the boot I hope all of the Calipari lovers follow him wherever he goes.
My hope is Calipari runs all the whiners off before his "lifetime" contract is up in 2029.
This team is a lot of fun to watch and I am not worried about who starts. I am more interested in who is on the court when they put someone away. Right now, things are working pretty good, so I wouldn’t change a thing other than Sheppard and Dillingham getting a few more minutes. Keep pushing the ball and playing fast. It takes more players to play a continuous fast pace. Also, some players are better at coming off the bench than others. Sheppard and Dillingham get a chance to see from the bench what is going on on the court before they go in. They both have the mentality to just get it done.
As for St. Joe and any other team, hitting shots is contagious. I don’t know how or why, but you see it in a lot games. One player gets going, then so do the others.
Hope Cal keeps playing a lot players, playing fast pace, and keep up the defensive pressure.
Comments are closed.