Kentucky players had a lot to cheer about in Wednesday's win. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Okay, it was only an exhibition game against Kentucky Wesleyan, a team that Kentucky should easily beat.
However, I think it is impossible not to be impressed with what coach Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team did Wednesday night when it routed Wesleyan 123-52. Even in an exhibition game, a 71-point win is impressive.
The numbers were mind boggling.
— Eight players hit double figures led by Jaxson Robinson (5-for-9 on 3’s) with 19 points and Otega Oweh (7-for-9 overall, 2-for 2 on 3’s) 18 points.
— Kentucky not only took 42 3-pointers but made 21 to verify Pope’s promise that the Cats would launch 3’s. Nine players attempted a 3-pointer and seven players made at least one trey.
“Our goal is to be over 30 (attempts), and that can get complicated. I thought we turned a couple down tonight that I wish we had taken,” Pope said.
— Kentucky had 48 field goals and had an assist on 32 of the made baskets. Lamont Butler and Amari Williams both had six assists and 11 different players had at least one assist.
— Lamont Butler had a Reed Sheppard-like stat line with 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting, six rebounds, six assists, six steals and two blocks in only 25 minutes of play.
“Lamont Butler had more steals than our whole team had turnovers tonight. I have never seen that actually. That’s really incredible. He’s a really special player,” Pope said. “I have never coached a guy like him on the defensive at the point of attack.”
Actually, there was not a lot for Pope not to love, including freshman Trent Noah coming off the bench to score 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting from 3.
“I thought our guys, from the very beginning, did a tremendous job making plays for teammates, playing off two feet, winning the gap, being judicious and really sharing the ball the way we hope to and anticipate that we will,” the UK coach said.
“It was a good night for us. I’m really proud of our guys. Their focus was tremendous. Their decision making for the most part was really good. They were very much on their toes and in attack mode, and that’s where we want to be.”
Pope was especially happy that his team handled its first outing in Rupp Arena so well.
“It’s the first time these guys have ever been in a game together, first time in this building in a game in official uniforms in front of our fans and all of the distractions that come with it,” Pope said. “These guys did a great job of taking on all the new and then really executing.
‘That’s our standard. That’s what we expect of our guys and I was really proud of that.”
Kentucky will play its final exhibition game Tuesday against defending NCAA Division II national champion Minnesota State-Mankato.
UK Basketball Exhibition Game
Photos by Vicky Graff
4 Responses
Impressive outing for the Cats. Turnover to assist ratio is stellar and even more impressive when you consider it’s their first game together.
123 – 52 and hitting 21 or 42 three pointers says a lot! We have 3 more games to prove that this wasn’t a fluke and then find out just how good we really are against Duke who supposedly has 3 lottery picks in their starting lineup. The difference maker in this game will be our confidence in believing that we are the best team on the court. We have 12 kids who can flat out play and want to win for Kentucky! Are we there yet, maybe. If not, we will be by the Clemson game.
I really like a team that keeps playing "their" game, even when they are up by 20 or 30 points. There was no letting off the gas and trying to "get their own." Teams that are aggressive are usually very successful because it is hard for most opponents to contend with someone that won’t let up.
Looks like this will be a fun season. Win or lose, I like seeing effort and I don’t think this team will have a problem with that.
After watching the game, if you can shoot the ball, this seems like a very fun style of play. I think a lot of young kids will want to play for Pope.
Agree whole heartedly with all the comments!
Pope has rapidly assembled a highly competitive, enthusiastic, solid group of players and already molded them into a cohesive unit from 1 thru 12 and no one has a lock on any given number (1-12) so everyone will get decent minutes.
Fresh legs become a major factor in the final segment of any game when the defense is pressing for 40 minutes.
Exciting times!