SEC Opener Was a Learning Experience for the Wildcats

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Vicky Graff Photo

The Southeastern Conference opener was a learning experience for Kentucky on Saturday.

The No. 10 Wildcats prevailed with a 106-100 win over sixth-ranked Florida, but came up short in several categories, especially in the rebounding department. Florida held a 38-30 edge on the glass, an area of concern going into Tuesday’s contest at Georgia.

“We learned that we’ve got to get a lot more physical,” said Kentucky coach Mark Pope. “We learned that it’s going to be like a life or death fight on the boards every single night.”

After surrendering 100 points, the Kentucky coach said the Wildcats will have to explore different defensive schemes against various opponents. Pope praised his team’s ability to make defensive adjustments against the Gators despite giving up triple figures.

“We learned that we are going to have to be really creative changing the way that we guard throughout the game — which our guys, our players were unbelievable in receiving adjustments during the course of the game,” Pope said.

Most importantly, Pope said, the Wildcats are having fun on the court.

“We are learning how fun this is,” he said. “I think that’s the overwhelming thing for us is we only get to do this 17 more times. We just can’t waste a minute, man.

“I hope BBN doesn’t miss a second of it. It’s going to be great times and hard times and they are all going to be growing times and that’s why it’s so fun to play in this league.”

5 Responses

  1. The Florida game was a learning experience, hopefully. You seldom will beat a team, even on your home floor, if they score 100 points. Tonight’s game will be much like the Clemson game…a hostile road crowd. Miss. State will be even worse. Then we come back home for A&M and Alabama, followed by road games in Nashville and Knoxville. The SEC cronies could not have made a harder schedule than the one they stuck to us. We will definitely be battle tested by tourney time. If we stick together, trust in Pope’s offense, rebound better, and play more zone, this could be a special season, even with the losses that are coming our way. A 12-6 SEC record would be a huge first season for Pope. Go CATS!!!

  2. Ill take it 12-6. Hell 60% of the top 10 is the SEC. Then I think we have 9 teams ranked in the top 25?! That crazy! I think whoever wins the SEC will have about 5-6-maybe even 7 losses! The league is stacked from top to bottom. Even the bottom of the SEC looks like mid tier power 4 teams so its scary good this year. I love it because for other teams Kentucky is always the Super bowl this year every game will be the super bowl in SEC play which should be very exciting basketball!

  3. I think we’ve yet to see how great this team will be. A lot of high IQ basketball players that are proud to be here coached by a fine man who has fully embraced his dream job.
    We’ve only just begun

  4. The Cats have to learn how to win on the road. Georgia won’t be easy. Rebounding and interior defense will be crucial. Especially with 6’11"Somto Cyril inside for the dawgs. 7′ 7" wingspan and 43" vertical jump. A little extra motivation for him as a former Ky commit.

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