Reece Potter, right, would love a chance for Kentucky to play Miami in the NCAA. (Vicky Graff Photo)
ST. LOUIS — Reece Potter has been keeping up with his former teammates all season long.
Potter, who played two seasons at Miami of Ohio, not only has been keeping tabs on the Redhawks, but has also been cheering them on this season. Miami (32-1) won all 31 of its regular-season games before falling to UMass in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Miami rebounded and defeated SMU 89-79 in the First Four in Dayton on Wednesday night.
“Those are my guys,” Potter said Thursday. “I played with almost all of them last year. I’m super proud of them. I hope they keep winning until they play us. I’m looking forward to that matchup eventually. … I still keep in touch with all of them. So you know, those are my guys. Those are my brothers.”
If Kentucky wins its first two games and Miami defeats its first- and second-round opponents in the tournament, the two teams could meet in the Sweet 16. Miami, the No. 11 seed in the Midwest Region, will take on Tennessee on Friday. Potter wasn’t surprised by the RedHawks’ showing in Dayton.
“They just play with complete confidence,” Potter said. “They let it fly from deep. That’s the main thing, just the offense, everybody can score on that offense, and it’s just an open offense to go create as much space as possible, five out and just let it fly and see, see what happens after that. … I was happy for them last night, and just hope they keep it going.”
Much like Miami, Potter, a former standout at Lexington Catholic High School, is making his first appearance in the Big Dance. Although he won’t be playing when the Wildcats open against Santa Clara on Friday, he’s excited to be part of the process.
“It’s been awesome,” he said. “It’s a dream come true. When you’re growing up as a little boy, you always watch March Madness, and it’s always a peak of sports and basketball. It’s a dream come true to watch my guys play tomorrow.”
In what has been a season of adjustment, Potter has been working on getting stronger in the post to get ready for next season.
“Physicality was the main thing,” he said. “Looking back on my last two years in college … that’s been the main thing, working every day in the weight room and stuff like that, and then just on the court and trying to perfect different things. You know, my shooting, keep on making it even better, and then just work on different moves and stuff like that to bring to the table next year.”
Potter’s biggest influence in practice has been freshman forward Malachi Moreno.
“He’s so physical down there and just an athletic specimen,” Potter said. “He’s just hard to go against every day. When I go against him, even when I did in high school, he’s always made me better. It’s so awesome to go against him.
“I’ve noticed since he was a little freshman in high school. I’m super impressed by him and just how much he’s grown over the years.”
