This basketball season is off and running, and with Kentucky’s opening game coming up this Friday with UNC-Asheville, it is time to look at what happened last night in the Cats’ last exhibition game.
There are many aspects many could talk about, but I tend to look at the specifics (and negatives), then I do the broad and positive.
You might agree with my observations, but hopefully you will disagree, because that is what makes a discussion with Kentucky Basketball fans even more fun.
1. First off, let’s begin with Julius Randle. This kid can absolutely handle the basketball, and the way he bobs and weaves through traffic, one would have to wonder if any defender in the SEC will be able to stop him. But the big question for me is how many different faces can Julius Randle make during a basketball game?
2. Alex Poythress gets scrutinized by Kentucky fans more than anyone these days, but one big difference than last season is he seems a lot more comfortable in his own skin and UK uniform, than last season. Alex is a lot more at ease in postgame press conferences and smiles a lot more than at any time last season. Just being happy could be the key for a kid that has a lot of high expectations set by a ton of fans in blue.
3. Dakari Johnson could be the best true big man Kentucky has had in a long time. Johnson has very nice post moves and is very fundamentally sound when he rebounds the basketball, My definition of fundamentally sound rebounding the basketball is keeping the ball up high and putting it right back to the rim. He also looks very comfortable to the basket and gets a nice angle to use the backboard. Now, Kentucky has played 2 teams that were full of midgets, but my guess it won’t matter too much when the big fella gets it deep down on the block.
4. Defense could keep a lot of games close early on and the next couple of games will have to be on the job training to get ready for the Champions Classic vs. Michigan State. Communication is key to team defense, while being aggressive and keeping an eye on the ball and defender all at the same time is a must. It also helps to have size in the paint to help correct misplays, which means the bigs will have to be ready to come from the weak side. Coach Cal mentioned last night he took Cauley-Stein out because he stood behind the basket and did not try and block a shot. That cannot happen as the Cats prepare for a huge test coming up in Chicago.
5. Andrew Harrison sitting out the first 2 exhibition games makes you wonder how ready he will be for the Champions Classic if he doesn’t play this Friday night. I like Aaron Harrison a lot, but like him a lot more at the off guard. Jarrod Polson will be able to spell Andrew at the point for short periods of time, but to say he can start and this team be the #1 team in the country is a stretch. We haven’t seen this team at full strength yet, and until they get their floor leader back we won’t know anything about it in my opinion.
And 1.
Derek Willis obviously came back down to Earth last week in practice as his playing time really diminished vs. Montevallo. So, everyone do the kid a favor and calm down with the Scott Padgett and Keith Van Horn comparisons.
All Photos by Regina Rickert
