Following Tuesday night’s loss to No. 1 Kansas, Jeff Borzello of ESPN recapped the game and explained why we should still be excited about Kentucky despite the loss.
“The Jayhawks did begin to assert their interior dominance and keep Kentucky out of transition in order to come back and eventually win, but the big takeaway is that John Calipari’s team went toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the country and nearly won,” Borzello explained.
Here’s everything he said about the Wildcats:
For the first 25 minutes, they were a revelation. They were playing with incredible pace, spreading the floor with multiple shot-makers and forcing Kansas to defend in space. Rob Dillingham was making shots. Antonio Reeves was making shots. Adou Thiero was playing with energy. Kansas simply couldn’t keep up.
The Jayhawks did begin to assert their interior dominance and keep Kentucky out of transition in order to come back and eventually win, but the big takeaway is that John Calipari’s team went toe-to-toe with the No. 1 team in the country and nearly won. And this despite Justin Edwards and D.J. Wagner — the highest-ranked freshmen on the Wildcats and their highest-ranked NBA prospects — shooting a combined 1-for-18 and scoring five points.
One more thing to remember: Kentucky is still short-handed. Aaron Bradshaw, a top-10 recruit, and returning big man Ugonna Onyenso are out after offseason foot injuries, and highly touted Croatian center Zvonimir Ivisic hasn’t been cleared to play yet. Hunter Dickinson probably wouldn’t had gotten 27 and 21 if those three were able to suit up on Tuesday. I came out of this with plenty of optimism for Kentucky’s season. — Borzello
Also after the game, Dick Vitale proclaimed that Reed Sheppard will be a major Wildcat STAR:
The @KentuckyMBB has many 5 star Diaper Dandies but I said it once & will say it again REED SHEPPARD will be a major Wildcat STAR – early vs @KUHoops he has already been efficient . Hit 2 big 3’s – passes well & defends .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 15, 2023
