Kentucky Wildcats Roundball Season Recap
As we take a look back at the opening five games of the season for the Cats, they were able to come away victorious in BBN United Tip-off Classic Presented by Kentucky Tourism with the prestigious and coveted trophy SPOILER ALERT. But we would be remiss if we didn't also take a look at the preseason games as well, so let's start there. We'll do a quick recap of each game to focus on the most recent game.
Preseason game 1: vs. Purdue 10/24 78-65
The Cats came into the match-up with the unanimous preseason #1 ranked team undermanned with Jaland Lowe out due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the Blue/White game on Oct. 22. While battling for a loose ball with Otega Oweh, Lowe got tangled up and went to the deck grabbing his right shoulder, his non shooting arm. He was seen mouthing, “it popped out” while clutching his shoulder on the court as the team’s medical staff approached Lowe.
While Lowe is sitting, we get to see Denzel Aberdeen take control of the offense as he battles Naismith Player of the Year candidate, Braden Smith. Aberdeen was able to hold his own against one of the best floor general’s in the country. The rest of the roster was also up for the challenge as Kentucky came out early in control and never looked back. UK handled the Boilermakers from wire to wire while never appearing to waver in their play or confidence. Of course, Cats fans didn’t overreact at all by the dominate performance and outcome. I’m sure no one brought out their Ouija board to speak with Betsy Ross about starting on a ninth National Championship banner.
Preseason game 2: vs. Georgetown 10/30 70-84
The Georgetown Hoyas came out ready to battle toe-to-toe with the Cats. Ed Cooley had his guys ready to go as they were able to take an early lead while imposing their physical intentions. Their two guards, Malik Mack and KJ Lewis were able to control the tempo of the game by getting to the rim at will and knocking down midrange jumpers. UK fell behind and wasn’t able to gain much ground once they got down. Georgetown played very physical like a B10 team, but was more athletic and quicker. They were able to lay the blueprint on how to handle Kentucky. The dreams of hanging number 9 after the Purdue beat down were in question after the letdown against the Hoyas.
Game 1: vs. Nicholls 11/4 77-51 (1-0)
The opening game of the BBN United Tip-off Classic Presented by Kentucky Tourism wasn’t much of a challenge. Nicholls showed up to Rupp Arena but they didn’t stand much of a chance. They have a roster that just doesn’t measure up to what Kentucky is able to field, literally; their tallest player being 6’7 (six sevveeennn). The Cats were without Lowe again but everyone else was able to fill the void. The biggest takeaway from this game was the Collin Chandler dunk. For your viewing pleasure:
Game 2: vs. Valparaiso 11/7 107-59 (2-0)
Much like the first game of the season, Valpo was highly undermanned and was never much of a challenge. UK got their first look of Jaland Lowe as Mark Pope decided to bring him off the bench where he played 18 minutes. One of the biggest complaints of the team up to this point is how Kam Williams is producing much. Williams’ production is going to be determined by being able to play with Lowe. As of now, we have not seen those two guys play together, but I believe Lowe will unlock Williams. We were gifted with an incredible shot of Mo Dioubate though!
Game 3: @ Louisville 11/11 88-96 (2-1)
This is the earliest matchup between the two programs since 1993 which was played on Nov. 27th. So this is a weird time for all gams of this game, but this game started like a NASCAR race in the first couple minutes, both teams were getting up and down the floor while scoring at will. UofL was able to stymie the Cats in their half court sets after the under 16 timeout. The Cards were able to get the Cats out of rhythm by hedging hard at the top of the key during PR and DHO looks, preventing the Cats from turning the corner and getting into the lane. On the other end, Louisville was able to get decent looks beyond the arc due to UK playing drop coverage on the same looks from UofL.
The Cats got down as many as 18 in the first half despite being able to pull within 10 going into halftime. But the Cards came out firing while still maintaining the physical play. UofL’s Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell were able to get anywhere they wanted on the floor while scoring at will, scoring 29 and 24 respectfully. Conversely, Otega Oweh really struggled and pressed to get his game going, finishing with 12, and leaving a massive question mark. Denzel Aberdeen led the Cats with 26 points and 7 rebounds. Which is one positive considering Jaland Lowe was seen late in the game grimacing after reaching in for a loose ball as if there was some pain in that non shooting shoulder.
The outcome left the majority of UK fans frustrated, angry, and questioning the makeup of this team. I’m really frustrated by the mass substitutions before the first TV timeout. It’s giving PTSD from the Cal era when he refused to start Reed and Rob, but would sub them in at the first dead ball. Oh, let’s not forget how Cal refused to play guys like Justin Edwards and Chris Livingston at the 4. Just play the guys in a position that makes sense, spread the floor with shooters so Oweh can get downhill, and don’t feel like you have to play someone because of NIL obligations! And the postgame presser with Mark Pope didn’t provide any clarity with his comments. He stated something happened before the game that caused the guys to “flip the switch’ early and they didn’t play or respond the way he expected. But he refused to say what it was, leaving the media and fans to speculate what happened.
I’m really concerned that we’re not playing the best starting 5 that we have available. Difficult conversations need to be had with guys that define a role that each of them play and the rotation needs to be shortened. We need more shooters on the floor.
Game 4: vs. Eastern Illinois 99-53 (3-1)
The championship match up for the BBN United Tip-off Classic Present by Kentucky Tourism came down to Eastern Illinois. This game was basically over half way through the first half. The Cats were able to jump out early and took control of this one. Eastern Illinois was never able to chip away or keep up with the scoring prowess of UK. Kentucky was without Lowe once again after it was reported he reinjured his shoulder in practice during the week. Pope did say that he has choices to make in the upcoming days. One option is to play through the injury while dealing with pain and possible setbacks. The other option would be to have surgery to hopefully resolve the injury all together, but that would cause him to miss the remainder of the season. If I were to put myself in his position, I’d choose to have the surgery. Lowe still has two more seasons of eligibility and he’s not likely to make the jump to the NBA after this season. Especially in the world of NIL, financially, it would also make the most sense for Lowe. Pope hopes to have an update soon.
Game 5: vs. Michigan State @ MSG – 11/18 – Final: 66-83 (3-2)
MSU was viewed as one of the easier matchups of the non-con schedule and many thought the Cats would be able to impose their will against the Fighting Tom Izzos. However, Izzo’s group had other plans. This game began as and up and down track meet with both teams not having an issue making buckets. Michigan St. came into the game shooting 22% from three, so it’s easy to assume that the defensive game plan was to close out short, tempting them to shoot the three while challenging the release. It’s safe to say that UK missed the “challenge the shot” portion of the pregame discussion. UK allowed MSU to take open three after open three to which they made four of their first five attempts before the under 16 timeout.
MSU was able to chock off UK’s offensive efficiency in the half out while preventing the Cats from getting out in transition. The Spartans were able to push their lead to double digits heading to the locker room at intermission. Things did not get better in the second half, unless you’re a Michigan St. fan; they were able to push the lead to 18 before the Cats started chipping away. UK got within 10, forcing Izzo to call a timeout to regroup, and pushing the lead back out to 20 with just a few minutes to play. The Cats just never matched the physicality of the Spartans and was outmatched and outcoached. Another frustrating night leaving even more questions needing answers. And the Jaland Lowe topic is still murky. I would suspect he will not be back this season.
The morning after doesn’t make anyone feel better after the beat down. There are swirling rumors about an issue of team chemistry, lack of effort, and trust issues. Travis Ford, former UK player and current color analyst for UK games, did an interview last week where he mentioned the chemistry with this team is lacking and that the team doesn’t get along. Jack “Goose” Givens, former UK player and current color analyst for the UK game radio, mentioned there is a lack of effort from this group. He compared them to last season’s team who had an intense chip on their shoulder ready to prove to everyone they belonged at Kentucky. And Pope didn’t do himself any favors by speaking, or not speaking enough, after the game. I love that it hurts him when we lose. But it is detrimental to the image ok The University of Kentucky basketball. Mark, you still have recruits that are watching you, even after the games to see how you respond. This week alone a top 20 recruit has removed UK from their top schools list, a top 10 recruit chose Houston over Kentucky and others, and another top 10 recruit chose Maryland over Kentucky and others. The mood after losses are creating a ripple effect that may not be attractive to the 5 star recruits we’re used to landing at UK.
Chemistry is an issue because trust is not there w certain guy on the floor. Being on teams, when someone is on the floor who I know I cannot trust to be in help side, I can’t trust to block out, or I can’t trust going through screens, etc. it causes me to be more out of position to make up for what they’re not doing correctly. Which may look like lack or effort on my part or someone else’s part. It can cause teammates to argue w each other and it will cause tension and resentment.
The team looks as if we’re all in the same boat but we’re rowing in five different directions. Even more concerning, it doesn’t appear the captain knows which direction to go. Pope is in a moment where he cannot be concerned about sending a message to the team, it is critical that the message he’s looking to send is received by every person on the roster.
Right now, Brandon Garrison is not doing what is being asked of him; we’re seeing regression in real time. His teammates don’t trust him to do the little things. Garrison is only being asked to do 1/5 of a job on that floor. But when he doesn’t do his job, everyone else looks bad. It’s time to sit him for the freshman, Malachi Moreno. In the same light, to send a message that needs to be received, I’d park Oweh on the bench as well. He even said in the post-game presser that there’s an effort issue. Maybe there’s still a turf toe issue that he’s deal w, maybe he’s floating a little too high fresh off the preseason SEC Player of the Year vote; regardless, he needs to refocus on what he does best. Oweh is an undersized stretch 4 who isn’t a 4 and doesn’t shoot well enough to stretch. Which makes him a slasher. Again, he needs to be surrounded by shooters to open up driving lanes to get to the rim.
