Basketball season is correct across the nook for the Kentucky Wildcats as they’ll look to convey No. 9 again to Lexington in 2022-23.
After a heartbreaking finish to the 2021-22 season, a number of gamers are again as soon as once more for a revenge tour.
One of many key returners is senior ahead Jacob Toppin who’s gearing up for yr three at Kentucky.
Jacob Toppin
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Peak: 6-9
Weight: 205 lbs.
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Place: Ahead
That is the yr that many expect Toppin to have his breakout yr as he’s prone to be the beginning energy ahead with Keion Brooks deciding to switch after final season.
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Toppin performed in 29 video games for the Cats final season, began in 4 of these video games, and averaged 6.2 factors and three.2 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per recreation. I’d be shocked if all three of these numbers don’t dramatically improve this season.
Throughout the Cats preseason journey to the Bahamas, Toppin received off to a gradual begin, but it surely didn’t final lengthy as he confirmed precisely what we wish to see from him this season.
Throughout the 4 video games, Toppin averaged 16.8 factors, 5.5 rebounds, and led the staff in minutes at 24.5 per recreation.
He was additionally third on the staff in whole assists with 10, tied for first with Daimion Collins in blocks with 8, and tied for second with Sahvir Wheeler and Adou Thiero in steals with 7.
Nevertheless, the quantity that stands out essentially the most from Toppin’s efficiency in the course of the Bahamas journey is that he was second in three-point share, behind solely Chris Livingston (60%), as he shot 53.3% from deep.
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Final season, Toppin shot 40% from three however solely averaged 0.3 makes an attempt per recreation. That quantity might want to go up lots in 2022-23.
Since arriving at Kentucky, Toppin has been considered one of our higher defenders each time he’s on the court docket. I count on that to proceed this season and the affect he could make defensively whereas getting starter minutes ought to have followers enthusiastic about senior yr Toppin.
We noticed a glimpse of his defensive presence within the Bahamas when he was making a spotlight reel of simply blocked photographs.
Kentucky has a variety of potential to be a high-powered, excessive scoring offense this season, however when you think about Toppin’s defensive means in addition to the protection of Wheeler, Livingston, and Cason Wallace, it might be considered one of Calipari’s greatest defensive groups.
Toppin goes to have a a lot larger position and never must share taking part in time. It is going to be attention-grabbing to see what he does with this large alternative this season.
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The basketball season will begin with Huge Blue Insanity on Friday, October 14th, and the Cats first recreation of the common season shall be Monday, November 7th as they tackle Howard in Rupp Enviornment.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Clara Strack scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Teonni Key had 16 points and 13 rebounds and No. 14 Kentucky defeated Arizona State 77-61 on Tuesday in the Music City Classic to remain unbeaten.
Kentucky nearly had four players with double-doubles as Georgia Amoore added 20 points and nine rebounds and Amelia Hassett had eight points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats (6-0), who shot 42% and scored 13 points off 14 Arizona State turnovers.
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Jalyn Brown scored 16 points and Nevaeh Parkinson added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Sun Devils (3-3). Arizona State shot just 30%.
The Sun Devils cut a 19-point deficit to 11 after three quarters but a 6-0 burst with baskets by Key, Amoore and Strack built the lead back to 15 midway through the fourth.
Kentucky led 42-23 at halftime after outscoring the Sun Devils 27-9 in the second quarter, scoring the first 13 points of the period with Struck putting in the final seven in the run. A couple ASU free throws later, the Wildcats went on an 11-2 run capped by a Hassett 3 and the lead was 20. Strack scored 14 points and Key 10 in the half.
The teams continue play in the Music City Classic on Wednesday with Kentucky playing No. 19 Illinois and Arizona State facing South Dakota.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rivalry week has finally arrived. The Louisville and Kentucky football program are set to do battle once again, facing off in Lexington for the annual Battle for the Governor’s Cup.
Here are the depth charts for both the Cardinals and Wildcats:
Changes from Louisville’s Depth Chart vs. Pitt:
Quarterback
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9 Tyler Shough (6-5, 230, Gr.) 10 Pierce Clarkson (6-1, 190, R-Fr.) OR 15 Harrison Bailey (6-5, 230, R-Sr.) OR 12 Brady Allen (6-6, 220, R-So)
Running Back
25 Isaac Brown (5-9, 190, Fr.) 21 Donald Chaney Jr. (5-10, 210, R-Jr.) 26 Duke Watson (6-0, 180, Fr.) 22 Keyjuan Brown (5-10, 210, R-Fr.)
Wide Receiver
0 Chris Bell (6-2, 220, Jr.) 81 Cataurus Hicks (5-10, 180, R-Fr.)
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-2) at Kentucky Wildcats (5-0)
Lexington, Kentucky; Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. EST
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BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Wildcats -22.5; over/under is 164
BOTTOM LINE: No. 8 Kentucky takes on Western Kentucky after Koby Brea scored 22 points in Kentucky’s 108-59 win over the Jackson State Tigers.
The Wildcats have gone 4-0 at home. Kentucky is 10th in college basketball averaging 12.6 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 42.3% from downtown. Brea leads the team averaging 4.0 makes while shooting 74.1% from 3-point range.
The Hilltoppers are 0-1 in road games. Western Kentucky ranks third in the CUSA shooting 37.4% from 3-point range.
Kentucky scores 97.0 points, 24.2 more per game than the 72.8 Western Kentucky allows. Western Kentucky averages 9.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.8 more made shots on average than the 6.0 per game Kentucky gives up.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Brea is shooting 74.1% from beyond the arc with 4.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Wildcats, while averaging 16 points.
Julius Thedford averages 2.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Hilltoppers, scoring 11.4 points while shooting 54.5% from beyond the arc.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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