Kentucky Basketball Report Card Heading Into SEC Play

Kentucky basketball has concluded its slew of video games in opposition to non-Energy 5 opponents, ending the primary chapter of the 2022-23 common season with a polarizing 88-68 victory over Florida A&M on Wednesday. 

The Wildcats will enter SEC play with an 8-3 file, having principally squashed their inferior opponents, whereas seeming inferior to the opposite large packages they’ve performed up so far. 

Head coach John Calipari cautioned Large Blue Nation from the get-go to be weary of his workforce not reaching that stage for the primary couple months of the season, and he was clearly proper to take action. 

From the collapse within the Champions Traditional in opposition to Michigan State, to the slog in Spokane in opposition to Gonzaga, to the whole offensive malfunction final Saturday inside The Backyard in opposition to UCLA, there have been some clear errors which have hindered the Wildcats. 

Barring a dominant run in SEC play, a prime seed within the NCAA Match seems to already be out of the window. 

With 20 video games remaining within the common season, let dish out some grades throughout the vacation break as Kentucky gears up for the subsequent chapter of its quest for that elusive ninth nationwide championship: 

OFFENSE: D+

There’s two methods you possibly can have a look at the Wildcats on offense up to now: Bear in mind statistics from all 12 video games, or simply the 4 video games in opposition to P5 competitors. 

UK is presently averaging 78.7 points-per-game. Towards the massive 4 groups (Michigan State, Gonzaga, Michigan, UCLA) the quantity dips down 10 factors to 68.75. Insert nearly offensive statistic and you will be met with an analogous consequence. Issues look fairly stable if you have in mind the Howard’s and South Carolina State’s of the world, however not a lot if you dive into the video games that matter. 

Free-throw taking pictures. It is fairly unhealthy, regardless of what number of instances Calipari says in any other case. The 66.5 % mark is the 293rd-best mark within the nation. Six gamers are presently beneath the 65 % mark individually, whereas simply two are above 75 %. If not mounted, missed free throws will probably be one in every of, if not the purpose the Cats get knocked out of March Insanity. 

So many instances already this season the Cats have failed to essentially get out of first gear. Scoring droughts happen a minimum of as soon as a sport, stopping even a lot of the video games in opposition to mid-majors from changing into blowouts. There’s a true lack of consistency if every little thing from operating performs efficiently, to the rotations on the court docket, to easily placing the ball within the basket. 

Good defenses have solved the puzzle moderately simply up to now. Modifications should be made transferring ahead. We noticed some within the win over Florida A&M, however they should translate in opposition to legit competitors. 

DEFENSE: B+…ish

If not for stout protection, the season would look a lot, a lot worse for the Cats. 

Opponents are averaging 64.4 PPG and taking pictures round 39 % from the ground. In the event you take away the Gonzaga sport — and no matter Florida A&M did to shoot over 50 % on Wednesday — then you definately see a bodily group that normally does properly to restrict groups in transition and within the quick break class.

UK has a complete rebound margin of plus-87, which is a median of plus-7.9 per-game. It averages 13.6 turnovers compelled and is top-100 within the nation in steals-per-game at 8.0. The Cats are additionally thirty second within the nation in blocks at 5.1 an evening. 

Factors must be docked for the a number of defensive miscues in opposition to Sparty, because it price Kentucky a win, which might’ve given this workforce very totally different mojo going into the tip of November and onward. What Gonzaga was in a position to do got here moderately simply in an 88-point efficiency, however solely these two groups have eclipsed 70 factors in opposition to the Wildcats this season, and MSU want additional time to get there. 

Kentucky’s protection will get neglected, merely due to how unhealthy the offense has been. Positive, you held UCLA to 63 factors, however you solely managed 53 your self. They are saying protection wins championships, nevertheless it seems as if that may solely take this workforce thus far. 

We’ll see how issues maintain up transferring into SEC play when the true challenges begin to roll in on a weekly foundation. 

JOHN CALIPARI: D

Going again to what I discussed earlier, I discover it considerably exhausting to completely fault Calipari for the woes thus far. The person made a video earlier than the marketing campaign began telling everybody that this was a risk. 

That does not imply it is a good excuse, although. What precisely is that this offense that is being ran? 

Dribble, dribble, dribble, a few passes, failed entry cross, accept a foul shot. What number of instances has that occurred this 12 months? I am undecided you’ve sufficient time to depend. 

Calipari remains to be a methods away from determining what that finish of sport rotation goes to appear like come March. He nonetheless does not know what place he needs a few of his gamers to play…we’re a day away from Christmas. 

His optimism stays at an all-time excessive, nevertheless. He isn’t panicking, he is not budging, he has confidence in his workforce, the drill. Whether or not that is simply blowing smoke or real credence, Calipari is trying on the scenario by means of rose coloured glasses. 

One thing wants to alter with what’s occurring on the court docket, and that every one begins with the corridor of fame skipper on the sideline. 

CASON WALLACE: A 

After dropping 27 within the win over Florida A&M, Wallace solidified his gold star standing up so far. 

His 11.8 PPG, 4.0 APG and three.9 RPG have been very important to what success UK has had. The eight steals in opposition to MSU, the dagger 3-pointer within the lone large win of the season over Michigan, he is had some large moments. Who anticipated a 50 % 3-point share up to now? 

That is no dig at Sahvir Wheeler, however its clear that in end-of-game eventualities, Wallace must be the person operating the offense with the basketball in his fingers. I can not give him full marks, nevertheless, as a result of 54 % from the free-throw line is horrid. 

In any other case, Diaper Dandy certainly. 

SAHVIR WHEELER: C+

I do not know that there is been a extra polarizing participant at Kentucky in fairly a while. 

You have a look at the numbers and see 8.8 PPG and 5.25 APG. Generally Wheeler seems to be just like the true catalyst to UK’s offense being superior, and different instances you marvel what he is making an attempt to do when the ball is round him. The fact is someplace within the center. 

He is a dime machine and has a motor that is powerful for defenses to maintain up with. To argue that he must be relegated to bench minutes is laughable, however I do not know that having him and Wallace out on the court docket collectively late in video games is the most effective concept. 

Wheeler is in a troublesome spot, however I nonetheless contemplate him an essential piece to UK transferring ahead. He simply has to seek out that subsequent stage in his sport. Once more, the free-throw taking pictures can also be a point-deductor. 

ANTONIO REEVES: B+

Reeves got here out with a bang, scoring 22 and 18 factors in his first two outings as a Wildcat. That maybe set an unrealistic expectation for what he was going to be night-in and night-out for the Cats, although it doesn’t suggest it is not reachable. 

He has been a microcosm of UK’s season. Towards mid-majors, Reeves averages 15.5 PPG. Towards P5 packages, simply 8.0 PPG, most just lately capped off by a 2-13 taking pictures night time in opposition to UCLA.

When he is sizzling, give him the basketball. The Illinois State switch is a game-changer for UK when the three-ball is falling. Reeves has been every little thing as marketed after which some for the Cats thus far, he simply has to seek out consistency when it issues most. 

CJ FREDRICK: D

This season has not gone the best way that many envisioned for Fredrick. Within the UCLA loss, he was relegated to the bench, taking part in simply six minutes on the ground. 

He discovered his stride a bit in opposition to FAMU, nevertheless it feels exhausting to place any inventory in that specific sport transferring ahead. Whereas Reeves can nonetheless add one thing to the sport when he is not making pictures, the identical presently cannot be mentioned for Fredrick. 

5 video games this 12 months have seen him make only one shot or much less. That may’t occur when the factor you are speculated to carry to this workforce is…making pictures. He additionally began off sizzling, however dropped off moderately shortly, particularly in December. 

All shooters undergo slumps, and there is a very actual probability that Fredrick’s season comes alive when it issues most. However for now, expectations haven’t been met. 

CHRIS LIVINGSTON: B

Livingston has already proven a lot development by means of 12 video games as a real freshman. 6.2 PPG and a pair of.6 RPG are removed from mind-blowing numbers, however he shined in his first actual alternative in New York Metropolis in opposition to the Bruins, dropping 14 factors, making an attempt his finest to hold UK offensively. 

It seems as if he will not be taking part in the ‘4’ spot very a lot anymore, however he clearly must play extra minutes. What precisely his position will probably be transferring ahead is an effective query, but when he continues to enhance in 2023, Calipari may have no alternative however to contain him as a lot as potential. 

There are nonetheless some questions defensively, however we’ll discover the true solutions to these if he has sufficient time on the court docket to constantly present what he is able to. 

JACOB TOPPIN: D-

There’s been numerous blame handed onto Toppin for his play this season. It feels warranted, however was there an excessive amount of strain positioned on the senior to “breakout”? 

Within the lead-up to the season, all you heard was that this was the season that he was going to raise his sport and bump up that NBA Draft inventory. The alternative has occurred. 

10.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 1.5 APG is just not near the bar that was set. He is 3-20 from the 3-point line and 63 % from the free-throw line. Not nice. 

Defensively, even Toppin’s admitted at instances this season that is been a step behind. Calipari is pushing him to achieve new ranges, nevertheless it’s nowhere to be discovered. The athleticism is there, the tangibles are there, however the outcomes aren’t. 

Level clean, Kentucky wants Toppin to make a giant leap if it needs to proceed any title aspirations. 

DAIMION COLLINS: D

Collins has turn into an odd-man out, and it feels harsh to criticize his play this 12 months based mostly off what transpired earlier than the start of the season. 

Trying again on the exhibitions, he was touchdown soar pictures, elevating to the rim and gave the impression to be somebody who was going to be important coming off the bench. Now, he seems to be misplaced when he is out on the ground, and it looks like the remaining button must be hit. 

Who is aware of what Calipari will get out of the sophomore transferring ahead. 

OSCAR TSHIEBWE: B+

Oscar Tshiebwe remains to be a machine, however does not it really feel like there’s a little bit further ‘oomph’ that is lacking this season?

Granted, he is nonetheless averaging 15 PPG and 13 RPG, so take all of it with a grain of salt, as a result of he is doing simply superb. 

He showcased that Nationwide Participant of the Yr expertise within the win over Yale, dropping 28 factors, taking up within the second half. Once more pointing in the direction of video games in opposition to higher groups, he has confronted the kitchen sink and been nullified a tad. 

Perhaps he is nonetheless not absolutely one hundred pc due to the knee process that he had finished in October, however Kentucky wants him to get again to his 2021-22 season kind, as there’s not a lot constant offensive manufacturing going round.   

LANCE WARE: B-

How about Lance? 

No, significantly. Take a step again and take into consideration Ware’s position proper now. Needing him to carry toughness on the ‘4’ spot subsequent to Tshiebwe ought to let you know all you might want to find out about the place the Wildcats presently stand. 

Ware remains to be a little bit of an offensive legal responsibility, however what he is finished within the final two video games must be counseled. His enchancment with extra minutes throughout convention play will probably be one thing to observe. 

UGONNA ONYENSO, ADOU THIERO: C…by default

Lumping the freshmen collectively right here, merely due to pattern dimension. We have seen Onyenso far more than Thiero, however there’s nonetheless a lot to be discovered about them each, and it possible will not come this season. 

Onyenso made his mark within the win over Michigan, holding his personal within the paint in opposition to a troublesome frontcourt, however he is additionally appeared like a freshman on the market at instances in different video games. His sheer dimension is unteachable and can earn him the occasional look. 

As for Thiero, Calipari has constantly praised his development, saying he’ll make an influence on the earth of faculty hoops in the future. When he has gotten to play, he does not look misplaced and is aware of what we needs to perform. 

The time for each will are available in due time. 

Kentucky will return to the hardwood on Dec. 28, taking over the 11-1 Missouri Tigers in Columbia. Tip is about for 7 p.m. EST and can air on the SEC Community. 

Need the most recent on nationwide soccer and basketball recruiting, together with Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the most recent information, blogs, and updates concerning the nation’s finest prospects.

Sports activities Illustrated additionally provides perception, data and as much as the minute particulars for gamblers. Test it out right here.