EAST LANSING – Tom Izzo has seen a Kentucky group that’s received the nationwide title, one which made it to the nationwide title recreation undefeated and ones which have featured a few of faculty basketball’s finest gamers within the final decade-plus.
That’s what makes his evaluation of the 2022-23 Wildcats so notable.
“I believe that is the most effective Kentucky group I’ve seen,” the veteran Michigan State coach stated on Monday.
Izzo must discover a solution to beat that No. 4 Kentucky group when the Wildcats and Michigan State play in a Tuesday evening Champions Basic matchup in Indianapolis (7 p.m., ESPN).
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This model of the Wildcats, Izzo stated, stands out largely for its expertise. A program identified for relying closely on freshmen one-and-done gamers below John Calipari has 4 seniors on its roster this 12 months.
That features a returning All-SEC level guard in Sahvir Wheeler, main scorer Antonio Reeves, an Illinois State switch, main rebounder Jacob Toppin and Iowa switch CJ Fredrick, a profession 46 % 3-point shooter.
Add to that two freshman McDonald’s All-Individuals in Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace and Izzo stated this Kentucky roster has a little bit of the whole lot.
“I believe that is his finest group as a result of I believe he’s had groups that didn’t shoot it as properly, he’s received two guys that may knock photographs down,” Izzo stated of Calipari. “He’s received a bona fide level guard that may run the group and he’s received a bunch of inside guys which have size.”
Then, after all, there’s Oscar Tshiebwe, the returning nationwide participant of the 12 months who averaged 17.4 factors and 15.1 rebounds per recreation final 12 months.
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Tshiebwe has been out of motion for a month after a knee process, and Calipari has stated it’s unsure if his star heart will go well with up on Tuesday.
Izzo stated he’s “99 % certain” that Tshiebwe will play within the matchup, though he’s uncertain what sort of situation the large man can be in. And having no movie of Tshiebwe to check this season, he’s uncertain precisely how Kentucky will use him.
“It’s a little bit little bit of the unknown,” Izzo stated.
Michigan State can be enjoying its second top-five opponent in a span of 5 days, after the Spartans fell to No. 2 Gonzaga, 64-63, on Friday evening aboard an plane service in San Diego.
Izzo stated the group has managed sleep and restoration properly since then to make sure his gamers can be contemporary for Tuesday. And regardless of the loss, gamers and coaches have had lots to be ok with within the few days since leaving the USS Abraham Lincoln.
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Junior heart Mady Sissoko had a breakout efficiency with 14 factors and 9 rebounds. Izzo was additionally happy with level guard A.J. Hoggard, who he stated performed much more in management and was robust from the free throw line within the near-upset of the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs, although, will current a distinct sort of problem. Kentucky may not have a participant as expert as Gonzaga All-American heart Drew Timme however has extra athleticism across the ground.
That athleticism makes Kentucky a powerful rebounding group, and Izzo stated he’ll want “gang rebounding” from his extra undersized bunch.
The sport will mark the second within the Spartans’ seven-game November gauntlet in opposition to a few of the finest competitors in faculty basketball. The primary of these video games revealed a group that was in a position to go toe-to-toe with top-of-the-line groups within the sport. Izzo stated Tuesday’s recreation will reveal much more.
“One other recreation for us the place we’ll be taught loads about our group,” Izzo stated.
Now that the ink has dried and his signing with Kentucky has been made official, Jasper Johnson was finally able to be formally introduced to the Rupp Arena crowd during the Wildcats’ 87-68 win over Western Kentucky on Tuesday night.
Johnson, a class of 2025 five-star point guard born and raised in Lexington, sat courtside with his family to check out his future team in action against the Hilltoppers. During the second half, former Kentucky player Ravi Moss brought out the future Wildcat to midcourt where he was met with a chorus of cheers from the packed crowd of Big Blue Nationites.
After initially committing to Kentucky back in September, Johnson signed the necessary papers to play his college basketball at UK earlier this month. He’s been inside Rupp Arena plenty of times before over the years (and even played here with Woodford County as a sophomore), but never while wearing street clothes as the center of attention in front of over 20,000 screaming fans.
The smile says all you need to know.
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Johnson is one of three signees from Mark Pope‘s first recruiting class as Kentucky’s head coach, joining four-star center Malachi Moreno and four-star point guard Acaden Lewis. The 6-foot-4 guard is ranked No. 14 overall in the nation by the On3 Industry Ranking. He’s currently finishing up his high school career at Overtime Elite as a member of Rod Wave Elite (RWE).
Alongside Tay Kinney, a talented class of 2026 guard who is also from Kentucky and is being recruited by Pope, the two Bluegrass natives form arguably the deadliest backcourt duo in all of OTE. Through five games played this season, Johnson is averaging 19.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per outing while shooting 47.9 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from deep.
This time next year, we’ll hopefully see him do the same thing in Kentucky blue and white.
Johnson family – Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio
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.)
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