What to like and what needs to improve after Kentucky’s 2 exhibition games

The Kentucky Wildcats wrapped up their second and final exhibition game Tuesday night before shifting their focus towards the regular season opener against Wright State next Monday.

The Cats were pretty much held in check by the defending Division II National Champions, Minnesota State, for the first 15 or so minutes before an offensive surge that willed the Wildcats to a 21-3 run to end the first half.

Minnesota State presented to be a much more difficult matchup for the Wildcats than Kentucky Wesleyan was in the first exhibition game, but what we learned from Tuesday night is that once this team starts cooking offensively, as well as being locked in defensively, a 2-point Kentucky lead can turn into a 20-point Kentucky lead in a matter of seconds.

As we head into the regular season, there is a lot to like about this new-look Kentucky team, and there are also some things that will have to improve as the season goes on. What was there to like, and what needs to improve after the Wildcats’ two preseason performances?

What to Like

Otega Oweh

The Oklahoma transfer was, in my opinion, the most underrated addition to this year’s Wildcats squad, and through two exhibition games, Otega Oweh was massively impressive in those two outings. He scored the Wildcats’ first seven points Tuesday night and ended with 15 on the night. His ability to finish downhill and his intensity on the defensive end was put on display in both performances. Otega scored 33 total points through his first two exhibition games and shot 14/17 from the field combined. We all know how good Otega is in transition, but if his shot starts to fall more as the season goes on, the Wildcats will be even more dangerous offensively than they are now.

Lamont Butler

The former Aztec put on a defensive clinic in his first two exhibition performances, which included nine steals combined in those two outings. Guards from opposing teams will have their hands full throughout the season trying to get around the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year due to his steady disruptiveness on that side of the ball. When it’s all said and done, Butler could be up there with the likes of former Kentucky PGs such as Rajon Rondo, Tyler Ulis, Ashton Hagans, and Cason Wallace in terms of defensive-minded Kentucky point guards.

Jaxson Robinson

Before Robinson ended up taking his name out of the draft this past summer, we talked about how significant it would be to add him to this year’s Wildcat roster, and after these two exhibition performances, now you see why. Jaxson Robinson had a total of 43 points on 15/24 shooting in his first two games and was also a combined 13/21 from three. He went on a surge from three Tuesday night (8/12) and ended with 24 points. There was so much talk this offseason about when Kentucky needs a bucket in a crucial stretch of the game, who will be able to put this Wildcats squad over in those situations? I think Robinson has put those questions to rest as of now.

A prolific offense

This Wildcats squad showed how quickly they can put up points in their first two exhibition games. They shot 21/42 (50%) from 3 in their first matchup against Kentucky Wesleyan. Although they were held in check for the first 15 or so minutes in the first half of Tuesday night’s game, Kentucky’s 2-point lead went to 20 in just a matter of minutes. We know what this offense is capable of when they are able to make shots at a consistent rate.

Defensive intensity

Last year’s Kentucky team struggled on the defensive end all season, but that seems unlikely to continue because you already have seen the disruptiveness from the Wildcats on that end through the two exhibition outings. Yes, they are playing inferior opponents, but you have to like what you see from this squad on that end, considering you have a center in Amari Williams, who is a former and reigning two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year, and a reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in Lamont Butler. If the offense can continue scoring at a high pace as well as being locked in on defense, all I have to say is look out!

What to Improve

Rebounding

Kentucky was in a dogfight in both games in the rebounding area. They were plus 12 against Kentucky Wesleyan but only plus two against Minnesota State. The thing that was worrisome through two exhibition games was the offensive rebounding. Kentucky lost the offensive rebounding battle in both matchups, which is worrisome. As the regular season sets to tip off next week, the Wildcats have to improve in that area because, going forward, you’re going to meet more teams that will be able to match up with your physicality, so that will need to be addressed.