The offensive fanatic would say there was a lot to like in the Wildcat’s 102-90 win over Sam Houston State. The Wildcats scored 102 points on 60% shooting for the evening. UK hit 11 of 22 three pointers, which had to ease preseason fears as to where the 3 pointers would come from this season. UK had 22 assists on the evening. The Wildcats had three players score 20 points or more (Cousins – 27, Wall – 21, Patterson – 20) and had double digit scoring from their other starters (Bledsoe – 19, Miller – 15).
The defensive guru would go crazy ranting and raving about the Wildcat’s performance on this evening. For the second straight game, UK seemed basically disinterested in stopping any shots from beyond the 3 point line. The Bearkats had 54 points on 18 3-pointers (most totally uncontested) and Corey Allmond had 37 points on 11 of 16 shooting from behind the three point line. The defense gave up 13 offensive rebounds and allowed 23.
It was another bizarre night at Rupp where they allowed a “lower tier” team to stay in the game much longer than they should have, but it was another thoroughly entertaining game to watch. Too bad the entertainment value will end when the SEC’s 3 point shooters ramble into Rupp.
Even on offense and defense , the Wildcats showed their “Jekyl and Hyde” side as even when they were doing things very good on offense, there was room for improvement. And when things were going badly on defense, there was plenty to like.
And with the good, there were things that were …. not so good. Despite the great games from the starters, the bench scored zero points in 35 minutes on just 0-3 shooting. The offense turned the ball over 22 times.
And the much maligned defense did some things good. Apart from the 3 pointers, Sam Houston was just 11-39 from 2 point range and were harassed constantly as UK swatted 12 shots (Daniel Orton blocked four shots in 10 minutes). UK handily outrebounded the smaller Bearkats 43-30.
For all it’s warts, the game was never seriously in doubt. DeMarcus Cousins was once again, a man possessed as he very nearly had a double in the first 7:00 of the game or so. He finished with 27 points and 18 boards. Darius Miller was a changed player offensively, as he was very aggressive and finished with 15 points and 3 3-pointers. Eric Bledsoe showed us he is a better shooter than we thought, connecting on 5-7 3-pointers. Both Wall and Bledsoe were spectacular and inconsistent at the same time, each finishing with both 6 points and 6 turnovers.
The game had it’s “who will and who won’t play drama” as Jon Hood did see action and DeAndre Liggins and Darnell Dodson did not take off their warmups all game. DeAndre was sitting with the team though so maybe he is getting closer to playing.
In the end UK is 3-0 on the season, the first time since 2006 they could stake that claim. A win against Rider on Saturday will give UK it’s best start since 2004. Let that soak in for a minute. And let this soak in: UK gave up 92 points, 18 3-pointers, turned the ball over 22 times and had an opponent that was 16-19 from the line and UK still won by 10. I am not going to nit pick to death a double digit win, but I just hope the Cats have been woken up and know what to concetrate on Saturday versus Rider.
John Calipari seemed to echo those thoughts as he said after the game that this was his worst defensive team since 1988. I think this team is officially on notice to get better defensively.
For the complete game stats, go here.
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