Kentucky Basketball: Wildcats 111, Thorobreds 58

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday evening, the University of Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Kentucky State University Thorobreds 111-58 in the last tuneup before the 2015-16 regular season begins next week. As is usually the case, head coach John Calipari and his staff are tinkering with different lineups as the Cats look to blend established veterans and highly touted newcomers. This figures to continue into the early part of the season as Kentucky looks to form it’s team identity. There are a few takeaways from the game that bode well for the Wildcats moving forward.

Tyler Ulis is The Captain. A year after leading the second unit during last season’s 38-1 Final Four run, the sophomore from Chicago is the undisputed floor general of this team. He’s the typically gritty, quick point guard, but it’s his leadership that sets him apart. The Cats started off sloppy and disconnected on offense against the Breds, but Ulis was there to get the team on track and get them off and running. With the NCAA focusing on handchecking to eliminate it from the game, teams are going to be hardpressed to keep Tyler Ulis out of the lane. He’s quick, strong with the basketball and makes good decisions. Ulis finished with 15 points, 4 assists and only one turnover.

Skal Labissiere is going to be a beast. John Calipari was once known as the point guard guru. But it’s becoming clear that he can recruit and coach big men too. Skal was scoreless in the first half tonight, but finished with 22 points and 9 rebounds in only 17 minutes of action. He showed a wide range of post moves and may have the best footwork of any big man that Coach Cal has brought to Lexington. Labissiere may be slight of frame, but he showed that he has enough skill to combat stronger players.

Marcus Lee is ready to shine. For his first two college seasons, former McDonald’s All American has been a deep on the bench guy. He’s shown flashes of great play, but hasn’t been able to be a consistent presence on the court. As a junior, Lee is showing that patience pays off and he may be ready to help Skal Labissiere fill the frontcourt hole left by Karl-Anthony Towns and Willie Cauley-Stein. Lee finished with 9 points and 11 rebounds and had two blocks and two assists. If he can continue to bring that energy on offense and protect the rim on defense, the Cats are going to be really special.

Alex Poythress is trusting his body. By all reports, Alex Poythress’ injured knee is completely healed. As we all know, however, part of the recovery process is mental. Early action has shown Poythress to be a bit timid and maybe a bit hesitant to do what the Cats are going to need him to do to be an outstanding team. Worry no more, Big Blue Nation. Poythress is back. Against Kentucky State, Alex came off the bench and scored 13 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Not only that, but he added four blocks and hit his only three pointer. This appears to be the year that it’s all going to come together for AP. He’s survived the debacle of the 2013 season. He helped fuel the run to the 2014 NCAA runner up. And now he’s ready to come back and show the nation why he was one of the top recruits not that long ago.

Derek Willis is going to get some clock. Willis, the homegrown boy from Bullit County, is ready to play. He finished with 6 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, two blocks and two steals on Friday night. What might get lost in the numbers is just how many times he made the right basketball play at the right time. For most of his time in Blue and White, Willis has looked unsure of himself and his role on the team. Now, he finally looks comfortable. He’s stopped thinking and just started playing. With Willis’ size and skill set, it’s going to be tough to keep him off the floor this year. He’s the type of “glue guy” you need to help make a deep NCAA Tournament run.

This team is going to get better. I think the BBN understands that it takes time for all the talent Calipari assembles to get it together. This team may not win 38 straight like last year’s team. This team may not have the colorful personalities as the 2010 team. But this team is going to make its own identity and its own history over the next four to five months. The talent is undeniable on this team and you can already see their willingness to share the ball and play for one another. Freshmen Jamal Murray (20 points), Charles Matthews (11 pts) and Isiah Briscoe (8 pts) all showed why this current team may be the first team to rely on Cal’s famed Dribble Drive offense. The youngsters and Ulis can get into the paint and attack at will.

The fans in Blue and White should just buckle up for another great season of college basketball. John Calipari and his Cats are going to make some noise this season and it’s going to be another drive for #9. There’s so much flexibility and talent on this team that Cal has so many options to get wins, it’s going to be a treat to watch all of the different lineups he can put out there. The Cats win big tonight and look to get started next week against Albany.