Kentucky Basketball: No Time to Worry

Last Thursday, the University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team went west to take on the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion for the first time ever. The two programs that are #1 and #2 in NCAA titles (UCLA – 11; UK – 8) squared off for the first in a home and home that will see the Bruins make their first appearance at Rupp next year. Last season, the Wildcats embarrassed the Bruins in Chicago, scoring the first 24 points of the game in route to a 41-7 halftime advantage. The 7 points set a UCLA record for offensive futility for a half. No doubt that the Bruins were ready for the Cats this time around as UCLA defeated Kentucky 87-77.

For the first time in over 600 days, the Wildcats lost a regular season basketball game. That’s a long time between losses and it seems that a few in the Big Blue Nation weren’t prepared for it. It has to be obvious that the chance of Kentucky going 38-1, or better, in back-to-back years is pretty small. It shouldn’t have to be said that this current team of highly recruited kids shouldn’t be compared to last year’s team or any previous team, but I certainly understand that isn’t how life works. This team, currently at 7-1 should be able to stand on its own merits.

There are several reasons why the loss against UCLA shouldn’t have the BBN worried:

1. Marcus Lee. Marcus Lee left the game early with a head injury only playing 4 minutes. In that short time, he scored 2 points and grabbed 2 rebounds. His presence was missed on the inside, particularly on the defensive end. Lee’s role on this team cannot be overstated. Against Duke, he logged a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds and added 2 blocked shots. With the dominance of the UK backcourt, Marcus’ ability to rebound and score off broken plays was sorely missing vs. UCLA.
2. Tyler Ulis. After missing the previous game with a hyper-extended elbow vs. Illinois State, Kentucky’s floor general, Tyler Ulis returned to the floor against UCLA. Ulis scored 9 points and dished out 9 assists, but he shot 2-12 from the field as the Wildcats, overall only shot 37% from the floor. If Ulis is going to get into the paint, which he can, he’s got to hit the shots to soften the defense.
3. Skal Labissiere. Much has been made of Skal’s toughness, particularly with the video of Ulis getting on him during the UCLA game. Does Skal need to toughen up? Certainly. But, it’s good to keep in mind that Skal isn’t naturally a low post player and prefers to face up his defender and is more of a finesse big man vs. one that uses his strength to score. That being said, I have zero doubt that head coach John Calipari will have Skal where he needs to be as the season progresses.

I understand that any weakness a Kentucky team shows has people wondering if this is going to be a repeat of the 2013 NIT team. That team was fairly flawed from the get go. Even with a healthy Nerlens Noel that team wasn’t going to a Final Four team. This current team, with still just ONE loss, has already beaten Duke. Even during the loss to the Bruins, the Cats played poorly, but weren’t completely out of it.

This team will get better. Top to bottom, this roster is better than the 2013 team. Big Blue Nation, please keep in mind that the 2011 team looked horrendous. The 2014 team struggled mightily. And, if truth be told, the 2012 team didn’t look totally dominant in the early part of the year either. It’s early still. This team is still learning and coming together. Tyler Ulis and Marcus Lee will get healthy. Skal will get better and learn how to put himself in positions on both ends of the court to be successful.

I’ve seen this movie before. SPOILER ALERT: It ends with a deep NCAA Tournament run. It’s definitely not time to worry.