The fourth-ranked (USA Today Coaches Poll) Kentucky Wildcats were impressive in their opening exhibition game of the season, routing Clarion, coach John Calipari’s alma mater, 108-51 at Rupp Arena. In a game that was up and down the court most of the night, the Cats were at times impressive defensively and finishing at the rim, while displaying explosiveness in transition.
Multiple lineup combinations led to a dozen Cats logging nine minutes or more, while six players scored in double figures. How the Cats finished in transition was arguably the most impressive takeaway of the night, from thunderous lob dunks, to slashing drives, to kick-out threes, Kentucky dominated on the break.
While the game was sloppy at times, and this group is still raw in early season form, there was a lot to like in this first look at Kentucky’s 2016-2017 campaign, with signs pointing toward yet another group with Final 4 potential.