5 Takeaways: Cats’ Dominating Exhibition Win Over Clarion

Sep 15, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De Aaron Fox (0) guard Malik Monk (5) and guard Isaiah Briscoe (13) during Kentucky media day at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De Aaron Fox (0) guard Malik Monk (5) and guard Isaiah Briscoe (13) during Kentucky media day at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 14, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball during Kentucky Midnight Madness at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) shoots the ball during Kentucky Midnight Madness at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cats were much bigger than Clarion, and we expected our bigs to have their way in the paint. But what stood out in this first exhibition was how well our big men ran the floor in transition for easy layups and dunks.

While we didn’t run a ton of half court sets, when our post players did establish good position on the block, they held off the defender, caught the ball and finished strong. As such, Bam Adebayo finished with 13 points and 14 boards, while Sacha Killeya-Jones added 12 points.

“We can play inside-out, and that gives our guards lots more opportunities for open shots,” said Kelleya-Jones, on establishing the inside game early against opponents this season. “If we started scoring on the inside, they got to double down and you’ve got guys like (De’Aaron) Fox and (Isaiah Briscoe) who get wide open shots.”