5 Rushed Reactions: Kentucky vs Mississippi State

4. Quade Green is still rusty

The Kentucky basketball team desperately needed Quade Green to return to the lineup after his injury. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was playing too many minutes, and Hamidou Diallo or Kevin Knox were not effective playing the guard position in Green’s absence. Quade has a high basketball IQ, a proficient passer, and a shooting threat. Unfortunately for BBN, Green is still pretty rusty from his time off.

Green struggled to keep the ball in front, whether in man defense or zone. He fouled a three-point shooter late in the game. He still isn’t knocking down perimeter shots like BBN knows he’s capable of doing. This is a major concern for UK because the Cats will need him at his best this weekend, against West Virginia, one of the most dynamic defenses in the nation.

Saturday against the Mountaineers will be a difficult, ugly game for the Kentucky basketball team. Even when healthy, it’ll be a tough challenge to protect the ball and play with poise. For the Cats, this challenge will be so much more difficult if Quade Green is not playing efficient, productive basketball.