Kentucky Basketball: Wildcats claw and fight, but no answer for Duke’s length

The highly anticipated debut of TyTy Washington fizzled but he will learn

TyTy Washington came to Kentucky as one of the highest touted players in some time with many expecting him to be a one-and-done. That most likely will be the case but Duke pressured him all night and the true freshman was not up to the challenge.

Washington played 28 minutes and finished rattling in just 3 of 14 field-goal attempts including missing both long-range bombs to finish with nine points, two rebounds, and three assists.

His time will come but he forced passes, drives, and shots all evening and has to remember the spotlight can sometimes be too bright and you are blinded by trying to do too much.

Calipari was asked about his freshman.

"“So I will take responsibility for some of the plays that he made. And I just said to him, You know, kid, you don’t have to make every shot. You just can’t miss ’em all. You got to make one or two. And he just was missing a bunch of shots, and if you watched him play, that’s not him.”"

There is little doubt he can create and knock down shots and against most teams that will be the case. But stepping onto this kind of stage against a team like Duke or Kanasa or Ohio State will take a different kind of player.

He seemed frustrated and hounded all night unable to shake free for good shots and down the stretch was on the bench watching and hopefully learning.

A wealth of talent surrounds him so he needs to be in sync with the other four on the court. They too will make his game even better especially Wheeler.