After the disastrous loss to Louisville and the crushing news of Jaland Lowe's reinjury, Kentucky needed a get-right game. They got one, and then some.
The Cats never took their foot off the gas, humiliating Eastern Illinois 99-53 in a game that was over by the first media timeout. The Panthers had no answer for Kentucky's size, athleticism, or depth, as the Cats posted a staggering 46-point win.
This was a palate cleanser. But beyond the lopsided score, what did we actually learn as the Cats head to the Champions Classic?
3 big takeaways from the 46-point blowout
1. Denzel Aberdeen is going to be fine
The biggest question all week was whether Denzel Aberdeen could run the show as the full-time point guard. After the news of Lowe's reinjury, BBN was understandably nervous.
Aberdeen's performance should calm those nerves.
Yes, it was against an overmatched opponent, but Aberdeen looked calm, efficient, and in total control. He finished with 13 points on a hyper-efficient 6-for-9 shooting and added two steals. Most importantly, he ran the offense without forcing the issue and looked locked in from the jump. It was a good sign from a player who just had the weight of the season thrust onto his shoulders. He also lead the Cats in minutes with just over 22.
2. This is an elite rebounding team
This is not an opinion; it's a fact. Kentucky's identity is its physicality on the glass. The Cats absolutely dominated the Panthers on the boards, winning the rebounding battle 49-17.
That is total humiliation.
Led by Mouhamed Dioubate (11 rebounds) and Andrija Jelavic (7 rebounds), Kentucky grabbed 16 offensive boards. This created a 22-3 advantage in second-chance points and a 54-16 edge in points in the paint.
This isn't a fluke based on competition. The Cats have won the rebounding battle in every single game this year, including the loss to Louisville. This toughness is their floor.
3. The turnovers are still a massive problem
After the 14-assist, 14-turnover disaster against Louisville, BBN needed to see a clean, disciplined game.
We... sort of got one.
The good news? The ball movement was much better, leading to 21 assists (led by a fantastic 7-assist game from Jasper Johnson off the bench). That 7 assists will be key for Kentucky if Jaland Lowe misses significant time. The bad news? The Cats still had 13 turnovers.
That number is way too high against an overmatched team. This carelessness is the same "distracted" (to use Mark Pope's word) issue that cost them the Louisville game. They must tighten this up, and fast.
The Cats will be back in action Tuesday night with a date against Michigan State in Madison Square Garden. They'll need to wash the taste of their last trip to MSG out of their mouths, where they lost by 20 to an unranked Ohio State team last year. A 13-turnover night won't cut it against Tom Izzo.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion