These next two games are big for UK. Two wins will set the stage for SEC play.
Last Saturday in Lexington the Kentucky basketball team gave Wildcat fans something to enjoy. Dusting the cobwebs off a press he hadn’t used since his Memphis days, John Calipari and the Wildcats netted an impressive win over an underrated and veteran Virginia Tech team.
The win over the Hokies calmed whispers of doubt about this year’s Wildcat team … at least for now.
To keep hopes alive, wins are critical for this UK team — before it heads into an SEC schedule that appears to be the toughest in recent memory. Kentucky has to face A&M, Florida, and Tennessee, among others.
But first things first….
Kentucky vs. UCLA (at New Orleans)
Last year the Bruins knocked off the Wildcats (97-92) during the regular season, but the Wildcats got revenge when it mattered more–in the Sweet 16 (86-75).
This year’s UCLA team is without its primary horsepower, Lonzo Ball, who has taken his game to the NBA. The Bruins have struggled without him–and his younger brother, LiAngelo, too. We all know the story about the younger Ball. He was arrested for shoplifting in China, suspended by UCLA, left school, and is now playing pro ball in Lithuania.
Thomas Welch (photo, PAC-12)
Still, though, UK can’t take UCLA for granted. Job #1 is keeping the Bruins off the boards. UCLA ranks 15th in the nation in rebounding (41.7 boards per game). The team leader is 7-0 senior Thomas Welsh, who’s averaging a double-double with 12.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
The Wildcats also have to keep Bruins’ shooters in check. UCLA has three players who are shooting over 45% from three. Leading scorer Aaron Holiday (17.6 ppg) has nailed a team-high 18 three-pointers so far this year.
UK will be fine if the ‘Cats can control the boards and handle UCLA’s scorers. If not, UCLA will bag its first victory of the season over a Top 10 team.
Louisville at Kentucky
The Cardinals defended home court last year, handing Kentucky a 73-70 loss. Hopes for a UK win ended when Malik Monk’s last-second three-pointer bounced off the rim.
It’s a different Louisville team this year … in more ways than one. Off-the-court scandals keep rocking Derby City. UL was already in hot water with the NCAA last year because of the infamous recruiting-sex scandal. Although hard to imagine, things got even worse because of the FBI corruption investigation. AD Tom Jurich and head coach Rick Pitino were then fired in a situation that’s become as bad as a 20-car pileup on Interstate 64.
UL’s David Padgett has done a good job in an extremely difficult situation. (photo, Blacktop TV)
But to its credit, Louisville basketball has weathered the storm. Acting head coach David Padgett has led the Cardinals to a respectable 8-2 record.
But U of L will be the underdog when the Cards face the Cats for the 51st time. Plus history is on Kentucky’s side. Since the Wildcats and Cardinals began playing the football series again in 1994, the school that won the game on the gridiron has won the game on the hardwood only three times. For reference, the Cardinals embarrassed the Wildcats in football this year, 44-17, at Kroger Field.
The Cardinals are led by three, double-digits scorers–Deng Adel, Quentin Snider, and Ray Spalding. Snider is a concern on the offensive side. He poured in 22 points, grabbed six boards, and dished out five assists in the Cardinals’ win last season. Spalding, a 6-10 Louisville native, is nearly averaging a double-double with 9.6 rpg and 10.1 points ppg. Then there’s 7-0 senior Anas Mahmoud, who is ranked fourth in the nation with four blocks per game.
To win, Kentucky will need to speed up the tempo and force Louisville into turnovers–just as the Wildcats did against Virginia Tech. The Cardinals are simply too big for UK to settle in the half-court game. Besides, the Wildcats don’t have shooters like they’ve had in the past. There’s no Jamal Murray, Malik Monk, Derek Willis or Kyle Wiltjer. Yes, the Wildcats hit 11 trifectas against Virginia Tech, but still in question is whether that outcome is legit or a one-off occurrence.
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These next two games are big for UK. Two wins set the stage for SEC play …. and let’s not even think about an alternative.
The ‘Cats open the SEC season at home, New Year’s Eve, 6 p.m., versus UGA.
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Cameron Brown is a former Webster County basketball player and a current undergraduate student at Western Kentucky University, where he is double majoring in journalism and history with a minor in broadcasting. Contact him at cameron.brown288@topper.wku.edu
