Connect with us

Men's Basketball

Recap and Takeaways from 2023 Blue-White Game

Published

on

Reed Sheppard goes up for a layup at Kentucky basketball's Blue-White game.
UK Athletics | Chet White

Following the Big Blue Madness festivities, it was once again time to see the Kentucky Wildcats in a game-like setting for the first time in the Blue-White game. In 2022, the team traveled to Pikeville, KY to raise money for eastern Kentucky flood relief. This year, John Calipari and his guys made way to Truist Arena at NKU to raise funding for the same cause, as well as western Kentucky tornado relief. On top of that, it was an overall positive night of basketball with much to take away, so let’s get to it.

No Big Z

One of the few negatives from the event was that the BBN did not get to see the debut of Zvonimir Ivisic. Many wondered what the reason may be. Some speculated eligibility issues while some thought Ivisic may be suffering from an injury.

Coach Cal clarified why Big Z didn’t play in Saturday’s scrimmage, however. “(Ivisic) goes three hard practices. Hard. After the ramp-up, after a 30-hour flight, after all the tests and needles and everything he had to have.”

Advertisement

Calipari added, “He was cramping. His calves, his hamstring, his groin, his knee. I mean, he had everything going, ‘my ankle’. I just said ‘Stop’. We can have him for here and then I’d be a man of my word. Or we can worry about the season, and I’m worried about the season. So I want to give him some time to see what this body can take.” It seems like Ivisic is still adjusting to the rigor of college basketball, and this doesn’t seem like a long-term issue.

DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards Prove Their Value

In the first half of the scrimmage, DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards were both in double digits in the scoring column, but they were struggling with efficiency and finding good shots. Both players were shooting well below 50% from the field. It’s easy to see that the lack of depth for each team had a role, considering there were practically no substitutions made throughout the scrimmage.

After the halftime break, however, Wagner and Edwards found their stride. Suddenly, it became very clear as to why both players were top-five recruits coming out of high school. Wagner finished with 25 points on 9-20 shooting, and Edwards had 26 on 11-18 shooting.

They also had significant impacts on other aspects of the game. Wagner had seven rebounds, six assists, and even two blocks to go along with his 25 points. Edwards had ten rebounds and a block of his own to add to the stat sheet.

Advertisement

Rob Dillingham Cooks, Scoring 40 Points

Even after scoring 20+ points and filling up the stat sheet across the board, Wagner nor Edwards were the best player on the floor. That honor would belong to Rob Dillingham. It goes without saying, Dillingham had himself a special night.

Dillingham had FORTY POINTS on the night on 14-23 shooting, as well as making 42.9% of his shots from three-point range (3-7). He also had five rebounds, seven assists, and four steals on the night.

The Hickory, North Carolina native has the potential to be one of the best players on this team. If he can improve his shot selection and overall decision-making on offense, then it will be very hard to maintain Dillingham when he’s on the floor.

Role Players Shine Under Spotlight

The production on offense didn’t end with Wagner, Edwards, and Dillingham. Antonio Reeves, who is heavily favored to be the team’s leading scorer, had 17 points. Reeves struggled with knocking shots down, but it’s still nice to see him in double digits.

Advertisement

Someone whose effort will go overlooked is Tre Mitchell, but he had an excellent all-around game too. Mitchell recorded 14 points and a team-leading 14 rebounds to give himself a double-double. His contributions will be vital as all three big men are currently out due to injury.

Then, Adou Thiero (26) and Jordan Burks (20) also joined the 20+ point club with their efforts. Thiero also had nine rebounds and two assists to add, and Burks had five rebounds as well. Burks also finished with NINE personal fouls, but that’s basically a non-factor given that it was 40 minutes of 5-on-5 with almost no subs.


If you had doubts about how good this team can be, hopefully, some of your questions were answered Saturday night. DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards are going to be the studs we thought they would be. Rob Dillingham is a DAWG, and Adou Thiero and Jordan Burks were lights out.

The only real negatives to take away are Antonio Reeves’ poor shooting and no sight of Big Z. However, Reeves still managed 17 points, and as Cal said, Big Z was held out for “precautionary reasons”. He should be just fine. There is a lot to be excited about this team as we get closer and closer to the season.

Advertisement

You can view the box score from the Blue-White game here.

Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Duke : TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Betting Odds/Predictions

Published

on

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Champion's Classic in Atlanta in a Top 25 matchup.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

The Kentucky Wildcats have finished the first week of the regular season 2-0. However, on Tuesday they will have their first big test of the season, traveling to Atlanta to take on the Duke Blue Devils in the Champion’s Classic.

Duke comes in with a roster reminiscent of past Kentucky teams, full of elite freshmen. Meanwhile, Kentucky comes in with the oldest team in program history. It will be a true battle between youth and experience.

The Wildcats are just 1-6 in their last seven Champions Classic games and just 1-5 against Duke over their last six meetings. Can the Wildcats change course? Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Advertisement

Rebounding Battle

Duke has the tallest team in the country, with an average height of 6’7.5”. That certainly helps them in their battle of the boards, where through two games they are averaging 45 rebounds and 14 offensive rebounds.

Meanwhile, Mark Pope has not been pleased with Kentucky’s effort on the boards to start the season. In their latest game against Bucknell, rebounding was a clear point of emphasis as the Cats grabbed 57 rebounds, including 22 offensive boards.

Kentucky doesn’t give up too much height, but they do give up some athleticism. With a lot of long rebounds from threes, all five Cats on the floor need to box out.

Turnover Battle

In addition to their height, Duke also has the length to be pests on defense. Combining for 18 steals on defense through two games, the Blue Devils are able to create offense.

Advertisement

After turning the ball over fifteen times against Bucknell, eight of which between Amari Williams and Andrew Carr, they’re are going to have to be aware of the pressure inside and keep the ball moving.

Conditioning

Mark Pope has talked about improving his team’s conditioning, wanting them to be in a shape reminiscent of Rick Pitino’s 90s teams, which Pope was a part of. They will be able to see where they stand physically, and potentially use it to their advantage.

Currently, Kentucky ranks 26th in adjusted tempo, while Duke ranks 181st. However, both team’s average possession lasts less than 15 seconds. This means a fast-paced game should be expected.

Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg has cramped in each of the Blue Devil’s first two games. If Kentucky can be successful in pushing the pace, it will give them a better chance at the win.

Advertisement

The Stage

This is Kentucky’s most experienced team in program history. However, on Tuesday, many of them will be playing on the biggest stage of their career.

We have seen Kentucky freshmen struggle in this event in the past. Now with a team of veterans, can they contribute when the lights shine the brightest?

Opposing Players to Watch

G/F Cooper Flagg 6-9, 205 lbs

  • 15.5 PPG
  • 9 RPG
  • 4 APG
  • 2.5 SPG

G/F Kon Knueppel 6-7, 217 lbs

  • 18.5 PPG
  • 3 RPG
  • 50% 3P

G Tyrese Proctor 6-6, 183 lbs

  • 12.0 PPG
  • 5 RPG
  • 1.5 APG
  • 50% 3P

Kentucky Basketball vs. Duke Blue Devils

  • Time: 9:00 PM ET on November 12th
    Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
    TV Channel: ESPN
    Announcers: Dan Shulman, Jay Bilas, Jess Sims
    Online Stream: ESPN+, and the ESPN app.
    Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the radio call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
    Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
    Rosters: UK | DUKE
    Stats to Know: UK | DUKE
    KenPom: UK | DUKE
    Team Sheet: UK | DUKE

Be sure to send us your Kentucky-Duke score predictions down in the comments section!

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Recap and Takeaways from Kentucky’s 100-72 Win Over Bucknell

Published

on

The Kentucky Wildcats get a 100-72 win over Bucknell to improve to 2-0 on the season, with a matchup against No. 7 Duke coming up next.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

After coming off the first win of the Mark Pope era in a 103-63 win versus Wright State, the Cats were going to have another early test, this time in the Bucknell Bison of the Patriot League. Big man Noah Williamson came into the game as the Bison’s star player after a 19-point season opener versus Delaware and followed that up with an impressive 32-point game versus Southern Indiana in the Bison’s first two regular season games. 

First Half ups and downs

The Cats started with a 10-3 lead entering the first timeout, led by star guard Jaxson Robinson with 5 quick points to open the game. The ‘Cats would later extend their lead with the help of Dayton transfer Koby Brea who made three of his six three-point attempts in the first half. Mark Pope’s squad would also face a struggle in the middle of the half with sloppy play and uncharacteristic misses on the offensive side of the floor. The ‘Cats would get back on track late in the half and enter the halftime break up 47-31.

Advertisement

Second Half firepower

The ‘Cats didn’t skip a beat as they started to roll in the second half with Kerr Krissa finding his teammates left and right for open shots. Kriisa would finish the game with 12 assists with just 2 turnovers. Brea stayed hot hitting 3 more 3 pointers. Brea finished with 20 points and 6 of 8 from behind the arc. Kentucky would steamroll the Bison with a final score of 100-72 in their second game under head coach Mark Pope as his team gets ready for a clash versus the Duke Blue Devil on Tuesday.

Keys to the game 

The three-point attempts and makes were both up against the Bison from their matchup against Wright State where they only made 11 of 24. Tonight in the win against Bucknell the ‘Cats took 36 threes connecting on 13. The impressive play from Amari Williams who held Bucknell’s star player Noah Williamson to just 7 points on 3 of 12 shooting was a big plus for Pope’s squad tonight. Lastly, Kerr Kriisa was all over the court creating havoc on both ends finishing with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 12 assists in a game where Mark Pope acknowledged Kriisa by saying “I have to be careful. I think I knew exactly who I was getting. I’ve been recruiting Kerr for I think seven years or something. I’m telling you he’s a really special player. He’s a really special young man.” Pope made it known just how important Kerr Kriisa was for his team.

Advertisement

When are the ‘Cats back in action?

Kentucky will take on the Duke Blue Devils Tuesday night at 9 PM at Champions Classic in Atlanta, GA inside State Farm Arena the game will air on ESPN.

Box Score

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Louisville Basketball Struggling to Sell Tickets for #12 Tennessee, Giving Away FREE Tickets

Published

on

IMAGN

Kentucky never has to worry about a big game being sell out, nor most regular season games. However, that is not the case for the school an hour down the road.

With a new and energetic head coach bringing an exciting style of play, one would think that Louisville Cardinal fans would be ready to support their program and attend a Top 25 game in their NBA style arena. Yet, you would be wrong.

With a matchup with 12th ranked Tennessee on Saturday, the Cardinals have thousands of tickets available for KFC Yum Center. Earlier this week head coach Pat Kelsey went around Louisville’s campus to encourage students to purchase tickets and attend the game.

Advertisement

UPS and Louisville boosters have purchased tickets in bulk this week to give away. Now just 24 hours away from tip and in order to have a respectable atmosphere, they have resorted to giving away FREE tickets, as long as you are a Planet Fitness member which costs $10/month.

Sound the “LUNK” alarm for Louisville’s ticket sales.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending