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Kentucky vs. Michigan in London; TV Info and Things to Know

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UK Athletics

The Kentucky Wildcats did not have the most ideal November, exiting the first month of the season with a 5-2 record, with both losses coming against their only two ranked teams. Leaving fans with some disappointment.

This was not helped by a poor offensive showing against Bellarmine on Tuesday. However, the Wildcats have an opportunity to redeem themselves as they play a preseason Top 25 team in the Michigan Wolverines in London this Sunday.

Also sitting at 5-2, Michigan has losses to Arizona State and most recently No. 3 Virginia, showing their inconsistency. Thus far, the Wolverines look like a team that plays to their opponent, as they have just a 6-point average margin of victory, so don’t be surprised by a close game.

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This is a big test for both sides. Let’s take a closer look at the matchup.

Look to solve rotation issues

Rotation issues have been there from the beginning of this season, but the Wildcats are seven games in and it doesn’t appear to have gotten any better.

In the first half of the Bellarmine game, there were times there were three non-shooters in at the same time, which allowed the Knights to pack the paint against Tshiebwe and forced bad shots and turnovers. With this being Kentucky’s point of emphasis on offense in the first half, they scored just 21 points.

In the second half, most lineups included two shooters which opened up the floor as they made five threes on 45 percent shooting, and shot 56 percent from the field in general. The heralded Wallace-Fredrick-Reeves-Toppin-Tshiebwe lineup even got some run with good results.

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With that said, Kentucky has depth to work with. While some players need to step up, the coaching staff has the responsibility of finding lineups that allow players to play toward their strengths and benefit the team. That doesn’t include “two-big” or “non-shooting” lineups.

Will length bother Oscar Tshiebwe?

Last season, Oscar Tshiebwe was undoubtedly the most dominant player in college basketball. Hence why he was the unanimous National Player of the Year. Yet, he did struggle at times, especially against length.

Three of Tshiebwe’s lesser performances last year came against Alabama, Auburn, and Western Kentucky. What did these teams have in common? They all had bigs that were at least 7 feet tall and could block shots.

Despite his 6-foot-9, 260-pound frame, Tshiebwe is taken out of his game a bit when playing against that kind of length. In the three aforementioned games, Tshiebwes’s averages went from 17.4 points and 60.6 percent shooting from the field to just 13.3 points and 45.9 percent, as he was forced to extend his game to the mid-range and forced inside shots at times.

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Michigan has their own 7-foot-big (7-foot-1 to be exact) that will match up against Tshiebwe, Hunter Dickinson. The Wolverine big is one of the best shot blockers in the country, averaging 2.3 per contest, and allows his matchup to shoot just over 40 percent from the field this season.

Tshiebwe has yet to play against this type of player this season, and it will be interesting to see how he handles it on Sunday.

Which version of Michigan will Kentucky play?

Ranked as the No. 22 team in the preseason, Michigan has the talent of a Top 25 team, but they have been inconsistent this season.

Just this past Tuesday, the Wolverines pushed No. 3 Virginia to the end, only losing 70-68. However, they have struggled against lesser opponents like Eastern Michigan and Ohio, and lost in an 87-62 blowout to Arizona State.

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The biggest variances in their performances are their poor defense and inconsistent scoring.

On the defensive end, the Wolverines have taken a step back from where they have been. Ranked as the fourth most efficient defense in 2021 by KenPom, Michigan is ranked just 87th this season. While Dickinson can block shots, opponents haven’t struggled to get to the rim or get shots off in general, with Michigan ranked toward the bottom of the country in field goal attempts allowed.

On the offensive side of the ball, Michigan has just two players that average double-figures, Hunter Dickinson and Jett Howard. Outside of these two players, the Wolverines’ production has been inconsistent, but when they are provided ample help they can compete with anyone in the country, as seen in the Virginia game.

Kentucky Basketball vs. Michigan Wolverines

Time/Date: 1 pm ET on Sunday, December 4th
Location: The O2 Arena in London, England
TV Channel: ABC
Live Online Stream: WatchESPNESPN+, SEC Network+ or ESPN app
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | UM
Team SheetsUK | UM
Stats To Know: UK | UM

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Odds: The official point spread has yet to be released, but the computer models are confident in the Wildcats. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Kentucky a 86% chance of winning, and Bart Torvik has it at 75%.

PredictionsBart Torvik picked the Cats to win 75-68.

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BB Recruiting

Top 20 Transfer Prospect Jaland Lowe Commits to Kentucky

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Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe has committed to Kentucky.
Pitt Athletics

It’s been a rollercoaster week in the transfer portal for Kentucky. We have seen San Diego State Magoon Gwath change his mind at the last minute at stay with the Aztecs, and top target Yaxel Lendeborg commit to Michigan while remaining in the draft.

On Saturday morning, the Wildcats got their second commit of the portal season, Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe.

KY Insider reported on Thursday that the staff was recruiting other players with the prospect of playing with Lowe.

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Lowe was a top 100 recruit out of high school, committing to Jeff Capel and the Panthers. After two successful seasons in Pittsburgh, Lowe is a 4-star, top-20 transfer prospect (EvanMiya). He becomes the highest ranked commit for the Cats thus far.

In Lowe’s sophomore campaign last season, he averaged 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, and 4.2 RPG. As a playmaker, there are not many better, with an assist percentage of 31.2 percent. Some might see his shooting slits of 37.6% FG and 26.6% 3P and worry. While they are not great, he had to carry a lot of the burden on offense, with a usage rate of 30%.

Lowe will come to Kentucky with two years of eligibility remaining and will join Kam Williams in the ‘Cats portal class thus far.

Scouting Report (Sports Illustrated)

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He has natural lead skills as a game manager and passer, with the ability to be a primary point guard for an NBA team, even if it’s off the bench. He’s also a reliable 3-point and free throw shooter, boasting a smooth jumper with fluid mechanics and the ability to play off-ball. His overall offensive game needs to become more efficient during his sophomore season, but Lowe is a legitimate offensive engine as a combo guard. 

Although he’s not the biggest or strongest guard relative to his future peers at the NBA level, Lowe is crafty and has ways to combat that. He’s a smooth lefty who knows how to get to his spots and leverage any advantage he can create on the offensive end. His deep range as a shooter from beyond the arc extends the defense which allows him to create space for himself and teammates. 

On the defensive end, Lowe will need to show NBA scouts that he can play within a scheme and prove to be a good team defender. He lacks size, but has quick hands and can be pesky on the perimeter at times. That’s the side of the ball in which Lowe has the most to prove when it comes to draft stock. 

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Receives Prediction for Highly-Touted Transfer Forward

After a slow week in the portal, blue smoke has finally begun to rise once more with an official crystal ball for a forward recruit.

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Kentucky basketball target Alvaro Folgueiras has received a prediction to Kentucky.
Robert Morris University

After a week of near radio silence following Kam Williams’ commitment to Kentucky, blue smoke is finally rising once more with an official crystal ball prediction being logged for a forward out of Robert Morris.

Now, that may not set the player’s allegiance in stone, as the BBN learned painstakingly just a few days ago, but few signs bode better for a player’s final decision than a crystal ball from a reputed insider.

This time, it came by way of On3’s Pete Nakos, who logged a prediction for Kentucky to land Alvaro Folgueiras. The 6’9″ sophomore forward nearly averaged a double-double this past season, posting an impressive 14/9/3 panel on 55%/41% shooting splits. He’s a high-level scorer who posted a career-high 35 against Northern Kentucky this season, a performance that undoubtedly caught the eye of power-five programs everywhere.

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Folgueiras was also the recipient of the Horizon League Player of the Year award. Clearly, Mark Pope has a knack for recruiting guys with hardware.

As far as his fit at Kentucky goes, he’d presumably slot into the starting power forward slot in lieu of Andrew Carr. His stretch four capabilities and special offensive proficiency paint a fitting picture within the Pope offense, and with two years of eligibility remaining, he has the potential to be one of the most reliable cogs in the machine going forward.

That is, assuming he commits. ‘Cats fans will follow along closer than ever as the portal continues to push forward, losing names by the day. Folgueiras would be a fantastic addition for Pope and his staff, patching a crucial opening left by his first-year roster full of seniors.

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Kentucky Schedules Zoom Meeting with Transfer Jaron Pierre

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Jacksonville State transfer Jaron Pierre is being pursued by the Kentucky Wildcats.

Jaron Pierre is one of the hottest names on the board on Kentucky’s transfer portal shortlist, and for good reason. The 6-5, 190-pound transfer from Jacksonville State is one of the most prolific scorers in the country, scoring a nation-high 777 points last season.

KY Insider first reported on Tuesday that Kentucky had contacted Pierre, and that Pierre was “definitely” interested in the Cats. Tonight, we can report that a Zoom has been scheduled for Pierre and Kentucky for Friday.

Talking with Pierre and his agent, Kentucky is making a strong push. Mark Pope and associate head coach Alvin Brooks visited Pierre in Dallas immediately following his visit to SMU on Wednesday, before the recruiting dead period hit (April 3rd-10th), selling them on the “Mecca of college basketball.”

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Per the NCAA, a dead period is that period of time when it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on or off the member institution’s campus or to permit official or unofficial visits by prospective student-athletes to the institution’s campus.

The two coaches were fresh off a visit to Minnesota where they visited Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe, and discussed with Pierre about the two potentially playing together, among other players. This is interesting, as some believed that it would be one or the other. It also says that Kentucky is looking to have Pierre play more off the ball if he were to come to Kentucky.

According to Pierre and his agent, April 7th is a date that they are keeping an eye on as the NIL landscape could completely change, and they could make a decision as soon as this weekend. However, they do not want to rush this process.

More updates to come.

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