Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs Vanderbilt: Postgame Recap

Published

1 year ago

March 2, 2023

On Wednesday night, Kentucky hosted Vanderbilt for their final home game of the season. It was Senior Night and six Kentucky seniors were honored in the pregame ceremony. Unfortunately, Kentucky wasn’t able to capitalize on the hype surrounding the evening as the Wildcats fall 68-66 to Vanderbilt.

Kentucky came into the game on a four game winning streak, including a blowout win over Auburn just four days prior.

The Wildcats were playing their best basketball of the season and getting hot at the right time. But Wednesday night’s loss served as a road block that few saw coming.

Thankfully, Kentucky is no longer at risk for missing the NCAA tournament. However, following Wednesday’s loss, Kentucky’s seeding for the big dance is up in the air.

Additionally, Kentucky’s seeding for the SEC tournament is in limbo. If they would’ve been able to avoid the loss to Vandy, they would’ve locked themselves into the 3 seed and a double-bye for the conference tournament. The 3-seed is still a possibility, but multiple things need to occur for that to happen.

I have added odds based on KenPom projections to this chart. The most likely scenario is UK earns a 3-seed either by beating Arky, or by Mizzou and Tennessee losing.

However, there are relatively even odds between a 3, 4, and 5 seed. Gonna be a "fun" Saturday of SEC basketball pic.twitter.com/i2hdVfIK8v— WT – Don't Switch Up (@WildcatsTongue) March 2, 2023

Let’s look at what unfolded to lead to Kentucky’s unfortunate Senior Night loss.

Offensive Woes

After the hot shooting that occurred on Saturday vs Auburn, the Cats couldn’t seem to find the bottom of the net on many occasions Wednesday night. Kentucky only shot 32.2% from the field going 19-59. They only saw three three-pointers go through on 19 attempts. Free throw shooting was average as they went 25-35 from the stripe.

Of Kentucky’s 59 shot attempts, 30 of them came from the mid-range. In the postgame press conference, KY Insider asked coach Cal if that was the shot he was wanting his team to take.

“We took 19 threes. And we wanted the mid-range shots, yes” Cal responded. “Because that’s how they play and it’s one of the things we do so well. We missed a bunch of them today. Just missed a bunch. That’s a shot we make, as a matter of fact, we play to get those, too.”

John Calipari was asked about shooting 30 of their 59 shots from mid-range, if that's what they wanted.

"We wanted the mid-range shots, yes… It's one of the things we do so well. We missed a bunch of them today. That's a shot we make."

Adds, "We play to get those too." pic.twitter.com/4IlvzzTvrC— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) March 2, 2023

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt shot 40.3% from the field, 33.3% from three, and 76.9% from the free throw line.

Vandy’s guards Jordan Wright and Tyrin Lawrence filled up the stat sheet, combining for 44 points. Collectively, they shot 17-26 from the field and 6-7 from three. Wright went 4-4 on three point attempts. Wright also hit the go-ahead fade-away in the final moments of the game.

Oscar Tshiebwe was Kentucky’s bright spot in the disappointing loss. The ever-reliable forward went for 21 points and 20 rebounds for his 17th double-double of the year.

As bitter as the loss was, it was impressive that Kentucky only lost by two after such a poor night of shooting.

Injuries

Just four minutes into the game, Vanderbilt forward, Liam Robbins went down with a lower leg injury and had to be helped off the court. Robbins would not return to the game. In a post game interview, Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse said that Robbins would “probably” miss the rest of the season.

Robbins also missed the previous matchup vs Kentucky in Nashville on January 24th. This was during a stretch of four games in which he had to miss with an ankle injury. Robbins was averaging 15.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game prior to his injury Wednesday night.

Just shy of two minutes into the second half, Kentucky starting point guard Cason Wallace went down, also with a lower leg injury. Wallace was able to limp off the floor without assistance and made his way to the locker room to be further examined. Unfortunately, Wallace would be ruled out for the remainder of the game.

In the post game press conference, Coach Cal gave an update on Wallace’s status.

“Cason got X-ray’d, he’s fine. Didn’t swell. I’m hoping he’s OK for Saturday, but we’ll see,” Cal said.

Sahvir Wheeler Misses Senior Night

Six Kentucky seniors were honored Wednesday night. One senior, however, was absent from the festivities. Point guard Sahvir Wheeler had to undergo a medical procedure that caused him to have to miss his senior night recognition. Other seniors recognized include Oscar Tshiebwe, Jacob Toppin, CJ Fredrick, Antonio Reeves, and Brennan Canada.

John Calipari’s wife, Ellen, came out in a #2 jersey in recognition for Sahvir Wheeler due to his absence. Wheeler has missed several weeks at this point due to a lingering ankle injury. However, the procedure that he had was related to a tail-bone injury, per reports.

Ellen Calipari coming out in a #2 jersey to honor the absent Sahvir Wheeler for senior night! #BBN @KyInsider pic.twitter.com/6UD66m9PIA— Tanner Leigh (@LaceEmUpBBN) March 2, 2023

In coach Cal’s announcement of Wheeler’s absence, he stated that “he will be out for a bit.” So it is unclear as to when or if he will return to play this season.

BB Recruiting

Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend

Published

8 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tristan Pharis

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are hosting multiple top transfers this weekend for visits, looking to add to their roster.

With the deadline for players to enter the portal coming up on May 1st, Kentucky nearly has all their options on the table. Now two weeks since taking the job, Mark Pope has expressed interest in nearly two dozen names and has been keying in on some top names in the portal.

As of writing this article, top 25 transfer Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), is currently on a visit to Lexington, with three more players set to visit this weekend. There’s a good chance that some of those visits turn into commitments.

Let’s take a look at those names.

Deivon Smith – Guard, Utah

Physicals: 6’0, 173 lbs
Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.1 APG, 6.3 RPG, 46.% FG, 40.8% 3P
Ranking: 10th (Evan Miya), 38rd (247Sports)

Kentucky has had just three players record a triple-double in program history. Deivon Smith recorded five triple-doubles this past season alone, the second-most all-time for a single season in NCAA history.

While undersized, he is one of the best all-around guards in the country, as his numbers show. It’s still early, but Kentucky getting the first visit is significant. St. John’s and Texas Tech have also been mentioned here.

Andrej Stojaković – Guard, Stanford

Physicals: 6’7, 190 lbs
Stats: 7.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 40.9% FG, 32.7% 3P
Ranking: 183rd (Evan Miya), 51st (247Sports)

Stojakovic is the son of former NBA All-Star, Peja Stojakovic. A familiar name for Kentucky fans from his high school recruitment. Stojakovic is a terrific shooter, and a top-25 recruit in the 2023 class.

On Thursday, Stojakovic cut his list to just three schools: California, UNC, and Kentucky. As a West Coast product, California was a school that showed interest when he was in high school, and so did Mark Pope when he was at BYU. Pope has made Stojakovic a priority, he could seal the deal this weekend.

Aidan Mahaney – Guard, Saint Mary’s

Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Stats: 13.9 PPG, 2.6 APG, 38.6% FG, 35.5% 3P
Ranking: 96th (Evan Miya), 14th (247Sports)

One of the best guards in the portal. As a lead guard for Saint Mary’s, he displayed a good sense of playing under control, setting himself up and others. That said, his numbers were rather inefficient as the primary scoring option for the Gaels and shooting more than half of his shots from three. There are concerns about his playing against bigger guards.

Mahaney visited UConn Thursday and it looks to be a race between Creighton, Virginia, UConn, and Kentucky.

Andrew Carr – Forward, Wake Forest

Physicals: 6-11, 230 lbs
Stats: 13.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 52.6% FG, 37.1% 3P
Ranking: 33rd (Evan Miya), Not Listed (247Sports)

A near 7-footer who is efficient and can stretch the floor, shooting over 37 percent from three, is a player that Mark Pope would love to add to his roster. That describes Andrew Carr who has played two years at each Delaware and Wake Forest and is looking to go elsewhere for his last season of eligibility.

Carr is coming off a visit to Texas Tech and will visit Villanova after he visits Lexington this weekend.

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball Hiring Top Assistant Coach Alvin Brooks III from Baylor

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2024

Tristan Pharis

Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky may not have been able to pull Scott Drew away from Baylor, but they were able to pull Alvin Brooks III, one of the best assistant coaches in the country. First reported by CBS Sports on Wednesday morning, Brooks has accepted an associate head coach position at Kentucky, the same role in which he had at Baylor.

NEWS: Top Baylor assistant Alvin Brooks III is leaving the Bears to join Mark Pope's staff at Kentucky, sources tell @CBSSports. He spent the past eight years under Scott Drew and will be associate HC @ UK. Brooks is highly respected in the profession. It's a major coup for Pope.— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 24, 2024

Brooks comes to Kentucky with a great reputation as a recruiter, helping Baylor bring in some elite talent over the last couple of seasons, most notably, McDonald’s All-Americans VJ Edgecombe (2024), Ja’Kobe Walter (2023), and Keyonte George (2022).

Just 44 years old, Brooks has two decades of coaching experience. Before his time at Baylor he also had stops at Kansas State (2012-16), Sam Houston State (2010-12), Bradley (2007-10), Midland (2006-07), and Arkansas-Fort Smith (2004-06).

Brooks spoke with Kentucky Insider earlier this month about Kentucky’s hire of Mark Pope, as someone who competed against him at BYU. He spoke highly of the hire, specifically of his Xs and Os, and saw “no negatives”.

Interestingly, he will not be the first Alvin Brooks to be a part of the Kentucky Basketball program as his father was the Director of Operations from 2007-09 under Billy Gillispie. Brooks joins an assembled staff of Cody Fueger, Jason Hart, and Mark Fox, leaving just one assistant spot remaining which likely won’t come soon.

That said, the concern with Pope was his recruiting ability. With Hart and now Brooks, he has addressed that concern and has added two of the best recruiters in the country.

BB Recruiting

Transfer Amari Williams Commits to Kentucky

Published

4 days ago

April 21, 2024

Tristan Pharis

Drexel transfer Amari Williams has committed to play for the Kentucky Wildcats. Becomes first transfer commitment under Mark Pope.

Graphic via ClutchPoints

Amari Williams has made his decision. He has committed to the Wildcats, first reported by Joe Tipton of On3.

Williams’ decision comes after visiting Lexington this past weekend. On all accounts and given his commitment, all things went well, even taking a visit to Keeneland with new head coach Mark Pope.

Originally from Nottingham, England, Williams has played the last four years at Drexel. He has career averages of 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.

From his sophomore season forward, Williams has been named to the All-Coastal Athletic Association Team three times and has won three straight CAA Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

The 6-foot-10, 265-pound forward is a physical big. On the offensive end, he scores most of his points at the rim, many of which come in transition or off offensive rebounds, but he is also comfortable extending to the elbow. He is a better passer than one would expect as well, with an 18% assist rate.

As his Defensive Player of the Year awards suggest, Williams makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. With a 7-foot-5 wingspan, he blocks plenty of shots (8.5% block rate) and alters many more. His physical size and length help him rebound the ball well.

Both were areas Kentucky lacked in last season.

If you’re an analytical guy, Williams has been a top-20 player in player efficiency ratings the previous two seasons, with a 28.5 PER each season.

For reference, Kentucky’s most efficient players last season, Reed Sheppard and Antonio Reeves, both had a PER of 23.6.

Evan Miya, one of the best analytics gurus in college hoops, has Williams ranked 14th overall in DBPR for next season, which measures the defensive value a player brings to his team when he is on the court. So Kentucky just landed one of the best defensive transfers in America.

With his commitment, Williams becomes Kentucky’s first transfer under Mark Pope and just the second commitment overall, joining Collin Chandler, a 4-star recruit of the 2022 class returning from a mission trip this summer.

It’s worth noting that he played alongside fellow Kentucky target and Utah State transfer Great Osobor in England. Could the two join forces in Lexington as Kentucky’s frontcourt?

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