After an impressive 40-point win in the season opener, the Kentucky Wildcats will retake the court this Friday against Texas A&M Commerce, the first of three games in the Wildcat Challenge presented by Kentucky Tourism.
While the Wildcats are coming off a blowout win, Texas A&M Commerce is coming off a blowout loss, losing by 32 points to No. 15 Texas A&M. Given that performance along with the fact that Texas A&M Commerce was picked to finish 7th in the Southland Conference, Kentucky shouldn’t have too much of an issue on Friday night.
That said, this will be Kentucky’s last game before a matchup against No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic in Chicago. Making it key to continue to play well, execute, and build up confidence.
Let’s take a look at things to watch for in the matchup.
Continue to Play Through Tre Mitchell
Following Monday’s game, John Calipari mentioned a “tweak” in his postgame press conference and challenged the media to identify it. After watching the tape I, as well as other media members, have come to the conclusion that the tweak was to get the ball into the hands of Tre Mitchell.
Finishing with 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, Mitchell’s impact could be seen in many areas of the game, and the reason why is simple, his versatility. In the last two seasons, as good as he was, Oscar Tshiebwe had to remain in the paint to be effective. That is not the case for Mitchell.
Currently playing the five, allowing Kentucky to play a five-out style, he doesn’t stop moving whether he is screening, passing, or flashing. With the improved spacing, that creates opportunities for himself and others. Simply, good things happen.
Shot Selection
One of the biggest criticisms of John Calipari in recent years is that of his “archaic offense”. Through the exhibition games and the season opener, that is MUCH improved. In Monday’s game, nearly 85 percent of Kentucky’s shots came from layups/dunks or three-pointers, leaving just 15 percent for mid-range shots.
Even of those ten mid-range attempts, only three came outside of the paint.
In 2023, that is winning shot selection. Like Calipari mentioned post-game, it’s about building habits, and that goes for himself too, and not reverting on offense.
Adou Thiero
Playing twenty minutes, Adou Thiero had a solid debut with 5 points, 7 rebounds, and a number of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. However, his night was cut short after a hard fall midway through the second half. Shortly afterward, he took himself out of the game and went on to the locker room.
Not much has been said, but one could conclude he may have suffered a concussion. “Adou has a headache, so it’ll be a day-to-day thing with him,” John Calipari said after the game.
More should be known at the pregame press conference later this week, and hopefully, we will receive a positive update. With an already depleted frontcourt, losing Adou, who is playing as a big, would certainly hurt.
No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats (1-0) vs. Texas A&M Commerce (0-1)
Time/Date: 7:00 PM EST on Friday, November 10th
Location: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
TV Channel: N/A, streaming only
Online Stream: SEC Network +, WatchESPN, and the ESPN app.
Announcers: TBA local announcers.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | TAMCOM
Stats to Know: UK | TAMCOM
Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook has yet to release the odds for the game. ESPN’s matchup predictor has the Wildcats as a near guarantee to win, giving them a 96.8% chance to win. Bart Torvik gives Kentucky a similar chance at 97%.
Predictions: Bart Torvik picks the Wildcats to win easily, 79-59. DRatings has the Cats winning 81-62. Haslametrics is going with an 81-58 victory, Kentucky!
Also published on A Sea of Blue.
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