Men's Basketball

Antonio Reeves Joins the Record Books and More Things to Know Following Kentucky’s Win vs. Howard

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2022

Tristan Pharis

UK Athletics

On Monday night, the Kentucky Wildcats kicked off their season against the Howard Bison.

For the first game of the season you would hope to be full strength, but that simply was not the case as the Wildcats entered Monday’s contest with just eight scholarship players available. Yet, that did not hold them back.

To start the game, Kentucky got off to a slow start, scoring just six points through the first five minutes. With the help of Cason Wallace who scored six quick points, the offense finally started to gain its rhythm and by the end of the half, it was all systems go with a 50-26 lead.

The second half was more of the same, as the Wildcats never looked back. CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves continued to amount more points, with Reeves making a debut record SIX threes, doubling the previous record of three.

The Wildcats ultimately won by a score of 95-63.

Let’s take a close look at Kentucky’s performance and try not to overreact after one impressive game (i.e. Morehead State in 2020).

Cason Wallace is this team’s most talented player

Coming to Kentucky as the Wildcat’s highest-ranked freshman, there are going to be high expectations. As a freshman in his first college regular season game (note: on his birthday), Cason Wallace delivered.

With Sahvir Wheeler out with a knee injury, Wallace received point guard duties and he started the game hot. Scoring 6 quick points in the opening minutes, Wallace ignited a slow Kentucky offense at the start.

Wallace also made his impact on the defensive end with 2 steals and 8 rebounds, showing that he can make an impact on both ends.

At the end of the night, Wallace was +32 in the plus/minus column and had a near triple-double with 15 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. While he didn’t quite get the triple-double he is confident that “the opportunity will present itself” as he said in the press conference.

Ugonna get your shot blocked

In the offseason, most expected Ugonna Onyenso – a reclassified (2023) freshman – not to contribute and it was unsure if he would even play, but due to depth concerns he is getting the opportunity and he is contributing.

Fans got to see some glimpses in limited action in both of Kentucky’s preseason exhibition games, but that was against Division II competition. Would it carry over?

Simply put, YES.

While still playing against lesser competition, Howard was the biggest team that Onyenso has played in his short time at Kentucky and he may have delivered his most impressive performance yet.

Coming in at the 15-minute mark, Onyenso immediately got his first block on his first defensive possession of the night. Onyenso didn’t let up, giving Howard fits all night at the rim finishing with 4 blocks.

Onyenso also put a cherry on top with his offense, scoring 6 on 3-4 shooting, including a mid-range jumper.

When Tshiebwe and Collins return, frontcourt minutes will be scarce and Onyenso is already proving that he can handle it.

Two-Headed Offensive Monster

CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves are going to be a problem for a lot of opposing defenses and they showed why tonight.

While they are shooting specialists – hitting a total of eight threes between them – they also showed the ability to score in other ways. Both were able to hit spot-up mid-range jumpers and added in some runners.

In the first half alone, the pair were Kentucky’s two leading scorers and combined for 24 points, and they finished in the same order with 22 and 20 points respectively.

This goes without saying that Jacob Toppin had his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Cason Wallace previously mentioned near triple-double.

In addition to the even distribution of points, the Wildcats had five different players make three and went 11-24 on the game. When Calipari was asked in the post-game, he said that this is a team that will shoot “24-25” threes per game, and could even shoot upwards of 30 if “they are hitting”.

Again, this was just one game but when Kentucky is back to full strength, I would expect the offense to take another step up.

Kentucky looked good against Howard, who is ranked 239th in the KenPom rankings, but will have a bit tougher contest against Duquesne on Friday, who is ranked 134th in KenPom.

However, the first real test will come against Michigan State in next Tuesday’s Champion’s Classic, and the team should be at full strength.

Related Topics:Antonio Reeves Cason Wallace CJ Fredrick Damion Collins Howard Jacob Toppin Oscar Tshiebwe Sahvir Wheeler Ugonna Onyenso

BB Recruiting

REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Tristan Pharis

San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler has committed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.

Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst anxiety from many of the Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball program has added another player to the roster. On Friday Lamont Butler, a consensus top-60 transfer from San Diego State, committed to Kentucky, reported by On3.

Kentucky has been in contact with Butler since he entered the portal earlier this week. On Friday morning, four members of the Kentucky staff took a visit to Las Vegas, which we know now was to see Butler. It was enough to secure his commitment.

Coming out of a high school as a three-star prospect, Butler has been a true case of development. In four seasons with San Diego State, he improved his numbers year after year. As a three-year starter for the Aztecs, Butler averaged 7.7 points (41.2% FG), 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. He also received Mountain West All-Defense honors three straight seasons, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award this past year.

Butler was a star for the San Diego State team that made it to the National Championship game in 2023, even hitting the buzzer-beater to send them to the title game. He will provide Kentucky with proven experience and the knowledge of what it takes to win.

As his defensive accolades show, Butler makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. However, he plays well within a system and is a really good passer for a guard who plays primarily off the ball, with a 21 percent assist rate. He also grades fairly well analytically on spot-up shots and in pick-and-roll situations as the ball handler.

With Butler on the roster, there are still many spots to fill, especially some spots for “dudes”. Fortunately, many big names are expected to be in Lexington this weekend for the visit.

BB Recruiting

Kentucky to Host Multiple Top Transfers This Weekend

Published

1 day 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.