What a surprise even mark pope and whole wildcat after singing a full commitment monster….
After five games, here are five things we’ve learned about this season’s model of Kentucky’s basketball Wildcats:
1. UK IS DEFINITELY STILL IN NEED OF A BIG MAN
Even after issuing a chorus of compliments on the occasion of his team’s 96-88 overtime win over Saint Joseph’s on Monday night, John Calipari took hammer to head. “We’ve got to get one of these bigs back,” said the Kentucky coach. “Hopefully two.”
That the Cats are 4-1 with a trio of 7-footers sidelined and no one taller than 6-foot-9 on the floor is a testament to their talent and early-season scheduling.
The Cats could thrive against the likes of New Mexico State, Texas A&M-Commerce, Stonehill College and Saint Joseph’s. They could even go toe-to-toe with Bill Self’s top-shelf Kansas Jayhawks in the Champions Classic. They could not overcome the 27 points and 21 rebounds of Kansas’ 7-footer Hunter Dickinson, however.
They couldn’t outrebound Saint Joseph’s. Part of what kept the Hawks in the game, and helped them almost win the game, was the visitors’ 16-9 advantage in second-chance points. “We’ve got to rebound better,” Calipari said.
