3 things to look for in Kentucky's matchup vs. Missouri Western

Kentucky basketball season is here, as the Wildcats are set to take on Missouri Western State in their first exhibition game of the season. It’s a chance to see UK take on a different team in a live setting for the first time since the Bahamas exhibition tour in August.

A lot can change in two months, though. That’s when real preseason practice and conditioning begins, where serious development can take place. We got a taste of it in the Blue-White Game down in Pikeville last weekend, but now, it’s time for the real thing.

What should you be looking for when the Wildcats take on the Griffons tonight at Rupp Arena? KSR has you covered.

Is there a PG1 battle between Sahvir Wheeler and Cason Wallace?

Unlikely, let’s put that out there now. Wheeler was a Bob Cousy Award finalist and led the SEC in assists his first year in Lexington. You won’t find a better playmaker capable of pushing the pace and creating easy looks for his teammates in the conference — and maybe in all of college basketball. He’s erratic and shooting struggles remain, but at his best, the 5-foot-9 guard is more than capable as Kentucky’s lead guard.

That being said, John Calipari’s words at Media Day this week are worth remembering going into the season, especially when you consider five-star signee Cason Wallace’s anticipated production in the backcourt.

“If we back up the defense for him, it hurts him,” Calipari said of Wheeler. “If he’s got to play a guy from the top of the key and in, it hurts him. Because it shows some of what he isn’t: 6-5. … I told him, ‘You got to be guarded. You can’t be a player out there that’s not being guarded, or you won’t be in. So, you got to be guarded. They got to respect you and your shot.’”

As for Wallace, Calipari says the 6-foot-4 guard is “probably a little more advanced” at this stage than most freshmen and he’s played “all point” in practice.

“I literally haven’t played him off the ball since we started,” he said. “I mean he’s been the other guy.”

With Wheeler out in Blue-White Game, Wallace stepped in as Kentucky’s starting point guard and finished with 15 points on 6-11 shooting and 3-6 from three to go with a game-high eight assists, two rebounds and two steals with zero turnovers. He was nothing short of sensational on both ends, living up to his status as a top-five recruit out of high school.

Ideally, you find a way to have both players in the lineup and it doesn’t really matter. Should shooting and turnover woes outweigh the value Wheeler brings as a playmaker, though, things could get interesting — especially if Wallace continues to impress.

A backup center to emerge with Oscar Tshiebwe out

Kentucky is expected to be without star center Oscar Tshiebwe for the entirety of the exhibition schedule after undergoing minor knee schedule earlier this month. He says he’ll “absolutely” be back for the regular season, but until then, it’ll be up to Lance Ware and Ugonna Onyenso to hold down the fort down low, along with Daimion Collins occasionally sliding over from the four at times.

Collins is expected to get his minutes regardless, splitting time with Jacob Toppin at power forward. The backup center spot, though, remains up for grabs between Ware and Onyenso.

Playing the odds, Ware is expected to be that guy. Let’s first make that clear. He’s got the experience and has already carved out an enforcer role off the bench. Calipari has also raved about the junior center’s dedication to transforming his body in the weight room this offseason, jumping from 217 pounds last year to 233 going into this one.

“So now all of a sudden you got Lance more physical and able to hold his position. He makes it hard,” Calipari said.

And then there was Onyenso, a five-star freshman who reclassified late and arrived on campus in late August, missing Kentucky’s trip to the Bahamas. The expectation when he first signed was to bring the 6-foot-11 center along slowly, letting his offense catch up to his defense — he was the best shot-blocker in the nation coming out of high school — and preparing him for next year and beyond. Coaches have since raved about his high basketball IQ and maturity, allowing him to grasp things quicker than anticipated.

He then looked the part in the Blue-White Game, finishing with 14 points on 6-9 shooting and 2-2 from the line to go with five rebounds and four blocks in his first live debut for the Wildcats.

“I mean, how about Ugonna? You look at Ugonna. He’s a 7-footer. He can run, he’s skilled,” Calipari said at Media Day. “… Who does what he does? No one. And that’s why you just, you’re going to get your minutes, you force me to play you more. He’s good. And a great kid.”

Calipari admitted Onyenso is a bit overwhelmed right now and needs to build confidence, but that’s to be expected for a player who only arrived in America back in January and should still be in high school. The fact that he’s this far along is a major plus — and adds an unexpected wrinkle to the rotation.

Will Ware solidify that backup center spot or will Onyenso continue to make a push?

Defense, rebounding and sprinting

Entering Kentucky’s first exhibition game of the season, John Calipari has three keys to the season. Vague, sure, but it’s what the UK head coach will be evaluating both tonight and beyond. It starts with on- and off-ball defense, followed by rebounding on both ends of the floor and sprinting.

“This is how they can separate themselves on the court,” Calipari wrote leading up to the game Sunday afternoon.

Excited to get back on the court with our team tonight. We have told them they will be evaluated in these three areas:

1. Defense – on and OFF the ball
2. Rebounding – defensive and offensive
3. Sprinting

This is how they can separate themselves on the court!!

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) October 30, 2022

Where does that come from? Wheeler and Wallace are expected to lead the charge defensively on the perimeter, with Toppin and Collins expected to do the same in the frontcourt. Don’t discount CJ Fredrick’s effort on that end of the floor, either.

Rebounding will certainly come from Tshiebwe during the regular season, but who will step up on the glass until then? My money’s on Ware, a physical presence down low who has never been afraid to fight for boards. Toppin is another sneaky pick in that area, a grab-and-go threat for easy transition opportunities.

As for sprinting, look for Adou Thiero to step up off the bench, building on his impressive Blue-White performance where he brought effort and intensity to the floor on every possession. He could prove to be a nice spark plug piece for the Wildcats sooner rather than later. Tonight will be another opportunity for him to show how quickly he can contribute on this team.

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It all starts tonight, with tip scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena.