Five things we need to see from Kentucky vs. WKU, presented by UK Federal Credit Union

Kentucky is set to take on Western Kentucky this evening, a last-minute scheduling changeup following Louisville’s withdrawal from the annual rivalry matchup. What do we need to see from the Wildcats against the in-state Hilltoppers on Wednesday?

First, a message from today’s sponsor, UK Federal Credit Union:

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The University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union has been a proud partner of the Big Blue Nation for over 80 years! As a locally owned business, we are a proud supporter of the University of Kentucky Wildcats and all its fans. Whether you are a UK employee, student or fan, there’s a place for you at UKFCU!*

We are a full-service financial institution offering a wide array of products from checking and savings accounts, to credit cards and mortgages. And with your accounts you have access to mobile & online banking, Apple Pay and Google Pay, card controls and over 65,000 fee-free ATMs. All while typically offering better interest rates on deposits and loans, and having fewer fees on your accounts.

UKFCU has all the perks of a big bank, but we are local and right here at home.  So come on over and learn more about what UKFCU can offer you! Visit ukfcu.org to learn more. Go Big Blue!

*Membership eligibility required. Federally insured by NCUA.

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No setbacks for Sahvir Wheeler

Sahvir Wheeler was played off the floor at Notre Dame. He followed it up by playing North Carolina off the floor in the CBS Sports Classic.

After an abysmal performance in South Bend, Wheeler had his best game of the year against the Tar Heels, finishing with 26 points on 12-15 shooting to go with eight assists, four steals, three rebounds and just two turnovers. He was unguardable from start to finish, leading Kentucky to a 29-point blowout victory on the big stage.

Wheeler has had a solid year up to this point, averaging 11.5 points and 7.7 assists per contest, but he’s been mostly boom or bust in terms of efficiency. Four games of 40% shooting or less, six games surpassing that mark. Four games with two turnovers or fewer, six games with three or more.

UK will be taking on a backcourt that consists of two former Kentucky Mr. Basketballs in Dayvion McKnight and Camron Justice. Both players average at least 13 points per game and combine for 9.5 assists and 3.9 steals per contest.

McKnight and Justice will be looking to make a statement in the state’s most historic venue. Wheeler will need to respond with another statement of his own.

Can Kentucky contain 7-foot-5 center Jamarion Sharp?

Oscar Tshiebwe has been the enforcer down low for Kentucky all season long. Will he be able to slow down Western Kentucky’s anchor in the post?

Hopkinsville’s own Jamarion Sharp stands 7-foot-5, 235 pounds and currently leads the nation in blocked shots at 4.8 swats per contest. He also averages a smooth 7.8 rebounds per game, good for fifth in Conference USA.

Tshiebwe has struggled with foul trouble at times this season, with Lance Ware and Daimion Collins being the break-in-case-of-emergency backup options down low. Will Kentucky’s 6-9, 255-pound center continue his stretch of dominant play against Sharp, or will the 7-foot-5 center’s length limit Tshiebwe from major production? Will he be forced to the bench due to foul issues on defense? How will Ware and Collins step up in backup minutes?

Tshiebwe has answered almost every test thrown his way this season. He’ll have another against WKU this evening.

Winning the battle at the four

Western Kentucky’s leading scorer is Jairus Hamilton, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward averaging 16.5 points per contest to go with 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He’s strong and versatile, scoring in double-digits every game this season from the four spot.

Junior forward Keion Brooks Jr. mans the four for Kentucky, averaging 11.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He’s had his highs — he had back-to-back games of 17-plus points against Ohio and Albany — but he’s also had his lows — a combined 11 points on 4-13 shooting in back-to-back games against Central Michigan and Southern.

Brooks has impressed, but it’s fair to expect more out of the third-year forward. He’s absolutely capable of doing so, and Wednesday evening will be a strong opportunity to showcase that. For a WKU team that relies so heavily on that position, Brooks can spoil the Hilltoppers at their main point of attack with a strong performance of his own.

A selfish shooting night for Kellan Grady

Grady was not limited to catch-and-shoot opportunities on low volume against the Tar Heels, finishing with 18 points on 6-8 shooting and 5-7 from three to go with six rebounds and an assist. The Davidson transfer was aggressive in looking for his shot and knocked down the opportunities that came his way.

It was a strong shooting night for the graduate transfer, but is it unreasonable to ask for more? With TyTy Washington dealing with a right hand/wrist injury, he may look to facilitate rather than continue his role as a go-to scoring threat on Wednesday. It’s the perfect opportunity for Grady to step up and hunt shots more often than he’s shown up to this point.

He’s taken more than ten shots in a game just twice this season, averaging 7.5 attempts per game. This comes after averaging at least 13 shots per game all four years at Davidson, shooting at least 45% from the field and 34% from three every season.

The 18 points he scored against North Carolina should be the expectation, not the outlier. Just three games in double figures this season just isn’t enough, and it has nothing to do with him being inefficient or struggling. It comes down to being passive with the ball and passing up open shots.

Build off of the North Carolina win

Kentucky was able to coast through its non-conference home slate with ease, one that consisted of seven straight wins against cupcake opponents. The team’s toughest competition was against Ohio back in November.

Tasked with taking on a name-brand program away from home following that stretch, Kentucky was punched in the mouth against a ho-hum Notre Dame squad in South Bend. With national media members ready to toss UK to the side as a serious Final Four threat, the Wildcats followed it up with a 29-point blowout win over North Carolina in Las Vegas.

The Tar Heels aren’t special, but it’s still a resume-boosting win for a team that desperately needed one. Western Kentucky fits in that category, as well.

No, the Hilltoppers aren’t a blue blood or a national powerhouse, but they’re not a low-major cupcake. They’ve beaten the likes of Ole Miss and Louisville and competed against Minnesota (73-69 L), South Carolina (75-64 L) and Memphis (74-62 L). UofL was obviously the opponent of choice and it sucks the rivalry matchup won’t be played — not yet, anyway — but WKU is a solid backup option on short notice.

Kentucky can’t afford another ugly non-conference performance on its resume. Tonight is an opportunity to stack one strong win on top of another.