KSR's Takeaways from Kentucky's 92-69 win over Georgetown College

by:KSR•10/27/23

ksr-takeaways-kentucky-georgetown — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky Basketball escaped a first-half scare against Georgetown College for a 92-69 victory in the team’s first preseason exhibition. The Wildcats were carried in scoring by a pair of veterans and one standout freshman guard off the bench, while the neighboring Tigers brought their best fight to Lexington for much of the game.

Let’s recap it with group takeaways and call it a night.

First Half Troubles

You were a little worried. It’s OK. You can admit it. Me too.

At halftime, Kentucky led by only one point against its NAIA opponent from one county over. The Wildcats’ youth and size proved to be early hindrances. The players took bad shots, struggled to defend, turned it over, and didn’t match Georgetown’s energy out of the gate. The experienced Tigers came to play, and 20 minutes into the game, the arena felt tight with 35-34 on the scoreboard.

Kentucky went 2-for-9 from outside before the intermission with a 41 percent clip from the field. There were moments when they looked great and others that made you question how they will defend teams like Kansas and Miami if the roster still looks the same in a couple of weeks.

The night got much better in the second half.

— Drew Franklin

Veterans lead the way

Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

With the freshmen (outside of Dillingham) looking a little shaky, the veterans stepped up to steady the ship. Tre Mitchell led Kentucky in scoring with 22 points, 17 in the second half. Antonio Reeves wasn’t far behind with 18 points, helping spark Kentucky’s 8-0 run after halftime. Mitchell was an efficient 9-12 from the flood, 4-5 from three. He also had a team-high nine rebounds and three blocks.

With the three bigs out, Mitchell is tasked with playing the five. He’s not a conventional center, but tonight, he was able to get the Cats going in a variety of ways. We’ll probably say it a lot, especially early on, but what a lucky grab from the transfer portal.

— Tyler Thompson

Kentucky missed their three seven-footers

It wasn’t nearly as obvious in the second half, but in the first half, Kentucky was clearly missing the seven-footer trio of Aaron Bradshaw, Ugonna Onyenso, and Zvonimir Ivisic. Georgetown College made it a point to attack Kentucky’s lack of interior presence and the Wildcats were unprepared for that level of physicality — at least early on.

Georgetown’s 6-foot-5 senior forward Kyran Jones was a man amongst boys in the opening half, going right through UK defenders in the first half to layups right at the rim. Jones had nine points and six rebounds at the break as he manhandled the Kentucky frontcourt.

The ‘Cats would finally punch back in the second half, but when the real competition begins, the need for at least one of those seven-footers is going to be critical.

— Zack Geoghegan

So-so debut for the freshmen

A ton has been made about this year’s freshmen class, which was ranked No. 1 in the country and billed as a group of competitive “dogs” that would constitute Kentucky’s core. That can still happen, of course, but outside of Rob Dillingham, Kentucky’s five-star freshmen struggled. DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards combined for only 13 points on 5-19 shooting. They also had four fouls each.

Reed Sheppard had some nice moments (how about that alley-oop to Edwards in the second half?), as did Jordan Burks, who may have only scored four points, but showed some good hustle.

— Tyler Thompson

.@reed_sheppard ➡️ @Jedwards3_ SLAM pic.twitter.com/juictmgJ1x
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 28, 2023

Jordan Burks showed some stuff

John Calipari wouldn’t let the performance of Jordan Burks — who finished with just four points and six rebounds — go unnoticed. Burks wasn’t flashy by any means with his play, but that’s what Calipari wants. He wants the mean, nasty version of Burks who can match up physically against other forwards. He was mostly a guard at high school but has fully transitioned into (and more importantly, embraced) the big man role.

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Without the aforementioned seven-footers, there is going to be a spot for Burks in the rotation until one or two or all three of them return. He played 20 total minutes and was part of Calipari’s eight-man lineup. Burks won’t have to light up the scoreboard like he’s been used to. As long as he fights hard and gives it his all, Calipari is going to play him.

— Zack Geoghegan

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Rob Dillingham is a playmaker

Coming off his 40-point performance in the Blue-White Game, Rob Dillingham impressed again. The shifty guard came off the bench to finish with 16 points (7-11 FG, 1-1 3PT, 1-2 FT), the most of any freshman, in 24 minutes. He also had a team-high five assists. Dillingham still has moments where his moves get the best of him — turnovers, silly fouls, etc. — but he’s not afraid to put his head down and get a bucket, the type of playmaker Kentucky has desperately missed in recent years.

After the game, Calipari said he told Dillingham before the game that he wasn’t going to start him and the freshman was totally fine with it. Cal compared his attitude to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Immanuel Quickley’s and said he was also impressed with how he defended and subbed himself. Dillingham stocks are rising.

— Tyler Thompson

Empty Seats

Several of Rupp Arena’s seats were left empty Friday night for Kentucky’s first dress rehearsal. Even the new VIP seats that now split up the scorers’ table were left vacant.

The low turnout could be attributed to several things: a sign of the times, high school football games around the state, a very important football game across town tomorrow, or maybe the new $27 parking. We’ll worry about in-person fan support if it lingers on into the season.

Attendance was listed at 18,454.

— Drew Franklin

Quaintance, Edgecombe soak in the action

The Big Blue Nation wasn’t the only one who got a taste of Kentucky’s first real action of the season. A pair of five-star 2024 recruits caught the entire game from behind the Wildcats’ bench. 6-foot-10 center Jayden Quaintance and 6-foot-3 shooting guard VJ Edgecombe are on their official visits to UK right now and will be here throughout the weekend.

This will likely be Quaintance’s final official visit before he dives into decision mode. He’s been heavily recruited by Calipari for months now and he’s looking to go for the final kill. At just 16 years old, Quaintance will have to spend at least two seasons at the college level. Missouri and the G League are pushing hard for the versatile big man.

As for Edgecombe, his official visit was a last-minute surprise. Although Kentucky did not make his initial top 10 a few months ago, the ‘Cats have firmly jumped into the mix since offering him back in September. There hasn’t been a bigger riser on the recruiting scene from the 2024 class this year than Edgecombe.

— Zack Geoghegan