KSR's takeaways from Kentucky's blowout win vs. North Florida

Kentucky picked up a pre-Thanksgiving victory early Wednesday afternoon, defeating North Florida by a final score of 96-56 to move to 4-2 on the year. It was a performance that saw the Wildcats shoot 47.9% from the field overall and 37.5% from three while holding the Ospreys to 34.5% shooting and 28.6% from deep.

Ten different players scored for Kentucky, with three finishing in double figures. UK also outrebounded UNF 50-35 while forcing 16 turnovers and coughing it up just seven times.

How did it all come together for the Wildcats? KSR has the takeaways.

North Florida isn’t very good

The Ospreys entered the day ranked No. 217 overall in the KenPom, with team defense even further down the list at No. 289. At 1-3 overall out of the ASUN, UNF is less than stellar — very bad, even. And to make matters worse, the effort wasn’t even there, giving up countless easy buckets around the basket and open looks from three to create an unbelievably lop-sided affair.

Kentucky was always going to win this game, almost certainly by a lot. Add in a lack of defensive intensity against a team full of superior athletes and overall talent? Yeah, that’s a recipe for disaster, and the scoreboard reflected that from tip to final buzzer.

What can you learn in a matchup like this? Honestly, probably not a lot. And it doesn’t help that the Wildcats are coming off back-to-back losses against quality opponents in Michigan State and Gonzaga, where a feel-good win like this one doesn’t even feel all that good. All eyes are on December when Kentucky travels to London to take on Michigan, followed by a trip to New York City to play UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic.

It’s always good to see the ball fall through the net with efficiency after a cold shooting streak and execution after dealing with so many breakdowns on both ends of the floor last week. If you’re looking for any big-picture developments, though, this wasn’t the game for you.

Antonio Reeves gets Kentucky rolling in the first half

The best example of a player knocking off rust? Antonio Reeves, who didn’t shoot above 33.3% in a game last week — highlighted by 1-7 and 4-13 performances vs. Michigan State and Gonzaga.

The senior guard exploded in the first half to set the offensive tone and pace early, scoring 18 points on 7-9 shooting and 4-5 from three in 14 minutes. His confidence was soaring, creating for himself and launching without hesitation in transition and in the half-court. To put the icing on the cake, he sank a runout three at the buzzer to close out the first half, giving the Wildcats a 54-23 lead at the break.

“I didn’t like how we started the last game (against Gonzaga). I just didn’t like it,” John Calipari said after the win. “I said, ‘Let’s see if we start better.'”

Insert No. 12, who made his first start of the season for the Wildcats.

“Reeves is a difference-maker for you guys,” UNF coach Matthew Driscoll said, adding that he didn’t know if there was a better “three-point shooter or finder” in college basketball.

Reeves finished with 20 points on 7-12 shooting and 4-8 from three to go with six rebounds and an assist in 29 minutes.

Oscar Tshiebwe secures Kentucky’s Most Impactful Player belt

Would you be surprised if I told you Oscar Tshiebwe finished with 16 points (8-11 FG) and 15 rebounds in a win for the Wildcats? Of course not! That’s what he does, and he does it better than anyone else in college basketball.

It was a performance that earned him Kentucky basketball’s Most Impactful Player belt, the first Wildcat to receive the hardware this season. But it wasn’t the points or rebounds that earned him the belt. Instead, it was the five assists, three steals and two blocks he added.

“That’s impacting the game,” Calipari said after the win.

“It’s important to get something like this because it shows that you’re helping your team,” Tshiebwe said of winning the belt. “For me, I did something good, but I’m happy because we won. This belt, the next person who wins is going to put it in his room and say, ‘I was the best and I helped my team win.’ I don’t want to get this when we lose, I want to get it when we win.

“Now they’re going to try to win it over me, and that’s good. When you work harder, that helps me, that helps the team, that helps all of us.”

Tshiebwe impacting winning is nothing new. Now, though, he has the game-by-game hardware to show for it — and it’s on his teammates to take it from him next time around.

Jacob Toppin goes for a career-high

The senior forward tied his career high of 16 points vs. Gonzaga, sinking a handful of mid-range jumpers to build confidence in a blowout loss out in Spokane. Just three days later, Toppin set a new personal best with 20 points, tied for a game-high with Reeves. He finished the day 7-15 from the field, 1-2 from three and 5-8 from the line to go with 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.

Toppin worked quite a bit out of the high post, looking to find face-up opportunities while also driving to the basket and looking to finish through contact. He looked like a true four creating mismatches over smaller, less athletic defenders rather than floating on the perimeter playing like a big guard. He’s got guard skills, but has gotten away from the physical attributes that make him a real threat as a forward — being 6-10 with a 45-inch vertical.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was certainly a step in the right direction as Toppin looks to break through as a star his senior season.

Lance Ware was out sick (and Ugonna Onyenso stepped up in his place)

Despite sitting on the bench in the middle of the team, the junior forward didn’t take the floor in the win due to illness, something he could have played through if necessary.

“Lance was sick,” Calipari said after the game. “Would’ve played if we needed him.”

How did the frontcourt look without him? Tshiebwe was Tshiebwe, while Ugonna Onyenso added a smooth seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and three blocks in 18 minutes. He finished strong inside and with touch while also being a force on the glass. And then there was the standout defense, but what’s new?

Elsewhere, Daimion Collins added four points (2-7 FG), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 16 minutes.

Ball movement was impressive

Kentucky finished with 15 assists on 22 baskets in the first half, something UNF coach Driscoll said was different than anything he had seen on film from the Wildcats to open the year. It allowed UK to push the lead early and cruise across the finish line with ease.

As a team, Kentucky finished with an impressive 23 assists to go with just seven turnovers, with three different players dishing at least five dimes (Tshiebwe with five, Cason Wallace with six, Sahvir Wheeler with five). The unselfishness with ball distribution created easy scoring opportunities both inside and on the perimeter, taking the wind out of the Ospreys’ sails and helping create a blowout scenario to get back in the win column.

Again, it’s tough to take much away from a 40-point victory, but things like execution, confidence and playing winning basketball can always be worked on, regardless of the competition.