KSR's takeaways from Kentucky's win over Team Germany

One down, three to go for the Kentucky Wildcats in Toronto at the 2023 GLOBL JAM. Taking on Team Germany in the event opener, John Calipari’s squad managed to pull off the 81-73 victory in relatively convincing fashion.

It took a minute to knock the rust off, shooting just 33 percent in the first quarter and 39 percent to close out the half, but would finish shooting 41 percent overall and 33 percent from three. Three players finished in double figures while seven Wildcats scored in total.

KSR’s got the quick takeaways live from the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

Welcome back, Antonio Reeves

The fifth-year senior clearly came back to Lexington with something to prove, exploding for a team-high 24 points on 8-16 shooting and 3-7 from three while adding four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Reeves did what he does best, knocking down catch-and-shoot looks while also creating for himself on the ball.

Confidence has never been an issue with Reeves, but there was a sense of assertiveness and control, looking to attack rather than deferring or playing things safe. He looked like a vet ready to pick up where he left off as the reigning SEC Co-Sixth Man of the Year, getting to his spots and launching efficient jumpers while also attacking the basket with drawn fouls in mind — he led the team with eight attempts at the line with five makes.

Any concerns about how Reeves would mesh with the Wildcats’ young talent were squashed to open the international showcase.

Adou Thiero isn’t the same player

No one was more impressive than the sophomore hybrid forward, at least physically. Spending the majority of his freshman campaign at guard, Thiero started at the four for the shorthanded Wildcats and more than looked the part. Now standing 6-7, 217 pounds, he’s simply not the same player he was in year one, a force to be reckoned with around the basket while confidently putting the ball on the floor as a driver and finisher.

Thiero finished with nine points on 3-6 shooting to go with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, but his impact was felt beyond the box score. Spacing and switchability were game-changers with the sophomore forward on the floor, leading to improved ball movement and scoring opportunities on the offensive end and tough stops on the defensive end.

Thiero drew fouls and got to the line in year one as a Wildcat. Imagine what the bigger, stronger, faster and more confident version of the same player will be in year two.

DJ Wagner and Rob Dillingham split point guard duties

Who will be Kentucky’s starting point guard this season? It was DJ Wagner getting the nod in game one, though Rob Dillingham still got plenty of run as the primary ball handler. The pair of blue-chip freshmen shined in their own ways, the former as an initiator and finisher and the latter as a creator.

Wagner finished with 16 points on 7-15 shooting and 2-5 from three while adding six assists, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Turnovers will have to be cleaned up, coughing it up five times in 33:15, but he still had plenty of standout moments as a playmaker and facilitator. His ability to take command of the offense as the team’s alpha was clear, as well.

As for Dillingham, he added six points on 3-9 shooting while adding three rebounds, one assist and zero turnovers in 17:28. His impact was felt as a creator, using advanced dribble moves to set up smooth looks and keep the offense flowing. Calipari mentioned after the game he’d give the freshman guard the green light to rock out a bit, but Dillingham would have to avoid bad shots. That remains a work in progress, but he undoubtedly played winning basketball overall on Wednesday.

A strong debut for both guards.

Tre Mitchell explodes from deep

Looking for stretch big potential, the ability to have five shooters on the floor at any given time? West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell is your guy, going for 20 points on 7-13 shooting and 4-6 from three in his debut while adding six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 34:12.

Ugonna Onyenso going down with an ankle injury is brutal, especially with Aaron Bradshaw out for the foreseeable future after undergoing foot surgery in June. Kentucky’s frontcourt depth is non-existent at this point, with Mitchell starting at the five and Jordan Burks serving as the backup. Those circumstances do, though, allow the Wildcats to get creative with smaller lineups that mximize shooting and spacing. Thiero was a big part of that at the four, but Mitchell’s ability to make shots in the pick-and-roll really opened things up and allowed five-out looks to become a reality.

And it wasn’t only catch-and-shoot makes for Mitchell, either. He also finished with touch around the basket while also showing off his passing gifts with smooth dump-offs and finds out on the perimeter.

To think the Wildcats didn’t have either fifth-year veteran signed on for the upcoming season to open the month of June. Now, Reeves and Mitchell were the team’s leading scorers, combining for 44 points on 29 shots with seven 3-pointers to open GLOBL JAM.

Reed Sheppard fills his role

Zero points on 0-4 shooting (all 3-pointers) would be a bad day for most. For Reed Sheppard, it was actually a terrific all-around effort that saw him add six assists, three rebounds and two steals without turning the ball over a single time in 16:42. His shot wasn’t falling — John Calipari said he teased the freshman guard after the game because he was a flamethrower just a day ago during an exhibition matchup vs. Africa — but he defended, made the right reads and took care of the basketball. It’s why Sheppard is expected to play a significant role in year one as a Wildcat.

He wasn’t Kentucky’s highest-rated recruit out of high school, but it’s clear the in-state standout can play. They don’t hand out McDonald’s All-America honors to just anyone, after all.

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