Sahvir Wheeler was correct transfer point guard for Kentucky

During the 9-16 season in 2020-21, Kentucky basketball had major issues at point guard. Most of the roster pieces did not fit, but it was clear that John Calipari had to fix the point guard position before the next season arrived.

Shortly after the year ended, Devin Askew entered the transfer portal on April 5 and would land at Texas less than two weeks later. From that point, Cal and his staff went on the hunt for a new lead guard.

After vetting multiple candidates, the Wildcats appear to have picked the right one as we’ve reached the midway point of conference play.

Sahvir Wheeler checks boxes for Kentucky

When the dust settled, Kentucky landed Georgia transfer Sahvir Wheeler, and the junior would stay in the SEC after two seasons playing for Tom Crean. A pace-and-space guard who works best in an uptempo offense, Sahvir Wheeler has found a home in Lexington.

Calipari’s team is playing with some pace this season as the Wildcats have their highest adjusted tempo mark since 2017. Kentucky has surrounded Wheeler — a drive-heavy guard — with shooters. Both Keion Brooks Jr. and Oscar Tshiebwe are capable from the midrange. On the wings, Kellan Grady, Davion Mintz, and TyTy Washington are all capable shooters from three.

That has allowed Wheeler to play to his strengths, and he is responding with his best season yet. The lefty ranks No. 17 nationally in assist rate (36.9%) while shooting 50.3 percent from two in 29.9 minutes per game.

Sahvir Wheeler has solved Kentucky’s point guard issues, and that has played a big part in the Wildcats being 18-4 with a chance to secure a No. 1 seed in the last month of the season.

De’Vion Harmon is a tweener

After two very productive years at Oklahoma, former top-50 recruit De’Vion Harmon entered the transfer portal. The combo guard was fresh off a strong season for the Sooners and was looking for a new home.

Harmon eventually landed at Oregon and that was likely a good thing for Kentucky. The former blue-chipper is better playing off the ball.

The transfer has settled into a two-guard role for the Ducks and is averaging 10.8 points while shooting 44.2 percent from two and 39.2 percent from three. Harmon has been an important piece in an Oregon team that has underachieved to this point in the season.

If at Kentucky, Harmon would most like have settled in on the wing with Kellan Grady and that would’ve given Washington the full-time role at point guard. The Wildcats would then have zero depth at the lead guard spot and would be very dependent on Washington.

De’vion Harmon is a good player, but Kentucky needed a true point guard.

Marcus Carr is slumping at Texas

Last season at Minnesota, Marcus Carr averaged 19.4 points and 4.9 assists on his way to All-Big Ten first team honors. However, the Gophers dismissed head coach Richard Pitino after the season, and Carr decided to move on.

The redshirt senior landed at Texas after a loaded transfer portal recruitment to play for new head coach Chris Beard. The Longhorns are now 16-6 on their way to an NCAA Tournament bid, but things have not been smooth for the transfer.

Carr is averaging just 11 points in 29 minutes per game as his assist numbers have gone way down. The lead guard is shooting just 42.6 percent from two and has only reached 20-plus points twice this season after getting there 12 times last season.

The former Pittsburgh and Minnesota guard is still a productive player, but Carr has not been an all-conference level performer at Texas.

John Calipari had to adjust

Sahvir Wheeler is not a typical John Calipari point guard — that much is known. At 5-foot-9, the lefty is not a physically imposing force and is just an average jump shooter. For the junior to succeed, a team must be committed to playing to his strengths.

Wheeler is at his best on a squad that pushes off misses and isn’t afraid to take a quick shot on the offensive end. The turnover numbers can get high, but the point guard plays with a terrific motor, has a solid finish package around the rim, and sets up teammates in good spots regularly.

Once Kentucky committed to putting their foot on the gas after the Notre Dame loss, the Wildcats have turned into one of the best offenses in college basketball.

Calipari deserves the credit for adjusting to his personnel and finding pieces that would fit together on the floor.