This Week in Kentucky Basketball: Let the Games Begin

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After a long offseason, the calendar has finally turned to November 7. Baylor vs. Mississippi Valley State will tip off the slate of games at noon followed by about 100 total matchups. The Kentucky Wildcats play at 6:30 p.m. on opening day with a game against Howard. Then, they will host Duquesne on Friday to wrap up the first week of action.

Unfortunately, the Kentucky Basketball team opens the season with some injury issues. Reigning National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe is still recovering from a minor knee procedure. Additionally, point guard Sahvir Wheeler aggravated a knee injury of his own in the Cats’ first exhibition game with Missouri Western State. With the Champions Classic looming on Tuesday, November 15 against Michigan State, Kentucky’s biggest concern this week will be getting healthy.

Every Monday throughout the college basketball season we will take a look at the week ahead as it pertains to the Kentucky Basketball program. We will highlight the biggest storyline surrounding the Wildcats, provide a quick preview of the week’s matchups, and reset the landscape of the SEC as a whole. Let’s dive on into this season’s first edition of this week in Kentucky Basketball.

Top Kentucky Basketball Storyline: Getting Healthy

The frustrating song and dance around player injuries sure didn’t take long to hit Big Blue Nation this season. On October 11th, it was announced that Oscar Tshiebwe would undergo a minor knee procedure. “He’s going to have a minor 15-minute procedure to clean some things up,” is what Coach John Calipari had to say on Twitter. Despite being expected to return by the Howard game, it is now unlikely we see the returning National Player of the Year. According to Coach Cal, Tshiebwe is progressing fine, but it will likely be Friday or next Tuesday before we see him suit up.

Additionally, Sahvir Wheeler is banged up after leaving the Missouri Western State game with his own knee ailment. Wheeler missed time due to a couple of different injuries last season, so keeping the small point guard healthy will be crucial for the Kentucky Basketball program this year. This team has a number of playmakers and talented guys, but can still ill-afford to miss stars like Tshiebwe and Wheeler.

Watch the latest John Calipari press conference on the KSR YouTube Channel.

Kentucky Basketball’s Opponents: Howard Bison, Duquesne Dukes

Kentucky will open the 2022-2023 season against the Howard Bison on Monday evening. The MEAC program is coming off of its first winning season in 20 years. Coach Kenny Blakeney’s squad went 16-13 and finished second in the MEAC with a 9-5 mark. The Bison return two All-Conference performers in Freshman of the Year Elijah Hawkins and Second Team selection Steve Settle, III. Howard plays very fast, 35th in tempo last season according to KenPom, and will play an aggressive style of defense. They were 10th last season in defensive turnover percentage at 23.5%. Expect to see some full-court press and defenders out in the passing lanes.

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We will be able to get a live look at the Duquesne Dukes on Tuesday when they begin their season against Montana. A year ago, the Dukes were 6-24 with an ugly 1-16 record in the Atlantic 10. They have lost 17 straight basketball games going into this season. However, Coach Keith Dambrot hit the transfer portal and has completely revamped the roster. Tevin Brewer (FIU) and Dae Dae Grant (Miami OH) are proven big-time scorers who will take over the Dukes’ backcourt. Two holdovers at the forward position will provide a little bit of continuity, but for the most part, this is a new group. They will lack size, but don’t consider last year’s record when preparing for Friday’s matchup. The Kentucky Basketball team will be facing an entirely different Duquesne squad.

Around the Southeastern Conference

Tennessee has dominated the last week or so of headlines around the SEC. Their 99-80 pay-per-view exhibition win over Gonzaga was extremely impressive. Now, the Volunteers are a trendy Final Four pick despite being selected third in their own league. Coach Rick Barnes has an elite backcourt, plenty of shooting, and will once again be strong defensively. They will play Tennessee Tech at 7:00 p.m. on opening night.

Twelve of the 14 conference programs get started on Monday night. South Carolina opens their season on Tuesday while LSU fans have to wait until Wednesday. There are five new head coaches on the sidelines this season in the Southeastern Conference, plus Mike White moving from Florida to Georgia. That sort of coaching turnover is uncommon and will make for some interesting storylines to follow this season.

Once again, the SEC is loaded with talent and excellent coaching. The proud football conference has officially become a respected basketball league as well. With as many as seven or eight programs looking to make the NCAA Tournament, the SEC will be very deep along with top-end talent. It is cliche, but there will be no off nights once conference play gets started.

Games to Watch Nationally

Monday, November 7

#5 Baylor vs. Mississippi Valley State @ Noon Eastern Time (Big 12 Network/ESPN+)
#4 Kentucky vs. Howard @ 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (SEC Network)
#16 Villanova vs. La Salle @ 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (FS1)
#22 Michigan vs. Purdue Fort Wayne @ 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (Big Ten Network)
#7 Duke vs. Jacksonville @ 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ACC Network)
#11 Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech @ 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#13 Indiana vs. Morehead State @ 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
#24 Dayton vs. Lindenwood @ 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#3 Houston vs. Northern Colorado @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#5 Kansas vs. Omaha @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Big 12 Network/ESPN+)
#10 Arkansas vs. North Dakota State @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#14 TCU vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Big 12 Network/ESPN+)
#15 Auburn vs. George Mason @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#9 Creighton vs. St. Thomas – Minnesota @ 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time (FS1)
#20 Alabama vs. Longwood @ 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#1 North Carolina vs. UNC Wilmington @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ACC Network)
#2 Gonzaga vs. North Florida @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time
#12 Texas vs. UTEP @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Longhorn Network)
#18 Virginia vs. North Carolina Central @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ACC Network)
#23 Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPNU)
#25 Texas Tech vs. Northwestern State @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Big 12/ESPN+)
#17 Arizona vs. Nicholls @ 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time
#19 San Diego State vs. Cal State Fullerton @ 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time
#21 Oregon vs. Florida A&M @ 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time
#8 UCLA vs. Sacremento State @ 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Thursday, November 10

#5 Kansas vs. North Dakota State @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Big 12 Network/ESPN+)
#25 Texas Tech vs. Texas Southern @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Big 12 Network/ESPN+)
#13 Indiana vs. Bethune-Cookman @ 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time (Big Ten Network)
#9 Creighton vs. North Dakota @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (FS1)
#12 Texas vs. Houston Christian @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Longhorn Network)

Friday, November 11

#2 Gonzaga vs. Michigan State @ 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN) – game played in San Diego
#7 Duke vs. South Carolina Upstate @ 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ACC Network)
#1 North Carolina vs. Charleston @ 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ACC Network)
#4 Kentucky vs. Duquesne @ 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (SEC Network)
Temple vs. #16 Villanova @ 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPNU)
#24 Dayton vs. SMU @ 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#5 Baylor vs. Norfolk State @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Big 12 Network/ESPN+)
#10 Arkansas vs. Fordham @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#20 Alabama vs. Liberty @ 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPN+)
#17 Arizona vs. Southern @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time
#18 Virginia vs. Monmouth @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ACC Network)
#22 Michigan vs. Eastern Michigan @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ESPNU)
#23 Illinois vs. Kansas City @ 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (Big Ten Network)
#19 San Diego State vs. BYU @ 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
#8 UCLA vs. Long Beach State @ 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time
#21 Oregon vs. UC Irvine @ 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time