Three things we need to see from Kentucky vs. Robert Morris

We all know the story of game one. Trevor Keels and Paolo Banchero combine for 47 points to lead Duke to a 79-71 victory over Kentucky. Oscar Tshiebwe put up a record-setting double-double and Sahvir Wheeler had his moments, as well, but it wasn’t enough to pull off the victory in the Champions Classic.

Now, it’s about moving forward. Kentucky has returned home to face the Robert Morris Colonials to open the home schedule, with the game set to tip off at 7 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena.

After opening the season with a tough loss in New York City, what can fans expect in the home-opener? What do the Wildcats need to show when they take the floor against the Colonials?

TyTy Washington’s bounce-back game

Known for being cool and even-keeled, TyTy Washington was the player discussed as the likely breakout star under the spotlights of Madison Square Garden. He’s a smooth, gifted shooter who plays with patience and control and thrives under pressure.

And then the ball was tipped.

Washington finished the game with just nine points on 3-14 shooting and 0-2 from three to go with three assists, one rebound and one steal. He forced shots, lost control of the ball, bobbled passes and struggled defensively. It just wasn’t a strong performance.

Are there long-term concerns with the performance? Goodness no. Washington thrived at every setting in high school and continued that success through preseason scrimmages and the exhibition slate. Coaches rave about him constantly. He’s a hooper through and through.

Now is the perfect opportunity for Washington to shake off his frustrating debut and bounce back at Rupp Arena.

Give me something, frontcourt (beyond Oscar)

Oscar Tshiebwe exceeded expectations in his debut, finishing with 17 points (8-14 FG), 20 rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal. He broke the records for most rebounds by a UK player in a debut and most by a UK player in the John Calipari era. He was phenomenal from start to finish.

Beyond Tshiebwe, though, Kentucky got little to nothing from the five position. Lance Ware played ten minutes, finishing with two points (1-2 FG), two rebounds and a block. Daimion Collins played less than two minutes and finished with zero points, zero rebounds and one turnover.

Elsewhere in the frontcourt, Keion Brooks Jr. added nine points (4-10 FG, 1-3 3PT) and three rebounds, but struggled defensively. Jacob Toppin thrived defensively, but scored just four points (2-6 FG) to go with six rebounds and one assist. Bryce Hopkins was limited to just two minutes of action, finishing with zero points and zero rebounds.

Tshiebwe was great, but he won’t always put up 17 points and 20 rebounds. He’ll struggle with foul issues, something he’s dealt with his entire career. Someone else has to step up down low, preferably a couple pieces.

Tonight will be a nice test to see who those players are.

CJ Fredrick and Dontaie Allen minutes

Kentucky had ten players see the floor against Duke on Tuesday, ranging anywhere from 38 minutes played (Sahvir Wheeler) to less than two minutes played (Daimion Collins). The remaining two scholarship pieces? CJ Fredrick and Dontaie Allen.

Leading up to the Champions Classic, John Calipari said Fredrick had returned to the practice floor and was available against Duke. Ideally, the Iowa transfer would get a few minutes to get his legs underneath him, but Calipari wasn’t sure if it was the right setting for a trial run.

“My guess is, I may throw him in for a minute or two, just let him run up and down. But this probably isn’t that game,” said Calipari. “But it’s just good to have him back on the court, competing.”

It ended up not being that game.

As for Allen, he played just 10 minutes against Kentucky Wesleyan and 11 against Miles College in the two exhibition games. Both team-lows in minutes, but he still managed to score at least five points in both games, including a nine-point (3-5 3PT) performance against Miles.

Kentucky will need shooting this season, and the team’s two best shooters are sitting at the end of the bench right now. Tonight’s game against Robert Morris is the perfect opportunity for both players to get some real run and let some balls fly.

Both players bring real value in the scoring and shooting departments. Let’s see what they can do before competition ramps up in the coming months.