Yes, the Kentucky Wildcats are the contenders we thought they were

Kentucky entered the season with a roster built unlike any other under John Calipari. It’s one that returned 13,385 minutes, 5,203 points, 1,917 rebounds, 1,132 assists and 543 3-pointers in total college basketball production, easily the most Calipari has had to work with during his time in Lexington.

It’s a roster that had shooting, scoring, playmaking, rebounding, defense, experience and continuity. Despite coming off a 9-16 season — arguably the worst in program history — Kentucky entered the year as a top-10 team with legitimate Final Four dreams.

In the team’s first test, the Wildcats came up short, falling to Duke on college basketball’s biggest stage. UK then lost to a 3-4 Notre Dame team in its first true road game of the season. The record was fine at 7-2, but the resume was abysmal. Seven victories against low-majors, two losses against name-brand opponents.

From there, though, the Wildcats rattled off blowout wins against North Carolina (98-69), Western Kentucky (95-60), Missouri (83-56) and High Point (92-48). Four games, four victories of 27 points or greater, one strong performance stacked on top of another. The level of competition has varied — North Carolina being the best, High Point being the worst — but Kentucky’s play has remained the same: dominant.

It’s been a brand of basketball that fans heard about all offseason and expected to see from day one. Fast, efficient and fresh, not the archaic display we’ve seen at times in recent memory. An emphasis on skill and shooting rather than length and athleticism.

New rosters take time to mesh, and this one is no different. The early hiccups were no surprise, and there may be more — we’re barely even a third of the way into the regular season. At their best, though, the Wildcats have clearly shown they’re capable of making serious noise this postseason. The Final Four dreams they had to open the season remain.

On-court production is clearly a part of it. Oscar Tshiebwe is one of the most dominant frontcourt players in college basketball, while TyTy Washington and Kellan Grady have emerged as go-to shooting and scoring threats — both are human flamethrowers from deep. Sahvir Wheeler leads the SEC in assists, while Keion Brooks Jr., Davion Mintz and Jacob Toppin are strong complementary pieces to round out the core rotation.

Off-court chemistry, though, is where this group has the potential to be special. Very special.

“We’re just a cohesive group both, as you can see, on and off the court,” Grady said following Kentucky’s win over High Point. “We understand each other and it’s just what you expect for a team where you have a bunch of guys that are close.

“Everyone appreciates each other, everyone has their own unique traits both on the court and off the court. It’s been a joy to be a part of.”

It started this offseason, where talk of team synergy and cohesiveness overshadowed individual standouts. In conversations with coaches and players about the potential of this group, it was never about one player or position leading the way. It was about the selflessness and camaraderie they shared together.

It’s something Calipari has rarely seen during his historic coaching career — all 34 years of it. And he’s making sure his players know just how special that is.

“There are not many teams that I’ve coached that get along like this team,” Calipari said. “(I told them), ‘You’d better enjoy it because when it’s over, it’s over. You may never play on another team that gets along like this team.'”

It’s a sense of selflessness that soaks through the roster from top to bottom. Calipari gave a few examples from today’s game alone and how players pushed for team success rather than individual production.

For that reason, this team’s “got a chance” to be something special.

“How did Lance play today? (Good) again, “Calipari said. “… At halftime, I said to Lance, ‘You played well, but I need to get Daimion on the court some, so I’m going to put him in your place.’ You know what he did? Thumbs up, ‘I got it.’ That is a mature player. What did I say to Daimion? I said, ‘Daimion, if you’re taking his minutes, you better play.’ In three minutes, he had five rebounds and two blocks.’ (Lance is) saying, ‘Go ahead and take my time” because he cares about you. That’s a big deal for this.

“Bryce (Hopkins), the way he was playing, Kellan said, ‘Leave him in.’ How about where I didn’t play that group — who got hurt by not playing those last 11 or 12 minutes? Oscar, because he didn’t get his 20 rebounds. He only played 20 minutes. You know what? Never said a word, was happy as heck after the game.

“That means we’ve got a chance. We’ve got a chance.”

When players realize it’s not about minutes or shots, but how you make the most of your opportunities on the floor, that’s when a team can reach contender status. Take the 2014-15 roster for example — team success can and does lead to individual accolades, they work hand-in-hand.

“It’s not about minutes here,” Calipari said. “You in 20 minutes can show what you are, you can. You know how I know that? 2015. No one played more than 20 minutes, six guys were drafted in the lottery with a No. 1 pick. Then the next year, the other three got drafted. Don’t tell me that.”

Grady sees the pieces falling into place in a similar fashion. No one player is taking up the majority of shots or touches, but they’re all getting opportunities to eat.

“We have such a deep team with a plethora of options with regards to scoring,” he said. “If you look at our box scores, I’m not sure anyone on this team has taken over 15 shots this year. Usually, our core guys are shooting five to ten times and it’s about being efficient and taking advantage of opportunities when you’re granted them.”

It’s a mindset that shows just how far along this group is and the connection they share.

“It just shows how well connected we are as a unit and shows that we all care about each other,” TyTy Washington said. “We don’t really care who scores, as long as we are producing and coming out with a win at the end of the day.”

Tonight was the perfect example. 12 players took shots, with eight having four or more attempts and the entire starting lineup taking six or more. No player took more than 12 shots or played more than 27 minutes, though.

It’s a recipe that resulted in a 44-point blowout win on New Year’s Eve.

“Making 3s like that, they are going to be hard to beat,” High Point head coach Tubby Smith said after the game. “Going to be very hard to beat, by anyone.”

Kentucky has found a recipe for success, one capable of bringing the Wildcats back to legitimate contender status.