By: Tyler Adkins
It has been almost 8 months to the day that UK suffered its most embarrassing loss of the John Calipari era, a 59-57 loss to Robert Morris in the first round of the NIT. A lot has changed since that game but there are at least a few players who will be wearing UK uniforms that played during that loss. With that said, lets get to the things to watch for:
*They call them free for a reason
This should be the number 1 thing to watch for the rest of the year I would think for UK. After missing 16 free throws in a 4 point loss to Michigan State, I hope the Cats have spent hours in the gym shooting nothing but free throws during their week off. The one knock on John Calipari since he came to Lexington (and before) is that his teams cannot shoot free throws. I do not know why that is, other than he doesn't feel the need for his team to practice them. His philosophy that "they will make them when it matters" is more of a defensive mechanism than it is a true statement. Clearly his teams do not make them when it counts, and even if they do, the games typically would not be close if UK had made them throughout the game. Free throws are an even more important concern this year than ever before because most teams will be shooting more of them than in past years. Expect UK to get to the line 30+ times per game, and not only does that play into UK's weakness, but it takes opportunities away from players to make shots from the floor. Bottom line, this team has to shoot the ball better from the free throw line. I am looking for 70%+ the rest of the year.
*Poythress and Cauley-Stein
I am looking for these two guys to have huge games. They were starters during the game 8 months ago and have no doubt shared the brunt of the loss throughout the off-season. Poythress has been very good this year and I expect to see him play with a little more fire than we are used to seeing due to how the game ended last year. Cauley-Stein needs to impact the game in the "junk" categories. I want to see him get double-digit rebounds, several blocks and steals. These two guys can also spark the team by playing hard early on, because it will show the younger players that the game means something to them.
*The Twins Harrison
The Harrison's played poorly in Chicago, there is no other way to say it. Aaron did not shoot the ball well and Andrew was not very assertive throughout the game. I know it is early, but am concerned with the "coolness" with which Andrew Harrison plays the game. And no that is not a compliment. He almost plays like Teague did early in the year, too concerned with looking cool than doing what it takes to win the game. I hope those concerns are misguided and I am looking forward to him proving me wrong tonight. Aaron has played well, he just has not shot the ball very well. I expect to see that improve as the season progresses.
That is all for tonight. I am looking forward to a big win tonight in one of the most bizarre "revenge" games I can remember.
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