By: Ronald "Doc" Ball
General Impressions Nice "rest" game, one that allowed starters some rest and an opportunity to get some bench players quality time. Kudos to Cal for that. State a better team than their 0-4 record, or as shown by the final score, but still not a Michigan State or Gonzaga. However its games like this that help prepare. UK looked much more comfortable than they did on Tues, mostly shown in the long range shooting. Players let the game come to them for most part. Still some issue coming to light. I am still not seeing a lot of screening for the shooters, so its mostly the creating their own looks. I am also not as excited as many about the passing ability. We do have assist guys but overall, I don't see this as a great passing team. We have great individual passers but as a team, not so much.
Jacob Toppin B- Waffled between a C+ and the B-. but went with the higher grade. 8 pts and 9 rebounds in 20 minutes. 2 assists, no turnovers, a block and a steal makes a nice line. He hit half of his 8 shots, none of them treys (0-2) but a nice dunk that was sweet as ice cream. Like most of his teammates, tonight he didn't push it. although a bit more aggression would have upped his grade. But he does have the honor of getting the first UK technical, beating out John Calipari who was the odds on favorite.
Cason Wallace B In 24 minutes, he garnered 12 points by hitting all his 2 pointers (5) and half of his treys (2-4). Him hitting those treys really is important because it allows for more and better spacing. Had 3 assists and 2 turnovers so he got dinged a little gradewise. Only 3 rebounds and a steal. I'm not a fan of him and Wheeler on the floor at the same time due to the minutes aspect but tonight it worked well.
Chris Livingston B Looking a little like the odd man out. Hope that changes a bit. 13 pts in 17 mintues on 4-6 shooting, including a trey. Also sank all 4 free throws. I would like to see him play a bit more of the 2 spot at times, but he will get you tough rebounds.
CJ Fredrick A- Good to see the eye back, where he was cool as ice cream. I think the MSU game got him jittery. A game high 17 points on 5-11 shooting, 3-7 from long range. Tack on 3 assists to 1 turnover. Still have some defensive concerns with him, as were seen vs MSU. But he is as big a key to the success of this team as anybody without the initials OT.
Lance Ware A- Had him at a B+ but then saw 12 pts on 6-6 shooting, 2 blocks, 3 rebounds and an assist in 14 minutes. It was a real good game for him. Like everybody else, he didn't push it. Just solid play.
Antonio Reeves C+ He needs to get into the team mentality pretty damn soon. Did better than last game where he melted like warm ice cream, managed 11 points on 3-9 shooting, 3-7 from long range in 20 minutes. Needs to look to his teammates more, and quit being a bit of a ball hog. Not sure how he got 3 assists though. Maybe its me who is too focused??? No turnovers
Adou Thiero C A couple bad drive decisions but that is why he needs playing time in actual games. One of three players with more TO than assists (along with Damion and Onyenso) which for a guard is taboo in my book. Like to see him work on the stop and pop rather then drive every time. His 9 minutes of playing time was just where it needs to be, and he was productive in that time.
Ugonna Onyenso B- 6 pts on 3-4 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks... all in 12 minutes. Still has a ways to go to look comfortable but I like him as a 3rd line center. Has zero pressure on him,
Daimion Collins B+ Is no player I am pulling harder for. Him coming back shows maturity and desire, then add that family situation, I give him tons of credit. Loved the two handed block, was like a double dip ice cream in a sugar cone. 6 pts, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 18 minutes. Led the team in turnover with 3.
Oscar Tshiebwe B+ Not that it was a sub par game for Oscar, but I think its a fair grade. Only got 14 minutes on the floor, 6 pts and 7 rebounds but missed both of his free throws. Was nice to have a game we didn't need a great performance. I think Oscar is happy about that too!
Sahvir Wheeler A- Led the team with 25 minutes of play. IMO that is perfect! Didn't score in the first half but finished with 6 due in a big part on his FT shooting (4-4). 10 assists with zero turnovers is more than you would expect from any PG. Kudo's to him. His play was smooth as ice cream.
Coaching A- Excellent rotation and minutes distribution. Didn't play the you make a mistake and I pull you BS. Only negative was still need to develop some offensive screens.
Officials C These guys gave me an ice cream headache! For future reference it was Doug Shows, Vladimir Voyard-Tadal, Erroll Lewis. I didn't mind the not calling the flop of the elbow to the shoulder, but the T was ridiculous. So now "patting your head" is technical foul worthy???
Commentators C- Can't stand watching Dane during the pregame. He waves his arms around like he is working an airport runway. Its distracting as hell. Nobody gesticulates like that when they talk. Also, it would be a neat thing to try, let me just spitball this out there as suggestion... but how about taking something so irrelevant and unrelated to basketball and just keep talking about it time and time again.
Other Shooting much better as we hit 57% to their 35%. Of course the opponents defense has a lot to do with that. Three point shooting good as well with 42% and 5 different players making at least one. Rebounds favored the cats by +20, and our FT shooting coming around at 78%. Blocks, steals and assist all favored UK (2-9, 5-9 and 8-25 respectively).
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