How Kentucky stacks up forward of SEC play

[ad_1] The Kentucky Wildcats started their second season with Mark Pope on the helm because the Related Press No. 9 group.

Led by the returning Otega Oweh (14.2 PPG) and key transfers Mouhamed Dioubate (12.3 PPG) and Denzel Aberdeen (11.6 PPG), the Wildcats enter SEC play with 4 consecutive wins as they lastly begin to get some key gamers wholesome.

Pittsburgh switch Jaland Lowe has missed seven video games with a shoulder harm, however Pope confused that he "is trying terrific" and "we're simply being cautious with him" throughout his radio present Monday night time, per A Sea Of Blue's Chris Beasmore. Heart Jayden Quaintance, a projected top-10 decide within the 2026 NBA Draft, in line with ESPN's Jeremy Woo, has solely appeared within the final two video games after recovering from a torn proper ACL he suffered in February whereas he was at Arizona State.

As this group will get more healthy and has all of its gamers on the ground, it will likely be fascinating to see if the efficiency improves. Early on this season, one in all Kentucky's points has been protection, one thing that proved pricey in a 96-88 loss to then-No. 12 Louisville on Nov. 11.

These struggles remained in an 83-66 loss to a Seventeenth-ranked Michigan State group within the Champions Basic as Kentucky as soon as once more confronted a double-digit first-half deficit and had no solutions defensively. The Wildcats blew a late six-point lead and went greater than 10 minutes with out making a discipline purpose in a 67-64 loss to No. 16 North Carolina and acquired fully steamrolled by No. 11 Gonzaga, 94-59, one other signal of Kentucky's $22M roster not dwelling as much as its price ticket.

A giant second-half rally helped the Wildcats escape of their stoop in a 72-60 win over Indiana. Much more spectacular, Kentucky clamped down on No. 22 St. John's in a 78-66 win on Dec. 20. It held the Pink Storm to 33 p.c capturing (17-of-51) and gained the rebounding benefit, 39-28, an indication of Kentucky lastly taking part in as much as its potential forward of convention play.

Kentucky carrying momentum into SEC play The Wildcats are ranked forty ninth in offense (84.9 PPG), however their protection has improved recently, presently tied for the Forty fifth-most factors allowed (67.8 PPG). That has been key to these energy convention wins over the Hoosiers and Pink Storm, and why Kentucky was capable of outscore them by 19 factors every within the second half.

Even in these two wins, although, Kentucky shot a mixed 7-of-31 from lengthy vary. That has been a problem all season, and why Kentucky is tied for 176th in three-point proportion (33.7 p.c). The current stretch is encouraging, however with No. 14 Alabama's fourth-ranked offense (94.5 PPG) awaiting on Saturday, we should always have a greater concept the place the Wildcats stand defensively and from behind the arc in a recreation that's certain to have some fireworks on each ends of the ground.

A standard theme in these early season losses was Kentucky's lack of chemistry. A few wins over groups which can be presently unranked isn't going to thoroughly repair all the pieces, however contemplating this group went from preseason AP No. 9 to unranked altogether, there are actually some positives to take into SEC play as Kentucky appears to beat its gradual begin.