Georgetown is NAIA so lets keep it in perspective but they at least have pretty good size and length so it wasn't bad preparation. There's obviously only so much we're going to learn about Kentucky with three big guys out.
With those guys out you could tell Georgetown knew it could drive straight to the rim with no protection. That really helped them for a lot of this game. Of course the hope has to be that when those bigs are back it's totally different for opponents and UK can't be victimized off the bounce so much.
Georgetown came out with more energy than Kentucky. They got to more loose balls and Kentucky was a little flat shooting. They actually have some good size, they played really hard, and had a lot of confidence. Meanwhile, in the first half I thought some of Kentucky's young guys looked like young guys, a bit unsure of themselves with the ball.
GC ended the first half on a run and Kentucky's players weren't matching their intensity level. UK forced a lot of turnovers but didn't turn those turnovers into as many points as you would have expected especially in the first half. No question, it was a bad first half.
The start to the second half was totally different. UK scorched the nets, shared the ball, and got to the foul line gaining plenty of breathing room in only a few minutes' time.
The older guys had a good night. Reeves and Mitchell were the best players offensively. They looked ready to go. The young guys, Wagner and Edwards, didn't play so hot. Dillingham did get some traction going at the rim.
Brooks-Harris had a really nice night for Georgetown. They aren't a bad team. It shouldn't have been as close as it was in the first half but given the circumstances, missing most of their front court, first exhibition, etc., it's not entirely shocking.
The thing I think Kentucky did well defensively was anticipate passes and get into those lanes. They will be able to play even more aggressive when get the rim protection on the court but it could be a high scoring team if they can combine the halfcourt execution which Calipari seems to expect with forcing more turnovers.
With those guys out you could tell Georgetown knew it could drive straight to the rim with no protection. That really helped them for a lot of this game. Of course the hope has to be that when those bigs are back it's totally different for opponents and UK can't be victimized off the bounce so much.
Georgetown came out with more energy than Kentucky. They got to more loose balls and Kentucky was a little flat shooting. They actually have some good size, they played really hard, and had a lot of confidence. Meanwhile, in the first half I thought some of Kentucky's young guys looked like young guys, a bit unsure of themselves with the ball.
GC ended the first half on a run and Kentucky's players weren't matching their intensity level. UK forced a lot of turnovers but didn't turn those turnovers into as many points as you would have expected especially in the first half. No question, it was a bad first half.
The start to the second half was totally different. UK scorched the nets, shared the ball, and got to the foul line gaining plenty of breathing room in only a few minutes' time.
The older guys had a good night. Reeves and Mitchell were the best players offensively. They looked ready to go. The young guys, Wagner and Edwards, didn't play so hot. Dillingham did get some traction going at the rim.
Brooks-Harris had a really nice night for Georgetown. They aren't a bad team. It shouldn't have been as close as it was in the first half but given the circumstances, missing most of their front court, first exhibition, etc., it's not entirely shocking.
The thing I think Kentucky did well defensively was anticipate passes and get into those lanes. They will be able to play even more aggressive when get the rim protection on the court but it could be a high scoring team if they can combine the halfcourt execution which Calipari seems to expect with forcing more turnovers.
