Scorching start to the game by Texas A&M Commerce to push Kentucky a bit. They were awesome executing offense early in the game. It would be easy to rip Kentucky's defense and it wasn't especially good, but they're missing a ton of guys. In time, Kentucky was able to extend the defense and bother Commerce whereas they were pretty much letting them run what they wanted early in the game. The shooting evened out over the course of the half. For the game, I thought Kentucky did a pretty good job of guarding considering there's none of the rim protection they're probably banking on.
Interesting that Sheppard didn't get more involved offensively when he was in the game but Reeves was very good. Really, Reeves, Edwards, and Mitchell were all Kentucky needed offensively in this one. Reeves heated up from outside, Mitchell continues to impact the game in so many ways from his passing and vision from the top to interior passing, footwork around the rim, craftiness with the ball, just a really well rounded player. Regardless of the lack of scoring, Kentucky has been a better team when Sheppard has been on the court. He's really impressive on defense.
After that early start Kentucky did exactly what it should against a team like that. The big variable for the night was Commerce just played its A+ game. Kentucky still won by 20. No big deal.
Commerce played offense at a very high level, take the name off the front of the jersey. From that point when it was 21-8 Commerce it was complete domination by Kentucky. Commerce's Tommie Lewis averaged 3.5 points on 27% FGs last year and he was lights out tonight. Just one of those nights for Lewis, maybe he's taken a step forward as a player, but it's okay to acknowledge a non-name opponent played a good game.
Interesting that Sheppard didn't get more involved offensively when he was in the game but Reeves was very good. Really, Reeves, Edwards, and Mitchell were all Kentucky needed offensively in this one. Reeves heated up from outside, Mitchell continues to impact the game in so many ways from his passing and vision from the top to interior passing, footwork around the rim, craftiness with the ball, just a really well rounded player. Regardless of the lack of scoring, Kentucky has been a better team when Sheppard has been on the court. He's really impressive on defense.
After that early start Kentucky did exactly what it should against a team like that. The big variable for the night was Commerce just played its A+ game. Kentucky still won by 20. No big deal.
Commerce played offense at a very high level, take the name off the front of the jersey. From that point when it was 21-8 Commerce it was complete domination by Kentucky. Commerce's Tommie Lewis averaged 3.5 points on 27% FGs last year and he was lights out tonight. Just one of those nights for Lewis, maybe he's taken a step forward as a player, but it's okay to acknowledge a non-name opponent played a good game.
