Positive Takeaways from Illinois St game

[IL Wildcat]

Well, last night was a learning experience for everyone on the team, and probably for us fans as well. There's no denying that first half was some ugly basketball. Anyone who saw it would have to agree. But I have a good feeling about this game the day after and there are several positives I see.

1. It was a win, not a loss. You can't get too mad about that. We are perfectionists and so is Calipari, but a real collapse would have ended in a loss.
2. Second, it was a double-digit win over a decent opponent. Illinois State deserves a little credit here. They have given other good teams trouble. Maryland beat these guys by 11 but Illinois St was actually beating Maryland by 5 with under 8 minutes remaining in that game. UK never trailed after half and led by 16 with 10 minutes to go, before finally winning by 12.
3. Third, it was all done without our starting pg, Tyler Ulis. If anything, we need to give Ulis more credit for what he does.
4. (and perhaps most importantly) This game will make this team better down the road because players were forced into action and now see where they need to improve. Consider players who were helped by Ulis' absence.:
Isaiah Briscoe- he has struggled running the team in limited minutes at point so far this year, but he was forced to step into that role last night. He had a very shaky start (3 turnovers in the first 3 minutes), but he settled in and played better as the game went along. This will make him a better pg for the team.
Charles Matthews- he took another step forward last night. He got the start with Ulis out and Briscoe and Murray shifting to pg and sg. He didn't shoot it well, but he needed the minutes last night.
Jamal Murray- he also had the chance to run the point when Briscoe went out. He's still finding himself in UK's offense, but he's getting it figured out.
Dominique Hawkins- he needed those minutes last night just to get back into the groove. That injury kept him out of those early game and messed up his rhythm and had him feeling left behind. He didn't play great but he needed those minutes. His defense was important, as was his free throw shooting down the stretch.

 

[buckkiller]

Good post and agree plus Willis as well got lil PT. alot of people seem to give up on Willis but he played pretty good as well and hit a must needed 3 in first half. Willis hits his free throws as well. Sksl needs to be more assertive in my opinion. The o ly negative from that game was Skals stat line. We cannot afford that against better opponents. He needs to start bringing it effort wise alot harder IMO.

 

[IL Wildcat]

Good post and agree plus Willis as well got lil PT. alot of people seem to give up on Willis but he played pretty good as well and hit a must needed 3 in first half. Willis hits his free throws as well. Sksl needs to be more assertive in my opinion. The o ly negative from that game was Skals stat line. We cannot afford that against better opponents. He needs to start bringing it effort wise alot harder IMO.

True buckkiller. The biggest negative in the game was Labissiere's line. He just didn't produce last night and we need production from him. The good news, though, is that we've got Lee and Poythress stepping in and producing, so the pressure isn't on Skal. But he will get there, I believe. His talent is unquestioned.

And I didn't mention the other positives I might have mentioned. I just mentioned those directly affected by Ulis' not playing, which were mostly our guards. But you're right...
Marcus Lee- He bounced back from a poor game against USF with one of his best ever as a Wildcat. 13pts and 12reb is impressive.
Alex Poythress- He's getting better before our eyes. That knee injury is almost forgotten now. He's exploding and making plays. He's still leaving some of those plays short, but it's coming. He will get there, I have no doubt.
Derek Willis- He made a big three in this game, hit his free throws, had a couple big rebounds, and a blocked shot as well. We will need Willis in several games this year, so anyone wanting to give up on him should reconsider. I'm convinced, though others disagree, that his issue is entirely mental. He needs confidence. I hope making that 3 and getting some meaningful minutes will help him.

 

[uk78]

The key to success seems primarily to be defense. There have been teams we have already faced whom seem to have better outside shooters than we do overall. Quality teams will have even more. But, if you can disrupt a teams offense and have talent as well, then you likely will win. So, although our offense has suffered at times, it is the defense that remains the key. I thought the team did well on defense getting several turn-overs, blocked shots, etc. Of course if we continue to shoot poorly overall, can't hit free throws, then it will eventually cost us a game or two.

 

[ulismyman]

Willis always gonna get the doubt insted of benefit on this board...will never change..he could have 6 great games then 2 bad ones and he would get ripped

 

[K_TIME]

The key to success seems primarily to be defense. There have been teams we have already faced whom seem to have better outside shooters than we do overall. Quality teams will have even more. But, if you can disrupt a teams offense and have talent as well, then you likely will win. So, although our offense has suffered at times, it is the defense that remains the key. I thought the team did well on defense getting several turn-overs, blocked shots, etc. Of course if we continue to shoot poorly overall, can't hit free throws, then it will eventually cost us a game or two.

Agreed..I thought our defense was very consistent in disrupting Illinois St last night. Their best shot was a contested deep 2 pt shot. Ran them off the 3pt line and they weren't getting to the rim very well as the game wore on.

 

[IL Wildcat]

The key to success seems primarily to be defense. There have been teams we have already faced whom seem to have better outside shooters than we do overall. Quality teams will have even more. But, if you can disrupt a teams offense and have talent as well, then you likely will win. So, although our offense has suffered at times, it is the defense that remains the key. I thought the team did well on defense getting several turn-overs, blocked shots, etc. Of course if we continue to shoot poorly overall, can't hit free throws, then it will eventually cost us a game or two.

I have to agree uk78. I'm sure we'll just outscore some folks at times. When he's right, Labissiere has shown that he can score with great efficiency, and Murray has shown the same ability at times as well. But there will be nights when those shots just aren't falling. The thing you can control the most is your defensive intensity. The good news in this regard is that Calipari's teams always play solid defense, so I expect nothing less from this group.

 

[FlCATFan]

Outstanding post IL Wildcat. Giving Murray and Briscoe minutes at the point may well pay huge dividends down the road. This young team probably learned a great deal more than they would have with a blowout win.

 

[ALL IN YOUR FACE]

There were positives? By reading the rest of the board I would have thought we lost last night and should give up on the season.

Good post OP.

 

[rabidcatfan]

Illinois State took #2 Maryland down to the wire two games before they played UK. They were only down by 1 at the half and had the game there tied at 62-all late in the second half before Maryland went on a run to end the game and win by 11. My guess is that although they've lost to some inferior competition, Illinois State will be in the NCAA-T and may be a 1st round upset contender, especially if the end up in that 4/13, 5/12, or 6/11 matchup.

 

[bigbluelou]

Another positive is that the guys are reminded that teams aren't just going to lie down for them simply because we're "mighty Kentucky." Quite the opposite, in fact. Wins are not guaranteed in any game, even at Rupp against a mid-major.

The team overcame adversity by playing through it without Ulis. And I agree that one of the most valuable outcomes is the added experience for Briscoe and Murray at the point.

Don't forget we didn't have Humphries either. He's given us some valuable minutes thus year.