Items that stood out from Kentucky's 87-57 win over NJIT:
As expected the Cats got Skal Labissiere much more involved early in the game. He finished with 26 points in just 21 minutes of game time with a supremely efficient first half (18 points, 7-7 FG, 6-6 FT). Obviously showed glimpses of what everyone was expecting before the season and a good job by those around him of getting him involved.
Isaiah Briscoe got a lot of time in his debut for Kentucky with 29 minutes. His four turnovers could be a minor critique but he looked good, shooting 5-11 and at least showing to me that he's capable of some range. Most impressively, 12 rebounds. Physical player that finishes so well. Briscoe actually led Kentucky in +/- category with the Cats +34 when he was in the game.
On a less bright note Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray struggled from the field and combined to finish 4-21. The real number that stands out inside that was Murray's 1-10 from three. Not going to see that too often but he demonstrated that he's got the green light and will try to shoot himself out of any bad stretch.
Although Ulis didn't have a good night from the field he did post a more characteristic 5-1 assist to turnover ratio. Not surprise at all to see him clean up last night's sloppy play (by his standards) a bit.
Derek Willis followed his 14-point opener with 11 points tonight. Last night all of his points came in the first half; tonight all came in the second. He was again efficient on 4-5 shooting.
Alex Poythress didn't assert himself too much but was an efficient 3-5 with a couple of highlight plays when his explosiveness shined.
Kentucky was +34 on the boards which is what they should have been. Not a ton of fast break points. Eight blocks last night and followed that with nine tonight.
NJIT started the game red hot and didn't miss a shot until almost five minutes in, but by the end of the game they were an ice cold < 31.0% and in the second half they were far worse than that (6-28 shooting). For the game they were right at 33% from inside three-point range.
Bit surprised that Matthews and Mulder were so quiet. Guess it's time to start reappraising the roles they might play on this year's team between the three-guard lineup and potentially Willis.
Finally, once again impressed with Marcus Lee. Hit both of his foul shots and grabbed seven offensive rebounds. He took eight shots to get his ten points but I like to see that he's looking to score.
As expected the Cats got Skal Labissiere much more involved early in the game. He finished with 26 points in just 21 minutes of game time with a supremely efficient first half (18 points, 7-7 FG, 6-6 FT). Obviously showed glimpses of what everyone was expecting before the season and a good job by those around him of getting him involved.
Isaiah Briscoe got a lot of time in his debut for Kentucky with 29 minutes. His four turnovers could be a minor critique but he looked good, shooting 5-11 and at least showing to me that he's capable of some range. Most impressively, 12 rebounds. Physical player that finishes so well. Briscoe actually led Kentucky in +/- category with the Cats +34 when he was in the game.
On a less bright note Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray struggled from the field and combined to finish 4-21. The real number that stands out inside that was Murray's 1-10 from three. Not going to see that too often but he demonstrated that he's got the green light and will try to shoot himself out of any bad stretch.
Although Ulis didn't have a good night from the field he did post a more characteristic 5-1 assist to turnover ratio. Not surprise at all to see him clean up last night's sloppy play (by his standards) a bit.
Derek Willis followed his 14-point opener with 11 points tonight. Last night all of his points came in the first half; tonight all came in the second. He was again efficient on 4-5 shooting.
Alex Poythress didn't assert himself too much but was an efficient 3-5 with a couple of highlight plays when his explosiveness shined.
Kentucky was +34 on the boards which is what they should have been. Not a ton of fast break points. Eight blocks last night and followed that with nine tonight.
NJIT started the game red hot and didn't miss a shot until almost five minutes in, but by the end of the game they were an ice cold < 31.0% and in the second half they were far worse than that (6-28 shooting). For the game they were right at 33% from inside three-point range.
Bit surprised that Matthews and Mulder were so quiet. Guess it's time to start reappraising the roles they might play on this year's team between the three-guard lineup and potentially Willis.
Finally, once again impressed with Marcus Lee. Hit both of his foul shots and grabbed seven offensive rebounds. He took eight shots to get his ten points but I like to see that he's looking to score.
