What's Happening With Kentucky? by:Allison Farnworth

Based on Kentucky's recent performance, should fans be concerned?

To start off the 2020-21 basketball season, the Kentucky Wildcats have had a substandard start. After winning their first game against Morehead State, the Wildcats proceeded to drop the next three games: Richmond, Kansas, and Georgia Tech. Perhaps the most shocking loss was to Georgia Tech, a team already 0-2 with losses to Mercer and Georgia State. Kentucky had high expectations, starting off the season as 10th in the preseason rankings. Additionally, Kentucky had the best recruiting class in the nation, headlined by 5-star freshman Terrence Clarke and Brandon Boston Jr, followed by 4-stars Devin Askew, Isaiah Jackson, Lance Ware, and Cam’Ron Fletcher. Additionally, Kentucky landed 3 transfers who were immediately eligible. Olivier Sarr, a 7’0 center, transferred to Kentucky from Wake Forest, Jacob Toppin transferred from Rhode Island, and Davion Mintz transferred from Creighton. Although this may seem beneficial, Kentucky only has one returning scholarship player: sophomore Keion Brooks Jr., who averaged 4.5 points per game last season and is currently out due to injury. 


Kentucky’s first loss, to the Richmond Spiders, shocked some fans, however this Richmond team looked strong. The Spiders brought back 95% of their scoring from last season, and played an inexperienced Kentucky team early in the season, which contributed heavily to their win. In this matchup, Kentucky shot 0% from beyond the arc, and 36% from the field goal range. Freshman Brandon Boston led the team in scoring with 20 points, however this was not enough to bring the Wildcats a second win.


In Kentucky’s second loss to Kansas in the Champions Classic, they showed an improvement in 3 point shooting, however the numbers were abysmal. The Wildcats shot 14% from 3, and 36% from field goal. Kentucky did keep it close with the Jayhawks, who were ranked 7th in the country at the time of the loss, losing by just 3 points. In Kentucky’s worst loss, against the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, the Wildcats shot an improved 42% from the 3 point range, and almost 45% from the field goal range. However, Kentucky had 21 turnovers, while Georgia Tech had just 6, their lowest this season. Despite these efforts, Kentucky fell by 17 points to the Yellowjackets.


While there is definitely a reason for Kentucky fans to worry after this start, the worst the program has seen in decades, this team has an incredibly high ceiling. There is plenty of talent on this roster, and it is just a matter of gaining experience and gelling together as a team. Kentucky is already showing to be a great rebounding team, averaging just over 40 rebounds per game. With some improvement in 3 point shooting and engagement in defense, this team should make major strides. Keion Brooks should return from some point, bringing some more experience to the squad and potentially improving significantly from this past season. This team also has good length, with an average height of 6’7, which paves the way for a disruptive defense. Kentucky might not be looking at a championship year, but if they can work things out, they could still finish top 3 in SEC conference play.

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