Walker Carey (@walkerRcarey) is an RTC Correspondent. He filed this report after Saturday afternoon’s game between Kentucky and UCLA at the CBS Sports Classic in Chicago.
There has been plenty of talk so far this season about the potential of Kentucky completing an undefeated season. There has been good reason for this talk too, as the Wildcats have shown flashes of being an unstoppable force. This was never more evident than in Saturday afternoon’s 83-42 thrashing of UCLA. Kentucky started the game on a 24-0 run and led 41-7 at halftime. The Wildcats defense was so suffocating that the Bruins were held to 3-of-37 (8.1%) shooting in the first half and 19-of-71 (26.8%) shooting for the game. Probably the most incredible statistics of the first half were that Kentucky had more blocks (eight) and steals (five) than UCLA had made baskets (three). This was a thumping in every sense of the word. It was probably one of those games where UCLA coach Steve Alford would be better served to burn the footage than try to learn from it. The following are three takeaways from Saturday afternoon’s action.
- The first half could not have gone worse for UCLA. When Kentucky guard Devin Booker threw down a dunk at the 12:40 mark of the first half, all UCLA guards Bryce Alford and Norman Powell was stare at each other in amazement,as Booker’s dunk had put Kentucky ahead 24-0. Before swingman Kevon Looney finally converted a lay-in at the 12:17 mark, the Bruins missed their first 17 shots. When the half came to an end, UCLA’s futility was almost laughable. It was down 41-7. It had converted just 3-of-37 shot attempts, including 0-of-9 from behind the three-point line. It had turned the ball over eight times and let eight of its shots be swatted by Kentucky defenders. Adding insult to injury for the Bruins was the fact that it was not like Kentucky had set the world on fire offensively during the opening stanza either. The Wildcats shot just 45.7% from the field and missed several open looks from the perimeter. None of that mattered though, as Kentucky’s incredible defense, depth, and athleticism was the story once again in another lopsided victory.
- Aaron Harrison and Willie Cauley-Stein look very smart for returning to school. After last season’s run to the national title game, both Harrison and Cauley-Stein had the opportunity to enter the NBA Draft where both would have likely been first round selections. Looking to improve their consistency – and in the case of Cauley-Stein, his health – both players returned to Lexington for this season and early returns could not be better. Harrison entered Saturday’s action averaging 10.2 points per game and built on the mark by putting up 15 points against the Bruins. There were certainly times last season where Harrison appeared out of c0ntrol and in over his head. That has not been the case this season, as the sophomore has just 11 turnovers in 12 games. Carley-Stein’s return for his junior season was due in part to an ankle injury suffered against Louisville in the Sweet 16. Now healthy, Cauley-Stein has emerged as the main cog in both the Wildcats’ scoring and rebounding attack. The junior entered Saturday’s action with team-best averages of 10.7 points and 6.8 boards per game. While Cauley-Stein finished the thrashing of UCLA with totals below his season averages – eight points and five rebounds – he showed why he is rapidly shooting up NBA Draft boards. His ability to run the floor, hit mid-range jumpers, and block shots should certainly have him coming off the board early next June.
- Kentucky has a realistic chance of finishing the regular season unbeaten. The talk about this Kentucky team being good enough to run the table in the regular season is definitely not hyperbole. This is one of the best defensive teams in college basketball history. This is one of the deepest teams in college basketball history. This is one of the most athletic teams in college basketball history. The Wildcats do face a arduous test next Saturday when they travel to the Yum! Center to face fellow unbeaten archrival Louisville. Considering the lack of threats in the SEC, if Kentucky can leave Louisville unscathed, John Calipari’s team will have an extremely good chance of entering the NCAA Tournament with an unbeaten record.